Hibari Misora (美空ひばり Misora Hibari, May 29, 1937 - June 24, 1989) was a Ja… Read Full Bio ↴Hibari Misora (美空ひばり Misora Hibari, May 29, 1937 - June 24, 1989) was a Japanese singer and the predominant figure in postwar enka music. Born Kazue Kato (加藤和枝) in Yokohama, she was an accomplished singer by the age of seven, and appeared in film for the first time at age 12. Between 1949's Kanashiki kuchibue and 1971's Onna no Hanamichi, she appeared in over 60 movies.

In April of 1987, on the way to a performance in Fukuoka, she suddenly collapsed. Rushed to hospital, she was diagnosed with bilateral femoral necrosis brought on by chronic hepatitis. Until August she was confined to hospital and eventually showed signs of recovery. She commenced recording a new song Midaregami in October, and in 1988 performed at a concert called Fushichou konsaato (Phoenix Concert) at the Tokyo Dome. Against overwhelming pain in her legs, she performed a total of 39 songs while assuring her fans that she had completely recovered. However, on 24 May 1989, having been re-admitted to the Juntendou hospital in Tokyo, she died from interstitial pneumonitis at the age of 52.

In July 1989 after her death, she became the first female recipient of the National Prize of Honour (国民栄誉賞) for her longstanding contributions to the music industry.

In 1993, the Misora Hibari-kan opened in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Its popularity with fans and tourists has endured through to the present.

Her most famous song, "Kawa no nagare no yō ni," (1989) was voted #1 in a 1997 NHK poll of the best Japanese songs of all time.

好きなのさ
美空ひばり Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

なんど逢ってもただの人
ひと眼だけでも惚れる人
好きなのさ好きなのさ
お前が好きなのさ
俺の心に火をつけて
恋の命を燃やす奴

涙しぐれのこの世なら

つれが欲しいよ道づれが
好きなのさ好きなのさ
お前が好きなのさ
夜の寒さも二人なら
夢を枕に耐えられる

いつも素通りする春が
花を届けにきてくれる
好きなのさ好きなのさ
お前が好きなのさ

俺の二度ない人生を
そうだおまえにあずけよう

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 美空ひばり's song 好きなのさ convey a deep and intense love for another person. The singer expresses their strong affection for this person, saying that even though they may be seen by others as just an ordinary person, the singer is completely captivated by just one glance from them. They declare their love, emphasizing that they really, truly love this person and that their heart is set ablaze by them, igniting the very essence of love within them.

The lyrics also touch upon the desire for companionship and a partner in this world. The singer longs for someone to accompany them through the tears and hardships of life. They express their preference for this person, emphasizing that they are the one they truly love. Even in the coldness of the night, the singer believes that with this person by their side, they can endure and find solace in their dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

なんど逢ってもただの人
No matter how many times we meet, you're just an ordinary person.

ひと眼だけでも惚れる人
Even with just one glance, I fall in love with you.

好きなのさ好きなのさ
I love you, I love you.

お前が好きなのさ
It's you that I love.

俺の心に火をつけて
Igniting a fire within my heart.

恋の命を燃やす奴
Burning with the passion of love.

涙しぐれのこの世なら
In this world of falling tears.

つれが欲しいよ道づれが
I yearn for a companion, a partner on the journey.

好きなのさ好きなのさ
I love you, I love you.

お前が好きなのさ
It's you that I love.

夜の寒さも二人なら
Even the chilly nights, if we're together.