In 1971, Ken debuted as an enka-oriented singer with a single "Daitokai no Yasagure On'na". In 1975, after the release of several charted singles, she gained the first outstanding commercial success with a song "Guzu", which was written by Ryudo Uzaki and his wife Yoko Aki. "Abayo", a song written by Miyuki Nakajima became the most successful single for Ken, selling more than 600,000 copies. In 1976, the prize-winning song reached number-one spot on the Oricon, Japan's most eminent chart.
In addition to the success as a musician, she also obtained popularity as a tarento in the mid 1970s, through her comical actings on the multiple TV shows including Kakkurakin Daihousou!!.
After the temporary hiatus of its career in 1977, she returned to the Japanese entertainment industry with a hit tune "Kamome wa Kamome". The melancholic ballad written by Nakajima became known as one of her signature songs, finally sold in excess of 300,000 units.
In 1982, she gained huge commercial success as a singer again with a cover version of the Southern All Stars' song "Natsu wo Akiramete", winning several Japanese music prizes. The song is her last top-ten hit solo single so far.
Through her long-term career as a comedic TV personality, she has released several novelty singles with other performers such as Ken Shimura. The song "Natsuzakari Ho no Ji Gumi" recorded with an idol singer Toshihiko Tahara is the last top-40 hit single for Ken on the Japanese record charts.
LA-LA-LA
研ナオコ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
あたしまもう消えてるわ
呼んでみても無駄なこと
その頃夜汽車は となり町
遠い昔は こんなあたしでも
あいつの話は 信じ込んだ
そのお返しにあいつは愛を
約束はさせないで
守りきれたことがない
それと知って待つならば
逃げても浮気と責めないで
いい人だよ あんたは
紅いバラも嬉しかった
気にかかる人だけど
夜汽車が表で 待ってるの
遠い昔は こんなあたしでも
あいつの話は 信じ込んだ
そのお返しにあいつは愛を
信じるなと教え込んだ
約束はさせないで
守りきれたことがない
それと知って待つならば
逃げても浮気と責めないで
逃げても浮気と責めないで
The lyrics to 研ナオコ's song LA-LA-LA depict a woman who feels as though she is disappearing from the world. She states that when she wakes up in the morning, she will have already vanished. Even if someone were to call out to her, it would be futile as she would be gone. Meanwhile, the night train leans towards the next town. The woman reminisces about a time long ago when she believed everything her lover told her. However, his response to her devotion was to instruct her not to believe in love.
The woman expresses that she never makes promises she can keep, and she implores her lover not to fault her for running away. She acknowledges that he is a good person, and she was even pleased when he gave her red roses. Despite her affection for him, she cannot ignore the fact that the night train is calling her, and she must leave. She remembers that, in the past, she believed in everything her lover said, yet, he taught her not to believe in love.
The lyrics of LA-LA-LA can be interpreted in different ways by different listeners. It could be seen as a woman who is struggling with her identity and desires to disappear. On the other hand, it could be an unfaithful woman who is trying to justify her actions to her lover. The song's melody is melancholic, which adds to the complex emotions that the woman is experiencing. The slow pace of the song is in contrast to the sense of urgency that the lyrics seem to convey.
Line by Line Meaning
明日 朝目覚めたら
When I wake up tomorrow morning,
あたしまもう消えてるわ
I'll probably already be gone.
呼んでみても無駄なこと
It's no use calling out for me.
その頃夜汽車は となり町
By then, the night train will be leaving for the next town.
遠い昔は こんなあたしでも
A long time ago, even someone like me,
あいつの話は 信じ込んだ
Believed everything he said.
そのお返しにあいつは愛を
But in return, he taught me not to believe in love.
信じるなと教え込んだ
He drilled it into my head, don't believe.
約束はさせないで
Don't make me promise
守りきれたことがない
I've never been able to keep them.
それと知って待つならば
If you know that, and you still wait for me,
逃げても浮気と責めないで
Don't blame me for leaving or being unfaithful.
いい人だよ あんたは
You're a good person,
紅いバラも嬉しかった
Even a red rose brings you joy.
気にかかる人だけど
But you're someone who worries too much.
夜汽車が表で 待ってるの
The night train is waiting outside.
逃げても浮気と責めないで
Don't blame me for leaving or being unfaithful.
Writer(s): 中島 みゆき, 中島 みゆき
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.