—Prologue—
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HELLO everyone!!

It’s been too long!! I miss talking to everyone here and I miss this goddamn website so much!!!

The past two months have been absolutely crazy for me. Right after I initiated the Christmas Collab (which thankfully, gotchi, nana, and kiki managed to see through till the end, sorry and and thanks a lot guys!! It looks great and I’m downloading it now), I got a job offer from Mirai Inc. in Tokyo; for those of you who are familiar with culture japan and Danny Choo, yup I’m undergoing training with him as a multimedia designer now ^^;

So since then it was a crazy rush to get ready for Japan. I managed to get on a flight 2 weeks before I started work, and toured Hokkaido and Tokyo from Dec 30 to Jan 16. (I’ll try to share my experiences once I have more time to write, but for now Budoukan is more important). After which I spent all my free time settling in to my new tiny apartment 10 minutes from Shibuya!! I also managed to get tickets to Budoukan, and very fortunately managed to catch YUI live for the second time (thanks a million Hirotana-san and your friend for helping me get the tickets)

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—Before the Concert—
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I had arranged to meet up with Jun (JunLovesYUI), but because it was a Thursday and I didn’t think it would be a good idea to ask for a day off on my third day of work, I only managed to get to Budoukan at 530pm. It was a long walk from the station I got off at and I had to ask for directions, but once I got somewhat closer to Budoukan, it was obvious where it was even though I couldn’t see it yet; everyone was heading in that direction.

Outside Kitanomaru Koen, the park that Budoukan is in.

Kitanomaru Koen

There was a lighthouse looking light at the park, I felt that it went well with the night’s theme xD

As I walked among them, it was comforting to know that there were just so many ardent fans in Tokyo. Ever since I got to Japan, I unfortunately haven’t heard a single YUI song playing anywhere, and haven’t even seen any posters, pictures or ads of YUI on the streets. But now I was surrounded by people carrying 5th Tour Tote bags, wearing the red muffler or the sailor parka.

It was late so I didn’t have time to get the tour goods first, the queue was way too long. Jun assured me that I could get them after the concert so we decided to head into the hall.

Budoukan is the odd shaped building to the left, the bright lights with the sea of people are the booths for tour goods.

The tour goods booths

Entering Budoukan!

It wasn’t as big as I thought it would be, and my seat – third floor on the far left of the stage – left much to be hoped for. But then again, I was really lucky to be here at all; the number of foreigners at lives like this are tiny.

Jun’s seat was even further back, he came over to chat while we waited for the concert to start. It was pretty awkward sitting there alone so I’m thankful for having a familiar person to talk to. We decided to try to make some friends so we spoke to the guy sitting next to me. Turns out that he was only 17 (I thought he was older than me at first), and he’s been a fan every since he was in middle school, his first album was I Loved Yesterday. He was alone too, his friends couldn’t get tickets. He asked me what I liked about YUI, and we both agreed that we liked everything about YUI!

Just as we were getting fired up about YUI (I was sharing my experiences with YUI-Lovers back in Hong Kong and showing him our YL 4th Collab, he was really impressed), it was time for the concert to start.

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—Concert—
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(this part would be really wordy and have no pictures, really sorry!)

Opening

The lights dimmed and e.u.band, followed by YUI, quickly walk out in succession to the cheers of the crowd. Her hair was let down, and long. Chris started with a familiar beat and everyone clapped along as YUI readied her guitar, everyone knew what song it would be and I eagerly waited to hear YUI’s voice live again; HELLO.

It felt nostalgic, I immediately recalled my first concert experience at Asia World Expo in Hong Kong with so many other YUI-Lovers. While it was amazing to be there, at Budoukan, watching YUI live in the country she belongs, I guess it felt a little lonely too; I very much prefer watching lives with friends!

Cruising

I don’t remember the set order perfectly, but YUI immediately took us through a string of new songs, no Reason, Nobody Knows, Separation, It’s My Life, U-niform, with I’ll be somewhere in between.

She introduced the band (the guy next to me didn’t know the band members and was surprised I did lol), and described Arisa as imouto-teki-sonzai, meaning that she was a sister-like existence to her, and Backy as an onii-chan-teki-sonzai, like a brother to her. Teki-sonzai ( something-like existence) would become a recurring joke throughout the rest of the concert, including once when an emcee stumbled and said okyaku-tama (which is supposed to be okyaku-sama, meaning guests), and YUI teased the emcee who asked her what the fans meant to her by saying that the guests had an okyaku-tama-teki-sonzai xD

New Year’s Resolution, Acoustic Corner

Other recurring jokes included Hayane-hayao (to sleep early and wake up early). YUI asked everyone to close their eyes and listen to the waves and seagulls (very relaxing), and then told us to make a New Year’s resolution. Then suddenly she said Ohayo! and everyone replied xD Then she asked us what our resolutions were Some guy shouted “YUI to kekkon” (to marry YUI), and someone else shouted “hayane-hayao” and everyone laughed. I think YUI said something like its a good resolution or that its good for health or something.

After which she asked the band members to share their New Year’s resolution, Backy wanted to go climb some drift ice or something xD Kuro couldnt think of anything for awhile then YUI immediately skipped to Chris, who said he wanted to buy a car, a small one lol. Kuro was like ehh that’s fast!! (I can’t remember if he eventually got a chance to share his resolution lol)

She paused the Q&A for Winter Hot Music, which was lovely. It actually did snow this morning when I woke up (too damn cold though >_<)

After that she asked Sakura and Arisa but I couldnt really catch it, it was something about sleeping at proper times instead of sleeping for 24hrs straight xD Couldn’t catch much because I was busy preparing my camera for…

CHE.R.RY Jazz version!!!

I noticed that YUI’s voice has changed a lot since I last heard her. She’s beginning to sing in a more, “little girl’s voice” kind of style, putting more emphasis on her falsetto rather than her usually more rock style of straining her voice. (If you know Makino Yui, yea she reminded me a lot of her while doing CHE.R.RY Jazz).

So yes, I have a video of it, sound is pretty good, I’ll paste the link when I’m done uploading.

Followed by Goodnight, and then to Mother. BUT IT WAS GUITAR VERSION!!! D:
to Mother guitar ver. sounded so, so amazing. I actually loved it a lot more than the original piano. I guess YUI is still better on the guitar ^^;

I think that was the end of Acoustic Corner, there was some emcee segment, and then we did Lock On! The flags were really fun xD I waved them around a lot too throughout the rest of the concert. We were given the flags for free at the door.

2nd Half

After that was some of the older hits, like LIFE, Rolling Star, and even No Way! Then we did es.car xD I fumbled a bit at first with the dance, but was fine by the second half of the first chorus. almost everyone was doing the dance too even though there was no “practice” beforehand and YUI and the band wasn’t doing the dance at all.

After that, she asked us what our wishes were, everyone yelled lots of random stuff, and then she said “For me, I wish for peace in Japan, and that it will quickly recover”. Immediately you could see the contrast between YUI’s thoughts and the average folk who were yelling mundane, self-centered wishes. I began to tear as she delivered a moving rendition of Green a.live.

From that point on things got pretty emotional for me, the next song was Get Back Home and that got me a little homesick, followed by the last song (before encore) Your Heaven, a song that I’ve always wanted to hear live and also because it was the “last song”.

Encore Segment

Encore, encore, encore, everyone shouted. YUI finally came out again in a new outfit, this time with her hair tied up and much shorter sleeves.

Encore segment kicked off with Sea, which really surprised me, because I’m a B-side fan and B-sides are rare during lives. Then YUI asked us to think about the person that we like, and everyone shouted YUI xD She said she would accept all our love. And while thinking of the people that we liked, we listened to Cooking, followed by Laugh Away, which is my favourite YUI song of all time. Everyone raised their hands at the right time in Laugh Away xD

Then suddenly there were giant balls bouncing around the first floor (too bad there were none up on the third floor ;_; looked so fun). It was Happy Birthday to You You, and almost everyone could dance it too!! Three dances in one concert!! In fact, because YUI didn’t have to play the guitar in this song, and she saw everyone dancing, she joined in too hahaha

After all that fun with the big balloons and dance, everything fell silent and YUI thanked everyone over and over. The next song would be the last: YOU.

