Celebrating Yosui Inoue's 50th anniversary, this book explores his many timeless masterpieces, including the theme song for "Buratamori," which have captivated our hearts for generations. From Robert Campbell's wanderings through life to his illnesses, Inoue's music was always by his side. This book features 50 carefully selected lyrics, from his early representative works to songs that symbolize Inoue, translated into English. Through the filter of English, Inoue's message is brought to light. This book is a thrilling undertaking.
"Yosui is an eel," this was a remark made by Yumi Matsutoya, Inoue's close friend.
Later, Campbell, in a conversation with Inoue on a TOKYO FM program, finally caught an eel. Until then, Inoue had never spoken about his lyrics, but his silence was broken. As the staff held their breath, he spoke about his own lyrics for the first time. The program, "Music Documentary: Yosui Inoue x Robert Campbell 'Setting Sail on the Sea of Words'," won numerous major broadcasting awards, including the Japan Broadcasting Culture Award Grand Prix. This interview, along with the critical essays, features numerous quotes from Yosui himself, revealing his focus and the emotions he poured into his work. Regarding "Aoi Yami no Keikoku" (Warning in the Blue Darkness), he states, "By arranging the words in that way, I want people to imagine the sadness and the meaning of humanity. That is the intention behind these lyrics."
This book originated from Campbell's daily translation of one of his works into English while confined to his sickbed. The essays delve into the world of literature, exploring human karma and desires. What did writers write and hope for when their lives were on the brink of death? From Yosui's songs, the voices of modern and contemporary writers such as Kenji Miyazawa, Chomin Nakae, and Shiki Masaoka emerge. Furthermore, the book explores the influence Bob Dylan had on Yosui, and how Jane Birkin and others interpreted Yosui's "Canary." Throughout this book, Yosui's words illuminate the reader's thoughts on love, humanity, life, and society.
[English translations of lyrics included in this book] Endless Desire / If I Had Two Lives / Disconnection / If Tomorrow is Sunny / Go Home / No Umbrella / World Map in a Cold Room / East to West / Blazing Sun / Summer Festival / Into a Dream / Heart's Pattern / Two People Who Can't Go Home / World of Ice / Sudden Shower / Wind-Up Beetle / Two-Colored Top / Show Without an Invitation / Blue Sky, All Alone / Corner / Concluding Remarks / Warning in the Blue Darkness / Miss Contest / Sweet Words, Darling / Shanghai for Some Reason / Come to the Sea / Pegasus as the Winner / Jealousy / Confused Pelican / Canary / I Have One Request / I Don't Know / 45 Minutes to Your Back / Ballerina / I'd Rather Have a Serenade / I Can't Dance Well / Tears Are Not Just for Show / Wine Red Heart / Miscast / Longing for Love / The Last News / Boyhood / Just Fit, Doremi's Sigh, Lying Diamond, Asian Innocence, Ship with No Cargo, Top Floor of a Building, Picture Frame on a Long Slope, Unending Dream
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