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
Midnight Flight
Shota Shimizu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
人々の雑踏 眠らない街
それぞれの行く場所
皆 何かを誤摩化して
今を生きている
だけど毒されちゃ駄目さ
この街の憂鬱に
何故 人々は
華やかな場所が好きで
孤独を恐れるの?
Flying easy, flying easy
Midnight この街は
意味もなく眩しすぎる
一緒においでよ
Flying easy, flying easy
流行のファッションで着飾って
街を歩けば
奥底に抱えてる不安だって
溶けてしまうね
真実はどんな時も
自分が持っている
積み重ねてきたものがすべて
今からでも遅くない wow wow
頭の中で
複雑に絡み合う
In/out を解け
Flying easy, flying easy
Midnight 毎日が
意味もなく過ぎ去ってく
一緒においでよ
Flying easy, flying easy
夜の蝶 連鎖してゆく
人から人へ
偽物? 本物?
気にしたらおしまいだね
何故 人々は
華やかな場所が好きで
孤独を恐れるの?
Flying easy, flying easy
Midnight この街は
意味もなく眩しすぎる
一緒においでよ
Flying easy, flying easy
頭の中で
複雑に絡み合う
In/out を解け
Flying easy, flying easy
Midnight 毎日が
意味もなく過ぎ去ってく
一緒においでよ
Flying easy, flying easy
The lyrics of "Midnight Flight" by Shota Shimizu delve into the vibrant yet melancholic atmosphere of a bustling city at night. The first verse sets the scene, describing the sparkling intersection and colorful night scenery, while emphasizing the constant activity and sleepless nature of the city. People are depicted as each having their own destinations to go to.
The next lines suggest that everyone is somehow deceiving themselves and living in the present moment, trying to ignore the toxicity that exists within the city's ennui. The lyrics question why people are drawn to glamorous places and fear loneliness, hinting at the desire for escapism and the avoidance of reality. The repeated phrase "Flying easy" serves as a metaphor, suggesting that people seek a carefree state of mind to navigate through this city.
In the chorus, the overwhelming brightness of the city is described as excessive and lacking meaning. The invitation to come together in the midst of this disorienting environment implies a longing for companionship and connection. The use of fashion as a form of camouflage is mentioned, highlighting the superficiality that can temporarily alleviate inner anxieties when walking through the city's streets.
The following lines emphasize the importance of holding onto one's truth and the accumulation of personal experiences. It suggests that it is never too late to acknowledge and embrace one's own authenticity. The intricate entanglement of thoughts and emotions in one's mind is depicted, illustrating the need to untangle and find clarity in order to navigate through life with ease.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, with each day passing without significant meaning. It reiterates the call for companionship and invites the listener to join in the struggle of living in a bright yet empty urban landscape. The lyrics conclude by acknowledging the futility of distinguishing between genuine and fake experiences, suggesting that worrying about it only leads to further dissatisfaction.
Overall, "Midnight Flight" explores the contrast between the dazzling facade of a city at night and the underlying loneliness and emptiness that can be found within. It poses thought-provoking questions about people's choices, fears, and desires, while also hinting at the need for connection and self-discovery in the face of a superficial and fast-paced world.
Line by Line Meaning
煌めく夜の交差点 色鮮やかに
The dazzling intersection of the night, filled with vibrant colors
人々の雑踏 眠らない街
A city where people's hustle and bustle never sleeps
それぞれの行く場所
Each person has their own destination
皆 何かを誤摩化して
Everyone is deceiving something
今を生きている
They are living in the present
だけど毒されちゃ駄目さ
But we must not be poisoned
この街の憂鬱に
By the melancholy of this city
何故 人々は
Why do people
華やかな場所が好きで
Like glamorous places
孤独を恐れるの?
Fear loneliness?
Flying easy, flying easy
Flying easy, flying easy
Midnight この街は
Midnight, this city
意味もなく眩しすぎる
Shines too brightly without meaning
一緒においでよ
Come with me
流行のファッションで着飾って
Dressing up in trendy fashion
街を歩けば
As I walk the streets
奥底に抱えてる不安だって
Even the anxieties held deep within
溶けてしまうね
Will melt away
真実はどんな時も
The truth, no matter when
自分が持っている
Is within ourselves
積み重ねてきたものがすべて
Everything we have built up
今からでも遅くない wow wow
It's not too late even from now wow wow
頭の中で
In our minds
複雑に絡み合う
Tangled up in complexity
In/out を解け
Untangle the In/out
Midnight 毎日が
Midnight, every day
意味もなく過ぎ去ってく
Passes by without meaning
夜の蝶 連鎖してゆく
Night butterflies chaining together
人から人へ
From person to person
偽物? 本物?
Fake? Genuine?
気にしたらおしまいだね
If we worry, it'll be the end
何故 人々は
Why do people
華やかな場所が好きで
Like glamorous places
孤独を恐れるの?
Fear loneliness?
Flying easy, flying easy
Flying easy, flying easy
Midnight この街は
Midnight, this city
意味もなく眩しすぎる
Shines too brightly without meaning
一緒においでよ
Come with me
頭の中で
In our minds
複雑に絡み合う
Tangled up in complexity
In/out を解け
Untangle the In/out
Flying easy, flying easy
Flying easy, flying easy
Midnight 毎日が
Midnight, every day
意味もなく過ぎ去ってく
Passes by without meaning
一緒においでよ
Come with me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Shota Shimizu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind