So Long
Mari Hamada Lyrics

Mari Hamada's song "So Long" is about a person who struggles to say goodbye to someone they love deeply. The opening lyrics reveal that the singer has been trying to muster the courage to say goodbye but hasn't been able to. As they tried to express their feelings, they felt overwhelmed with sadness. They described feeling an unexplained loneliness that enveloped them. When the singer tried to hold back their tears, the thread of the pain they had been trying to keep hidden from others had already broken. Despite their attempts to stop the flow of tears, they couldn't hold them back anymore.
The subsequent lyrics describe a situation where the singer is looking out the window in the middle of a melancholic afternoon. They are silently pondering about their future and wondering if they will ever find love again. They consider the possibility of giving up on love to preserve their sense of self. As the song progresses, they acknowledge that they will try again someday to love someone, but for now, they need to move on. The singer is alone now, and all they can say to the person they love is goodbye.

The song "So Long", which was released in 1987, was written by Mari Hamada herself. The song was a commercial success in Japan and won an award in the 29th annual Japan Record Awards in the category of "Best Vocal Performance Female." The song was also named the "Best Song" in the Japan Singer Awards held the same year.
Mari Hamada was only 25 years old at the time she wrote and performed the song. The album where the song was included, "Mission is," was Mari's sixth studio album. This album was produced by Dave Ford, who has collaborated with many famous artists from Japan and around the world.
Mari Hamada's "So Long" has been covered and reinterpreted by other notable artists such as Mai Kuraki and Yo Hitoto. The song has been a favorite among Karaoke-goers in Japan, and many still sing it today.
Mari Hamada's voice has been described as one of the iconic voices of the Japanese rock music scene. She has been active in the industry for more than four decades and has released over 40 albums to date. She is also known for her socially conscious lyrics and activism work.
Mari Hamada was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1962, and started her music career as a country and folk singer. She later transitioned to rock music, where she gained widespread recognition in the Japanese music scene.
The song "So Long" has been described as Mari Hamada's signature song by her fans, and it's played in many of her live shows. The song was also used as the theme song for a Japanese drama series titled "Tsumiki Kuzushi: Shiiku Gakari Rika."
"So Long" has been translated into several languages, including Chinese, Korean, and Spanish, and it's enjoyed by audiences worldwide.
The guitar solo in "So Long" is played by Steve Lukather, who is a renowned guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for his work with the band Toto, and he has played with many other famous artists across different genres.

Chords:

Intro: A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7

Verse:
A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7
さよならを言おうとして
A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7
素直にはなれなかった
F#m Bm7 F#m Bm7
理由もなく心ぶつけたそのあとは
Dmaj7 E
いいしれぬ寂しさに包まれて

Chorus:
A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7
こらえていた悲しみの糸が
F#m Bm7 F#m Bm7
So hurt 切れてしまった
Dmaj7 E
あふれる涙も止められない So long

Bridge:
A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7
未来がかけがえないものならば
A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7
めぐり逢えない恋ならひとり
F#m Bm7 F#m Bm7
So far 捨ててしまおう
Dmaj7 E
私が私でいられるよう So long yeah

Outro:
A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7
声の限り叫んで 手を伸ばしても
A Dmaj7 A Dmaj7
すぎ去りかけた季節
F#m Bm7 F#m Bm7
立ち止まりはしない
Dmaj7 E
Wow wish me well Alone now, so long, now.