While she does have her fair share of soft songs (such as ~dandelion~, The Last Quarter) and fun songs (Break Out!, COSMIC LOVE), a good portion of her collection (and, indeed, the majority of her most popular songs) fall firmly in the rock category. She has remained a constant source of quality rock with a slight pop edge, and though some may argue she belongs fully in the J-Rock category, her pop-idol status and ability to work outside the rock confines would say otherwise.
-= Career =-
After she released her first single in November 1995, she released three more singles, and then her first full album Red in 1996, which sold more than two million copies in its first month, and saw her named "the brightest star" in female rock. That album won her an invitation to perform in a New Year's Eve singing contest between male and female teams of popular singers sponsored by NHK (one of Japan's television companies). Since then, she's released about an album each year, plus an average of three mini- or maxi-singles. Her second album, Paradox, was released in July 1997, selling 1.8 million copies, and coincided with her first concert tour Live Emotion '97 (consisting of 20 concert dates, attracting a total of 65,000 fans, according to Avex.) July 1998 saw her third album Crimson, and another concert tour with over 40 concert dates. Her 1999 release, I.D., was a compilation album, but it debuted at number one on the rock chart, her fourth consecutive album to release in the number one slot. In 2001, she also released a 'mini-album', something between a full album and a single, of uncharacteristically soft, though lovely, ballad-style music, recorded during her later months of pregnancy. (This album was produced by Hotei Tomoyasu.)
At the 11th Annual Japan Gold Disc Awards, Nanase's album Red was voted the Best Album (Japanese Rock and Folk music, female vocalist category). Her album Paradox was voted Best Album of the Year, at the 12th Annual Japan Gold Disc Awards.
-=History=-
Aikawa Nanase's parents divorced when she was young, which affected her significantly enough that she developed into a bit of a troublemaker (which also happens to be the title of one of her best songs). It is rumored that she was in a girl gang in her young teenage years, and supposedly may have been its leader. Another story has it that she was severely bullied by classmates, giving rise to nightmares, and she skipped an entire year of school. Regardless, at the age of 15, she left all that behind, dropped out of school and was discovered by well-known music producer Oda Tetsuro. Throughout her school years, Nanase would sing and participated in a few singing competitions, which routinely passed her over, though brought her to the attention of Oda. He trained Nanase as a singer for five years before she released her first single, though the details of her life in those years are sketchy.
-=Personality=-
Nanase is an intensely private person. Very little is known about her personal life except for the bits and pieces she feels confident enough to announce. For instance, on February 16, 2001, many of her male fans were heartbroken when she publicly announced that she had got married that very day. She published this, and the fact that she was already three-months pregnant, on her official website. Nothing else about her relationship was known until the birth of her son, on September 6, 2001.
She is 'polite, but seldom enthusiastic' in interviews, but frequently leaves hand-written messages on her website. Very little else is known of her. This may also be due to the lack of Japanese to English translators in the Aikawa Nanase fanbase. Oddly enough, roughly half of the non-Japanese Nanase fans are Chinese.
-=Personal Statistics=-
* Name: Aikawa Nanase (相川七瀬)
* Birthday: 1975.02.16
* Birthplace: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
* Blood Type: AB
* Height: 157cm (5'2")
* Weight: 39kg (86 lbs)
* Hair: Varies (Brown/Pink, currently)
* Eyes: Brown
* Favourite Pet: Cat
* Favourite Time of Day: Night
Official site: www.nanase.jp
two of us
相川七瀬 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
肩まで切ったこの髪を 少し掻き乱す
今年も空に咲いた 大きな花火見上げ
となりで笑う あなたと二人見届けた
幾つも季節は過ぎ 時には傷つけ合い
遠い涙 今はもう 胸のアルバムに
小さなあの部屋で いつも遥かな空に
無限の夢を二人 描いていたね
出会いと別れの中 つないだこの手に今
感じているぬくもりは ずっと信じられる
夏の記憶 その笑顔 胸のアルバムに
(We'll be together forever)
(Just the two of us)
These lyrics from 相川七瀬's song "Two of us" paint a nostalgic and sentimental picture of a past relationship. In the opening lines, the singer describes feeling the summer wind passing through their shirt sleeves, gently tousling their hair that has been cut short. This imagery sets the scene of a warm, carefree summer day, possibly filled with memories of youthful romance and happiness.
The mention of watching a large firework bloom in the sky together with the person next to them evokes a sense of shared joy and intimacy. The act of witnessing such a beautiful moment alongside someone special strengthens the bond between the two individuals and highlights the depth of their connection as they enjoy each other's company in simple, yet meaningful moments.
The lyrics then delve into the passage of time and the journey of their relationship. They reflect on the trials and tribulations they have faced together, acknowledging that they have hurt each other at times. Despite the distance and tears that once separated them, those experiences are now safely stored away in the album of their hearts, a collection of memories that have shaped their shared history.
The mention of a small room where they used to dream together under the vast sky symbolizes their shared aspirations and the endless possibilities they once believed in. Even as they navigate the ups and downs of meeting and parting ways, the warmth and familiarity they feel in each other's touch serve as a constant reminder of the enduring belief and trust they have in their bond. The memories of summers past and the smiles they shared remain etched in the album of their hearts, serving as a testament to the lasting imprint of their time together.
Line by Line Meaning
シャツの袖をくぐる 緑の夏の風が
The green summer wind passes through the sleeves of my shirt
肩まで切ったこの髪を 少し掻き乱す
It lightly ruffles my hair that I cut up to my shoulders
今年も空に咲いた 大きな花火見上げ
I looked up at the large fireworks blooming in the sky again this year
となりで笑う あなたと二人見届けた
I witnessed it with you next to me, laughing together
幾つも季節は過ぎ 時には傷つけ合い
Many seasons have passed, at times hurting each other
遠い涙 今はもう 胸のアルバムに
Those distant tears are now preserved in the album of my heart
小さなあの部屋で いつも遥かな空に
In that small room, we always dreamed of the distant sky
無限の夢を二人 描いていたね
The two of us were painting endless dreams
出会いと別れの中 つないだこの手に今
In the midst of meetings and farewells, the warmth I feel in this hand I'm holding now
感じているぬくもりは ずっと信じられる
I can always believe in the warmth I feel
夏の記憶 その笑顔 胸のアルバムに
The memories of summer, that smile, are stored in the album of my heart
(We'll be together forever)
We will be together forever
(Just the two of us)
Only the two of us
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Nanase Aikawa, Tetsuro Oda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind