Momoko Kikuchi (菊池桃子, born May 4, 1968) is a former Japanese idol pop singe… Read Full Bio ↴Momoko Kikuchi (菊池桃子, born May 4, 1968) is a former Japanese idol pop singer and actress. Her soft, airy singing voice gained her a sizable following. She debuted in the music world in 1984 and was known to all in the mid 80s, and her image adorned many products. She had a big collection of hits including "Seishun no Ijiwaru", "Summer Eyes", "Mo Aenai kamo Shiranai" and "Nile in Blue". Between 1988 and 1989, she served as the lead singer of pop group RAMU. Momoko retired from singing in 1989 to concentrate on her acting career. She released 12 singles and several albums and music videos. She is currently a teacher.

Summer Eyes
菊池桃子 Lyrics

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コテージの窓から広がる
コバルトのリーフが光れば
陽に灼けた横顔ためらい
少しうつむいて少年みたいね
私ひとり街へ帰る海風聞かせて
君のせいじゃない言い出せなかった
私がいけないだけよ
彼女には何も知らせずにいてね

遠くで見つめていたい
太陽が特別眩しい
息さえもできないくらいに
手の平を翳して見上げた
夏を少しだけ嫌いになりたい
シャツのえりを直しながら涙をかくした
君のせいじゃないそんな自分を
責めたら悲しくなるわ
悪いのは私困らせてばかり
ごめんね好きだったこと
風邪をひいたのと伝えておいてね
誰かに聞かれた時は

悪いのは私困らせてばかり
ごめんね好きだったこと

Overall Meaning

SUMMER EYES by 菊池桃子 describes a nostalgic story of returning to a cottage that awakens childhood memories. The opening line paints a vivid image of the view from the cottage window, where the cobalt leaves shimmer under the sun. The singer is hesitant and nervous in front of the scorching sunlight, and turns their face away from the light, reacting like a shy boy. As the song progresses, the singer reveals their mixed feelings about the summer day, conveying the bittersweet feelings of yearning for the past and the present.

The second stanza of the song deepens the complexity of the singer's emotions. The singer reveals that their past lover is not the reason for their tears and sorrow, but rather their own weaknesses that caused their separation. The singer apologises for not being considerate to their lover and causing them trouble. The song is a reflection of love and loss, growth and nostalgia. The lyrics propose the idea that love is not always easy, and that sometimes we cause pain to ourselves and the ones we love through our own shortcomings.

Line by Line Meaning

コテージの窓から広がる
Gazing from the cottage window, a picturesque view opens up before me

コバルトのリーフが光れば
The cobalt leaves glisten in the sunlight

陽に灼けた横顔ためらい
My sun-kissed profile hesitates before you

少しうつむいて少年みたいね
I trace the ground with my eyes, looking almost boyish

私ひとり街へ帰る海風聞かせて
As I walk home alone, I let the ocean breeze soothe me

君のせいじゃない言い出せなかった
It's not your fault, but I couldn't bring myself to say it

私がいけないだけよ
I'm the only one to blame

彼女には何も知らせずにいてね
Please don't tell her anything

遠くで見つめていたい
I just want to watch from afar

太陽が特別眩しい
The sun shines brighter than ever before

息さえもできないくらいに
It's breathtaking, quite literally