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Nobuo Uematsu (植松伸夫 Uematsu Nobuo) (born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer of video game music. He is best known for his work with game developer Squaresoft (now Square Enix), having provided scores for a majority of installments of Square's Final Fantasy series of role-playing games. Uematsu's body of work - composed, in its entirety, on keyboards - is known for its distinct eclecticism, and has secured his status as one of the most popular and beloved composers of video game music in the world.
Nobuo Uematsu was born in Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. A self-taught musician, he began to play the piano when he was eleven or twelve years old, and he did not take any formal piano lessons. After graduating from Kanagawa University, Uematsu played the keyboard in several amateur bands and composed music for television commercials.
When Uematsu was working at a music rental shop in Tokyo, a Square employee asked if he would be interested in creating music for some of the titles they were working on. Although he agreed, Uematsu considered it a side job, and he did not think it would become a full-time career. He said it was a way to make some money on the side, while also keeping his part-time job at the music rental shop. His first score for Square was Cruise Chaser Blassty, released in 1986.
Uematsu enjoyed massive commercial success with the song "Eyes on Me" performed by 王菲 and featured in Final Fantasy VIII. The single sold 400,000 copies, a record for a video game song, and won the "Song of the Year" award at the 1999 Japan Gold Disc Awards. Uematsu was subsequently named in Time Magazine's list of the Top 100 Innovators - Music, and has toured Japan playing classical concerts on several occasions.
His music itself is notoriously eclectic, tracks featured skip between pop-style balladry, to fusion styles incorporating African traditions, to, in recent years, a number of Celtic-influenced recordings and releases. Many of his works also contain elements of progressive rock and hard rock. His formation of The Black Mages, a rock band, in 2003, allowed him to experiment with his own compositions, releasing band renditions of a significant number of tracks from his soundtracks. The Black Mages disbanded in 2010, but Uematsu formed a new band featuring other ex-Black Mages members and some new faces, Earthbound Papas, in its wake.
In 2004, Uematsu formed his own production company, Smile Please, to which Uematsu's compositions for CG-animated film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is credited. Uematsu continues to compose for Square Enix and other video game developers, such as Mistwalker. Notably, he worked on the soundtrack for the Nintendo crossover fighting game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, having composed its main theme.
ハーヴェスト
植松伸夫 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
この世界のすべてを 熱い言葉で 解き明かして
穴の空いたジーンズと いつも同じシャツの天使
年をとるほどに出会えた いろんな恋があるけど
変わり続けてくあなたを 追いかけては信じた
あのときのまま止まった 自分なんか見たくないから
退屈な人生を 遠い恋人たちを
傷だらけの勝利を 憎らしくなるほど聴いたよ
年をとるほどに不思議さ キラキラして見えるよ
歌い続けてるあなたに 時代は追いつけない
座り込んだ僕を立たせて 懐かしさはもういらない
今がそのときさ 孤独の旅路で 約束の地へ向かうよ
歌ってよ世界のすべてを
These lyrics describe a nostalgic longing for the past and a desire to escape the present through the memories of past experiences. The singer reminisces about a summer spent in a motel with magical hands playing the guitar and uncovering the mysteries of the world with passionate words. The lyrics also mention an angel in torn jeans and a constant shirt, possibly a metaphor for a simpler time.
As the singer grows older, they encounter different types of love but continue to pursue the ever-changing person they fell for in the past. They refuse to face their present selves and the monotony of their life, preferring to listen to songs about love and victory even if it fills them with bitterness. However, the more they age, the more they appreciate the wonder and sparkle of life, but feel like they can no longer keep up with the singer who has continued to evolve over time.
Despite feeling nostalgic, the singer decides to leave their seat of reminiscence and continue on their journey to the promised land of solitude, singing about the entirety of the world along the way. Overall, the lyrics contrast the fondness for the past with the desire for change and growth, ultimately celebrating the journey of life.
Line by Line Meaning
忘れられないよ 魔法の手が爪弾く 夏のモーテル
I can never forget the summer motel where you played magical tunes with your fingertips.
この世界のすべてを 熱い言葉で 解き明かして
You unlock the secrets of this world with your fiery words.
穴の空いたジーンズと いつも同じシャツの天使
You are the angel in ripped jeans and the same shirt you always wear.
年をとるほどに出会えた いろんな恋があるけど
As we grow older, we experience different kinds of love.
変わり続けてくあなたを 追いかけては信じた
I chased after you who kept changing, and I believed in you.
あのときのまま止まった 自分なんか見たくないから
I don't want to see myself as I am now, so I stayed the way I was back then.
退屈な人生を 遠い恋人たちを
I listened to your music to escape from my boring life and faraway lovers.
傷だらけの勝利を 憎らしくなるほど聴いたよ
I listened to your music until it hurt to hear about your victories, which came at a cost.
年をとるほどに不思議さ キラキラして見えるよ
The older I get, the more mysterious and glittering things seem to be.
歌い続けてるあなたに 時代は追いつけない
Time can't keep up with you, who keep singing.
座り込んだ僕を立たせて 懐かしさはもういらない
Make me stand up from where I'm sitting, I don't need nostalgia anymore.
今がそのときさ 孤独の旅路で 約束の地へ向かうよ
Now is the time, let's head towards the promised land on our journey of solitude.
歌ってよ世界のすべてを
Sing about all the things in this world.
Writer(s): 植松伸夫
Contributed by Lauren J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gjtrue
I imagine a bunch of Irish folk riverdancing when I hear this song.
@USEC_OFFICER
You aren't the only one. Final Fantasy 8 remixed this into an Irish jig, in fact.
@gjtrue
@@USEC_OFFICER It did?! Which part and what is the name? 🤨🤨😗😗
@USEC_OFFICER
@@gjtrue As far as I'm aware it doesn't have a name. It's the Irish Jig that plays when you use a certain set of instruments for the Fisherman's Horizon Concert. The song should turn up if you search for 'Final Fantasy 8 Irish Jig'.
@xdavidliu
@@USEC_OFFICER that's a completely different theme from this. The only thing in common are the claps at the beginning. The one in FF8 is a completely different theme.
@LightGamersTonight
FF4のアレンジアルバムCelticMoonでケルト音楽に興味を持ち始め、FF5でこの曲を聞いたときは本当に感動しました♪
ここから洋楽のthe corrsにハマりました！
@TheTK0522
楽しかったなぁ、この時代＾＾
@user-mo3tz5lz1e
船の墓場からこれだったから音楽の落差にしばらく頭が混乱していた
立ち直れ切り替えてけという強烈な制作側のメッセージだったよ
この曲でないともっとシルドラ引きずってたよ
@satomz
I sincerely apologize for devouring the entire sheep population in the Werewolf village.
ケルブの村の羊を食い尽くしてしまった事、深くお詫びを申し上げたいです。
@user-qr5fc5rz4o
つい先日実装された、DFFオペラオムニアのケルガー断章のフィールドでも流れてましたね
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