New York, 1967. Tom Wilson, man behind the mixing desk for such legendary a… Read Full Bio ↴New York, 1967. Tom Wilson, man behind the mixing desk for such legendary artists as Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, The Velvet Underground, and Simon and Garfunkel, has persuaded Verve Records to sign and fund his newest project for distribution on their Forecast imprint. Unlike the other acts that Wilson helped shape into the defining sounds of an era, this artist will barely make a mark on history. His name is Harumi, he's from Japan, and he creates a psychedelic pop album that would eventually be heralded as everything from lost classic to hopelessly frazzled to Holy Grail among squares and psych-heads decades later, but not before he manages to completely disappear from the music industry and into the void of complete and total obscurity.

There is very little known about the man named Harumi, if that's even his real name (and it's debatable, as "Harumi" has female connotations in Japanese). Virtually every source-every blog, every website-has the exact same information on him: He came from Japan to New York to record an album, and disappeared. Did he remain in America to take part in the flower power movement? Could he have returned to Japan, sealing the fate on his obscurity by becoming a salaryman? Presumably, nobody outside his family knows. He could be anywhere in the world. He could be dead.

The actual album itself only adds to the mystery. Recorded between 1967 and 1968, it was a product of its time: a psychedelic gem released at the height and in the heyday of the genre's popularity and ubiquity. A double LP with a gatefold sleeve, its richly colored artwork (courtesy of "Sherri Berri") stands out even considering the acid-and-sun soaked milieu of the time. Inside, though, there is little information regarding its musicians. Harumi does indeed seem to be the singer's name (as evidenced by the strange side story written on the back end of the sleeve), but aside from the usual professional credits such as Producer (Tom Wilson), Arranger (Larry Fallon, Harvey Vinson, and Harumi), and Engineer (Val Valentin), there is nothing regarding who played the actual music.

"Harumi" isn't perfect, but in its imperfections it creates a certain charm and allure completely unique to itself. Harumi sounds like Your Friendly Neighborhood Acid-Head (though psychedelic blogger/uberenthusiast Dr. Schluss likened him to "a stoned cosmonaut," which actually seems to work pretty well as a compliment, I guess) and the album itself plays out as such; innocent rock, folk, or soul filtered through the lysergic brain of a Japanese expatriate and the adventurous producer willing to capture it all on tape.

"Harumi" does deserve the praise and cult following its gathered over the years, and the title of "lost classic" is well earned. In fact, if it hadn't been for Fallout Records, it might truly be lost; copies of the original double LP are rare and go for upwards of 50 dollars, and that's considering someone is even willing to part with their treasure. Harumi also recorded a second record, also self titled, but unfortunately it only came out in Japan and seems to be all but completely lost.

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Harumi Lyrics

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どんな時でも笑顔でいれば
乗り越えられるはずというけど
つまづく度増えてくかさぶただらけの心
隠すように生きていくのは疲れたの

泣きたい時に涙を流すことを
手放したら今よりもきっと強くなれるの？

世界中を旅しても見つからないもの
手を伸ばしてみても掴めないもの
答えはいつも遠すぎるけど

痛みは薄れても決して消えやしない
それでも人はきっと希望を捨てやしない
不器用なまま歩いていくの

鏡に映る疲れた顔を
見て見ぬ振りして今日も行くの
散らばった想いも片付けられないけれど
前を向き続けることはできるから

過去も未来も知らない子供のように
無邪気なまま一瞬一秒を楽しめたなら

世界中を旅しても見つからないもの
誰もが探してる形ないもの
答えはいつも不確かだけど

白黒だけの欠片集めて組み立てる未来は孤独でしょう
太陽が空にのぼれば世界は色づくから

世界中の誰よりも大切な人を
いつか見つけた時伝えたいの
答えは思うより近くにあること

痛みは薄れても決して消えやしない

それでも人はきっと希望を捨てやしない
不器用なまま歩いていくの

Overall Meaning

The song Answer by Harumi talks about the struggles and hardships of life and the importance of staying positive even in the face of difficulties. The song's opening lines suggest that smiling through tough times is said to be the key to overcoming them, but as one stumbles repeatedly and carries a heavy heart, it becomes exhausting to hide behind a mask. The artist questions whether letting one's tears flow during tough situations would make them stronger. The verse that follows speaks about the struggles of finding answers, searching for something that might never be found. The lyrics touch on the idea that we may never find what we're looking for in life, but we should keep striving forward anyways.

The chorus talks about the pain one experiences never truly disappearing, but we continue to hold onto hope despite it all. We see our tired and weary reflections in the mirror, but still, we choose to keep going, facing each day with positivity. The song suggests that finding joy in small moments and appreciating life with childlike innocence can make a huge difference in one's outlook on life. The song concludes with the message that despite the uncertainties of life and the struggle to find answers, the most important thing is holding onto hope and continuing to move forward.

Line by Line Meaning

どんな時でも笑顔でいれば
If you smile no matter what happens

乗り越えられるはずというけど
they say you can overcome anything

つまづく度増えてくかさぶただらけの心
But each time you stumble, your heart is filled with scratches

隠すように生きていくのは疲れたの
I'm tired of living a life hiding my scars.

泣きたい時に涙を流すことを
If I let myself cry when I want to cry

手放したら今よりもきっと強くなれるの？
Could I become stronger if I let it go?

世界中を旅しても見つからないもの
Even after traveling the world, there are things that can't be found

手を伸ばしてみても掴めないもの
Even after reaching out, there are things that can't be grasped

答えはいつも遠すぎるけど
The answers are always too far away

痛みは薄れても決して消えやしない
Even if the pain fades, it never truly goes away

それでも人はきっと希望を捨てやしない
But people never lose hope