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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.
Answers
植松伸夫 Lyrics
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Release your hands, for your will drags us under
My legs grow tired, tell us where must we wander
How can we carry on if redemption's beyond us?
To all of my children in whom Life flows abundant
To all of my children to whom Death hath passed his judgement
The soul yearns for honor, and the flesh the hereafter
Shining is the Land's light of justice
Ever flows the Land's well of purpose
Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe...
The Land is alive, so believe...
Suffer (Feel) Promise (Think) Witness (Teach) Reason
(Hear) Follow (Feel) Wander (Think) Stumble (Teach) Listen
(Speak) Honor (Speak) Value (Tell) Whisper (Tell) Mention
(Hope) Ponder (Hope) Warrant (Wish) Cherish (Wish) Welcome
(Roam) Witness (Roam) Listen (Roam) Suffer (Roam) Sanction
(Sleep) Weather (Sleep) Wander (Sleep) Answer
Sleep on
Now open your eyes while our plight is repeated
Still deaf to our cries, lost in hope we lie defeated
Our souls have been torn, and our bodies forsaken
Bearing sins of the past, for our future is taken
War born of strife, these trials persuade us not
Words without sound, these lies betray our thoughts
Mired by a plague of doubt, the Land, she mourns
Judgement binds all we hold to a memory of scorn
Tell us why, given Life, we are meant to die, helpless in our cries?
Witness, Suffer, Borrow, Reason
Follow, Stumble, Wander, Listen
Whisper, Shoulder, Ponder, Weather
Answer, Answer, Answer together
Thy Life is a riddle, to bear rapture and sorrow
To listen, to suffer, to entrust unto tomorrow
In one fleeting moment, from the Land doth life flow
Yet in one fleeting moment, for anew it doth grow
In the same fleeting moment
Thou must live, die, and know
The song "Answers" by Nobuo Uematsu is a contemplative exploration of the human condition, reflecting on themes of suffering, existence, and the search for redemption. In the opening stanza, the singer poses profound questions regarding the nature of suffering, expressing a yearning for understanding. The imagery of closing one's eyes evokes a sense of introspection and vulnerability. Here, the line "Release your hands, for your will drags us under," suggests a relinquishment of forces or influences that guide us toward despair. The mention of tired legs symbolizes the fatigue that comes from continuing to seek answers in a world filled with challenges, underscoring a pervasive sense of hopelessness. The questions posed highlight a struggle between the desire for redemption and the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of suffering, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences of pain and perseverance.
Further along in the lyrics, there is a shift to a message of collective identity as the singer addresses "my children," encompassing all who experience life and death. This invokes a communal perspective, emphasizing that both life and death are shared experiences that shape the human story. The contrast between honor and the transient nature of physical existence speaks to the duality of the human experience—where the soul aspires for significance, yet the body is subject to mortality. By referencing those who have walked before, the lyrics encourage a connection to past generations, drawing strength and wisdom from their experiences while guiding future generations. This notion of lineage and shared experience fosters a sense of continuity in the struggle for understanding one's place in the continuum of life.
The chorus reiterates a mantra of belief in the "Land," representative of a greater purpose or truth. The repetition of the phrase "Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe…" serves as a rallying cry for hope and resilience. It suggests that even amidst suffering and chaos, there remains an inherent sanctity to life, urging listeners to trust in the possibility of redemption and collective action. The subsequent list of verbs—suffer, witness, reason, and cherish—illustrates the myriad emotions and actions that define the human journey. Together, they form a guide for individuals to navigate through life’s complexities, reinforcing the importance of experiencing life in its totality—both highs and lows—as a means of growth and understanding.
In the final verses, a sense of despair settles over the narrative, as the repetition of unanswered cries highlights the ongoing cycle of struggle and suffering. The mention of being "lost in hope" evokes a poignant image of disillusionment, where even the faintest glimmers of aspiration seem overshadowed by a sense of defeat. The lines explore the weight of historical sins and present realities, suggesting a burden that complicates the quest for a meaningful future. Yet, amid the more somber reflections, the idea that life is a "riddle" captures the complexity and beauty of existence. Ultimately, the conclusion emphasizes the fleeting nature of life—recognizing that within each moment lies the potential for both profound joy and sorrow. It urges a holistic embracing of life’s experiences, encouraging an acknowledgement that to live fully, one must also accept the inevitabilities of life's cyclical nature—living, dying, and knowing. This philosophical pondering not only serves as a potential balm for the pain expressed throughout the song, but also acts as an invitation to explore and accept our multifaceted existence.
