BABY BLUE [Baby Blue]
フィッシュマンズ [Fisshumanzu]
Words & Music : 佐藤伸治 [SATŌ Shinji]
Following the previous article, I will introduce another song by Fishmans.
In their early days, Fishmans made pop music, but they gradually developed a unique sound by incorporating elements of dub, electronica, and hip-hop. Amidst this evolution, their 1996 album Kūchū Camp became a masterpiece that drew significant attention in the music industry. Today, I will take a closer look at the lyrics of “Baby Blue,” one of the most popular songs from that album.
Fishmans’ lyrics don’t necessarily have a clear meaning, but they have a wonderful rhythm and are fun to listen to. It’s also not a bad choice for learning Japanese.
真白い君の肩を抱きながら
masshiroi kimi no kata o daki nagara
何を言えばいいのかわからない僕だったよ
nani o ieba ii no ka wakaranai boku datta yo
- 真っ白い（まっしろい） [masshiroi] : pure white
- 君（きみ） [kimi] : you
- 肩（かた） [kata] : shoulder
- 抱く（だく） [daku] : hold
- 何（なに） [nani] : what
- 言う（いう） [iu] : say
- いい [ii] : good
- わかる（わかる） [wakaru] : understand
- 僕（ぼく） [boku] : I
(translation) “While Holding Your Pure White Shoulders,
I Didn’t Know What To Say.”
知ることもなく 消えては浮かぶ君との影 すぎていく影
shiru koto mo naku kiete wa ukabu kimi to no kage sugite iku kage
- 知る（しる） [shiru] : know
- 消える（きえる） [kieru] : disappear
- 浮かぶ（うかぶ） [ukabu] : float
- 影（かげ） [kage] : shadow
- すぎる（すぎる） [sugiru] : pass
(translation) “Without Knowing, The Shadow Of Us Disappears And Reappears, Passing By.”
意味なんかない 意味なんかない
imi nanka nai imi nanka nai
今にも僕は泣きそうだよ
ima ni mo boku wa nakisō da yo
- 意味（いみ） [imi] : meaning
- なんか [nanka] : something like
- ない [nai] : doesn’t exist
- 今にも..そう [ima ni mo..sō] : about to
- 泣く（なく） [naku] : cry
(translation) “There’s No Meaning, There’s No Meaning.
I Feel Like I’m About To Cry.”
The lyrics say “いみなんかない / imi nanka nai,” but in the song, they actually sing “いみなんかないね / imi nanka nai ne.” The “ne” doesn’t carry any significant meaning, so it might feel unimportant. But I think it flows better with the “ne.” This is one of the subtle strengths of his lyrics.
このまま連れてってよ 僕だけを連れてってよ
kono mama tsuretette yo boku dake o tsuretette yo
どこまでも連れてってよ
doko made mo tsuretette yo
- このまま [kono mama] : as it is
- 連れて行く（つれていく） [tsurete iku] : take
- だけ [dake] : only
- どこまでも [doko made mo] : endlessly
(translation) “Take Me As I Am, Take Only Me.
Take Me Anywhere, Endlessly.”
君とだけ二人落ちていく BABY, IT’S BLUE
kimi to dake futari ochite iku baby, it’s blue
友達もいなくなって BABY, IT’S BLUE
tomodachi mo inaku natte baby, it’s blue
- 二人（ふたり） [futari] : two people
- 落ちる（おちる ） [ochiru] : fall
- 友達（ともだち） [tomodachi] : friend
- いない（いない） [inai] : not here
- いなくなる（いなくなる） [inaku naru] : disappear
(translation) “Just The Two Of Us Fall Together, Baby, It’s Blue.
Even My Friends Have Disappeared, Baby, It’s Blue.”
The word “おちる / ochiru” here is ambiguous. It can mean a decline or downfall. I’m not sure if this is influenced by English, but in boxing, the term knock down and in computers shut down use similar meanings. The phrase “恋に落ちる / koi ni ochiru” (=fall in love) is also commonly used in lyrics.
In Japan, the color blue conveys a sense of melancholy and low energy.
夕暮れの君の影を追いかけながら
yūgure no kimi no kage o oikake nagara
今もこのままで 止まっちまいたい そんな僕さ
ima mo kono mama de tomatchimaitai sonna boku sa
- 夕暮れ（ゆうぐれ） [yūgure] : dusk
- 追いかける（おいかける） [oikakeru] : chase
- 今（いま） [ima] : now
- この [kono] : this
- まま [mama] : as it is
- 止まる（とまる） [tomaru] : stop
- そんな [sonna] : such
(translation) “While Chasing Your Shadow At Dusk,
Even Now, I Want To Stop As I Am — That’s How I Feel.”
今日が終わっても 明日がきて 長くはかなく 日々は続くさ
kyō ga owatte mo ashita ga kite nagaku hakanaku hibi wa tsudzuku sa
- 今日（きょう） [kyō] : today
- 終わる（おわる） [owaru] : end
- 明日（あした） [ashita] : tomorrow
- くる [kuru] : come
- 長い（ながい） [nagai] : long
- 儚い（はかない） [hakanai] : fleeting
- 日々（ひび） [hibi] : days
- 続く（つづく） [tsudzuku] : continue
(translation) “Even If Today Ends And Tomorrow Comes, The Long And Fleeting Days Continue.”
意味なんかない 意味なんかない
imi nanka nai imi nanka nai
今にも僕は泣きそうだよ
ima ni mo boku wa nakisō da yo
このまま連れてってよ 僕だけを連れてってよ
kono mama tsuretette yo boku dake o tsuretette yo
遠くへ連れてってよ
tōku e tsuretette yo
君とだけ二人落ちていく BABY, IT’S BLUE
kimi to dake futari ochite iku baby, it’s blue
友達もいなくなって BABY, IT’S BLUE
tomodachi mo inaku natte baby, it’s blue
誰よりも 大好きだった BABY, IT’S BLUE
dare yori mo daisuki datta baby, it’s blue
- 誰（だれ） [dare] : who
- より [yori] : than
- 大好き（だいすき） [daisuki] : love a lot
(translation) “Just The Two Of Us Fall Together, Baby, It’s Blue.
Even My Friends Have Disappeared, Baby, It’s Blue.
I Loved You More Than Anyone, Baby, It’s Blue.”
After the sudden death of frontman Shinji Satō, Fishmans had no choice but to suspend their activities. Drummer Kinichi Motegi then began performing as a replacement for the drummer of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, who had passed away around the same time.
Even after the hiatus, Fishmans’ popularity continued to grow, with tribute albums being released and revival live shows being held. You might hear the phrase “there’s no meaning,” but it seems Fishmans’ legacy will keep moving forward.
YouTube Search “Baby Blue – Fishmans”
Thanks for reading! Feel free to comment if you have any feedback or questions.
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