SWEET MEMORIES [Sweet Memories]
松田聖子 [MATSUDA Seiko]
Words : 松本隆 [MATSUMOTO Takashi]
Music : 大村雅朗 [ŌMURA Masaaki]
“Sweet Memories” is one of the tracks from Seiko Matsuda‘s 14th single. Originally, it was the B-side (coupling) song of “Garasu no Ringo” composed by Haruomi Hosono. However, after being featured in a beer commercial, it gained popularity and was promptly re-released with both songs as A-sides.
Seiko Matsuda’s music was originally City Pop-influenced, a sophisticated style for an idol, but this song, in particular, has a surprising jazz-like feel. She also took on the challenge of singing in English.
なつかしい痛みだわ
natsukashī itami da wa
ずっと前に忘れていた
zutto mae ni wasurete ita
- 懐かしい（なつかしい） [natsukashī] : nostalgic
- 痛み（いたみ） [itami] : pain
- ずっと [zutto] : always
- 前（まえ） [mae] : before
- 忘れる（わすれる） [wasureru] : forget
(translation) “It’s a nostalgic pain,
one I had forgotten long ago.”
“わ / wa” is a sentence-ending particle that conveys a sense of femininity.
でもあなたを見たとき
demo anata o mita toki
時間だけ後戻りしたの
jikan dake atomodori shita no
- でも [demo] : but
- あなた [anata] : you
- 見る（みる） [miru] : see
- とき [toki] : time
- 時間（じかん） [jikan] : time
- 後戻り（あともどり） [atomodori] : rewind
(translation) “But when I saw you,
time simply rewound.”
幸福? と聞かないで
shiawase? to kikanai de
嘘つくのは上手じゃない
uso tsuku no wa jōzu janai
- 幸せ（しあわせ） [shiawase] : happiness
- 幸福（こうふく） [kōfuku] : happiness
- 聞く（きく） [kiku] : ask
- 嘘をつく（うそをつく） [uso o tsuku] : lie
- 上手（じょうず） [jōzu] : skillful
(translation) “Don’t ask me if I’m happy,
I’m not good at lying.”
“Shiawase” is usually written as “幸せ”, but here it is written as “幸福 / kōfuku” and read as “shiawase.” This is a common technique in lyrics and copywriting. There are various reasons for this, but one key factor is that Japanese consists of words that originated in Japan (Wago) and those borrowed from Chinese. Chinese-derived words broadened the scope of Japanese vocabulary, but they often lack the soft, graceful sound characteristic of Wago.
Returning to the lyrics, “幸せ / shiawase” is a native Japanese word (Wago), while “幸福 / kōfuku” is a borrowed word from Chinese. The meanings are almost the same, but “kōfuku” tends to be used in a more practical sense, while “shiawase” is more abstract or lyrical. Although it’s difficult to pinpoint why the author chose “幸福” in this context (it could simply be that he wanted to use that technique), the more graceful sound of “shiawase” likely suited the song better. Thus, the character “幸福” was used, but it is sung as “shiawase.” See also “Sweet Fake Reading.”
友だちならいるけど
tomodachi nara iru kedo
あんなには燃えあがれなくて
anna ni wa moeagarenakute
- 友達（ともだち） [tomodachi] : friend
- あんなに [anna ni] : that much
- 燃え上がる（もえあがる） [moeagaru] : burn up
(translation) “I have friends,
but I can’t feel that kind of passion.”
失った夢だけが
ushinatta yume dake ga
美しく見えるのは何故かしら
utsukushiku mieru no wa naze kashira
- 失った（うしなった） [ushinatta] : lost
- 夢（ゆめ） [yume] : dream
- 美しい（うつくしい） [utsukushī] : beautiful
- 見える（みえる） [mieru] : see
- なぜ [naze] : why
(translation) “Why is it that only lost dreams seem beautiful?”
“かしら / kashira” is a feminine way of expressing uncertainty or asking a question. You don’t need to worry about it too much.
過ぎ去った優しさも今は
sugisatta yasashisa mo ima wa
甘い記憶 Sweet memories
amai kioku sweet memories
- 過ぎ去る（すぎさる） [sugisaru] : pass by
- 優しさ（やさしさ） [yasashisa] : kindness
- 今（いま） [ima] : now
- 甘い（あまい） [amai] : sweet
- 記憶（きおく） [kioku] : memory
(translation) “Even the kindness that has passed is now a sweet memory, Sweet memories.”
Don’t kiss me baby we can never be
So don’t add more pain
Please don’t hurt me again
I have spent so many nights
Thinking of you longing for your touch
I have once loved you so much
あの頃は若過ぎて
ano koro wa waka sugite
悪戯に傷つけあった二人
itazura ni kizutsukeatta futari
- あの頃（あのころ） [ano koro] : those days
- 若い（わかい） [wakai] : young
- ..過ぎる（..すぎる） [..sugiru] : too much
- いたずらに [itazura ni] : in vain
- 傷つけ合う（きずつけあう） [kizutsukeau] : hurt each other
- 二人（ふたり） [futari] : two people
(translation) “Back then, we were too young,
and we hurt each other in vain.”
色褪せた哀しみも今は
iroaseta kanashimi mo ima wa
遠い記憶 sweet memories
tōi kioku sweet memories
- 色褪せる（いろあせる） [iroaseru] : fade
- 悲しみ（かなしみ） [kanashimi] : sadness
- 遠い（とおい） [tōi] : distant
(translation) “Even the faded sadness is now a distant memory, sweet memories.”
失った夢だけが
ushinatta yume dake ga
美しく見えるのは何故かしら
utsukushiku mieru no wa naze kashira
過ぎ去った優しさも今は
sugisatta yasashisa mo ima wa
甘い記憶 Sweet memories
amai kioku sweet memories
This song features several sentence-ending particles that convey a sense of femininity. The choice of words gives the impression of a slightly more mature woman. Given that this song was used in a beer commercial, it seems to evoke a similar mood.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to comment if you have any feedback or questions.
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