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.

Oui Oui
矢野顕子 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

おやすみ言う前ベッドの中で
今日の日をありがとう写真にキッス
あなたのことを想っているうち
一日が過ぎるしあわせもの
恋する心に
いつでも返事は OUI OUI
なくしちゃいけない
夢見ることを愛することを

夜出る船に乗り込もうひそかに
語り明かそうきのうきょうあした
小さなことでも助けになれたら
うれしい気持ちは波のよう
恋する心に
いつでも返事は OUI 0UI
なくしちゃいけない
夢見ることを愛することを

恋する心に
いつでも返事は OUI OUI
なくしちゃいけない
夢見ることを愛することを
恋する心に
いつでも返事は OUI OUI
あなたと歩ける

その日来るまでいつでもOUI 0UI
ラララ

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 矢野顕子's song "Oui Oui" express feelings of gratitude, love, and the importance of cherishing dreams and embracing love. The song starts with the singer expressing gratitude for the day before going to sleep, kissing a photo that represents the day. While thinking about their loved one, the passing of each day becomes a precious and happy thing. The singer's heart is described as being in love and always responding with an enthusiastic "OUI OUI" (which means "yes" in French), emphasizing the need to never lose the ability to dream and love.

The second verse talks about secretly boarding a ship that sets sail at night. This could metaphorically represent embarking on an unknown journey with someone special, where past, present, and future can be freely discussed. Even the smallest acts of helping each other bring joy comparable to the waves of the sea. The message of cherishing dreams and embracing love continues to be repeated with the same enthusiasm as in the first verse.

The chorus repeats the idea that the heart in love always responds with an affirmative "OUI OUI," emphasizing the importance of nurturing dreams and loving experiences. The singer wants to walk alongside their loved one until the day comes when they can be together, showing an unwavering commitment to saying "OUI OUI" at all times. The song ends with the playful and uplifting "La La La," reminding listeners to embrace joy and happiness.

Overall, "Oui Oui" is a heartfelt and optimistic song that encourages gratitude, cherishing dreams, and embracing love in all situations. It celebrates the power of love, the joy found in helping each other, and the anticipation of a future where dreams can be realized.

Line by Line Meaning

おやすみ言う前ベッドの中で
Before saying goodnight, in bed

今日の日をありがとう写真にキッス
Thanking and kissing the photo of today

あなたのことを想っているうち
While thinking about you

一日が過ぎるしあわせもの
Each day passes, a precious happiness

恋する心に
In a heart full of love

いつでも返事は OUI OUI
The answer is always OUI OUI

なくしちゃいけない
It must not be lost

夢見ることを愛することを
Dreaming and loving

夜出る船に乗り込もうひそかに
Let's secretly board the ship that sets sail at night

語り明かそうきのうきょうあした
Let's talk about yesterday, today, and tomorrow

小さなことでも助けになれたら
If even small things can be helpful