Nujabes was known for creating fusions of instrumental hip hop beats and jazz to create a very “mellow, nostalgic, and atmospheric sound.”
He said in an interview with Sound and Recording Magazine in 2003, “I started making tracks because I wanted to hear music that sampled the old soul and jazz I liked…I wasn’t thinking about making a song at first. It was more a case of, ‘If I loop a sample from this record, then put another sample on top, what will it sound like?’…When I made my first loop, it was all I listened to for an entire day.”
On February 26th in 2010, Nujabes was involved in a fatal car accident. His death prompted the creation of multiple tribute albums from many artists, continuing his legacy of unique and rich sounds and music.
Nujabes had a hand in a majority of the songs in Samurai Champloo, but the most popular example from the OST is "Battle Cry."
Imaginary Folklore
Clammbon By Nujabes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The night that the fierce typhoon passed, I was looking down on the city from the top of a tall building
The wind still a little erratic, tearing at the edge of its departure
The lights of the houses nearby shimmered like through searing air
I've never witnessed a scene like, though I was used to seeing it
Something is going to change, that's how I felt, in a little while
I can hear the low anouncement of the final train more clearly than usual
Like always, I just keep on staring blankly at the sky
My eyelids a little heavy, I close my eyes
From far away I hear your voice, I'd better get going
I've cleared a period of low pressure, that's how I felt, in a little while
My feeling suddenly becomes lighter, that's how I feel, in a little while, in a little while
Something is going to change, that's how I felt, in a little while
It disappears quietly, June, number 6, in a little while, in a little while
By the time I notice, the hour hand is pointing to 2 o'clock, in a little while
My feeling suddenly becomes lighter, that's how I feel, in a little while, in a little while
The night that the fierce typhoon passed, I was looking down on the city from the top of a tall building
I'm still a little erratic, tearing at the edge of its departure
La la la.....
(Translation from clamm-bon eigo-ban [[1]])
The song "Imaginary Folklore" by Nujabes begins with the singer recounting a moment when a typhoon passed through the city, and they watched it from the top of a tall building. Despite having seen countless cityscapes before, this was a unique experience, where the wind still held residue of the typhoon's strength, and the lights from nearby houses shimmered in a way that felt surreal. The singer takes this as a sign that something is going to change soon. As they stare up at the sky, their eyelids begin to droop, and they hear a voice calling them to leave.
From here, the song becomes more introspective, as the singer reflects on the changes they feel are coming, and how they've just recently cleared a difficult time in their life. They hear the announcement for the final train of the night, and realize how late it's become. But instead of feeling panicked, they feel lighter, buoyed by the sense that they've come through something difficult and can now face the future with a sense of possibility. The song ends with the singer once again on the roof of that tall building, still caught up in the winds of change.
Overall, "Imaginary Folklore" is a dreamy, evocative song that captures a moment of transition in a person's life. It's about the sense that something is on the horizon, and that even though change can be scary, there's a hopefulness to the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
The night that the fierce typhoon passed, I was looking down on the city from the top of a tall building
During a night after a powerful typhoon, I was on a high rooftop looking at the shimmering lights of the nearby houses.
The wind still a little erratic, tearing at the edge of its departure
The wind was still strong and unpredictable, as it gradually subsided.
The lights of the houses nearby shimmered like through searing air
The lights of the nearby houses flickered and shimmered in the hot, humid air.
I've never witnessed a scene like, though I was used to seeing it
Although I was accustomed to seeing the city at night, this particular view was new and remarkable to me.
Something is going to change, that's how I felt, in a little while
I had an intuition that a significant change was going to happen soon.
It disappears quietly, June, number 6, in a little while, in a little while
June is almost over, and time seems to pass peacefully, but quickly.
I can hear the low anouncement of the final train more clearly than usual
I can hear the announcement of the last train departing more distinctly than usual.
Like always, I just keep on staring blankly at the sky
I am absent-mindedly staring at the sky, as I usually do.
My eyelids a little heavy, I close my eyes
Feeling slightly tired, I close my eyes.
From far away I hear your voice, I'd better get going
I hear someone calling me from far away, and I realize that I should leave.
I've cleared a period of low pressure, that's how I felt, in a little while
I feel like I have overcome a difficult period in my life, and things will improve.
My feeling suddenly becomes lighter, that's how I feel, in a little while, in a little while
I feel a sudden relief, and I anticipate that things will get better soon.
By the time I notice, the hour hand is pointing to 2 o'clock, in a little while
Without realizing, time has passed quickly, and it is already two o'clock.
La la la.....
The song ends with a non-verbal melody.
Contributed by Austin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Caalabuuu
as the years go by, it seems Nujabes is finally get the recognition he deserved. So many songs he left for us and the legacy he carries will forever set a new standard of beat making, I love it all and love you all who love Nujabes.
@cove790
😊😊 lKR FIINALLY
@SaZid07
Melancholic.
@OneWhoSees
Yes! Somber feeling. But then those horns come in and fills my heart with some sort of joy. The singing at the end makes me tear up and smile!;
@mrlevinielsen
Somber yet graceful
@oxymor
Wandering in the city by night while listening to this makes me realize that there is so much beauty in common things when you eventually look at it.
@alzbtw7236
life is beautiful man
@cove790
Facts
@samfisher2141
His Music lives on.... honestly, I need to buy the original albums so I can just listen to this and drive.
@Highlander.7
absolutely legendary. this melody has long been at home in my heart. shalom and blessings family