She missed a line right after “chigau hito wo aishita” (I loved the wrong person), I hope it wasn’t because that line struck her hard, she did look like she was about to cry at that point.

After the song ended, they bowed, and the band left the stage.

Encore 2: It’s Happy Line

YUI stayed on, and asked if she could sing one more song. Of course she could, and we were treated to It’s Happy Line. I can’t really describe my feelings at that point very well, but it was a mix of homesickness, loneliness, achieving my dreams yet still missing something, nostalgia, and somehow a feeling like I’ve grown up together with YUI, because she sounded really different from the studio version of It’s Happy Line, a lot more mature, a lot more seasoned, like it was the proof of her many years of hard work and the obstacles she’s overcome to get to where she is today. I was moved to tears again, and when her voice finally faded to silence and the orchestra version of It’s Happy Line faded in, usually marking the end of every concert, I felt really empty as I watched her walk off the stage.

It wasn’t the end yet.

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—Tokyo—
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She walked back once more to the mic and asked to play one last song. A song that meant a lot to her. TOKYO.

The familiar chords rang slowly and calmly throughout silent concert hall, and as she started on the first line of the song, her voice cracked, and every single word was filled with so much emotion, her eyes swelled, mine too. “The room that I’ve gotten used to staying in,”…

“today is the day I leave it”, she tried her best to hold back her tears and sing on, but her voice was getting softer and softer.

“gambatte! gambatte!” the fans shouted.

“in this new journey, I still have my doubts.” I’m listening to this song, live, in a whole new light now. I could fully understand and sympathise with every word in this song, now that I’ve left home for Tokyo myself.

“On the bus to the train station, I mailed my friends, I tried calling them, but the feeling was just not the same,” tears roll down her cheeks and her eyes are completely red. I began to really, really miss my friends and family. In this unfamiliar place, on this journey full of doubt, alone. I begin to tear as well.

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—Epilogue—
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“I wonder if life is cycle of losing something in exchange for getting something else.”

Somehow, knowing that she’s been through these emotions too made me feel stronger. I thought to myself at that point, that I want to be stronger like her, I want to be able to inspire others someday.

It’s always been my dream to live and work in Japan, and now that I finally have the chance to do so, I’ve learnt that achieving your dreams usually come at a price. I’m sure I will meet many people along this new journey, but I guess some things can never be replaced, like home ^^;

As I listened to her finish the rest of the song, I realised how difficult it must have been for her at 17 to just drop everything and jump into a professional music career in such a distant city, and yet still do such an amazing job, while continuing to give encouragement to others when she was facing hardships herself. I guess that’s why I began to admire and respect YUI in the first place.

And I wasn’t the only one, I could hear many people around me sniffing throughout the song. I believe that must have been one of the most moving renditions of TOKYO ever, as she was crying throughout the entire song.

I savored every last bit of that song, and my heart sank when she took her final bow. This would mark the end of my “holiday” in Japan, and the start of my new everyday life.

My journey is just beginning and still full of doubt, but I’m sure that I will get by with her music.

“あなたの歌思い出せば
辛い夜も超えてゆける
同じ今を生きたことを
忘れないわ

来てよかった”

By recalling your songs, I can get by even the most bitter of nights.
To have lived through this same moment is something I will never forget

I’m glad I came.

— Your Heaven, YUI

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- cyclo

Slice of Japan
Here’s my official blog now where I share my everyday life in Japan. Right now it’s not very updated but it will be in the coming days :) Please like it on facebook if you like what I write :)

http://sliceofjapan.net

P.S. Memorabilia

2 Metallic iPhone cases for aron and long sleeve tee for Rhackus! (need to figure out how to ship them >_

P.P.S. I found a super detailed account of last night here: http://summer-pallet.jugem.jp/?eid=1669 and part 2 here: http://summer-pallet.jugem.jp/?eid=1668#sequel If someone has the time to translate. It includes all the dialogue between YUI and band too!

You’re welcome to visit the forum

Cai Xinyi ( 蔡欣一), a local VJ, was the host of the anniversary event that YUI performed at on Saturday. After the event as he was taking a photo with YUI, fans caught him tugging on YUI’s hand to pull her closer beside him, subsequently putting his hand on her shoulder, and then moving down to her waist, for the photo.

Even though this is may not be an issue among various cultures, such close contact is very inappropriate in Japanese culture. As seen in these photos, YUI also seemed to be surprised by his actions. While some fans chose to grant him the benefit of doubt that he might not be familiar with Japanese courtesy, his status update on popular Chinese social media site WeiBo raises questions about his intentions and motives.

 
(Done with styling for the meet-and-greet session! Yui is waiting for me *drool*)
[Cai Xinyi's Weibo page: http://www.weibo.com/caixinyi]

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This incident has even caught the eye of the press in Shanghai, and made it onto the papers as a half-page feature today on Oriental Daily:

 A rough translation of the article:
translated by Tan Shi Yin on Facebook

各位YUI既香港Fans, 我地已經收到哂你地既message, 今天一早, 我地已經將所有有關既報導及你地既留言交到我們日本的總公司及Sony Music China既同事知道, 同時亦直接將你們的憤怒反映給YUI經理人公司知道. 雖然今次事件不是在香港發生, 但我們都以此作為警惕, 並保證未來YUI於香港宣傳活動將不會有同樣事情發生.

translation by cyclo

Dear YUI Fans in Hong Kong, we have received your messages, and early this morning, we have already forwarded the news to the headquarters in Japan, Sony Music China, as well as transmitted your displeasure directly to YUI’s managing company. Even though this incident did not occur in Hong Kong, but we will use this as a warning, in order to prevent similar incidents from happening in future when YUI visits Hong Kong.

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For those of you who have been concerned about this incident, there is some consolation in that a similar incident is unlikely to happen again. Meanwhile, fans across Asia remain concerned if this incident might scare YUI away from future promotional activities like this one.

Discuss in the forum!

「1987年3月26日、福岡県糟屋郡古賀町に生まれ、母一人の手で育てられた。
高校へ進学したが、学費を稼ぐためにアルバイトをしなければならず、1、2時間程度の睡眠しか取れない中、彼女は本当の夢を見つけた。
音楽という夢を追いかけるために、高校を中退し、ギターを習い始めたのが16歳のとき。
そして、ついに慣れ親しんだ故郷を離れることとなる。東京へ単身移り住み、2005年2月23日、”Feel My Soul” でメジャーデビュー、この CD は、10万枚を売り上げた。
これが彼女のアーティストとしての旅の始まりである。
そう、彼女の名は YUI。大きな夢を抱えての旅立ちだった。」

さて、”以前の YUI” について話す人たちの言う、その時代に遡ってみましょう。
彼女の旅路は、”It’s Happy Line”、”Feel My Soul”、”Tomorrow’s Way”、そして “LIFE” と共に出発を迎えます。
ギターに夢を詰め込んだ彼女の、強いアコースティックギターサウンドは、まさに「これこそが YUI」というに相応しい世界感を持っています。

「誰の為に生きているの？
さえない日々を過ごして
弱さも痛みも
どのくらい感じてるの？」-It’s happy line-

「生きることが戦いなら
勝ち負けも仕方がないこと
そんな事くらいわかっているよ」-Tomorrow’s way-

「泣き疲れてたんだ
問いかける場所もなく
迷いながらつまずいても 立ち止まれない
I Feel My Soul, Take Me Your Way
もう振り向かない
きっとこの手で いま確かめたいよ」-Feel My Soul-

