They released their debut single on August 25, 1974. In 2003, HMV Records Japan rated them #92 in their "Top 100 Japanese pops Artists".
マンハッタン・レイン
THE ALFEE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
聞こえてきそうな フィーリン・グルービー
口笛吹けば 妙に照れくさくて
ふと心に影をおとす
ハドソン・リバーに映る街は大きく
やりきれないほど虚ろに見える
濡れて泣きだす ロンリー・ハート
涙が一粒 舗道に滲み込む
夢を探しに 集まる人々
この街すべてが きっと フォリナー
さりげなく I LOVE YOU 君の心に囁く
遠い空の彼方
ブロードウェイ行きかう恋人達を見ている
たまらなく君に逢いたくなる
マンハッタン・レイン
やり直せるかもしれない
離れてもなおつのる この想い
マンハッタン・レイン
濡れて泣きだす ロンリー・ハート
マンハッタン・レイン
やり直せるかもしれない
マンハッタン・レイン
濡れて泣きだす ロンリー・ハート
マンハッタン・レイン
やり直せるかもしれない
離れてもなおつのる この想い
The Alfee's "Manhattan Rain" takes the listener through the cityscape of New York with its towering skyscrapers and busy streets. The lyrics describe the scene as seen from the perspective of a lonely heart amidst the bustling city life. The sounds of groovy feelings seem to be audible within the bitter cigarette smoke, creating contradictory feelings of happiness and sadness. The chorus depicts the rain as a metaphor for a crying and lonely heart, with every bead of tear dropping onto the pavement, making the emptiness of the city even more apparent. Despite this, people from all walks of life gather in the city with the hope of fulfilling their dreams, with the song expressing the idea that everyone is a foreigner in this city of dreams.
The lyrics continue to describe the singer watching couples in love on Broadway and the longing for the one they miss. The rain continues to fall, tears continue to flow, but the idea of a possible new beginning prevails. The song is a mix of feelings, with the sadness of loneliness and the hope for new beginnings coexisting in the hearts of those who wander the city.
Line by Line Meaning
苦い煙草 そびえ立つ摩天楼
The towering skyscrapers remind me of the bitter cigarettes, a tall and imposing presence against the skyline.
聞こえてきそうな フィーリン・グルービー
I can almost hear the feeling of being groovy, the city resonates with an energy that I can feel.
口笛吹けば 妙に照れくさくて
When I whistle, I feel a strange sense of embarrassment, as if my melodious tune is out of place.
ふと心に影をおとす
Suddenly, a shadow falls over my heart, as I am consumed by a momentary gloom.
ハドソン・リバーに映る街は大きく
The city reflected in the Hudson River is vast and overwhelming, making me feel small and insignificant.
やりきれないほど虚ろに見える
I am filled with a sense of unease, as the emptiness of the city seems unbearable.
マンハッタン・レイン
The rain in Manhattan.
濡れて泣きだす ロンリー・ハート
My lonely heart begins to cry, drenched in the rain.
涙が一粒 舗道に滲み込む
A single tear falls and soaks into the pavement.
夢を探しに 集まる人々
People gather here to chase their dreams, coming from all walks of life.
この街すべてが きっと フォリナー
The entire city is full of foreigners, all searching for something in this land that is not their own.
さりげなく I LOVE YOU 君の心に囁く
I whisper 'I love you' to you casually, hoping the words will resonate in your heart.
遠い空の彼方
Beyond the distant sky.
ブロードウェイ行きかう恋人達を見ている
I watch the lovers passing by on Broadway, envious of their passion and intimacy.
たまらなく君に逢いたくなる
I can't stand it - I long to meet you so badly.
やり直せるかもしれない
Maybe we can start over again.
離れてもなおつのる この想い
Even though we are apart, these feelings for you still remain.
Writer(s): 高見沢 俊彦, 高見沢 俊彦
Contributed by Mia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.