Mariya Takeuchi (竹内まりや) (born March 20, 1955 in Shimane, Japan) is a Japan… Read Full Bio ↴Mariya Takeuchi (竹内まりや) (born March 20, 1955 in Shimane, Japan) is a Japanese singer and songwriter.
Takeuchi started her own career with a single "Modotte-Oide, Watashi no Jikan" in 1978. From the late 1970s to the early '80s, she has recorded 5 albums and several singles including top-ten hit "Fushigi na Peach Pie". Those materials have featured dozens of Japanese and North American distinguished songwriters, instrumentalists, and producers, such as David Foster, Jim Keltner, Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, David Hungate, Kazuhiko Kato, Kunihiko Kase, Shigeru Suzuki, Takashi Matsumoto, and her future long-term partner Tatsuro Yamashita.
"Heart to Heart", one of her songs co-written by Roger Nichols and released in 1980, was recorded by the Carpenters two years later, and became the last recording for the late Karen Carpenter.

In 1981, Takeuchi married to a singer-songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita, and stopped her career temporarily owing to the pregnancy. After her comeback to the Japanese music industry in 1984, she has accomplished huge commercial success more than when she was single. From that year to the present, she has recorded 6 successful studio albums that mainly consisted of her self-penned songs, and all of them have reached #1 on the Japanese Oricon chart.

As a singer-songwriter, she has produced 8 top-ten hit singles on the Oricon, including "Single Again", "Kokuhaku", "Junai Rhapsody", "Konya wa Hearty Party" and her only #1 hit "Camouflage".

シェットランドに頬をうずめて
竹内まりや Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

ふたりで過ごす田園の冬
誰も来ないこの家の
暖炉に火がともされる
ここでは雪が降ることもなく
ひどく乾いた風だけが
歌うように駆け抜ける
小さな手で編み始めた
あなたのための shetland

世界にただひとつだけの愛のしるしを贈ろう

夢の日々が編み込まれて
素敵な色になってゆく
出来るならばいつまでも
街へは帰りたくない
静かな冬が何よりも好き
愛してるなんて言葉が

不思議に言える季節ね
I say I love you, and I always will, my dear

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 竹内まりや Mariya Takeuchi's song シェットランドに頬をうずめて (Chesterland ni Hoho wo Uzumete) depict a serene winter in the countryside, where two people spend their time together in a lonely house. The fireplace is the only source of warmth in the deserted home, while outside, the dry winds blow and sing a melancholic tune. The song speaks of the cozy atmosphere and the peacefulness that comes with being in the countryside during winter. In the process, the lyrics evoke a feeling of nostalgia, longing, and love.

The second verse of the song refers to the act of knitting. The singer is knitting Shetland, a type of woolen fabric, with her small hands, perhaps for the person she is with. The act of knitting symbolizes creating something with love and dedication, ultimately manifesting into something unique and personal. The lyrics go on to suggest that this Shetland will be delivered as a symbol of love, something that exists only in this world.

Finally, the lyrics express a desire to remain in the countryside forever, away from the bustling cities. The season of winter is described as a time when people can express their love without any hindrance, as it is the season of stillness and peacefulness. The phrase "I say I love you, and I always will, my dear" concludes the song, signifying that the singer will continue to love the person they are with, no matter what.

Line by Line Meaning

ふたりで過ごす田園の冬
We spend winters together in the countryside

誰も来ないこの家の
In this home where no one else comes

暖炉に火がともされる
We light up the fireplace

ここでは雪が降ることもなく
Snow never falls here

ひどく乾いた風だけが
Only dry winds blowing

歌うように駆け抜ける
Singing as they rush by

小さな手で編み始めた
You began knitting with small hands

あなたのための shetland
A shetland made for you

世界にただひとつだけの愛のしるしを贈ろう
Let's give the world a one-of-a-kind symbol of love

夢の日々が編み込まれて
Our dream days are woven in

素敵な色になってゆく
And become wonderful colors