「夢は叶いましたか？
アタシまだモガいてる
カンタンに 行かないから 生きてゆける」-LIFE-

「鳥のように空を泳ぐ
泣いていないで空を泳ぐ
ひたすら夢を Let it be in your life」_Free Bird-

初期の作品であるこれらは、歌詞の中に深い意味が込められています。夢を追いかけながら、人生について問いかけ、自分自身を探し求め、もがいている彼女を投影しています。
YUI は、自分自身の満足のために曲を作るような、ただのシンガーソングライターではありません。
彼女は、彼女の歌を聴いてその込められた想いを感じ、共感するファンのために曲を作っているのです。

「住みなれたこの部屋を 出てゆく日が来た
新しい旅立ちに まだ戸惑ってる」-TOKYO-

“TOKYO” は、シンプルなメロディーの中に、夢を抱えて、慣れない街「東京」へ引っ越すときの想いが正直に綴られています。
シンプルで、とても感傷的な曲となっています。

“Good Bye Days” と “I Remember You” は、映画「タイヨウのうた」のタイアップ曲として 2006年、リリースされます。
この 2曲は「愛」を強く感じさせます。アコースティックギターの音色と、オーケストラサウンドにより、とても美しく、ロマンティックな YUI を見せてくれます。

「夢にまで見たような世界は
争いもなく平和な日常
でも現実は日々トラブって
たまに悔やんだりしてる
そんな Rolling Days」-Rolling Star-

“Rolling Star” は YUI の「ロック」な面を見せ始めた曲でした。激しいエレキギターサウンドに、もちろん彼女らしい深い歌詞を載せて。

「制服 脱ぎ捨てた 16のアタシに
負けたくはないから」-My Generation-

“My Generation” は、周囲の眼にくじけず夢に向かって高校を中退し、今の道を歩み始めたことが、間違いだったと言われないように頑張りたいという気持ちが込められています。
この曲も、“Rolling Star” 同様、「ロック」な側面を持っていると思います。

さらに「ロック」ぽい曲が、2007年にリリースされた “Love & Truth”。映画「クローズド・ノート」のために書かれた曲です。映画の世界観をとても上手く表現できていると思います。

そして「ポップ」な曲 “CHE.R.RY” が、au の CMタイアップ曲としてリリース。YUI の曲の中で一番メジャーと言って良いでしょう。YUI がとても身近に感じられて、彼女が普通の女の子だということがよく表れています。そしてまた、彼女が人生にもがくことから逃れ、幸せな人生を歩み始めたようにも感じられます。

またさらに、YUI の曲の中で一番「幸せ」を感じられる曲がリリースされます。“Laugh Away” そして “Summer Song”。。。

———-

「この想いを 消してしまうには
まだ人生長いでしょ？
やり残してるコト
やり直してみたいから
もう一度ゆこう」-again-

活動休止のあと、YUI は “again” でカムバックします。そして、2009年の終わりには、ショートヘアへのイメージチェンジと共に “It’s All Too Much / Never Say Die” をリリース。
ここが、いわゆる “以前のYUI” と “最近のYUI” を分けるターニングポイントになっていると思います。

「やんなっちゃうけれど
いい事があんのも人生
そうやって 続けんだ
Baby!! Never mind. Never say die!」-Never Say Die-

“It’s All Too Much / Never Say Die” もまた、「ロック色」が色濃い作品です。しかしながら、直感的で深い歌詞は活動休止前と何ら変わることはありません。

続いてリリースされた “GLORIA”、”to Mother”、”Rain”、”It’s My life / Your Heaven”、そして最新シングル “HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~” は、多くの YUI ファンから “最近のYUI” と思われているだろうと思います。
彼女は、ヘアスタイルなどの見た目や、表情、そして楽曲そのものまで、少しずつ変化させてきました。“It’s My Life” は、多くのファンに衝撃を与えたことと思います。音楽性、ルックス、そしてウィンクは、「これはYUIじゃない」「以前のYUIが良かった」「昔のYUIに戻って欲しい」などという声を呼んだと思います。

誰かが言いました「YUI は、メジャーになり過ぎた」

———-

「皆さんにわくわくしてもらえたりとか、笑顔になってもらえたりとか、『なんか面白いね』とか、そういうふうに言ってもらいたいと思っているので。いろんなことに挑戦していくっていうことも自分なりに取り入れて、20代を楽しんでいきたいなと思ってますね」-ROCKIN’ ON JAPAN 2007.05 インタビュー-

「挑戦」
彼女のルックスが変化し、彼女の音楽性が変化したのは、4年前、20歳の彼女が言った「挑戦」が為でしょう。彼女は探していたのです、何か新しいものを。挑戦していたのです。
デビューしてから今まで、YUI が新しい音に挑戦していなかったときのことを想像してみてください。
もしかしたら、もうすっかり飽きてしまっていたかもしれません。

誰かが言いました「もう YUI のファンは辞めようかと思う。彼女の情熱が感じられなくなったから」

彼女が情熱を失っていると、どうして思えるんでしょうか？
“to Mother”、”Shake My Heart”、”It’s My Life”、他にも “HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN” に納められている楽曲たちからは、YUI が新たな音楽性を追い求めている姿が見て取れるでしょう。
新しいイントロのアプローチ、今までになかったジャンルへの挑戦。情熱なくして、どうやって成し得ると言うのでしょうか？

「デビューする前に私が言っていたことだけども、音楽はないと生きていけないものっていうのは、今でもそのまんま当てはまると思うんです。やっぱり迷ったりしても、音楽がいろいろ教えてくれたり、救ってくれたり。そういうところでずっと、見失わずに済んだのかなと思ったりしますね」-ROCKIN’ ON JAPAN 2007.05 インタビュー-

「元気がない人に音楽で元気になってもらいたい。自分の音楽もそうなるといいなって思います」-hotexpress 2011-

———-

“以前のYUI” か、”最近のYUI”か？

そんな問題は有り得ません。YUI は、今でも YUI なのです。大きな夢を持ち、音楽への情熱を抱え、挑戦することを止めない、一人の女性です。彼女の「変化」は、さらなる「成長」の過程に他なりません。YUI は、同じ場所に留まっていたいとは考えていないはずです。より良いアーティストになるために頑張り続けるでしょう。挑戦、そしてまた挑戦です。
活動休止のあと、彼女には大きな変化が見られました。微笑みを浮かべたり、笑ったりしている機会が多くなったのは、彼女がより幸せになったということです。確かに、大きな変化に他なりません。しかし、誰かを幸せにしたいと思い、ギターを抱えている一人の女性であることには変わりがありません。

YUI はもうティーンエイジャーではありません。夢にもがいていた18歳の少女ではありません。24歳の立派な女性になりました。それはすなわち彼女の変化なのです。

個人的には、YUI が新しいルックス、ファッションにチャレンジするのを見ていると幸せな気分になります。彼女はとても美しい女性に成長しました。そして幸せに満たされた女性となったのです。

もう一度、この文章を引用します。

「皆さんにわくわくしてもらえたりとか、笑顔になってもらえたりとか、『なんか面白いね』とか、そういうふうに言ってもらいたいと思っているので。いろんなことに挑戦していくっていうことも自分なりに取り入れて、20代を楽しんでいきたいなと思ってますね」-ROCKIN’ ON JAPAN 2007.05 インタビュー-

彼女はその言葉どおりに、”It’s My Life” や、“HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~” で、僕を微笑ませました。「カッコいい！ワクワクする！」と思わせました。

さらに、最近の B面の曲は、とても美しくて深いです。“a room”、“Your Heaven”、“YOU” は、いつ聴いても鳥肌が立ちます。

“It’s Happy Line” から “Summer Song” までの時代と、それ以降の時代の間に、「がっかりした」とか「昔の YUIの方が…」なんて一部のファンが言うような隔たりはありますか？