Line by Line Meaning
I close my eyes, tell us why must we suffer
I shut my eyes, pleading for an understanding of the reasons behind our pain.
Release your hands, for your will drags us under
Let go of your grip, as your desires weigh us down into despair.
My legs grow tired, tell us where must we wander
I feel exhausted and seek guidance on our intended path forward.
How can we carry on if redemption's beyond us?
How can we move forward when the possibility of salvation seems unattainable?
To all of my children in whom Life flows abundant
To all my kin who are blessed with the vitality of existence.
To all of my children to whom Death hath passed his judgement
To all my kin who have faced the finality of mortality.
The soul yearns for honor, and the flesh the hereafter
The spirit longs for respect and dignity, while the body craves what lies beyond this life.
Look to those who walked before to lead those who walk after
Seek wisdom from those who have tread this path before us, to guide the future generations.
Shining is the Land's light of justice
Brilliant is the beacon of fairness that radiates throughout our realm.
Ever flows the Land's well of purpose
The source of meaning and intention in our world is unendingly available.
Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe...
Move forward without restraint, trust in the possibility that exists...
The Land is alive, so believe...
The essence of our existence is vibrant and true, have faith in its reality...
Suffer (Feel) Promise (Think) Witness (Teach) Reason
Endure (experience) Commit (reflect) Observe (educate) Analyze.
(Hear) Follow (Feel) Wander (Think) Stumble (Teach) Listen
Perceive (hear) Pursue (experience) Roam (reflect) Trip (educate) Pay attention.
(Speak) Honor (Speak) Value (Tell) Whisper (Tell) Mention
Articulate (speak) Respect (speak) Appreciate (communicate) Murmur (communicate) Bring up.
(Hope) Ponder (Hope) Warrant (Wish) Cherish (Wish) Welcome
Aspire (hope) Contemplate (hope) Guarantee (desire) Treasure (desire) Receive.
(Roam) Witness (Roam) Listen (Roam) Suffer (Roam) Sanction
Wander (observe) Experience (wander) Hear (wander) Endure (wander) Approve.
(Sleep) Weather (Sleep) Wander (Sleep) Answer
Rest (endure) Sleep (rest) Roam (rest) Respond.
Sleep on
Continue to slumber peacefully.
Now open your eyes while our plight is repeated
Awaken and witness as our struggles continue to replay.
Still deaf to our cries, lost in hope we lie defeated
We remain unheard in our calls for help, feeling helpless despite our dreams.
Our souls have been torn, and our bodies forsaken
Our spirits have been shattered, and we feel abandoned in our physical forms.
Bearing sins of the past, for our future is taken
We carry the burdens of our history, while our prospects for the future appear lost.
War born of strife, these trials persuade us not
Conflict stemming from turmoil has not convinced us to retreat.
Words without sound, these lies betray our thoughts
Silenced statements, these falsehoods betray our true feelings and beliefs.
Mired by a plague of doubt, the Land, she mourns
Caught in a relentless fog of uncertainty, the spirit of our world grieves.
Judgement binds all we hold to a memory of scorn
Our past errors tie us to an unending recollection of shame.
Tell us why, given Life, we are meant to die, helpless in our cries?
Explain why, despite the gift of existence, we are destined to face death, powerless to voice our despair.
Witness, Suffer, Borrow, Reason
Observe, Endure, Learn from others, Analyze.
Follow, Stumble, Wander, Listen
Pursue, Trip, Roam, Pay attention.
Whisper, Shoulder, Ponder, Weather
Murmur, Share burdens, Contemplate, Endure.
Answer, Answer, Answer together
Respond, Respond, Let us provide collective responses.
Thy Life is a riddle, to bear rapture and sorrow
Your existence is a puzzle, embodying both joy and grief.
To listen, to suffer, to entrust unto tomorrow
To hear, to endure pain, and to place faith in the future.
In one fleeting moment, from the Land doth life flow
In a brief instant, vitality emerges from our world.
Yet in one fleeting moment, for anew it doth grow
And in another instant, it begins to rejuvenate and flourish once more.
In the same fleeting moment
In that identical transient experience.
Thou must live, die, and know
You must experience existence, embrace death, and gain understanding.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NOBUO UEMATSU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind