Keisuke Kuwata (桑田佳祐, born February 26, 1956) is a Japanese musician from … Read Full Bio ↴Keisuke Kuwata (桑田佳祐, born February 26, 1956) is a Japanese musician from Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. He is a singer-songwriter and Southern All Stars's leader.

He is a multi-instrumentalist who performs on guitar, bass, drums and keyboard. 'Suteki na Mirai wo mite hoshii'（素敵な未来を見て欲しい） was recorded entirely by Kuwata Keisuke. He played all the musical instruments on this record.

Kuwata directed the movie Inamura Jane, released in 1990.

His wife, Yuko Hara is also a member of Southern All Stars. She was in the same music circle at their university. She likes blues too and they hit it off in a moment. They have two sons.

In July 2010, Kuwata was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, causing him to cancel an album planned for October 20th and a live concert tour to undergo treatment.

グッバイ・ワルツ
桑田佳祐 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

雨アガリ街ハズレ歩いてる
一夜に濡れ落ちた花椿が
風に薫りて漂う春の
君と別れた夜でした

暗闇が目の前に迫り来る
生きるは寂しさを知るためか
涙こらえて口笛吹けば

星が瞬く空の下

柄になく来た道を振り返る
一途な恋などもしたけれど
幸か不幸か愛した女を
忘れられずに生きてます

変わりゆく世の中を嘆くなよ
消えゆく街並を憂うなよ
心に風穴開けて明日の
扉叩いてみませんか

儚きは矢の如く
季節だけが巡りゆく

この国に生まれたらそれだけで
「幸せ」と言えた日が懐かしい
川に浮かんだ月にはなれず
時代に流され参ります

雨アガリ街ハズレ夜が明ける
あれ取り残された蜉蝣月よ
俺と踊ろうかグッバイ・ワルツ

どうせ似た者同士じゃない
君よ笑ってくれないか

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 桑田佳祐's song "グッバイ・ワルツ" (Goodbye Waltz) tell a story of a person walking through a deserted city in the rain. The song reflects on a night of parting with someone dear, symbolized by a soaked camellia flower that drifts with the scent of spring in the wind. As darkness approaches, the person contemplates the loneliness they have come to know in life. They hold back tears and whistle a tune, finding solace in the twinkling stars under the sky. Reflecting on their journey, they admit to having pursued a faithful love but remain unable to forget the woman they once loved, living with the memories. The lyrics also touch upon the changing world and the transience of seasons, urging listeners not to lament the passing cityscape but instead open their hearts and knock on the door of tomorrow.

This song explores themes of nostalgia, longing, and the transient nature of life. It portrays the bittersweet emotions of parting with someone dear and reflecting on the choices and experiences that shape one's existence. The lyrics also emphasize the importance of embracing change and finding hope even in the face of a rapidly transforming world.

Line by Line Meaning

雨アガリ街ハズレ歩いてる
I'm walking through the rain and missing my way in the city

一夜に濡れ落ちた花椿が
The camellia flowers soaked in the rain overnight

風に薫りて漂う春の
Drifting in the spring breeze, carrying their fragrance

君と別れた夜でした
It was the night when I said goodbye to you

暗闇が目の前に迫り来る
The darkness is creeping closer in front of my eyes

生きるは寂しさを知るためか
Is living meant to experience loneliness?

涙こらえて口笛吹けば
If I hold back my tears and whistle

星が瞬く空の下
Under the starry sky, where stars twinkle

柄になく来た道を振り返る
Looking back on the road I unexpectedly took

一途な恋などもしたけれど
Although I had single-minded love

幸か不幸か愛した女を
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the woman I loved