正直に言えば、自分にはその違いが分かりません。

彼女は今でも YUI です。
挑戦が好きで、情熱に溢れていて、音楽を愛していて、新しいことが好きで、とても美しい歌詞を作ってくれる女性です。
最近になって彼女の音楽が変わったというなら、そうかもしれません。しかし、それは彼女が挑戦を続けているからなのです。
僕にとっては、その音楽性の変化はより素晴らしい音楽を生み出していると思えます。彼女は本当に色とりどりの曲を作ってきたのです。

最初に、YUI のデビュー当時に戻ってみました。そこで、彼女が深く、人生を問いかけ、自分を探し求め、もがいている姿を投影した楽曲をもって夢を追いかけていたと書きました。
そして今、幸せになった彼女が、幸せを感じさせる曲を作っている。
僕は、断言できます。YUI は何も変わっていない。もし今の YUI が昔に戻ったとしても、きっと素直な気持ちで、まっすぐに彼女の気持ちを表現した曲を作ることでしょう。

「情熱なくさないように
ススメ Rock’n roll Life」-It’s My Life-

人は、より良い成長のために変わっていきます。YUI がそうしているように。僕は、彼女の音楽への情熱は全くブレていないと信じてます。

YUI は、完全無欠な人間ではありませんし、完全無欠のアーティストでもありません。

批評されることは、その人物をより成長させます。YUI もたくさんの批評を受けていることでしょう。そして、さらに強く、成長していることでしょう。

YUI は YUI です。

最近のインタビュー記事から抜粋しています。是非ご一読ください。

「自分を見失わずに「良い」と思うものはどんどん取り入れていきたいとは思います。突然ガラっと変わってみんなを驚かすというよりは、少しずつ新しい要素を入れていって「あ、ここがあって今回はこうなったんだな」って理解してもらえればいいなって。でも最近の曲作りにおける基本姿勢は「なんでもやってみよう」で。例えば、パンクっぽい曲を書いてみたりとか、様々なタイプの曲を書いていきながらも、いろんな人の意見を聞いて自分を見失わないようにする。そうやって一歩一歩大事にしながら進んでいきたいなと思います。

–「なんでもやってみよう」と思えたきっかけは？ –

24歳になったんですけど、22,3歳ぐらいまではいろんな壁が……、まぁ今もいろんな壁はあるんですけど（笑）。なんだろう？ やっぱり活動休止も大きかったかもしれないですね。たくさんの人に支えられて音楽ができるのは「すごく幸せ」だと改めて思いましたし、私「Happy」っていう言葉が好きなんですけど、いろんなことを楽しんでやりたいなと強く思うようになったんです。

諦めて後悔するんじゃなくて、いろんなことに挑戦していく。そのときの良い顔ってすごく素敵じゃないですか。そうやって「楽しんで、今を生きている」っていうのがすごくロックンロールなのかなって。」-hotexpress 2011-

そうです！挑戦です！
昔のYUI？今のYUI？

YUI は、YUI です。

何も変わっちゃいないんです。

最後に。楽曲とは、単なる旋律の組み合わせじゃなく、詞こそが重要なのだと思っています。偉大な曲であるほど。

「好き勝手言われても 気にしてちゃ
いけないね お仕事ではないもんね」-Love is all-

–azmikun
通訳: Hirotana

Okay, let’s back to the past to meet the people say “Old YUI”. She started her journey in music with It’s Happy Line, Feel My Soul, Tomorrow’s Way and LIFE, songs which are included with strong acoustic guitar’s sound and show the world “I’m YUI”, the guitar girl with a big dreams.

“Who am I living for?
The cloudy days pass me by.
This weakness, this pain
Do I feel all of it, or just a little? -It’s happy line-”

“If life is a battle
Then we can’t help whether we win or lose
That much I know –Tomorrow’s Way-”

“I got tired of crying.
Life doesn’t hand out answers.
I might wander and stumble, but I can’t stop.

I Feel My Soul, Take Me Your Way.
No, I won’t turn back again.
I’ll find the answers with my own hands. –Feel My Soul-”

“Have your dream come true?
I’m still struggling
Since thing aren’t easy, that’s why I can live on –LIFE- ”

“I’ll swim through the sky like a bird.
I’ll swim through the sky without shedding a tear.
Put all your dreams in your life! –Free Bird”

Those are pieces of her songs from her early career. Songs with deep meaningful lyrics that asking the meaning of life, the searching of indentity, songs that represent her struggling life when she was pursuing her dreams.
YUI isn’t just a singer-songwriter who makes song to satisfy herself. YUI is a singer-songwriter who wants to inspire and give spirit to the listener of her songs.

“Today I have to leave this old room of mine.
I’m still unsure about this new journey. –TOKYO-”

Yes, TOKYO. A song with simple melody wrapped by a deep and a honest lyric that represent her feeling when she was moved to unfamiliar city , TOKYO, to chase her dreams. A simple song but has a very emotional side.

Good Bye Days & I Remember You are singles released in 2006 and have a strong connection with “Taiyou no Uta” movie. Songs with a strong “love” side. The flow of acoustic guitar sounds and also orchestra music makes these songs so beautiful and represent a romantic side of YUI.

“A world like I have seen in my dreams
Without conflict, just daily peace
But in reality, I tend to worry about
Troubles and the daily grind
Those Rolling Days –Rolling Star-”

“Rolling Star” was a song that starting to show a “Rock” side of YUI. A song with intense electric guitar sound and of course a meaningful lyric.

“So I took of my uniform at the age of 16
I didn’t want to be defeated -My Generation-”

My Generation is a song that shows to the people that “I” “YUI” choosed a right path of life because quitted from school to chase her dreams made people around her felt “doubt”. Same with “Rolling Star”, this song also has a strong “rock” side.

Another single with “Rock” nuance in 2007 was Love&Truth. A song that made as a theme song for “Closed Note” movie. I think YUI very success to representate the movie in this song.

And then a POP song “CHE.R.RY”. The most popular song from YUI. I think in this song YUI is showing that she is a normal girl who can fall in love.
I think “CHE.R.RY” was a beginning that YUI has left her struggling life and showed her happy life side.

And years after, I think most of YUI’s song are songs with “happy” feeling such as “Laugh Away” and “Summer Song”.

“I still have too long a life ahead
to get rid of these feelings, right?
I want to try doing over
the things I’ve left undone
Shall we go AGAIN?-again-”

After the hiatus, YUI came back with “again” and at the end of 2009 she released another single It’s All Too Much/Never Say Die. After she cut short her hair, I think this moment was a start of “New YUI” image rose up.

“At times we get sick and tired of everything
But good things are part of life too
That’s how we continue living on
Baby Never mind Never say die –Never Say Die-”

IATM/NSD is a single with “Rock” nuance and a spiritful song. Inspirational and meaningful lyric still included in this single, yeah, it was the same YUI before the hiatus.

The following singles GLORIA, to Mother, Rain, It’s My life/Your Heaven, and the newest one HELLO~Paradise Kiss~ are the representation of “New YUI” that a lot of people said.
She slowly changed her appearance, looks, hairstyle and the music itself. As example, “It’s My Life” surprises a lot of fans. The music, her looks, her winks, made many fans said “This isn’t YUI”, “I want old YUI”, “Please bring back old YUI” etc.

“Her music is too mainstream recently – someone-”

“I want to be able to excite people, put a smile on their faces and also make people say “Oh this is interesting”. I want to take on new challenges and enjoy my 20s.- ROCKIN’ ON JAPAN 2007.05 (Interview)-”

“Challenges”.
I think the change of appearance, the change of music are the part of that “challenge” that YUI said 4 years ago when she was just 20 years old. She wants to explore, try something new, take the challenge.
Can you imagine If YUI never change her music style even a bit since her debut until now?
Probably, I’ll dead bored.

