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".
君住む街角
竹内まりや Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before
All at once am I several stories high
Knowing I′m on the street where you live
Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?
Can you hear a lark in any other part of town?
Does enchantment pour out of every door?
And oh, the towering feeling just to know somehow you are near
The overpowering feeling that any second you may suddenly appear
People stop and stare, they don′t bother me
For there's nowhere else on earth that I would rather be
Let the time go by, I won't care if I
Can be here on the street where you live
And oh, the towering feeling just to know somehow you are near
The overpowering feeling that any second you may suddenly appear
People stop and stare, they don′t bother me
For there′s nowhere else on earth that I would rather be
Let the time go by, I won't care if I
Can be here on the street where you live
Can be here on the street where you live
(訳文)
何度となく歩いたことのある この通り
いつも舗道に 足がぴたりとついてたはずなのに
いきなり 私は天にも昇るような気持ちになったの
ここが あなたの住んでいる通りだと知って
ライラックの花が香るのは 街の真ん中あたり?
ヒバリのさえずりが聞こえるのは 街のほかのどこ?
どの家の扉からも 歓びはあふれ出してくるの?
いいえそれはあなたの住んでいるこの通りだけ
ああ、あなたが近くにいると思うだけで どきどきするわ
ふいに現れるような気がして 強くときめいてしまうこの心
道行く人は立ち止まって私を見つめるけれど 気にしないわ
だって 世界中のどんな場所よりも 私はここにいたいから
あなたの住むこの通りに いつまでもずっとこうしていたいの
The lyrics of 竹内まりや's song 君住む街角 paint a vivid picture of a person who is deeply enamored and captivated by the mere presence of someone they care about, symbolized by the street where that person lives. The opening lines describe the familiarity of walking down that street, but suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of elevation and euphoria at the realization that they are on the same street as the object of their affection. This juxtaposition of the mundane with the extraordinary heightens the romantic and dreamlike atmosphere of the song.
The mention of lilac trees and the sound of a lark in town serve as metaphors for enchantment and beauty, emphasizing how the magic and allure seem to be concentrated solely on the street where their beloved resides. It creates a sense of longing and desire to be close to that person, as if the very essence of wonder and fascination emanates from their presence. The lyrics suggest that the singer perceives a unique and special aura surrounding the street where their love interest lives, elevating it above all other places in their perception.
The overpowering feeling of knowing that the person they care about is near and the anticipation of their sudden appearance evoke a sense of heightened emotion and excitement within the singer. The reactions of people around them and their indifference to the attention further highlight the pure focus and devotion the singer has towards the one they love. Their yearning to be in that specific location surpasses any other desire or distraction, emphasizing the sense of longing and contentment found solely on that street.
In the final verse, the repetition of the longing to stay on the street where their beloved resides underscores the singer's unwavering commitment and dedication to being in that place. The lyrics convey a sense of timeless devotion and a willingness to let time pass without concern, as long as they can remain in proximity to the person who holds their heart. Overall, the song captures the essence of love, longing, and the transformative power of being in the presence of someone special, making the street where they live a magical and cherished place for the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
何度となく歩いたことのある この通り
I have walked down this street many times before
いつも舗道に 足がぴたりとついてたはずなのに
Yet, my feet always felt firmly on the pavement
いきなり 私は天にも昇るような気持ちになったの
Suddenly, I felt like I was soaring high up in the sky
ここが あなたの住んでいる通りだと知って
Realizing that this is the street where you live
ライラックの花が香るのは 街の真ん中あたり?
Do lilac flowers bloom in the heart of town?
ヒバリのさえずりが聞こえるのは 街のほかのどこ?
Can you hear a lark singing in any other part of town?
どの家の扉からも 歓びはあふれ出してくるの?
Does enchantment pour out from every door of every house?
いいえそれはあなたの住んでいるこの通りだけ
No, it's just on the street where you live
ああ、あなたが近くにいると思うだけで どきどきするわ
The mere thought of you being nearby makes my heart flutter
ふいに現れるような気がして 強くときめいてしまうこの心
Feeling like you may suddenly appear, my heart beats fast with excitement
道行く人は立ち止まって私を見つめるけれど 気にしないわ
People stop and stare as I walk by, but I pay them no mind
だって 世界中のどんな場所よりも 私はここにいたいから
Because more than any other place in the world, I want to be right here
あなたの住むこの通りに いつまでもずっとこうしていたいの
I want to stay like this forever on the street where you live
Writer(s): フレデリック・ロウ
Contributed by Gianna H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.