Eri was born as Chiemi Kubo on January 11, 1937 in Tokyo, Japan. She started her singing career at the age of 14 with her version of "Tennessee Waltz." She sang American songs such as "Jambalaya" and "Come on-a My House". Eri started her career as an actress similar to Misora Hibari. Eri, Misora and Izumi Yukimura formed a trio. In her concerts, she was supported by Nobuo Hara's jazz band.
Eri married Ken Takakura in 1959 but divorced in 1971. She released single "Sakaba Nite" (酒場にて lit. "At The Bar"?) in 1974. The song was later included by omnibus album "Enka no Kokoro".
Eri began her career as a singer at the age of 14 and would continue to record throughout her career. Many of her albums focused on Japanese folk music though she would often blend American standards with Latin grooves at the behest of Nobuo Hara, a prolific Jazz musician and leader of Eri's backing band.
江利チエミ - チエミの民謡集 / Eri Chiemi - Chiemi's Folk Song Collection (1958)
チエミスタンダードアルバム / Chiemi Sings Standards (1959)
Chiemi Eri & The Delta Rhythm Boys (1961)
チエミの民謡ハイライツ / Chiemi Sings Japanese Folk Songs Highlights (1962)
チエミの民謡ハイライツ 第2集 / Chiemi Sings Japanese Folk Songs Volume 2 (1965)
チエミの民謡デラックス / Chiemi Sings Japanese Folk Music Deluxe (1968)
チエミの民謡デラックス第二集 / Chiemi Sings Japanese Folk Music Deluxe Volume 2 (1969)
ガイ・イズ・ア・ガイ
江利チエミ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He followed me down the street like
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
So listen and I'll tell you
What this fellow did to me
I walked to my house like a good girl should
He followed me to my house like
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
What this fellow did to me
I never saw the boy before
So nothing could be silliy
At closer range his face was strange
But his manner was familiar
So I walked up the stairs like a good girl should?
He followed me up the stairs like
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
So listen and I'll tell you
What this fellow did to me
わたしのママが言いました
「男はみんな狼よ だから おもてでは
知らぬ人に 口をきいては いけませんよ」
言われた通り おとなしく
わきめもふらずに 歩いてみた
だけど なんとなく つまらないの
素敵なお方が いないかしら
いつもの通りで チラリ見てみると
うしろにあの人が ソラ 御覧ついてくる
いつでも ママは叱るけれど
ふしぎに胸がトキメクの だって 無理ですわ
わたしだって アヴァンチュールを楽しみたい
The song "ガイ・イズ・ア・ガイ" speaks on the double standard between men and women in society. The lyrics describe a young woman walking down the street, followed by an unknown man. She knows she should be careful because "a guy is a guy wherever he may be", meaning that men are a constant danger to women regardless of where they are. As the man follows her home, she becomes bored with her mundane life and wonders if there might be a more exciting man out there for her. Even though her mother had warned her about men being wolves, she can't help but feel a flutter in her heart and the desire for an adventure.
The lyrics reveal the struggle women face in society, where they must always be cautious of men, yet at the same time, they crave the excitement and passion that men can bring into their lives. The message is a call to break down the societal norms and create equality between men and women.
Line by Line Meaning
I walked down the street like a good girl should
I proceeded down the road with excellent etiquette as proper young women ought to.
He followed me down the street like
He tailed me quite closely without my request or consent.
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
As a result of his gender, his invasive and predatory behaviour is hardly unexpected, regardless of his location or context.
So listen and I'll tell you
What this fellow did to me
Stay attentive, permit me to give an account of the misdeeds of this individual.
I walked to my house like a good girl should
As a well-mannered maiden, I promenaded towards my abode with suitable propriety.
He followed me to my house like
He pursued me all the way to my residence, against my wishes and desires.
So listen while I tell you
What this fellow did to me
Allow me the opportunity to recount my harrowing tale of woe concerning the actions of the aforementioned chap.
I never saw the boy before
So nothing could be silliy
At closer range his face was strange
But his manner was familiar
I had not encountered the lad previously, therefore it would have been impetuous to make hasty presumptions about his character. Despite the initial unfamiliarity of his visage, his behaviour felt strangely commonplace.
So I walked up the stairs like a good girl should?
In an effort to maintain decorum, I ascended the staircase with the same upstanding demeanor I displayed earlier on the street.
He followed me up the stairs like
Yet again, he doggedly shadowed my every step even as I made my way indoors.
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
So listen and I'll tell you
What this fellow did to me
As previously established, one ought to anticipate and be cautious of the behaviour of male individuals, regardless of where they happen to be situated. Please continue to listen as I relate the details of his persecution against me.
Contributed by Thomas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LiltinMissTiltonFan1
Sounds like another good one to me. Very Boppy and a great voice. Thanks for sharing
@hebneh
The original English lyrics to this song, by our standards today, are actually about a sexual assault - but treated in a light, joking manner which is a bit disturbing. In Japanese, I'd guess they're nothing like that.
@user-nj9bu5zq9z
サカナクションのシュガシュガから来ました
@user-gu9xc5nr1u
同じく