“I’ll leave YUI, perhaps. Because I don’t find her passion anymore –someone-”

How can you tell she doesn’t have a passion in music anymore?
“to Mother”, “Shake My Heart”, “It’s My Life” and most of song in HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN are full of music exploration. She tried a lot of new musical instrument, she tried another music genre, are those exploration and effort not a passion?

““Music is something which I cannot live without” is something which I said before debut but it still holds true now. Even if I get lost, music teaches me a lot, and saves me. I think that was what kept me going, guiding me. –YUI-”

“something that I want to transmit by my song is to make people happy and have spirit when listening to my song (hotexpress 2011)”

“old YUI”? “new YUI”?

There isn’t such a thing. YUI is still YUI. A girl with big dreams, a girl with passion in music, a girl who loves challenges. The recent changes of her are part of “growth” to be a better musician. I’m sure YUI doesn’t want to stay in one position, she must be wanted to try a new thing to make her even better musician. Try, try, challenge!
After the hiatus, there was a big changed. YUI smiles a lot, she laughs a lot, she became a happier person. Yes, that was the big change, none other that.
She’s still a girl with guitar who wants to make people happy with her songs.

YUI isn’t a teenager anymore. YUI isn’t a 18 years old girl who struggling to chase her dream anymore. YUI is a 24 years old mature women now. Her looks change is part of that.

Personally, I’m so happy that YUI try new things in her looks, fashion. She is a beautiful mature women now, she is a happy person now.

I’ll quote this once again:

“I want to be able to excite people, put a smile on their faces and also make people say “Oh this is interesting”. I want to take on new challenges and enjoy my 20s.- ROCKIN’ ON JAPAN 2007.05 (Interview)-”

I think she did. She made me smile and say “cool, interesting” when I listened to “It’s My Life” or “HELLO~Paradise Kiss~”.

And also her B-Side song recently, so beautiful and have deep meaning. Make me have goosebumps evertime I listen to them, “a room”, “Your Heaven”, “YOU”.

So, what is the difference between YUI in her “It’s Happy Line-Summer Song” era and recent YUI who makes a lot of fans said “I’m dissapointed” or “Old YUI” and “New YUI”?

To be honest, I can’t find the difference.

She is still YUI. A girl who loves challenge, full of passion, loves music, loves to try something new, still makes beautiful lyric.
Okay, maybe her music changed recently, but I’ve said before that that is a part of the challenge.
And as for me, her changed is music is makes her music and song even better. She has a various colorful song now.

I’ve said before that back in her debut time, she created songs with deep meaningful lyrics that asking the meaning of life, the searching of indentity, songs that represent her struggling life when she was pursuing her dreams.
Now, she has a better and happier life so she created a lot of happy song.
So, I can tell that YUI backthen is same with YUI now, YUI now is same with YUI backthen. She still creates a straight forward, honest lyric with good music that represent her own feeling.

“So as not to lose my passion
Let’s move on Rock’ n roll Life-It’s My Life-”

People change to be be better person, so does YUI. I believe that her music passions never changed.

YUI isn’t a perfect person or a perfect musician.

Of course critics makes someone stronger, so I believe a lot of critics that YUI received recently, will make her even stronger and stronger.

YUI is YUI. YUIはYUI.

Let’s read this. This is from some recent interview:

__________________________
YUI: Without losing my own style, I want to do “something good” adopting new things little by little. I prefer to be appreciated in the way: “Ah, this part made such feeling in this song” while adopting new style step by step, rather than to surprise everyone by making a sudden change almost completely.

And recently, my general way of making songs is “Try anything”. For example, trying to write a Punk song or something. Listening to opinions of different people, but never losing my own self of sight. I hope to go ahead step by step carefully.

– Why did you consider to “Try anything”?

YUI: I have lived for 24 years, but until the time of 22, 23 years old, there were different barriers (of music life)… Well, some barriers are still in front of me (*laugh). I wonder why? I think my hiatus of music activities takes big part of this reason, maybe. I reminded the great joy of being able to play music with many people supporting me. Ah, I like the word “Happy”. So I became to think strongly that I wanna enjoy to do many things..

YUI: When someone is trying anything without giving up and regret, that someone’s face looks good and so wonderful, don’t you think? I think this is Rock’n Roll: “Enjoy and live the present”.
__________________________

Yes it is. Try, try, challenge! Old YUI? New YUI?

YUI is YUI. YUIはYUI.
Nothing has changed.

The last, Song isn’t just about music or melody, but also lyric is the most important thing in a great song.
Those factors that made me fall in love to YUI’s music.

“Even if I was told off by negative and unfair commments,
I musn’t be too mindful of it, right? This is not my job –Love is All-”

–Written by azmikun.

–
You can leave your comments in the forum

The set list was nearly identical to the Ichihara report written elsewhere. Unforunately I can’t tell you the content of the MC parts…. The YUI fans were mostly high school age kids, mostly wearing HITS tour t-shirts or bearing the towel. There was someone wearing a third tour ILY t-shirt, which was better designed than the HITS one.

Before the concert started, there was a continuous animation of a sunny day on a mountainside as seen through window panes. The stage was like the inside of a log cabin, with an artificial stairs on the left and couch + fake fireplace on the right.

When the lights went out, the screen animation changed to that of a dark thunderstorm. The audience rose and cheered as the band members came in through the stage side doors. Lastly, YUI made her appearance at the top of the moveable stairs!!!!

1st song. again
２nd Song　Rolling star
３rd Song　It’s all too much

These were played one after the other without stop. Everyone was standing and clapping along the songs. YUI was using her 2 colour sunburst Stratocaster for these.

First MC – sorry can’t tell what she was saying….

４th Song　Laugh away
５th Song　Parade

YUI picked up her Martin acoustic for these. As far as I can remember YUI at this point asked everyone to sit. Of course, in this interval folks were calling out YUI and the band members by name. For Parade, the tv screens showed Osaka’s streets. Must have been the area outside Osaka – Umeda stations.

MC.
Band members introduction – again, I can’t tell the exact script.

６th Song　Cinnamon
7th Song　Please Stay With Me

Somewhere here there must have been the phone skit. Don’t know what it was about, but I don’t think it was Sony boss like in Ichihara.

Continues under the cut

８th song　How crazy
９th song　Love is all

Unusually, How Crazy was done in a jazz or club house like style. Mai Mai the drummer was sitting on and beating a cajón for this. [name of instrument kindly provided by Kikino. Mai Mai used this a second time, but can't remember for which song]

MC.

I think YUI at this point was asking where everyone comes from. I would have liked to shout 「英国」　Eikoku for UK – but didn’t want to scream myself hoarse from such a distance.

１０th song　TOKYO

Although Life was the first song I heard from YUI, this is my ultimate favourite song from the first album. Of course I adore four other songs from there, but was appreciative that even though only one From Me to You track was played, Tokyo was chosen for HITS tour.

The time arose for the random song to be chosen. YUI missed the roulette board twice since it wasn’t a dart, but a sticky ball she was throwing. Third time, Kiss Me was chosen. From now on, YUI was on the big screen. Before that I could only see her figure but not face from where I was sitting/standing.

１１st Song　Kiss Me

After Kiss Me, there were some fans who shouted that their birthday was today or the next day. So, YUI played just the opening four lines ‘Happy Birthday to You You’! If I remember correctly, she played Kiss Me, Happy Birthday to you you with the Fender Thinline Telecaster. Can’t really recall though, if she switched over to the Jaguar for Never Say Die or es.car

１２nd Song Never say die – this is when she picked up her Fender Jaguar. We all stood up again to clap along.

There must have been an MC over here to introduce the coming video projection….

１３rd Song　es.car

One of my favourite songs from HITS. Kuro chan’s intro sequence for the opening riff totally ruled. The choreography video, which resembles a traffic cop like dance, was shown whenever YUI reached the part that goes 『あなたのすぐ側に。。」　YUI put down her e-guitar when 「ファミレスの駐車場　渋滞してる見たいよ。。。」 came up so she could join in the dance. This was repeated three times before the keyboard solo by Arisa commenced.

