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
Rainy Blue
Shota Shimizu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
電話BOXの 外は雨
かけなれたダイヤル 回しかけて
ふと指を 止める
冷たい雨に 打たれながら
哀しい物語 想い出した
あなたの帰り道 交差点
ふと足を 止める
レイニー ブルー もう終わったはずなのに
レイニー ブルー 何故追いかけるの
あなたの幻 消すように
私も今日は そっと雨
行き過ぎる車の ヘッドライトが
ひとりぼっちの 影をつくる
あなたの白い車 捜しかけて
ふと瞳を ふせる
レイニー ブルー もう終わったはずなのに
レイニー ブルー いつまで追いかけるの
あなたの幻 消すように
私も今日は そっと雨
レイニー ブルー もう終わったはずなのに
レイニー ブルー 何故追いかけるの
あなたの幻 消すように
私も今日は そっと雨
あの頃のやさしさに
つつまれてた想い出が
流れてく この街に
It's a rainy blue, it's a rainy blue
ゆれる心 ぬらす涙
It's a rainy blue loneliness
These lyrics depict a scene set at midnight, with the singer standing outside a phone booth in the rain. They reach out to dial a familiar number but suddenly hesitate, seemingly flooded with memories of a sad story. As the cold rain falls upon them, they are reminded of a particular intersection on your way home, prompting them to pause their steps.
The chorus, "Rainy Blue, though it should have ended already, why do I still chase after it? To erase your illusion, today I too gently rain," suggests that despite the supposed conclusion or closure, the singer finds themselves unable to let go. They are haunted by the ghost of their past, perhaps a love or a relationship, and can't seem to move on from it. The rain becomes a metaphorical representation of their emotions and the longing they feel.
The second verse introduces the loneliness that accompanies the singer as they observe passing cars and the headlights creating solitary shadows. They search for a white car, possibly connected to the person they hold onto, and instinctively lower their gaze when it becomes too much to bear.
The repetition of the chorus reinforces the theme of being unable to move on from the past, as the haunting illusion of the person they long for persists. The line, "I too gently rain," indicates that the singer is immersed in their own sadness, almost mirroring the rainy atmosphere around them.
The final lines, "The memories enveloped in the kindness of that time flow through this town. It's a rainy blue, it's a rainy blue. A trembling heart, tears moisten it. It's a rainy blue loneliness," emphasize that even though time has passed, the memories still hold a powerful grip on the singer's heart. The rainy blue becomes a symbol of both their yearning and the feeling of loneliness that accompanies it.
Overall, these lyrics portray the struggle of letting go of a past love or relationship, highlighting the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and the difficulty of moving forward. The rainy blue serves as a backdrop for the introspection and emotional turmoil experienced by the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
人影も見えない 午前0時
At midnight, when there is no sign of people around
電話BOXの 外は雨
Outside the telephone booth, it's raining
かけなれたダイヤル 回しかけて
I dial the familiar number and start calling
ふと指を 止める
Suddenly, I stop my fingers
冷たい雨に 打たれながら
While being struck by the cold rain
哀しい物語 想い出した
I recalled a sad story
あなたの帰り道 交差点
At the intersection of your way back
ふと足を 止める
Suddenly, I stop my footsteps
レイニー ブルー もう終わったはずなのに
Rainy blue, even though it should have already ended
レイニー ブルー 何故追いかけるの
Rainy blue, why do I still chase after it
あなたの幻 消すように
To erase the illusion of you
私も今日は そっと雨
Today, I too gently rain
行き過ぎる車の ヘッドライトが
The headlights of passing cars
ひとりぼっちの 影をつくる
Create a lonely shadow
あなたの白い車 捜しかけて
I search for your white car
ふと瞳を ふせる
Suddenly, I lower my gaze
あの頃のやさしさに
In the kindness of those days
つつまれてた想い出が
Surrounded by memories
流れてく この街に
Flowing through this city
It's a rainy blue, it's a rainy blue
It's a rainy blue, it's a rainy blue
ゆれる心 ぬらす涙
My trembling heart, wet with tears
It's a rainy blue loneliness
It's a rainy blue loneliness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Makoto Oki, Hideaki Tokunaga
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind