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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.
Ending Theme
植松伸夫 Lyrics
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On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy?
You'd always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you?
Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer
So let me come to you
Close as I want to be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast
And stay there as I whisper
How I love your peaceful eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you?
Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is
How can I let you know
I'm more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me out then
You will know that you're not dreaming
Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then I will know
That you are no dreamer
In 植松伸夫's song, "Ending Theme", the singer is reflecting on their time as a performer, wondering if the connection they felt with one particular audience member was real or imagined. The lyrics begin with the singer talking about performing alone, singing and speaking their truth in hopes of being heard. They notice one person in the audience smiling at them, and wonder if it was genuine or just wishful thinking on their part. This person always seemed to be there in the corner of the "tiny little bar", creating a sense of familiarity and comfort for the singer.
As the song progresses, the singer questions if this will be their last night performing here, bringing up the possibility of leaving this place behind. However, they also consider staying, enjoying the sameness and familiarity of the songs they've sung before. They then admit to admiring this person's shyness and the way they look at the singer. They wonder if the person knew they were being watched with admiration and interest.
The chorus then shifts to the singer offering themselves to the person in question. They offer to be the one to pinch them softly but sure, ensuring that they are not dreaming. If the person frowns, the singer will know that it's not just a fantasy. The singer wants to be close to the person, to feel their heart beating fast and whisper to them how they love their peaceful eyes on them. They then ask the person to share their love, their tears, or pain, promising that they are more than their external appearance and their voice.
Overall, "Ending Theme" is a contemplative and tender song about connection, admiration, and vulnerability. It highlights the importance of being honest with oneself and others, and the power of being vulnerable and open to love.
Interesting facts:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
The singer is always singing on stage by themselves.
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard
The singer speaks their thoughts hoping that someone listens.
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy?
The singer sees someone smiling at them and wonders if it's real or a figment of their imagination.
You'd always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar
The person the singer sees is always in the same spot in a small bar.
My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no
It's the singer's last night performing, unsure if they'll come back, and they're singing the same songs again as a farewell.
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me
The singer liked how the person looked at them shyly.
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you?
The singer looked back at the person too.
Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
The person the singer sees always has a look on their face like they've never been hurt or upset.
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer
The singer is willing to help the person and if they flinch, they're aware they're dealing with a real person, not a dream.
So let me come to you
Close as I want to be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast
And stay there as I whisper
How I love your peaceful eyes on me
The singer wants to be close to them, hear their heart beating, and whisper how they love looking into their peaceful eyes.
Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is
The singer asks the person to share their emotions with them, whether it's love or pain or holding back tears.
How can I let you know
I'm more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me out then
You will know that you're not dreaming
The singer wants to be seen beyond their appearance and voice, and if the person touches them, they'll realize they're a real person, not a dream.
Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
The person the singer sees always has a look on their face like they've never been hurt or upset.
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then I will know
That you are no dreamer
The singer is willing to help the person and if they flinch, they're aware they're dealing with a real person, not a dream.
Writer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
Contributed by Vivian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.