Pizzicato Five (often nicknamed "P5") is a legendary Japanese group that fo… Read Full Bio ↴Pizzicato Five (often nicknamed "P5") is a legendary Japanese group that formed in 1984. Arguably the first group to popularize shibuya-kei from underground circles, they also later on began experimenting with the style, with what some called an innovative genre all their own, blending traditional Japanese pop, alternative, soul, funk, jazz, ye-ye, acoustic folk, and early electronic music, among others. They are also perhaps best known to audiences in the west in their later incarnation as a duo of Nomiya Maki (野宮真貴) and Konishi Yasuharu (小西康陽).

They are widely credited to have spearheaded the "Shibuya-kei" movement of Tokyo in the 90s, along with Flipper's Guitar.

They are known for their eclectic and energetic compositions, which often sound like "new" releases from the late 1960s hipster scene. Their catchphrase--"A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular"--captured the group's ironic stance but eager attitude. The group broke up in March 2001.

A hugely prolific group, Pizzicato Five would release at least an album-per-year along with various EPs and remix albums during their 16 year-career.

Both Nomiya Maki (野宮真貴) and Konishi Yasuharu(小西康陽) currently enjoy solo careers - with Konishi Yasuharu(小西康陽) producing other artists ranging from Puffy and SMAP to Cornelius and kahimi karie(カヒミ・カリィ) - alongside collaborative remix compilations - from Ella Fitzgerald and The Supremes to classic Disney and Thunderbirds (as in Super-Marionated) music on his Shibuya-based Readymade Records label.

On Thursday March 31st, 2011, exactly 10 years after Pizzicato Five disbanded, Konishi Yasuharu announced a new solo project called Pizzicato One. The first release, titled One and Ten Very Sad Songs, consists of covers of English songs, each featuring vocals by various internationally-known artists from around the world.

On the Sunny Side of the Street
Pizzicato Five Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Before I die
Just once would be enough
I want to try and laugh as hard as I can
Whistle and walk,
On the sunny side of the street

In the pocket of my only good clothes
There's never any money but,

On the sunny side of the street,
I'll dance
like Astaire and

In the middle of main street
I'll see you by chance
I'll yell out your name
Hug and kiss and

Before I die
Just once would be enough
I want to be loved as much as possible
On the sunny side of the street
I'll whistle and
walk side by side

And then I'll be with you 'til morning

On a rose-colored bed
We'll

Overall Meaning

greet the sunshine with a smile
And then I'll die

The lyrics of Pizzicato Five’s “On the Sunny Side of the Street” are a real celebration of life, love, happiness and optimism. The singer is longing to experience a moment of pure joy, to laugh as hard as he possibly can, to whistle and walk, and to dance like Fred Astaire. Despite being financially challenged, the singer finds solace in the idea that he can still embrace the brighter side of life, the sunny side of the street. Even in his pockets he only has his “only good clothes” but he finds joy in his ability to see the good in life, rather than dwell in his current financial hardship. He imagines dancing like Astaire and bumping into someone he knows in the middle of the street, hugging and kissing before continuing his joyous journey.

Towards the end of the song, the singer expresses a desire to be loved as much as possible before he dies. He dreams of spending his last moments in the arms of his beloved, on a “rose-colored bed,” with the sunshine on his face. The song ends with his idealistic wish of dying in such an idyllic scenario.

This song is a true testament to the power of optimism and the human spirit, despite life's challenges. Its lyrical depth and catchy tune led it to become one of Pizzicato Five’s most popular and well-known songs.

Line by Line Meaning

Before I die
Just once before I pass away

Just once would be enough
Only one time is needed

I want to try and laugh as hard as I can
I desire to laugh as deeply as possible

Whistle and walk,
Walk while whistling

On the sunny side of the street
In a positive and optimistic state of mind

In the pocket of my only good clothes
In the pocket of my best outfit

There's never any money but,
There's always a shortage of funds

On the sunny side of the street,
Despite financial difficulties

I'll dance like Astaire and
I'll perform fancy dance moves

In the middle of main street
In the center of a busy road

I'll see you by chance
We'll have an unexpected encounter

I'll yell out your name
I'll call out to you loudly

Hug and kiss and
Embrace and kiss

Before I die
Just once before I pass away

Just once would be enough
Only one time is needed

I want to be loved as much as possible
I desire to be loved deeply and completely

On the sunny side of the street
In a positive and optimistic state of mind

I'll whistle and
I'll whistle

walk side by side
Walk with you next to me

And then I'll be with you 'til morning
I'll spend the night with you

On a rose-colored bed
On a bed with a romantic atmosphere

We'll talk and laugh
We'll converse and enjoy each other's company

On the sunny side of the street
In a positive and optimistic state of mind

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS