Her next big single "Glisten" was used in a make-up commercial for Menard products, and did fairly well in the Japanese market. With this success, she gained even more popularity, and was asked to sing the end theme for the popular TBS animated series Fullmetal Alchemist, entitled "I Will", giving her an easy in with American fans. Because of "'I Will"', the two other songs included with her "I Will" single, "Candy Rain" and "Pearl Color ni Yurete", became popular among American fans. In 2005, her song "Candy Rain" was featured on the Soul Tree: a Musical Tribute to Toshinobu Kubota album and "Pearlcolor ni Yurete" was on the Momoe Yamaguchi tribute album Thank You For.... Likewise, her third single "Fortune" was selected for the American J-Pop compilation album Neo Soul, and "Across my Heart" from the Geofu album was added to the "Smooth Listening Compilation" album.
In November 2004, Sowelu released her 8th single, "Last Forever", which became the TV insert song for the new drama There goes Nurse-man, and her cover of "The Rose" was featured on a Nescafe commercial. Then finally, after one and a half years of waiting, Sowelu released her second album Sweet Bridge on January 7, 2005.
In 2005, Sowelu contributed to m-flo's album BEAT SPACE NINE on the track "So Exclusive", and again on their album DOPE SPACE NINE in the same song, remixed by Korean fusion band, Clazziquai.
In the music video for the song "to YOU" several photographs of her family and her childhood are intercut with scenes of her singing in a wide room with large glass windows. According to her website, the video location is a church about one hour away from Tokyo by car. At the end of the PV, the family members in the photos make an appearance together with Sowelu, including her grandmother, her mother and even Sowelu's pet chihuahua.
Her latest album "２４－ｔｗｅｎｔｙ ｆｏｕｒ－" was released on July 12, 2006. It debuted at #3, her highest ranking yet. The album remained at the #3 spot for two weeks on the Weekly Oricon Album Charts. One of the album's songs entitled "守るべきもの", is used as the ending of the 9th Pokemon movie Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy.
On December 12, 2007 Sowelu released her latest single "光". The single had moderate success and reached #28 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. More recently Sowelu will participate in the 2008 Nike ad campaign, "MY MUSIC,MY FORCE"; along with Perfume, Home Made Kazoku, Tohoshinki, Shota Moriyama and Shoko Nakagawa.
The Rose
Sowelu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower and you,
It's only seed
It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give.
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live.
When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter far beneath
The bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring
Becomes the rose.
The lyrics to Sowelu's song "The Rose" convey a profound perspective on the nature of love and human emotions. The song begins by presenting contrasting views on love - some perceive it as a powerful force that can overwhelm and hurt, while others see it as a deep longing that can never be satisfied. However, the singer offers a different interpretation, describing love as a beautiful flower and emphasizing that the listener is its only seed, implying that love holds the potential for growth and transformation.
The second verse explores the fears and hesitations that can hinder one's ability to fully embrace love. It suggests that those who are afraid of heartbreak or disappointment will never be able to experience the joy of truly living and taking risks. The line "It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance" implies that fear can prevent us from pursuing our dreams and reaching our full potential. Additionally, the verse highlights the imbalance that arises when someone is unwilling to be vulnerable and give themselves to another, while also touching upon the fear of mortality and the consequences of not truly embracing life.
The final verse offers a glimmer of hope, reminding us that even in the darkest and most difficult times, hidden beneath the hardships, love remains resilient and has the power to bring forth new life and beauty. The analogy of a seed lying dormant beneath the bitter snow implies that love can endure and flourish, even when it seems impossible.
"The Rose" serves as a poignant reminder that love is not always easy, and it requires us to face our fears and take chances. It encourages us to embrace vulnerability, to remain hopeful even in challenging times, and to recognize that love holds the potential to bring forth transformation and beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say love, it is a river
Love is often described as a powerful force that can overwhelm and consume individuals.
That drowns the tender reed
Love can be intense and all-encompassing, causing vulnerability and fragility in those who experience it.
Some say love, it is a razor
Love can be sharp and painful, cutting deep into one's soul.
That leaves your soul to bleed
Love can lead to emotional pain and suffering, causing deep wounds within oneself.
Some say love, it is a hunger
Love can create a longing and aching desire within a person that feels insatiable.
An endless aching need
Love can create a constant and never-ending yearning that cannot be satisfied.
I say love, it is a flower and you
In contrast to the previous descriptions, the singer perceives love as something beautiful and delicate.
It's only seed
Love begins as a small and undeveloped thing, needing nurturing and care to grow.
It's the heart afraid of breaking
People who fear emotional pain and heartbreak often avoid taking risks or fully engaging in love.
That never learns to dance
Those who guard their hearts too closely miss out on the joy and freedom that love brings.
It's the dream afraid of waking
Fear of disappointment or loss prevents some individuals from pursuing their dreams or fully experiencing love.
That never takes the chance
Those who are too cautious or hesitant miss out on the opportunities and growth that come with taking risks.
It's the one who won't be taken
People who resist vulnerability and refuse to let others in struggle to form deep and meaningful connections.
Who cannot seem to give
Those who are guarded and closed off find it difficult to truly give and receive love.
And the soul afraid of dying
Fear of mortality and the unknown can prevent individuals from fully embracing and living life to its fullest.
That never learns to live
Fear can hinder personal growth and prevent individuals from fully experiencing the joys and challenges life offers.
When the night has been too lonely
During times of deep loneliness and darkness, it may be difficult to believe in the power of love.
And the road has been too long
After enduring a difficult and arduous journey, love may seem out of reach or impossible to find.
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
In moments of despair, it's easy to believe that love is reserved for those who are fortunate and resilient.
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow
Even in the harshest and most challenging times, love exists within us, waiting to bloom.
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
Within our hearts, there is a small and hidden potential for love that can be awakened and nurtured.
In the spring becomes the rose
With time, care, and the warmth of love, that potential blossoms into something beautiful and transformative.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind