lyrics by POUR LUI | music by KEVIN MARKS
The one and only Cal gave me some money to translate the lyrics to BILLIE IDLE’s new single. I do like the video, which is supposed to be like, a send-up of Heisei-era music programs, and it’s incredibly accurate. To the point that elicits many of the same reactions from me.
I don’t usually translate idol music because it’s not exactly my favorite genre and the idol style of lyrics (a bunch of vaguely connected statements) aren’t exactly my forte but I try my best if it’s for a friend. Also I am an unfortunate Pour Lui stan because I really like the cover of her solo album, and so I will allow it this time.
Translation and notes under the cut:
One and two, melting away, into an everyday without you
Delicate like bubbles, white shirts and your leftover scent
Hey, I’m still (Love, still; now, simply) (1)
Waiting impatiently for the daybreak (Standing up straight) (2)
And again I repeat, places in the sun (3)
If I do that, maybe I can walk
And then maybe I’ll finally be able to sleep
Five and six, overflowing, the silent everyday
Dreamlike, those days, I want to be touched by those big hands
Hey, now you – (Love, as it is; now, again)
Can you feel the daybreak? (Doing so invisibly)
And again I repeat, scratching at scars
If I do that, I won’t forget
And then I’ll still be unable to sleep
Half asleep and half awake, dozing, this heart, lacking a destination
Hey, I’m still (Love, still; now, simply)
Waiting impatiently for the daybreak (Standing up straight)
And again I repeat, places in the sun
If I do that, maybe I can walk
And then maybe I’ll finally be able to sleep
1: These are very difficult to translate into English. Literally the line in Japanese says ‘Love is still, now is simply’ while leaving off the implied meaning of the sentences. I struggled with how to express this properly in English before arriving at the compromise solution I’ve chosen here. If you have a better translation for this, do let me know. I’d like to get second opinions on it.
2: Lit. ‘straighten your back muscles,’ but often used in the same sense as the translation is in English.
3: Lit. ‘inside sunny spots,’ it’s unclear what the phrase is being attached to, but I think the nuance here is that it’s memories in the sun being repeated. I’ve chosen to leave the actual translation more ambiguous for textual fidelity.
