Despite already having released three albums, "Passion" in 2001, "Dream of Love - Ai no yume -" in 2004 and "Ifu Dodo" in 2005, Akikawa, called "Akki" by fans, remained relatively unpopular, and even his most successful single to date "Sen no kaze ni natte" (I am a thousand winds) was ranked the single with the lowest initial sales, selling only 513 copies in the week of its debut.
Things changed with Akikawa's appearance at the annual Japanese music show "Kohaku Uta Gassen", aired at New Year's Eve and watched by millions of Japanese every year.
After his appearance in 2006 the sales for "Sen no kaze...", originally released in May 2006, skyrocketed, as well as the sales for "Ifu Dodo".
Furthermore, the song was used as a basis for a 4-part drama series, in which various actors replay the true stories of people whose lives have been affected by "Sen no kaze..."
The single was eventually announced best-selling single of 2007, with Akikawa appearing on Kohaku again in 2007, having given a total of 160 live performances over the year.
Since then, Akikawa has released two further albums, one in 2008, named after his most successful single, and "Fantasista" in 2010.
A Concert DVD has been released in 2010 and most recently, in March 2012.
Akikawa continues his busy touring schedule and appears on stages all over Japan every year.
五月のバラ
秋川雅史 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
時は流れ過ぎても
むせび泣いて むせび泣いて
別れる君と僕のために
さよなら
五月 この僕が帰る
まばゆい 五月
君の庭に咲くだろうか
さよなら
水を花びらにあげて
涙の水を
恋のバラに 悲しみのバラに
君の白い ほほ寄せて
忘れないで 忘れないで
時は流れ過ぎても
むせび泣いて むせび泣いて
別れる君と僕のために
さよなら
五月 花開きめぐる
二人の 五月
紅いバラを 美しいバラを
僕のもとに 届けておくれ
さよなら
花に唇を寄せて
二人の花に
恋の夢を 消え去らぬ夢を
追い求める 一人泣いて
忘れないで 忘れないで
時は流れ過ぎても
むせび泣いて むせび泣いて
別れる君と僕のために
忘れないで 忘れないで
時は流れ過ぎても
むせび泣いて むせび泣いて
別れる君と僕のために
The lyrics of "五月のバラ" (Satsuki no Bara or May Rose) by Maiko Kawakami describes a heartbreaking farewell between two people who deeply care for each other. The song emphasizes the idea that time may pass, but memories of the moments they shared will never be forgotten, no matter how much they try to move on. The first few lines plead desperately for both parties to remember the happiness and pain they experienced together, even as they part. The song expresses muted but powerful emotions that tie into the melancholic tone throughout.
As the song progresses, the first part is repeated several times, and it is interspersed with imagery of the May rose or red roses, serving as a reminder of the beautiful moments they shared, even as they part ways. Kawakami compares the red roses to memories and asks if they will bloom again in the garden that they shared.
The final verse repeats the opening lines and underscores the message that despite the passage of time, their hearts will always remember the time they shared. The lyrics urge both parties never to forget the love and memories shared throughout their time together.
Overall, "五月のバラ" is a poignant song that captures the feeling of bidding goodbye and moving forward. It puts the focus on the concept that memories are permanent and even though the moments shared may be fleeting, their effect is everlasting.
Line by Line Meaning
忘れないで 忘れないで
Please don't forget, please don't forget
時は流れ過ぎても
Even though time continues to flow
むせび泣いて むせび泣いて
Coughing and crying, coughing and crying
別れる君と僕のために
For you and me, who are departing
さよなら
Goodbye
五月 この僕が帰る
May, when I go back
まばゆい 五月
Dazzling May
紅いバラは 思い出のバラは
Will the red roses, the roses of memories
君の庭に咲くだろうか
Bloom in your garden?
水を花びらにあげて
Lifting water up to the petals
涙の水を
Tears flowing like water
恋のバラに 悲しみのバラに
For the roses of love, the roses of sadness
君の白い ほほ寄せて
Pressing against your white cheeks
五月 花開きめぐる
May, when flowers bloom and scatter
二人の 五月
Our May
紅いバラを 美しいバラを
The red roses, the beautiful roses
僕のもとに 届けておくれ
Please deliver them to me
花に唇を寄せて
Bringing our lips close to the flowers
二人の花に
Our flowers
恋の夢を 消え去らぬ夢を
For the dreams of love, the dreams that will not disappear
追い求める 一人泣いて
I pursue them alone, crying
忘れないで 忘れないで
Please don't forget, please don't forget
時は流れ過ぎても
Even though time continues to flow
むせび泣いて むせび泣いて
Coughing and crying, coughing and crying
別れる君と僕のために
For you and me, who are departing
忘れないで 忘れないで
Please don't forget, please don't forget
時は流れ過ぎても
Even though time continues to flow
むせび泣いて むせび泣いて
Coughing and crying, coughing and crying
別れる君と僕のために
For you and me, who are departing
Writer(s): なかにし 礼, 川口 真, なかにし 礼, 川口 真
Contributed by Jordan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.