１４th Song　I do it
１５th song　Tonight

MC。- Don’t know what was said here!
It may have been this announcement, when YUI disclosed whose named HITS keychain [of the four eu.band members] sold the most this time round. The honour went to Backy, at 32 sold!

16th Song　Shake My Heart

Another cute song here. Just like everywhere else, lyrics text for ‘Shake my heart yeah, shake your hear baby!’ were projected on the screen. Following this, YUI and the band members departed the stage after bowing.

Audience knew this couldn’t be the end, so they kept up a steady beat of clapping to spur on her reappearance….

17th Song　to Mother

YUI was on the keyboard. Bless her, she got the words wrong in the first paragraph of the song, becoz some words from the third paragraph 「似た物同士なんだようね」　ended up replacing 「嘘もつけなくなったら」!

18th Song Driving Happy Life

The tv screen showed her driving a VW convertible pretty slowly along the Shichirigahama coastline [where Taiyou no Uta was filmed] with Enoshima in the distance.

19th Song GLORIA

20th Song Good-bye days

Just like previously, YUI went away from the mic after the first or second paragraph of this sone to sing raw. Gods, the hall was dead silent apart from the singer! Very powerful voice becoz I could hear it from my position!

When YUI was taking a bow and exiting stage, the music track being played was the same as the end of the My Short Stories limited edition DVD of the third tour’s ending.

–
Join the forum to share your impressions

Click for full view

YUI’s new PV: Please Stay With Me has been showed  for first time in Fuji TV’s Mezamashi TV today, you can download the vid here!

GLORIA /YUI
Sound Produce & Directed by HISASHI KONDO

When I try to move forward without thinking,
some people advised me that
‘ balancing things in life is important’ 
and ‘there’s no point if you damage your body from doing what you want’
I’m sure you have had people say that to you before too.

Of course,

That is correct

We all know that,

but in life,
sometimes,
you just want to do things, 
knowing you’re just going to ruin yourself
trying to accomplish your dreams
 come before taking care of yourself
I’m sure you’ve experienced that.
if you’re studying to get into a good university 
right now 
might be this time for you.

Today, i opened this article 
saying 
‘Who said your whole life is affected by your teenage times?’
Of course you have to study, but friends, activities, the person you like, you want to challenge new things which might open new paths in life
and you hear yourself
 screaming to tell you to do these things
‘Even when you think you’re rushing 
doesn’t matter, just keep going
just take everything you have and go for it
 cause if you cant do that, then its all a lie.’

I think thats the message YUI wants to tell all of us
The sound of the last single, “It’s All Too Much” had the image of the movie mixed with guitar rock!!
This time, the acoustic guitar is strumming 16th notes throughout the song
and notice the electric guitar only appears in the main riff and the chorus.
As far as having a vocal melody in the intro, it has been missing since “Merry-Go-Round” had the working title “Harajuku Song”.
At any rate, I feel this new song was able to combine the image of the early days with the new one. (old YUI + new YUI)

And the great thing about YUI is, with the exception of the second half of the verse and the bridge, even though the basic chord progression stays the same, she has the ability to write melodies that don’t give you that feeling.
I really respect that!
The band members for this recording recording were the well-known Odakura Yuu!! The rhythm section of Backy and Imamura Mai graciously joined us.

1) YUI recording acoustic guitar

The recording was very enjoyable, and turned out great. Thank you very much!

The B-side recording, ‘Muffler’ is about a relationship from long ago, perhaps having fallen in love and the feeling of a time passing by this friend, who is wearing an unfamiliar muffler…
It’s winter, with New Year’s and so on, I feel is a season for remembering (reminiscing about) your hometown (friends, family, etc)
After working on the song for a bit, I asked the famous northa+, whom I have known for 20 years, to help me arrange the song.
staying in the studio for a long time, talking on the phone really late at night, its a weird relationship, but I can really rely on him.
After that, he dove into the song, layering the chorus, and YUI’s idea began to blossom…
also, working well with Yahagicchi, there was a wonderful atmosphere being created.

Finally, “It’s All Too Much ~Acoustic Version~”
I think it has a very different feel than the original song, and seems like you’re listening it from another angle. Even the opening electric guitar riff from the single was played by another acoustic guitar, with the help of Kuro-chan. We tried to make this using 100% acoustic guitar.
Please take a listen to this song, as well!

All three songs mixed by Tamanoi-kun!
We requested Director Kubo do the MV.

Pretty soon you should be hearing these songs starting to be broadcast, right?
Thank you very much.

Hisashi Kondo

oh and in Icchi☆-san’s “Ai-no-aru” (There is Love)project series,
This time, “Original Mug”
While drinking something warm…
Let’s get through this winter.

dewa
>>SOURCE
Translated by: kagesou & mrsean
—-
Post your discussion and comments here.

YUI

From herself to everyone in Budokan

(Translated by depyon)
YUI, one hand holding her guitar, and singing on the streets of Fukuoka. She used to sit in her room, cross-legged, and sing. And that was how it all began.
But now, she’s standing in the middle of the gigantic Budokan, surrounded by many people. 19 November 2007, YUI Budokan Live 2007 – this is a concert created by YUI, and the people around her.

2 years ago, YUI was on the stage in a small live house in Shibuya. Seated in the audience seats were judges, and under such tense atmosphere, YUI sang, while looking to the front. This scene created an impact. After the performance, the interviewers told her about it. And she replied lightheartedly, “It’s because I love singing live.” However, when we were preparing to go back, she came to me and whispered into my ears, “Actually I was terribly nervous!” YUI is really an innocent girl who hates losing (being looked down upon).

2 years later, YUI is standing on the stage of Budokan. The tickets were sold out on the day itself. On a cold winter night in Tokyo, the warmth and enthusiasm of the audience, who were eagerly awaiting YUI’s performance, rose the temperature in the concert hall. Hanging from the ceiling, the Japan National Flag (Rising Sun) looked tiny in the huge concert hall. 10 minutes have passed, and as the lighting flashed, thunderous waves of cheers echoed through the hall. As the cheers died down, sounds of cars and bikes driving past, sounds of people walking past, were heard. It was exactly an image of how a street live would have sounded like.

Then, the blasting background music overwhelmed all the sounds. The next moment, everything quietened down to a pin-drop silence. The spotlight shone from above, and a shadow appeared. YUI stood there, holding her guitar case. She then walked out, embracing the thunderous applause that engulfed her. From the centre of the stage, step by step, she walked on the middle path to the substage. She then sat down cross-legged on the floor, drew her guitar out of the case, and placed her water bottle by the side. She then lighted a matchstick and lit up an aroma candle. It failed the first time, so she did it again. She then started strumming her guitar.

She looked forward intently, as she started singing her first song “It’s happy line”.

“For whom, do you live for?” (From lyrics of it’s happy line)

The question, that YUI asked herself when she performed street live then, struck the chords of ten thousand hearts of the people seated in the hall.

She was extremely nervous. But just today, she did not attempt to hide her trembling voices. It’s not because it’s her first concert at Budokan; neither is it because she’s still 20 years old. It’s because she knows that she has to display the truest side of herself to others. And because she knows that she has to trust the audience, who are listening to her. Therefore, this time round, she introduced new faces to her concert- casual talks, mimicking, guitar accompanied with drumming etc. After the concert, we asked the audience for their comments. The most common reply was, “We felt really close to her today.” Her trick succeeded.

“Everyone, thanks for coming today. Next up will be the last song…. NOT!” The MC cracked a joke, as YUI stated her second song “Goodbye Days”. After the A melody part, she stopped and said, “Hmm, one more time”, as the hall broke into laughter. As she sang again, the voice was delicate, full of emotions, yet strong. It was truly beautiful.

