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.

What Now My Love?
Pizzicato Five Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(konishi)
Translators: andrei cunha

Yasashikute
Shikkari dakishimete
Watashi wo hanasanaide

Hon no sukoshi
Karada ga furueteru
Anata wa kizukanai no

Koi no owaru hi ga
Chikazuiteru no
Iki wo koroshite
Toorisugiru made

Yasashii kotoba
Nanimo iwanaide
Nakidashite shimau kara

Kitto watashi ga
Mishiranu dareka to
Koi wo shite itemo
Anata wa yurusu hazu
Soshite ima demo
Anata wa watashi wo
Ushinaitsuzukete iru

Yakusoku shite
Shikkari dakishimete
Watashi wo hanasanai to

Arikitari na
Watashi no kanashimi wo
Anata mo kizukanai no

Koi no owaru hi ga
Chikazuiteru no
Iki wo koroshite
Toorisugiru made

Yasashii kotoba
Nanimo iwanaide
Nakidashite shimau kara

Kitto watashi ga
Mishiranu anata to
Futatabi koi ni
Ochiru koto wa nai
Soshite ima demo
Watashi wa anata wo
Ushinaitsuzuke iru

La la la la

Koi no owari ga
Chikazuiteru no
Subete no owari ga

---------------------------
Hold me gently
But firmly
Don't leave me

Can you feel it too
My body is
Trembling a bit

Our love is
Drawing close to an end
Hold your breath
Till it's over

Don't say
Anything sweet
It would make me cry

Even if I fall in love
With someone else
I'm sure
You'll forgive me
And even now
You are letting me
Drift away from you

Promise me
Hold me tight
Promise me you won't let me go

Can't you notice
My sorrow
It's such a conventional one

Our love is
Drawing close to an end
Hold your breath
Till it's over

Don't say
Anything sweet
It would make me cry

I don't think
I will ever fall in love
With you
Again
And even now
I'm letting you
Drift apart from me

La la la la

Our love is

Drawing close to an end
The end of it all

Overall Meaning

The song "What Now Our Love" by Pizzicato Five is a melancholic tune reflecting on the end of a love affair. The lyrics express a sense of resignation towards the inevitable demise of the relationship, as the singer asks her lover to hold her tightly and not let go. She notes how her body is trembling as if to signal the end of the romance. She doesn't want any sweet and comforting words that might make her cry because she is aware of the eventual end of their relationship. The singer is also afraid that her tears may spoil what's left of the love they have between them. She contemplates the possibility of falling in love with someone else, but she is confident that her current love will forgive her.

Despite this assurance, the singer says that she thinks she won't fall in love with her current love again. She admits that her sadness is indifferent and banal, though it still bothers her. In the end, she accepts that their love has come to an end, noting that everything must come to an end.

Overall, the song is a poignant reflection of the inevitable ending of the love affair. It is a tale of two people who will soon be drifting apart, and despite their love, they are powerless to prevent the inevitable breakup.

Line by Line Meaning

Hold me gently
I want you to hold me tenderly

But firmly
I also want you to have a tight grip on me

Don't leave me
I'm afraid you'll walk away from me

Can you feel it too
Do you also sense what I'm feeling right now?

My body is
I'm physically reacting to our situation

Trembling a bit
I'm slightly shaking

Our love is
Our romantic relationship is

Drawing close to an end
It's almost over

Hold your breath
Keep yourself calm and collected

Till it's over
Until it's completely finished

Don't say
Please avoid uttering