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.

東京キッド
美空ひばり Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

歌も楽しや東京キッド
いきでおしゃれでほがらかで
右のポッケにゃ夢がある
左のポッケにゃチューインガム
空を見たけりゃビルの屋根
もぐりたくなりゃマンホール

歌も楽しや東京キッド

泣くも笑うものんびりと
金はひとつもなくっても
フランス香水チョコレート
空を見たけりゃビルの屋根
もぐりたくなりゃマンホール

歌も楽しや東京キッド
腕も自慢でのど自慢
いつもスイングジャズの歌
おどるおどりはジタバーク

空を見たけりゃビルの屋根
もぐりたくなりゃマンホール

Overall Meaning

The song "Tokyo Kid" by Misora Hibari is an upbeat and carefree tune that celebrates the spirit of youth and adventure in Tokyo. The lyrics speak of a person who is stylish, happy-go-lucky, and always ready for fun. In their right pocket, they carry their dreams, while their left pocket holds some chewing gum. The person is not rich but loves the finer things in life, such as French perfumes and chocolates.

The song also highlights the sense of freedom that comes with exploring the city. If they want to look at the sky, they can climb a building's roof, and if they feel like hiding, they can slip into a manhole. The person is proud of their singing and their voice and enjoys jazz songs and dancing. The lyrics encourage listeners to enjoy life's simple pleasures, even if they don't have much money.

Line by Line Meaning

歌も楽しや東京キッド
Let's enjoy singing, Tokyo Kid.

いきでおしゃれでほがらかで
Walk with style and a cheerful manner.

右のポッケにゃ夢がある
In my right pocket, I hold my dreams.

左のポッケにゃチューインガム
In my left pocket, I keep some chewing gum.

空を見たけりゃビルの屋根
If I want to see the sky, I'll look up from a building's roof.

もぐりたくなりゃマンホール
If I feel like diving in, I'll crawl down a manhole.

泣くも笑うものんびりと
Whether crying or laughing, I take it easy.

金はひとつもなくっても
Even if I don't have a penny to my name,

フランス香水チョコレート
I wear French perfume and enjoy some chocolate.

腕も自慢でのど自慢
I'm proud of my singing voice and my dancing skills.

いつもスイングジャズの歌
I always sing swing jazz songs.