Halfway through, the key changed, as she plunged into the next song “Merry Go Round”. As she returned to the main stage where the band was waiting, she grabbed her guitar, and spun around, as she shouted “Budokan!” That was a total contrast from the street live image before, and it showed her progress since the street live in the past. She met many important people who changed her in their own ways. And these bits of experience each played a part in turning on the switch, which created her live concert at Budokan.

As she sang “Life”, she admitted she was nervous too, but she was glad everyone was smiling as she sang. Her “CHE.R.RY” was welcomed by glaring smiles in the audience; “Happy Birthday to you you” was accompanied by special guest “Yu Yu-kun”‘s special dance. All these created a different impact, and all these made the live so real.

She wants to do many many more things. And amongst the songs in the never-ending list, she chose “Winter Hot Music”. It was the first time we saw YUI put down her guitar, and sang with the microphone in her hands. The song that describes the short, but happy, one hour in the morning, was sung with much emotions. Then she sang “Love & Truth”. From behind the stage came a strings band consisting 22 people. This intensity of this dramatic song was brought out by the intricacy of the strings. The simple sounds of the strings came together, creating an immensely complicated amalgan of emotions. And amongst these emotions, was YUI’s singing.

The accompanying scenes were then shown on the screen. Next up, was an acoustic version of “It’s all right”, which left a deep impression in the audience.

As YUI stepped down from the stage to change her clothes, the band began a string of rock performances. As YUI reappeared in her black leather overalls, she started strumming on her guitar, as she brought to the audience the exciting song “RUIDO”. As the song screeched to the end, fireworks were released from the stage. Then it was the punkish song “Jam”. And riding on the adrenaline of everyone, came “Rolling Star”. When it reached the climax, it wasn’t a single hit, but a song in her 2nd album “Highway Chance”. This song describes the current state of YUI perfectly. In fact, compared to the time when this song was released, it suits YUI more as she sang now. As the four people on stage rocked on the song, they upped the pace, and floored everyone in the hall.

The last official song was “My Generation”, which describes her dream when she was 16, and how she persevered and never gave up in the pursuit of her dream.

As a reply to the encore, YUI reappeared on the stage, in her Budokan Live T-shirt. And the relaxed expression on her face was most distinct. On the screen flashed pictures of her family, and YUI when she was a child.

“The long shadow in the dim dusk changed into the shape of happiness. I started walking. It’s all right.” (From lyrics of Understand)

As she sang “Understand”, it felt like one-to-one talk with her. Then came the introduction of the band members, as each of them presented a solo performance of their instruments. And standing at the sides looking, YUI seemed like she was beaming with happiness.

Even though it was her 21st song on that day, it didn’t seem like it, as she sang her debut single “Feel My Soul”- a true classic that hasn’t lost its attraction.

“I’m really glad to see all of you here today. Thank you very much.”
And that thought translated into her next song. She stood alone with her guitar, and sang “Thank you my teens”. And showing on the screen behind her was the video footages of the making of the Budokan concert. It showed all the staff, members, guests and even normal people who helped up in the concert. It’s due to every single person, that the concert was made a success. It’s not just being sentimental, it is the connection that brings us to the next step.

And as always, accompanied by the melody of “It’s happy line”, YUI bid farewell. And as she seemed to disappear from the stage, she suddenly appeared again! (lol)

“There’s this one last song I would like all of you to hear.” “It’s Tokyo.”
The main character of this song left her house, and at that moment, she was at a loss of words. And she is none other than YUI herself. As YUI fought with the overflowing emotions from within, she just carried on strumming the guitar. Looking at the YUI who was trying her best to calm herself down to start singing, the audience gave several words of encouragement. And as she gained strength from these words, she finally started singing.

“In the bus heading toward the station, I mailed my friend. At the platform in the station, I tried to call my friend. But it all did not seem right.” (From lyrics of Tokyo)

Even thought she has come to like Tokyo, meeting many people here, she knows that this is not the end destination. Therefore she cannot just stop here.

“I can’t always choose the right thing. I know just that.” (From lyrics of Tokyo)

YUI knows her own weaknesses, but she decides to walk on with it.

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T/N: Anyway, this article is really touching. I became teary as I was reading and translating it. LOL.
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FAN’S COMMENTS:

“This is my 2nd time. The previous one that I went was at a much smaller venue- Shibuya AX. But the size did not make a difference. If it had been other artistes, I might not have been able to see them. But I could really see her here, it was a typical YUI concert. Her cross-legged performance, acoustic guitar performances really made it feel like a truly live performance.
I could feel the essence of a live performance, I was truly touched. And her voice is good; and she’s cute! I think I’ve just liked her even more. I like the song “Winter Hot Music”, but she seldom sings it in concerts. That made it a really good and precious experience to hear her sing here today. I’m very happy and glad to have come today.”

- Shii-chan/ 17, Year 2 High School/ Female

“This is my 1st time to her concert. I think her last performance ‘Tokyo’ was the best. And I like her innocence and straightforwardness. Her mimicking were great too. And she has perfect skin! It seemed really smooth! Please continue to work hard!”

-Sacchan/ 17, Year 2 High School/ Female

“This is my 2nd time. And I came all the way from Akita! It was excellent. I’m glad I came. I personally like “Highway Chance”, and listening it live was really good, and touching. And of course, her reappearance to sing “Tokyo” was great. I’ll come again.”

-Akita-ken/ Superman Rega/ 24/ Female

“This is my first time. When everyone sang together, it was really good. I cried a lot. And the one that left the deepest impression was ‘Tokyo’. It’s excellent. Please continue to work hard!”

-15, Year 1 High School/ Female

“My first YUI concert was excellent. I love her singing while strumming the guitar. I enjoyed it thoroughly from the start to the end. I will continue to support her! Please tell her that!”

-16, Year 1 High School/ Female

“I saw her first at Summer Festival. But this is the first YUI concert. She’s really stylish, cute and beautiful; and her voice is great. She’s perfect. I didn’t expect her to sing her first song that way. She brought her guitar case along, and took the guitar out. The whole scene was very touching. I became her fan after ‘Life’, so I like her rock songs. I liked the way the rock songs started.”

-Chiba-ken/ Yuuka-san/ 20/ Female

“I happened to be invited, so I came. The last song ‘Tokyo’ was great. I imagined how YUI came all the way to Tokyo this way with a guitar. It’s wonderful. I didn’t expect her to sing this as the last song.”

-Chiba-ken/ Mikasa-san/ 20/ Female

“This is the first time to her concert. The previous event that I went to only had rock songs like “Rolling Star”. This time, I get to hear her acoustic songs. This was how she started, so I guess it’s great to hear her sing acoustic.”

-Chiba-ken/ 20/ Female

“The song that left the deepest impression was the last song. I almost cried out. I could feel her trying her best to contain her emotions. We could all feel it with her.”

-Chiba-ken/ Ai-san/ 20/ Female

“This is my first time. Her first song “Goodbye Days” and last song “Tokyo” were very touching. My hair stood up. At the part when YUI couldn’t carry on singing ‘Tokyo’, it was really impactful.”

-Kanagawa-ken/ Yuuji-san/ 17/ Male

“My first time. When everyone sang ‘Goodbye days’ together, it was great. And she sang as well as the recorded ones in the CD, I was pretty surprised.”

-Kanagawa-ken/ Toshiyuki-san/ 17/ Male

“My first time to YUI’s live. How should I describe… I was touched on my first time here… The first song where she sang while strumming the guitar, sank my heart. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, the first song is already so impactful!’”

-Saitama-ken/ Akari-san/ 18, Year 3 High School/ Female

“This is my 2nd time. Previously I went to the one at Shibuya. From then on I got addicted to her! (lol) When her concert at Budokan was confirmed, I was determined to get the tickets. I even signed up in her official fan club, and got the tickets. My seat was on the second floor, but it was totally professional. The beginning, where she brought her guitar case out, I was already touched and almost teared. And the last song ‘Tokyo’ made me cry. It was great! I felt that live performances are really important. I will continue to give her my support!”

