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.

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桑田佳祐 Lyrics

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赤い雨の子守歌
しっぽり斬れた手のひら
一筋の流れ川の如く

遠い旅のみちづれに
まゆらに萌ゆる面影
悲しい恋は夢の中で実る

虚しい未練の風吹く都会では
これ以上泣いたら生きられぬ

薄く頬紅影さして
恋のゲームを終わらせて
それが愛だと言うのなら
決してあなたの
邪魔をせぬように

鉛色の空の下
うんざり晴れた世の中
孤独を気取るうちに寂しくなったよ

肉体が疼くほどに
ぽっかり空いたこのむね
彩りが消えた部屋で独り言ちた

情に流され溺れてばかりじゃ
この世に生まれた甲斐もない

甘くジャズなど歌わずに
粋なブルースで踊らせて
まるで亡者の影のように
何処か遠くで
あたしを呼んでる

夢追い人たちは嘆き
儚い現実から身を投げた

薄く頬紅影さして
どうかロマンス逢いに来て
それが愛だと言うのなら
いっそこのまま
ふたり堕ちてゆく

どうぞこの胸に

眠れ子守歌

Mmmm

Overall Meaning

The song "Kanzashi" by 桑田佳祐 is a wistful ballad that paints a picture of loneliness and longing for love. The opening lines speak of a lullaby for the red rain, which sets a melancholic tone. The following lines describe a hand that is neatly sliced, akin to a flowing river. The imagery is evocative of being cut and disconnected from reality. The next lines talk about memories that flicker and comfort like a traveling companion, but the sadness of love comes to fruition only in dreams.

The next verse talks about the wind that blows with empty regrets in the city. It's a world that one can only survive in by not crying anymore. The singer talks about a love game that's ended with the help of pale rouge painted on her cheeks. She muses that if ending a love game is what love is all about, she will never stand in his way again. The last two lines of the verse are about loneliness and how pretending to be alone makes one realize just how much they crave company.

In the final verse, the singer talks of a longing for love and how it's not enough to be drowned in emotions only. She wants to dance to a soulful blues instead of a sweet jazz tune. The lines speak of a lure, a calling from an unknown place, and being summoned like a ghostly shadow. The dreamers sigh with regret before jumping headfirst into the fleeting reality. The last two lines of the song are an invitation to romance and a plea to stay with her. The song ends with a lullaby plea to sleep with her, sung sweetly and tenderly.

Line by Line Meaning

赤い雨の子守歌
A lullaby for a child, rain red like blood.

しっぽり斬れた手のひら
A hand with calluses from hard work, that has been cut off at the wrist.

一筋の流れ川の如く
Flowing like a single stream in a river.

遠い旅のみちづれに
Walking a distant path with a travel companion.

まゆらに萌ゆる面影
Faintly sprouting memories of someone who was important.

悲しい恋は夢の中で実る
Sad love becomes a reality in dreams.

虚しい未練の風吹く都会では
In a city where the wind of empty attachment blows,

これ以上泣いたら生きられぬ
If you cry any more, you won't be able to live.

薄く頬紅影さして
With faint blush and a shadow,

恋のゲームを終わらせて
End the game of love.

それが愛だと言うのなら
If that's what you call love,