Before his debut, in November 2007, Shimizu sang in English on amateur night at the Apollo Theater in New York City. He was called a "one in a million soul singer" by a local newspaper in New York. The second time he performed at the Apollo Theater was on November 19, 2008. He sang the song "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto in Japanese, where he was given a standing ovation from an audience of 1,500 people. He said he sang it because he wanted to show his Japanese pride and demonstrate the beauty of the Japanese language.
Shimizu's first single, titled "Home", was released on February 20, 2008, and he appeared on Music Station two days after the single's release to promote it. "Home" peaked at ranked at number 5 and sold 27,820 units in its first week. After 17 weeks, it had sold 125,735 copies. His second single, "Aishiteru" (アイシテル, I Love You), was released on June 4, 2008 in Japan. It ranked at number 4 and sold 22,778 units in its first week. After 12 weeks, it had sold 47,114 copies. Shimizu released his third single "My Treasure" on October 22, 2008. It ranked at number 15 and sold 9,540 units in its first week. After 5 weeks, it had sold 15,365 copies.
He also collaborated with Miliyah Kato. Together they released 4 singles and an album, in 2014 they did a tour together.
His most recent album - "White" - was released in 2018.
Studio Albums
[2008.11.26] Umbrella
[2010.03.03] Journey
[2011.03.09] COLORS
[2012.03.21] Naturally
[2014.03.12] ENCORE
[2016.03.30] PROUD
[2017.06.28] FLY
[2018.06.27] WHITE
Split Albums
[2014.04.02] THE BEST (Miliyah x Shimizu Shota)
Cover Albums
[2012.11.28] MELODY
Best Albums
[2015.02.25] ALL SINGLES BEST
Harukaze
Shota Shimizu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
夏の匂いがもう そこまで
思い出して 笑ったり
頑張ろうと思ったり
君と過ごした日々の中で僕は
何を見て 何を得たのだろう
こんなにすぐ側に痛みがあるのに
想えばまだ 大人には
なりきれずに 歩いてきて
ぼやけていく思い出に
抱かれながら 歌えば
風に揺られて 桜が飛んでいく
1人きり 君を探したけど
遠い日常を胸焦がし待ってる
君も笑顔で 夢を見ている
記憶の中で (中で) あの日のままで (ままで)
色褪せてく君の面影に
何度でも 何度でも 語りかける
そしてやがて 忘れゆく 次の (次の) 春の訪れに
君と過ごした日々の中で僕は
何を見て 何を得たのだろう
こんなにすぐ側に痛みがあるのに
僕は笑顔で 空を見ている
風に揺られて 桜が飛んでいく
1人きり 君を探したけど
遠い日常を胸焦がし待ってる
君も笑顔で 夢を見ている
The lyrics to Shota Shimizu's "Harukaze" reflect on memories and the passage of time. The song opens with a description of a summer breeze coming through an open window, conjuring up nostalgic feelings and the recalling of past events. The singer wonders what they gained or learned from the time they spent with someone special. Despite feeling pain or sadness close at hand, they choose to look up and smile at the sky.
As the song continues, the reminiscence deepens. The singer recalls their younger days, feeling like they hadn't fully grown up yet, and how they embraced blurry memories while singing. At the same time, cherry blossoms fall as the wind blows, reflecting the transience of beauty and youth. The memories, however, remain vivid as though they happened yesterday. As the memories and emotions fade away, the singer tries to hold on to the past by talking to their beloved memory in their head, but ultimately knows that these moments will eventually fade as well when the next spring arrives.
Overall, the lyrics to "Harukaze" convey a sense of bittersweet loss and nostalgia, with a tinge of hope for the future. The song is both personal and universal, inspiring listeners to reflect on their own memories and the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
隙間開いた 窓の向こう
The smell of summer is already permeating in through the crack in the window.
夏の匂いがもう そこまで
The scent evokes memories and makes me smile, even as I try to do my best.
思い出して 笑ったり
I wonder what I saw and gained during the days I spent with you.
頑張ろうと思ったり
There is so much pain right beside me, yet I still look up and smile at the sky.
君と過ごした日々の中で僕は
While I still struggled to grow up, hazy memories of the days we spent together allow me to sing and embrace them.
何を見て 何を得たのだろう
I search for you alone while the cherry blossoms were flying by in the wind evoking memories of distant everyday life.
こんなにすぐ側に痛みがあるのに
I keep talking to your faded memories of you and wait for spring to come when we will ultimately forget each other.
僕は笑顔で 空を見ている
Despite the agony being this close to me, I still choose to wear a smile and gaze up at the sky.
風に揺られて 桜が飛んでいく
As memories fade, I speak to your face in my mind over and over again and wait for the spring to come again.
1人きり 君を探したけど
The days I spent with you force me to question what I saw and gained in that time.
遠い日常を胸焦がし待ってる
As cherry blossoms are swept away by the wind, I looked for you, but you are not here anymore.
君も笑顔で 夢を見ている
While alone and struggling with trying to forget you, you also smile in your dreams.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Shota Shimizu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind