Kanashii hito
河合奈保子 Lyrics

The lyrics to 河合奈保子's "Kanashii hito" paint a nostalgic and bittersweet picture of a failed romance. The opening line, "Konna deai shika nai kamoshirenai" ("This may be the only kind of encounter we have"), suggests a sense of resignation and a belief that the relationship was doomed from the start. The following lines refer to a clumsy and awkward love affair that was pursued in the confined space of a rush hour subway train. The imagery of chasing after someone with a stranger's face adds to the sense of detachment and futility.

The subsequent verses evoke memories of a summer romance that ended in heartbreak. The singer remembers waving goodbye from a dinghy as they left behind a secluded cove, knowing deep down that the sadness of the situation would linger even as the tangible element of the relationship drifted away. The lines "Kanashii hito wa furikaerenai / Yasashisa dake ga nokotteru no wa / Nido to wa kagayakanu to / Omoide wa shitte iru kara" ("A sad person can't look back / Only kindness remains / It won't shine twice / But I know the memories") convey a sense of acceptance and even gratitude for the temporary moments of happiness that the failed romance brought.

Overall, the song captures a fleeting but meaningful connection that ultimately failed to last. It suggests that even though the relationship may have been painful, the memories and experiences that it left behind are worth cherishing.