Marty Friedman (born December 8, 1962 in Washington, D.C.) has become recog… Read Full Bio ↴Marty Friedman (born December 8, 1962 in Washington, D.C.) has become recognized worldwide as a guitarist and composer of consummate skill and a style of playing that is instantly recognizable as uniquely his. Marty is a self-taught guitarist famous for his natural improvisation abilities and for pioneering the fusion of exotic Eastern musical scales with Western musical styles such as neo-classical, thrash metal and later on into rock, pop, jazz, metal and anything in between. Going beyond traditional scales, Marty often arpeggiates the chords he is playing over, his picking technique is unorthodox and his bends and vibrato are very distinctive.

He was the lead guitarist for the thrash metal band Megadeth for a period of almost ten years (from February 1990 to December 1999). During this period, perhaps its most successful, Megadeth released a string of gold and platinum albums. At the same time, Megadeth's musical style became less Thrash, and more melodic, which many attribute primarily to Marty's creative influence.

Prior to joining Megadeth, he formed and played lead guitar in several bands that attained loyal and faithful followings, including Deuce, Hawaii, Vixen (not the all-female band of the same name), and notably Cacophony. Marty collaborated with Jason Becker on two albums, "Go Off" and "Speed Metal Symphony" that are considered masterpieces and works of reference for pure virtuoso and creative guitar playing. His solo albums, including one in conjunction with Japanese maestro Kitaro, reveal the wide range of Marty's musical exploration, from the very melodic music of "Scenes" and "Introduction" to the hard driving rock of "Music for Speeding", to the variety of styles presented in "True Obsessions". His solo albums seldom conform to a specific genre and often reminds the listener of Marty's creative exploration in music.

Currently living in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Marty travels the world giving eagerly anticipated clinics, performances and master classes in dozens of countries in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. He has become a major force in the Japanese music scene, playing lead guitar in the bands of the some of the country's most famous performers. He is also making his mark as a popular versatile and talented performer on several hit shows on Japanese television, and as a columnist for a major Japanese music magazine and a national daily newspaper.

Marty speaks fluent Japanese. He once appeared on TXN's musical TV program "hebimetasan" with Japanese idol Yoko Kumada etc. Marty has recently appeared on the track "Born Of Anger" on the album "All That Remains" by Fozzy. Marty is a big fan of the Ramones, KISS (during its early years) and Frank Marino. Marty very much enjoys playing guitar -- which he 'speaks' as fluently as he does Japanese. With music, there is never a language barrier.

Ashita e no Sanka
Marty Friedman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

とどけ
明日への讃歌
その小さな手には銀色のおけ
くみ入れてもこぼれおちてく
こんな成熟した正しい世界で
愛を告げる季節もないのなら
大地に刻んだ相生の
声なき声する慟哭を

うたえ
優しさとは偽者たちへ
おどれ
果てしない空常しえの祈り
その黒い水には無数のハエが
言い訳など意味もない
終わらない夜はないのだからと
誰が言ったか口笛を吹く今
さけべ
不可能とは青ざめた羽
とどけ
燃える夕日へ
明日への讃歌

あどけない指開いては
愛する人よ今いずこ

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marty Friedman's song "Ashita e no Sanka" speak of hope and perseverance in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. The opening lines, "Todoke ashita e no sanka/ Sono chiisana te ni wa/ Gin'iro no oke/ Kumi iretemo/ Kobore ochiteku" roughly translate to "Deliver a hymn to tomorrow/ In those small hands/ A silver vessel is held/ Even when filled, it spills over." This is a metaphor for trying to hold onto hope and positivity as it can be difficult to keep it contained in a world that is full of negativity and disappointment.

The lyrics go on to describe the struggles of living in a world that is "mature" and "correct," but lacks the season to express love. The lines "Yasashisa to wa/ Itsuwari-tachi e/ Odore/ Hateshinai sora/ Tokoshie no inori" roughly translate to "Dance for the fakes/ That pretend to be kind/ In the infinite sky/ An eternal prayer." The song encourages the listener to find hope and joy despite the hardships of life and to spread love and positivity to others.

Line by Line Meaning

とどけ
Deliver

明日への讃歌
A hymn for tomorrow

その小さな手には銀色のおけ
In your small hands, a silver tub

くみ入れてもこぼれおちてく
Even if I try to fill it, it spills

こんな成熟した正しい世界で
In this mature, righteous world

愛を告げる季節もないのなら
If there isn't a season to proclaim love

大地に刻んだ相生の
Engraved in the earth, the mutual prosperity

声なき声する慟哭を
A silent wail of grief

うたえ
Sing

優しさとは偽者たちへ
Kindness to the pretenders

おどれ
Dance