Yoshioka Yui (吉岡唯; known/stylized as YUI (ユイ)) (born March 26, 1987 in Fuku… Read Full Bio ↴Yoshioka Yui (吉岡唯; known/stylized as YUI (ユイ)) (born March 26, 1987 in Fukuoka, Japan), is a japanese singer-songwriter and actress. She sings and plays acoustic guitar, and writes her own songs, and apart from playing acoustic guitar, she also likes watching movies, reading books, and playing badminton. Her third single "LIFE" was the fifth ending theme for BLEACH, a popular Japanese anime series, which has brought her some international fame.

YUI began writing poems in ninth grade. At the age of 16, by recommendation of a friend, she began studying song, songwriting, and guitar at a private music school in her native Fukuoka. Aspiring to become professional, she carried her guitar around and sang at local places such as the seashore of Shingu and in the middle of the rice fields of Kaminofu.

In March 2003, at an audition hosted by Sony Music Japan, all judges evaluated her with the highest score, which caused a fierce scramble among labels. At this audition, she sang three songs - her first song "Why me", which was later coupled with her debut single, as well as "It's happy line" and "I know", which were included on her indie single - as opposed to the audition rule that a participant could only sing two songs. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, she strummed her guitar and sang. The judges and the others present claimed that "the performance created a tremendous aura from her heavenly voice, and captured the hearts of the whole audience".

Upon leaving her home of Fukuoka for Tokyo, YUI wrote the song "feel my soul". She was planning release on an indie label as a tribute to her hometown, when the song caught the ears of Fuji TV producer, Mr. Yamaguchi, who happened to see the demo video clip. He claimed YUI's voice haunted him so much that he went out of his way to visit the recording studio himself. He even made his channel's prime-time drama an extraordinary tie-in with YUI's debut track.

Although she is not the most comfortable when it comes to talking to people, she enjoys communicating with her audience at street performances in the Tenjin district of Fukuoka.

Her fifth single is "Good-bye days", which was also the theme for the film "Taiyou no Uta" ("Midnight Sun"). YUI took a role of a leading actress herself. The artist usually listed as singing "Good-bye days" is YUI for 雨音薫 (YUI for Kaoru Amane).

YUI's seventh single, "Rolling star", is the fifth opening theme of BLEACH. Selling almost 150,000 copies, it is YUI's second highest selling single to date (first being "Good-bye days" with over 200,000 copies.)

After taking a five-month long hiatus beginning in late August 2008, YUI celebrated her return by releasing the single "Again" which was chosen as the first theme song for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Instantaneously successful, the song had the highest opening week sales for a female act in 2009, selling over 110,000 copies.

More info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yui_(singer)

Official site: www.YUI-net.com

Sea
YUI Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

落ち込んでしまうような事も
生きていれば当然のようにあるさって
柔らかな陽射しの中で cry
いつだって教えてくれる

風の中
微笑んでる

ひまわりが咲く季節になったなら
会いにゆこう会いにゆこう ah ah
優しくなれる

あの海は今でも窓から見えますか?
みんなみんな元気ですか? ah ah
いつまでも泣いてちゃいけないね

やすらぎの次にはまた試練だって
そんな風に考えたら苦しくなるもんね
想い出は穏やかなまま cry
残して置きたいのよ

波の音
聴こえてくる

砂浜を裸足で駆け回っていた
嬉しくて嬉しくて ah ah
歌を口ずさんだ

ふるさとの空を見上げたりしてますか?
忘れてた忘れてた ah ah
いつまでも泣いてちゃいけないね

すべてを欲しがってばかりじゃ
先へはちょっと la la la la
進めないってわかってるんだ
あたしにだって

あの頃に見えた未来は
もっと輝いていたから ah ah

ひまわりが咲く季節になったなら
会いにゆこう会いにゆこう ah ah
優しくなれる

あの海は今でも窓から見えますか?
みんなみんな元気ですか? Ah ah
いつまでも泣いてちゃいけないね

Ah ah いつもありがとう

La, la, la, la, la, la, la
Oh my sea

Overall Meaning

YUI's song "Sea" is a powerful ballad about the ups and downs of life, and the importance of finding beauty and hope amid challenges. The lyrics convey a sense of perseverance and resilience, as the singer reflects on the difficulties she has faced, but also looks back with fondness and nostalgia on happier times.

The opening lines encourage listeners to recognize that setbacks and disappointments are a natural part of life, and that we must learn to weather them with grace and fortitude. The imagery of the gentle sunlight and the wind smiling amidst these struggles implies a sense of hope and healing throughout the journey. The lyrics also ponder the power of memories and the desire to hold onto them, even as they evoke feelings of sadness.

As the song progresses, the singer takes comfort in the simpler joys of life, like running along sandy beaches, singing songs, and seeking out the comfort of loved ones. The repeated refrain of "When the season of sunflowers comes, let's go meet each other" emphasizes this theme of seeking out the positive amidst the mundane or the difficult. The final lines of the song thank the sea for its constancy and provide a sense of closure and wholeness.

The song's introspective message and poignant writing have struck a chord with many listeners, making it a beloved anthem of hope and resilience. Through its mix of natural imagery and vulnerable reflection, "Sea" invites us to contemplate life's journey and the beauty to be found amidst its twists and turns.

Line by Line Meaning

落ち込んでしまうような事も
Even things that make you feel down are a natural part of life

生きていれば当然のようにあるさって
Saying that it's natural to encounter such things as long as you're alive

柔らかな陽射しの中で cry
Crying while basking in the soft sunlight

いつだって教えてくれる
It always teaches you something

風の中
In the wind

微笑んでる
Smiling

ひまわりが咲く季節になったなら
If it's the season when sunflowers bloom

会いにゆこう会いにゆこう ah ah
Let's go see each other, let's go see each other, ah ah

優しくなれる
I can become gentle

あの海は今でも窓から見えますか?
Can you still see that sea from the window?

みんなみんな元気ですか? ah ah
Is everyone doing well, everyone, ah ah?