From the age of 7 to 10, Rie fu lived in Maryland, United States. She was greatly influenced by The Carpenters and female singers/songwriters such as Sheryl Crow and Michelle Branch. Rie fu started writing songs in high school with her piano and guitar. Within a year, her talents were recognized by Sony, who released her first single in March 2004.
Rie fu's songs are often bilingual. Although most of her songs are primarily sung in Japanese, many feature entire verses written in English. Her debut album features two entirely English songs, "Voice" and "Shine," both of which she wrote herself. Of her songs written entirely in Japanese, at least two have later been released with English language versions.
Rie completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, London, in 2007. She has returned to Japan to further pursue her musical career.
Rie fu maintains a blog in Japanese.
VOICE
Rie fu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
of your eyes, what you
really mean is you don't
really wanna be this
way for good
You pick up
the stuff that's just been laid,
what you really mean is,
love for your day if you could
So I ache, so I ache,
it's more than I can take,
it only gets even worse,
when I sleep when I awake
and my belly keeps sinkin'
So I wake up to the spiritual
voice in my head
and I say
"hey, won't you listen?"
It can easily be left unheard
be left unsaid,
but I listen, listen,
maybe too hard.
You pick up
the stuff taht's just been laid,
what you really mean is,
you wanna be the one
to lay them out if you could
Would you say extra money
would do?
Do you do it cuz you have to?
Then who's making you do it?
So I ache, so I ache,
it's more than I can take,
it only gets even worse,
when I sleep when I awake
So I ache, so I ache,
it's more than I can take,
it only gets even worse,
when I sleep when I awake
and my belly keeps sinkin'
So I wake up to the spiritual
voice in my head
and I say
"hey, won't you listen?"
It can easily be left unheard
be left unsaid,
but I listen, listen,
maybe too hard.
So I ache, so I ache,
it's more than I can take,
it only gets even worse,
when I sleep when I awake
So I ache, so I ache,
it's more than I can take,
it only gets even worse,
when I sleep when I awake
and my belly keeps sinkin'
So I wake up to the spiritual
voice in my head
and I say
"hey, won't you listen?"
It can easily be left unheard
be left unsaid,
but I listen, listen,
maybe too hard.
Rie fu’s song, Voice, talks about the struggles of feeling lost and aimless. In the first stanza, the lyrics discuss changing the color of one’s eyes, which suggests the desire to change one’s identity. However, the following lines reveal that this change is only temporary and that there is a longing for something better. In the next stanza, the lyrics shift to talk about picking up “stuff” that’s just been laid, which could be interpreted as taking on responsibilities or expectations from others. The repetition of the phrase “if you could” highlights the sense of longing for something better.
The chorus contains the repetition of “so I ache” which conveys the pain and frustration that comes with not meeting one’s expectations. The following line, “It only gets even worse, when I sleep when I awake,” shows that this feeling of ache is present throughout the day, even in one’s dreams. The current state of mind is suffocating and overwhelming for the singer, as shown by the line “and my belly keeps sinking.” In the final stanza, the lyrics ask the question of whether extra money would do anything to alleviate the pain, but the answer remains ambiguous. The final repetition of the chorus, “So I wake up to the spiritual voice in my head and I say ‘hey, won't you listen?’” brings the song to a close with an unresolved feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
You change the color
of your eyes, what you
really mean is you don't
really wanna be this
way for good
You alter your appearance, but the true reason is you don't want to commit to this identity permanently
You pick up
the stuff that's just been laid,
what you really mean is,
you gotta have some
love for your day if you could
You gather what's available, but you truly desire a more fulfilling experience
So I ache, so I ache,
it's more than I can take,
it only gets even worse,
when I sleep when I awake
and my belly keeps sinkin'
I am in great emotional pain that consumes me both while awake and asleep
So I wake up to the spiritual
voice in my head
and I say
"hey, won't you listen?"
It can easily be left unheard
be left unsaid,
but I listen, listen,
maybe too hard.
I recognize a higher power guiding me and I implore it to hear me. I fear I may be too focused on listening though.
You pick up
the stuff that's just been laid,
what you really mean is,
you wanna be the one
to lay them out if you could
You do what's necessary, but you aspire to take charge and contribute your own ideas
Would you say extra money
would do?
Do you do it cuz you have to?
Then who's making you do it?
Is money enough to compensate you? Are you doing this out of obligation, and if so, by whose influence?
So I ache, so I ache,
it's more than I can take,
it only gets even worse,
when I sleep when I awake
and my belly keeps sinkin'
My emotional pain continues to burden me even through sleep, and my physical discomfort persists.
So I wake up to the spiritual
voice in my head
and I say
"hey, won't you listen?"
It can easily be left unheard
be left unsaid,
but I listen, listen,
maybe too hard.
I seek guidance from a higher power again, hoping it hears me despite the possibility of being overzealous in my requests.
So I ache, so I ache,
it's more than I can take,
it only gets even worse,
when I sleep when I awake
and my belly keeps sinkin'
I am still overwhelmed by emotions and physical sensations.
So I wake up to the spiritual
voice in my head
and I say
"hey, won't you listen?"
It can easily be left unheard
be left unsaid,
but I listen, listen,
maybe too hard.
I continue to plead for guidance from a higher power, acknowledging my potential to be too demanding in my requests.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: fu Rie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind