Chara earned her nickname as a schoolchild from her teacher (charachara means "scatterbrained") and has been called such ever since. She has always been musically involved, she began composing music in her later years of elementary school and played keyboard in a band from her second year of high school.
One of the things that defines Chara's music is her singing voice. It is often described as sweet and whispering like a child's, yet forceful and sincere. Despite her very distinctive singing voice, Chara considers herself a musician first and foremost; proficient with instruments such as the piano, drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synthesizer and tambourine. There are common themes to a lot of her music, including motherhood, innocence, love, beauty, and cheerfulness.
She has appeared as one of the main characters in 'Swallowtail Butterfly' movie and sang all the songs. The album 'Montage' is actually a vocal collection from this movie, that's why it was released under the name of Yen Town Band - which is a fictional band from the story. She has also starred in 'PiCNiC' where she played the mental patient Coco. She would go on to marry her co-star Asano Tadanobu (浅野忠信) in 1995. Currently, the pair have two children, a daughter Sumire (born 1995) and later a son Himi (born 1999).
MAHA
Chara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
創造して ひかれあってお願いよ
あなたの世界を抱いて
どこにいっても愛される様
今 心の扉をあげるよ
そばにおいで耳をとぎすませ あまい
きっと やさしい 愛の中にある
せつない想いをおぼえていくの
…どんな夢を見るんだろう?
MAHA MAHA
MAHA MAHA
おいかけて
愛と夢
おいかけて
愛と夢
These lyrics are from the chorus of Chara's song MAHA. The first line translates to "Beloved one. Song. Filled with kisses." The second line expresses Chara's desire to create something with her loved one and to be drawn to each other. She asks to be embraced in the world of her loved one and to be loved wherever they go. In the third line, Chara opens up her heart to her loved one and invites them to come closer and listen carefully. She promises that she has sincere feelings of love and that there is a bittersweet pain that comes with it. The last line expresses Chara's curiosity about what kind of dreams she will have as she chases after love and her dreams.
The lyrics of this song are very romantic and express a desire to be fully embraced in the love of another person. Chara's use of the word "Maha" in the chorus is a mystery, as it is not a Japanese word, but it seems to be a word she created to express the feeling of chasing after love and dreams. The song functions as a sweet love song that encourages the listener to chase after their own dreams and love with all their heart.
Line by Line Meaning
愛する人。うた。いっぱいのキス。
My beloved, I sing to you and shower you with abundant kisses.
創造して ひかれあってお願いよ
Let us create and be drawn towards each other, I implore you.
あなたの世界を抱いて
I want to embrace and be a part of your world.
どこにいっても愛される様
I want to be loved wherever I go, just like you are.
今 心の扉をあげるよ
Right now, I open the door to my heart for you.
そばにおいで耳をとぎすませ あまい
Come close and listen carefully, it's sweet.
きっと やさしい 愛の中にある
Surely, painful memories reside within a gentle love.
せつない想いをおぼえていくの
I will remember the bittersweet feelings as they grow stronger.
…どんな夢を見るんだろう?
...I wonder what kind of dream I will see?
MAHA MAHA
MAHA MAHA
おいかけて
Chase after me,
愛と夢
With love and dreams.
おいかけて
Chase after me,
愛と夢
With love and dreams.
Contributed by Aaron O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.