Kaori Shima (嶋歌織, born March 11, 1972), know by her stage name, UA, which i… Read Full Bio ↴Kaori Shima (嶋歌織, born March 11, 1972), know by her stage name, UA, which is Swahili for both "flower" and "kill", is a Japanese singer and occasional actress. Born and raised in Suita, Osaka, Japan, she worked as a lounge singer in her hometown after graduating from Saga University of Arts. She was scouted at her workplace by producer 藤原ヒロシ. In 1995, she debuted with the Fujiwara-produced "HORIZON" under the Victor Entertainment sub-label, Speedstar Records. Her fourth single, "情熱", became a smash hit and UA was recognized all over Japan as one of the premiere Japanese "jitsuryoku-ha" (実力派) artists.

Toro
UA Lyrics

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世界の涯てまでも私を連れていって
8月の空より蒼く深く
夕闇の吐息より甘く燃えてる
彗星のつぶやきイカロスの翼で
導いて夜の風よ寝ころんだ地平線
世界が広がるコスモスの強がり
三日月が夜を産んで
あきらめた魔女の背中泣いてる

世界の涯てまでも私を連れていって
待ち遠しい道のりはにかんだ日ざし

世界の涯てまでも私を連れていって
導いて夜の風よ寝ころんだ地平線
連れていって呪文唱えてる

貴方の中泳ぎ出す
連れていって世界の涯てまで

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to UA's song Toro paint a picture of the desire to be taken to the ends of the earth. The singer implores someone, perhaps a lover, to take her there, past the blue and deep August sky, past the sweet breath of the evening and into the guidance of Icarus’ wings. The night wind will then embrace them as they lie down on the horizon, taking in the vastness of the cosmos.

The stubbornness of the cosmos is emphasised, while the moon is personified as a creator of the night, and a witch who has given up is mentioned. The journey to the ends of the earth is something to look forward to, with the gentle sunlight breaking through. The singer casts a spell, encouraging the person she is speaking to, perhaps herself, to swim inside and to take her to the ends of the earth.

The lyrics are full of metaphor and paint a vivid picture of the desire to explore and see the world. The language used is beautiful and poetic, sometimes bordering on the surreal, embodying the childlike sense of wonder that can sometimes be felt when exploring the unknown.

Line by Line Meaning

世界の涯てまでも私を連れていって
Take me to the ends of the world

8月の空より蒼く深く
Bluer and deeper than the August sky

夕闇の吐息より甘く燃えてる
Burning sweeter than the sigh of dusk

彗星のつぶやきイカロスの翼で
Whispers of comets, guided by Icarus' wings

導いて夜の風よ寝ころんだ地平線
Guiding me, night winds over the recumbent horizon

世界が広がるコスモスの強がり
The bravado of cosmos, the world expanding

三日月が夜を産んで
The crescent moon giving birth to night

あきらめた魔女の背中泣いてる
The back of a resigned witch silently weeping

待ち遠しい道のりはにかんだ日ざし
The distance I eagerly await, shy sunlight

連れていって呪文唱えてる
Take me while I chant a spell

貴方の中泳ぎ出す
I'll swim out of your mind