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.

笑ってよムーンライト
美空ひばり Lyrics

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かなしい景色ならば塗り替えて
心洗いたい
都会じゃ愛はつれなくて
嘆きのキーワード
疲れた心ならば切り換えて
ほんのロマンティック
渇いた都会だからこそ
少しは浮かれたい

甘くむせるようなファンタジー
かりそめひと晩だけでも
お酒にひとしずく溶けた涙は忘れ
陽気な夢を見たい

愛した男ならば一人ずつ
今夜飲み干して
忘れてしまう思いきり
未練は星のくず
夜はせつなささえカーニバル
恋が生まれては消えてく
全てをお見通しなのはお月様だけ
ちょっとムーンライト笑いかけて

夜はせつなささえファンタジー
男と女のおはなし
全てをお見通しなのはお月様だけ
ちょっとムーンライトほほえんで

ちょっとムーンライト笑ってよ
ちょっとムーンライト笑いかけて

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Waratte yo Moonlight" by Misora Hibari convey a longing for escapism and a desire for a romantic and joyful experience in a wearisome urban environment. The song talks about wanting to paint over a sad view and cleanse the heart, as love seems distant and the keyword is lamentation in the city. It suggests that if the heart is tired, it should be switched to something more romantic, as the dryness of the city makes one want to be a little cheerful. The lyrics speak of a fleeting fantasy, even if it's just for one night, and how a drop of tears dissolved in alcohol should be forgotten in order to dream of a cheerful future.

The song also describes the act of drinking and forgetting about the loved one, emphasizing that the regret and attachment should be completely let go. It portrays the night as bittersweet, almost like a carnival, where love is born but eventually fades away. Only the moon can see through everything, hinting at the moon as the only one understanding the emotions. The lyrics ask the moon to send a little Moonlight and smile, suggesting an invitation to cherish the moment and find happiness.

Line by Line Meaning

かなしい景色ならば塗り替えて
If the view is sad, let's change it and paint a new one

心洗いたい
I want to wash my heart

都会じゃ愛はつれなくて
Love is tough in the city

嘆きのキーワード
The keyword is sorrow

疲れた心ならば切り換えて
If your heart is tired, switch it up

ほんのロマンティック
Just a romantic feeling

渇いた都会だからこそ
Because it's a dry city

少しは浮かれたい
I want to have a little excitement

甘くむせるようなファンタジー
A fantasy that is sweet and overwhelming

かりそめひと晩だけでも
Even just for a brief night

お酒にひとしずく溶けた涙は忘れ
Forget the tears dissolved in a drop of alcohol