05 – Bump of Chicken – Hana no Na

BUMP OF CHICKEN：花の名：Hana no Na

I had a hard time choosing what to write about for my first music review. After searching for something that I thought everyone would accept, I caved and decided to show my (not so secret) love of j-pop.

Bump of Chicken is a famous pop band in Japan, and have a growing fanbase here in the States. The members have all known each other since they were in kindergarten, and their first performance was in 1994 for a cultural festival where they sang a Beatles song. The song I chose today is relatively new, from 2007.

I don’t remember the first time I heard this song, but I do remember the first time I really heard this song. Not to be cheesy, but I think everyone has doubts in their lives when it comes to companions, whether it be love or friendship. To me, this song is not necessarily speaking of romantic love, but of another person that understands what you have gone through, one person who can comfort you completely. Two people helping the other to keep living. In the music video, it’s about separation and dealing with living apart.

I tried my best with my imperfect Japanese to translate the lyrics for everyone, so please read them while listening to the song.

– Melody

Bump of Chicken – Hana no Na – LISTEN HERE

Even though it’s such a simple thing, I wonder why I can’t say it

Even though I can’t say it, I wonder why you still understand

Even if we forget the sky we saw together,

we don’t forget the time we spent together.

If you were a flower,

You may be the same as a lot of others

But I am able to pick you out from them all

There is a song that only I can sing to you

There is a song only you can hear

Me existing here, is proof that you’re here,

Me writing this song for you, is proof that you were here

Because I borrowed the will to live from you, I have to repay you while you are still alive

When you’ve forgotten how to laugh and cry,

Remember

We went through the same pain together

There is a song that only I can sing to you

A song only I can hear

Everyone has someone they want to see,

Everyone has someone they are waiting for

If there is someone you are waiting for,

There is someone who is waiting for you too

Always

If you were a flower,

You may be the same as a lot of others

But I am able to pick you out from them all

Only me, only you

Only some day when you have forgotten how to laugh and cry

Remember

Without doubt only you, the one I chose,

Can hear the song that I sing

A song only I can hear

Someone waiting only for me

Someone wanting to see only you

- Translation by Melody Hirth

Bump of Chicken – Hana no Na – WATCH VIDEO HERE

Support Bump of Chicken by buying their CD’s available through Yes Asia, or check out their website http://www.bumpofchicken.com/

All photos, and songs are copyright to their rightful owners.

[Side Note]

Dorothy and I have decided to no longer post download links, in respect of the artists. Please watch the videos we supply until we are able to post imbedded versions of the songs. Thanks for your support while we figure out the bugs of blogging! If you have any suggestions, PLEASE COMMENT! We love to hear from you.