May Hashimoto (橋本芽生) better known by her stage name May J., is a R&B and po… Read Full Bio ↴May Hashimoto (橋本芽生) better known by her stage name May J., is a R&B and pop singer from Yokohama, Japan. Born of Japanese, Iranian, and Russian descent, May J. made her major label debut under Sony Music Japan on July 12, 2006 with her first mini-album All My Girls. She also currently hosts the music programme, J-Melo on Japanese tv network, NHK.

Biography
May J. was born on June 20, 1988 to a Japanese father and a mother of Persian, Russian, Turkish and English heritage. She is fluent in Japanese, English as well as her mother's native Persian language. From the age of 3, until she was 16, she learnt how to play classical piano, familiarizing herself with music until she realized the pleasures of singing and began vocal lessons at the age of 13. May J. also learnt Ballet, Jazz and Hip-Hop dance.

At the age of 14, May J. was successful at a Sony Music Japan audition and soon signed onto Sony Music. While waiting to make her major label debut, May J. was a dancer for Aaron Carter's Japanese concert and was featured on the track Luyva: Another Episode from Sphere of Influence's album Big Deal, credited simply as May.

Released July 12, 2006 under Neosite Discs, the hip-hop division of Sony's Ki/oon Records, the music of her debut mini-album All My Girls was billed by her label as "Jennifer Lopez/Beyoncé/Rihanna-type music which has never before existed in Japan"

In October 2008, she became the co-host of NHK's weekly music program, J-Melo, with Shanti Snyder, going out to 180 countries via NHK World. She become sole host on March 2010 and has remained ever since.

On 6 March 2009, label Rhythm Zone opened a new official site for May J. confirming that she had left Sony to join the Avex imprint. On the May 23, 2009 her second album Family was announced, featuring the single Garden (featuring DJ Kaori, Diggy-MO', クレンチ＆ブリスタ).The album did well and charted at #4 on the Oricon weekly chart.

In 2013 and 2014 her cover albums "Summer Ballad Covers" and "Heartful Song Covers" were big hits and both sold over 200,000 copies.

In 2014 she sang the end roll version of the title song "Let It Go" in Disney's Japanese release of the Frozen animated movie, which hit No. 8 on the Japan Hot 100 after the film's Japanese release in March 2014. The song spent several months in the top 30 on most digital charts. in 2014 she also got her first invite to the prestigious new year's eve show Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

First Love
May J. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

最後のキスは
タバコの flavor がした
ニガくてせつない香り
明日の今頃には
あなたはどこにいるんだろう
誰を想ってるんだろう
You are always gonna be my love
いつか誰かとまた恋に落ちても

I'll remember to love
You taught me how
You are always gonna be the one
今はまだ悲しい love song
新しい歌うたえるまで

立ち止まる時間が
動き出そうとしてる
忘れたくないことばかり
明日の今頃には
わたしはきっと泣いてる
あなたを想ってるんだろう
You will always
be inside my heart
いつもあなただけの場所があるから
I hope that I have a place
in your heart too
Now and forever
you are still the one
今はまだ悲しい love song
新しい歌うたえるまで
You are always gonna be my love
いつか誰かとまた恋に落ちても
I'll remember to love
You taught me how
You are always gonna be the one

まだ悲しい love song
Now and forever ...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to May J.'s song "First Love" depict a bittersweet reminiscence of a past romantic relationship. The first verse sets the scene with the last kiss shared, describing it as having the flavor of tobacco, which symbolizes a bitter and nostalgic taste. The singer reflects on the painful and melancholic scent of this memory. Wondering where their former lover may be at this moment and who they might be thinking of, the singer acknowledges that this person will always hold a significant place in their heart.

The chorus emphasizes the enduring impact of this first love. The singer affirms that even if they were to fall in love with someone else in the future, they will never forget the lessons and love their first love taught them. The second verse reflects on a pause in time, where the singer feels a desire for things not to be forgotten, as memories flood back. They imagine themselves shedding tears, still thinking of their former lover at this very moment.

The lyrics convey a sense of longing, acknowledging the deep connection and lasting impression that first love leaves on the heart. It explores the emotions of sadness and nostalgia, while also recognizing the potential for new beginnings and growth in future love. Ultimately, "First Love" encapsulates the profound impact and treasured memories associated with that significant first experience of love.

Line by Line Meaning

最後のキスは
The last kiss

タバコの flavor がした
Had the flavor of cigarettes

ニガくてせつない香り
A bitter and painful smell

明日の今頃には
By this time tomorrow

あなたはどこにいるんだろう
I wonder where you are

誰を想ってるんだろう
Who you are thinking of

You are always gonna be my love
You will always be my love

いつか誰かとまた恋に落ちても
Even if I fall in love with someone else someday

I'll remember to love
I will remember to love

You taught me how
You showed me how

You are always gonna be the one
You will always be the one