Its original 4 members were chosen from a Bemani Audition set by 前田尚紀 (Naoki Maeda), and debuted as BeForU in 2001 with their first song DIVE, which was notable as being the first J-Pop song in the Dance Dance Revolution series. Originally formed by 小坂りゆ (Riyu Kosaka), Noria, 代真 (Yoma) and 前原しゆな (Shiyuna Maehara), after the departure of the last in 2004, auditions were made again and 3 new members joined: 南さやか (Sayaka Minami), 外花りさ (Risa Sotohana) and 有沢みはる (Miharu Arisawa), known as the BeForU NEXT.
In 2006, they were signed to the Avex label, and released their first major single Red Rocket Rising later that year. In 2007, due to personal problems and health problems, Yoma and Miharu Arisawa left the group, and on December 30th of the same year, Noria and Risa Sotohana had their "graduations" from BeForU, to start their upcoming solo careers. On January 2008 were introduced three new members, 立花彩野 (Ayano Tachibana), 西内裕美 (Hiromi Nishiuchi) and 福下恵美 (Megumi Fukushita). In April 2008, Sayaka Minami left the group, leaving Riyu, Ayano, Hitomi, and Megumi as the final members of BeForU. In October 2009, their official site got closed, and as their major contract ended, apart from the start of Riyu Kosaka's start as a "free" artist announcement, future plans for BeForU got unknown, leading into an undefinite hiatus for them.
TEARS
BeForU Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
「今だから」見えるモノ
掴めば 消えてしまう
深すぎて進めないまま
変わらない 想い秘めて
あなたへと祈る日々
あなたの瞳
私は見えない
TEARS
悲しみに溺れ堕ていく真実を抱いて生て行く
届かぬ想い
手を伸ばし
心伝えて…
It doesn't reach you, deep sorrow
Endless secret love
The lyrics of BeForU's song TEARS portrays a strong theme of reminiscence and unrequited love. The stanza, "Ano toki wa mienakatta, ima dakara mieru mono. Tsukameba kiete shimau fukasugite susumenai mama. Kawaranai omoi himete, anata e to inoru hibi," expresses a longing for a past love, and the realization that what was unseen then, is now clear. The singer is unable to move on from the deep-seated emotions and has been stalling due to the overwhelming intensity of these feelings. Despite it all, she carries a love that hasn't changed and prays for her beloved every day, but these emotions remain hidden and her heart's rhythm is too far for her cherished person to hear.
The chorus, "TEARS, kanashimi ni obore ochite iku shinjitsu wo daite iku. Todokanu omoi, te wo nobashi kokoro tsutaete," emphasizes how these emotions fade into deep sadness, and the truth of these unrequited love seems to be never-ending. The lyrics express the longing to communicate the singer's love to the person that never noticed. Women express deep empathy, and the sense of nostalgia and remembrance resonates clearer as time goes on. This song helps people come to terms with unresolved feelings and opens a space to heal the wounds caused by these emotions that they can't seem to let go of.
Line by Line Meaning
「あの時」は見えなかった
Back then, I couldn't see
「今だから」見えるモノ
But now that time has passed, I see things differently
掴めば 消えてしまう
If I try to hold onto it, it disappears
深すぎて進めないまま
The depth of it prevents me from moving forward
変わらない 想い秘めて
I keep my unchanging feelings hidden
あなたへと祈る日々
And pray for you every day
隠した鼓動 届かない
My hidden heartbeat doesn't reach you
あなたの瞳
Through your eyes
私は見えない
I can't be seen
TEARS
The tears
悲しみに溺れ堕ていく真実を抱いて生て行く
Embrace the sad truth and keep on living while drowning in sorrow
届かぬ想い
My feelings that never reach you
手を伸ばし
I reach out my hand
心伝えて…
And try to convey my heart...
Contributed by David Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.