Akiko Yano is a Japanese pop and jazz musician.

Her music is by tur… Read Full Bio ↴Akiko Yano is a Japanese pop and jazz musician.

Her music is by turns playful, heartfelt, melodic, ornate, and disarmingly simple, reflecting a love of music in all its forms and colors. She handles moody new wave, virtuosic fusion, traditional jazz ballads, straightahead pop, and singer-songwriter folk songs with equal aplomb.

Though she's recorded with many of the 20th century's greatest pop and jazz musicians, her primarily Japanese-language albums have kept her music below the radar of most English-language listeners. She's recorded with, among many others, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, members of Little Feat, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Haruomi Hosono, David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Kenji Omura, Jeff Bova, Yukihiro Takahashi, Charlie Haden, Peter Erskine, Anthony Jackson, David Rhodes, the band Quruli, and her son Futa Sakamoto.

Beyond her solo work, Yano has recorded with Thomas Dolby, Yngwie Malmsteen, The Chieftains, The Hammonds, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Kazumi Watanabe, The Boom, Tetsuro Kashibuchi, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. She appeared on the recording "Snowflake" reading a children's story in Japanese with Peter Gabriel reading in English and music by Akira Inoue and David Rhodes accompanying both.

OH DAD
矢野顕子 Lyrics

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Working hard, you seemed
too busy to look after me
When work was done,
I found your smiling face
and open arms
I was proud, so proud of you
when you gently played guitar
Then you made our flowers bloom

and neatly parked the car
How you used to tell me
"Don't give up
what you believe in
Know your faith
will always see you through"
Oh Dad, how I remember
All the love you gave to me
I've come a long long way
from home
But you'll stay in my heart.
Season passed,
and my aspirations all
came from you
Years went by,
and left you with grey hair
before I knew
Now I've had a family
and children of my own
old enough to know that
life is not an easy game.
When the times get rough
and I feel weary
I remember you would say
"You'll make your dreams
come true!"
Oh Dad,
I'll always cherish everything
you gave to me
I've come a long long way
from home
But you'll stay in my heart.
Oh Dad, I know you understand
How much you mean to me
You give me strength

You are my friend
I love you, Oh, my Dad!!

Overall Meaning

In the song "OH DAD" by Japanese singer-songwriter 矢野顕子 (Akiko Yano), the lyrics deeply explore the relationship between a daughter and her father, detailing the emotional journey they have gone through together. The opening lines describe the father's commitment to his work, which sometimes made him seemingly too occupied to pay direct attention to his daughter. Despite his busy schedule, the daughter recalls moments when her father would come home with a smile on his face and embrace her with open arms, giving her a sense of pride and security. She fondly remembers the times when he would play the guitar gently and tend to the flowers, showcasing his nurturing and caring nature.

The daughter reminisces about the father's words of wisdom, encouraging her to hold onto her beliefs and have faith in herself to overcome challenges. These messages of support and empowerment resonate deeply with her, shaping her perspective on life and guiding her decisions. As time goes by, the daughter grows up and starts a family of her own, realizing the complexities and difficulties of navigating through life's obstacles. In these moments of hardship and weariness, she finds solace in remembering her father's reassuring words, assuring her that she can achieve her dreams with determination and perseverance.

The lyrics beautifully capture the passage of time and the evolving dynamics between a parent and child. The daughter sees her father aging and acknowledges the sacrifices he has made for his family, which includes bearing the marks of time with his grey hair. Despite the physical changes and challenges they face, the daughter expresses her gratitude and admiration for the love, strength, and guidance her father has provided throughout her life. The enduring bond between them transcends distance and time, as she declares that her father will always hold a special place in her heart, even as she ventures far from home.

In the final verses, the daughter's deep affection and respect for her father shine through as she acknowledges the profound impact he has had on her life. She recognizes the invaluable gift of his love, support, and friendship, which have been constant sources of inspiration and comfort to her. The expression of love and appreciation towards her father culminates in the heartfelt declaration, "I love you, Oh, my Dad!!", encapsulating the enduring bond and deep emotional connection between them that will continue to resonate throughout her life's journey. The song beautifully encapsulates the universal themes of family, love, and resilience, resonating with listeners who have experienced the profound influence of parental guidance and support in their lives.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: kikuchi mami / yano akiko

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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