Kenji Sawada (Kyūjitai: 澤田研二, Shinjitai: 沢田研二, Sawada Kenji, June 25, 194… Read Full Bio ↴Kenji Sawada (Kyūjitai: 澤田研二, Shinjitai: 沢田研二, Sawada Kenji, June 25, 1948), nicknamed "Julie" (ジュリー Jurii), also-known as a vocalist for Japanese rock band The Tigers, is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and actor.

As a singer (often he also worked as a songwriter) and actor, Sawada had prospered greatly on Japanese popular culture in last three decades of "Showa era". In the end of 1960s, he succeeded as a lead singer of the band The Tigers. After the breakup of The Tigers and another project PYG, he began his own solo career. As a solo singer, he had sold over 12 million copies singles and reached to the best-selling Japanese male solo music artist in the 1970s and '80s. Around the mid of 1980s, his astonishing popularity declined quickly, but he has kept on working as an artist up 'til now. He has sold at least 15 million copies singles and albums, and at present, he is a thirty-sixth best-selling music artist in Japan.

追憶
沢田研二 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

小雨降ればひとり待つニーナ
なにも聞かず読みかけの本を
捨てて抱き合ったおまえの肌
ニーナ素顔がきれいだ
夜の風を怖がったニーナ
ひとつ灯り残しあの部屋で
おまえの気持ちは甘くくずれ
ニーナ泣いたよ

オーニーナ忘れられない
許して尽くしてそばにいて
オーニーナもし今なら
おまえを二度とは悲しませない
オーニーナ

長い髪をきってきたニーナ
僕に愛を誓うその為に
おまえの瞳が思いつめて
ニーナ胸につきささる
白いバラの花びらを散らし
愛の明日を占うおまえを
無理にやめさせてみつめた目を
ニーナ信じて
オーニーナ忘れられない
許して尽くしてそばにいて
オーニーナもし今なら
おまえを二度とは悲しませない
オーニーナ

ニーナ忘れられない
許して尽くしてそばにいて
オーニーナもし今なら
おまえを二度とは離さない

オーニーナ忘れられない
許して尽くしてそばにいて

オーニーナもし今なら
おまえを二度とは離さない

Overall Meaning

The song "追憶" by 沢田研二 (Kenji Sawada) is about remembering a woman named Nina, who the singer has had a romantic relationship with. The lyrics describe Nina waiting alone in the rain, lost in thought while holding a halfway read book. Eventually, she is joined by the singer, and they embrace. The singer notes that Nina's honest, unadorned appearance is beautiful. The lyrics go on to describe a time when Nina was afraid of the night wind and sought comfort in a lit room. The singer recalls that Nina's feelings were sweet but eventually shattered, causing her to cry. The chorus "Oh, Nina," repeats several times throughout, suggesting the connection the singer feels to Nina.

The second verse describes how Nina has cut her long hair and made a pledge of love to the singer, pledging to give her over the flowers of white roses, symbolizing purity and love. The singer acknowledges that it has been like a thorn in her chest, complicated, and painful. The ending repeats the chorus, with the singer promising never to forget Nina, to be with her, and never to let her be sad again.

Line by Line Meaning

小雨降ればひとり待つニーナ
Nina waits alone when it drizzles, without asking, discarding her half-read book, and holds onto your skin, Nina looks beautiful naturally.

夜の風を怖がったニーナ
At night, Nina was scared of the wind and stayed in that room with a light on while being sweet but upset. She cried, Nina cried.

オーニーナ忘れられない
Oh, Nina. She is unforgettable, and one wishes to be with her, to forgive and serve her, and not make her sad again, Oh Nina.

ニーナ素顔がきれいだ
Nina's true beauty lies in her natural appearance.

おまえの気持ちは甘くくずれ
Nina's feelings were sweet, but her heart broke.

オーニーナもし今ならおまえを二度とは悲しませない
Nina, if you were here now, I would stay by your side, never let you be sad again.

長い髪をきってきたニーナ僕に愛を誓うその為におまえの瞳が思いつめてニーナ胸につきささる
Nina cut her long hair and devoted it to me. Her eyes were intense; they penetrated my heart.

ニーナ忘れられない許して尽くしてそばにいてオーニーナもし今ならおまえを二度とは離さない
Nina, unforgettable, forgivable, a companion, and not to be left again, Oh Nina.

白いバラの花びらを散らし愛の明日を占うおまえを無理にやめさせてみつめた目をニーナ信じて
White rose petals spell Nina's love's fortune. She looked at me with difficulty, and I believe her.

Writer(s): 安井かずみ, 加瀬邦彦, 安井　かずみ, 加瀬　邦彦

Contributed by Andrew V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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