-Kanagawa-ken/ Azusa-san/18, Year 3 High School/ Female

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P/S: Thanks to gotchi for the B-PASS scans. =)

Leave your thoughts and comments in the forum!

(Translator’s Note: Some may have not noticed this, but if you go into the Discography portion of YUI’s website and scroll down, you’ll find a link to a full-blown commentary on the Album. Each and every song is listed with credits. There’s a director’s commentary as well as a small paragraph for each song. There’s so much here I can’t translate it all at once, but I’ve managed to finish the director’s commentary. The link to the webpage is here.)

YUI's debut album 'From Me To You'

Director’s Comment

It’s impossible to measure the full extent of YUI’s talent with just her words and melodies. After hearing her sing, I don’t think anyone here doubts for a second that she was born to sing. However, she doesn’t think that you can make a song with just talent. Every musician puts a lot of hard work into their CD’s. The album’s title, “From Me To You”, comes from a 1963 Beatles work. She puts her own message into the title. I’ve participated in many works, but from when I met YUI at her audition until her debut, just her demonstrations have blown those away. Her music was inevitable. She weaves her worldview, “If there’s no music, one can’t live on” with her work everyday.

The Beatles' single From Me To You (1963)

Track Commentary:

1. Merry・Go・Round
Lyrics: YUI
Music: YUI
Arrangement: YUI and northa+

This memorable song is the Album’s first track. Up to the very last minute, the song had the temporary title ‘Harajuku Song’. Since YUI was working on the tune and the arrangements all at the same time, we recorded the song in a “pre-professional” room below-ground. In the song, the speed increases suddenly when transitioning from the first melody to the second.　By the 2nd beat you’ve been ensnared by the rythm, and the 4th beat connects with the climax of the song. In the song, there is this rotating feeling of love that’s very much like a merry go round. It invokes the image of a heroine, singing while crying. While concealing YUI’s “Image of Harajuku”, the this song raises the curtain on the album with 8 beats.

(T/N: The last 5 sentences or so are VERY hard to understand. Please excuse me for the awkward and shaky translations.)

2. feel my soul
Lyrics: YUI
Music: YUI
Arrangement: Hideyuki Daichi Suzuki

Feel My Soul was the theme song for Fuji Broadcasting Co.’s Fukigen na Gene drama that played back in 2005 for a few months. Some have described it as a bitter, yet touching song, and as we all know it was YUI’s major debut. Just after, and I mean just, we’d completed the song’s general framework, the drama’s producer demanded lyrics, a new D melody, and a new pattern to the song’s interlude. We had to work hard to meet these demands. Following after the title, “Feel My Soul,” they made an arrangement that allowed you to “feel” that rush in the song. We had to do the song three times over before we got it to adequately fit with the drama’s melancholy spirit. After that it became a memorable hit indeed. (Feel My Soul was YUI’s Major Debut song. It released on February 23, 2005, and ranked #95 on the Oricon yearly charts.)

3. Ready to love
Lyrics: YUI, yukamatsumoto （ゆか松本）
Arrangement: Cozzi

This song is actually the work of Cozzi. She lives in Australia. It picks up on Tokyo’s subject. While listening to the demo tape, YUI herself said “This song is really cool”. She picked it up and wanted to write the lyrics for it. But Matsumoto-san had already written lyrics, so YUI refined them and we recorded under the title “Ready to Love.”

4. Swing of Lie
Lyrics: YUI
Music: YUI
Arrangement: Northa+

Somehow I felt the full extent of this song. The range and extent of the key was so wide it was problematic, and the melody was so sad that YUI couldn’t fully complete it. But somehow she was drawn in by it anyway. I think it was the line: “He said ‘I stopped lying,’ but the person he’d wounded hated him more.” The title, “Swing of lie,” is the keyword for lovers that were “in swing”, so to speak. It fully and truly expresses the kind of heartache the couple in the song is going through just before they break up. It also closely resembles the passions and love that just pass each other by when they should sit next to each other and dance. The violin and the viola finish the song so very well.

5. LIFE
Lyrics: YUI
Music: YUI
Arrangement: Northa+

This is only to a certain extent, but you know how in sports or video games, if the opponent or player you’re fighting can’t get any stronger, the game gets really boring really fast. It’s the same with life, hence YUI’s line: “Life isn’t simple. That’s why I can live on.” The song keeps building on itself from one chord to the next. Just after the modulation in the first part, the guitar’s riff becomes a distinct characteristic of the song. LIFE became the fifth ending of TV Tokyo’s nationally broadcast anime “Bleach”, as well as YUI’s third single. Thanks to this song we expanded our fan base quite a bit.

6. Blue wind
Lyrics: YUI
Music and Arrangement: Cozzi

You feel a lot of deep emotion when you listen to this song. Once again, Cozzi composed the song and YUI wrote the lyrics. Around the time this song was being composed, YUI was having some doubts about whether or not she was really singing for other people. She likens this song’s two choruses to be two different songs: one made by her and one created by those other people. It really was a sad time for her, but she overcame it little by little, and this song was built out of that.

7. I can’t say
Lyrics: YUI
Music and Arrangement: Cozzi

This song is Cozzi’s fourth work. No doubt more people will get excited about her work because of this song. Also, YUI often says things like “I like what I like,” and “The good ones are good,” and she sticks to her guns no matter what other people say. You can feel that strong sense of individuality in this song. The initial lyrics were that of a love song. Although she uses simple words, the rhyme of the song is so amazing that you can easily sympathize with the singer’s feelings.

8. Simply white
Lyrics: YUI
Music: YUI
Arrangement: Northa+

We always have a thought of things that we start on, but don’t finish. They tend to pile up rather quickly, and that’s what YUI sings about in this song. YUI cleaned out her desk when she moved to Tokyo: there were a lot of old things from her past. She remembered herself during those times and smiled wryly. But she said: “You get tired of them because they don’t go anywhere.” This title, “Simply White”…I guess it’s about those times when you can’t think of anything and your mind is blank…but does that really fit? Well, “Simply Red” wouldn’t really fit, you know…

9. Just my way
Lyrics: YUI, yukamatsumoto
Music: YUI
Arrangement: Northa+

We had great success with this number at the summer festival. We had a little break while recording the song, so YUI strummed her guitar, made up some lyrics on the spot, and sang them. She loved that, I think. The initial lyrics for “Just my Way”, written by yukamatsumoto, talked about those times when you’re leaving your house, but you can’t find your keys, so you can’t leave the house! And you’re making a lot of people wait because of it! YUI added some lyrics relating that to love later on. You find the right people by chance, so to speak… This is the first time we’ve made a song this way. Maybe there’s a change in the wind for us. “Sound” becomes Rock”! I want a copy of those “Guitar Kids!” (T/N: NO idea what they’re talking about here…)

10. Tomorrow’s way
Lyrics: YUI
Music: YUI
Arrangement: hideyuki Daichi suzuki

Tomorrow’s way was written as the theme song for the Shochiku film “Hinokio.” We saw the movie and talked to the director about it, afterwhich YUI went and wrote down several different tunes. After seeing the movie YUI felt the message of the movie was: “Real life is hard, but we still try to overcome it.” The song’s cords are amazing. YUI’s compositions are very well thought-out.

11. I know
Lyrics: YUI
Music: YUI
Arrangement: hideyuki Daichi suzuki

YUI released “I know” in her Independent single “It’s Happy Line,” which went on sale in December 2004. Only 2000 CD copies were made, but YUI continued to hand-sell the song at her Tenjin Station street performance until her debut. It’s quite a nostalgic work. (laughs) Very precious, you know…

12. Tokyo
Lyrics: YUI
Music: Cozzi
Arrangement: YUI, Cozzi

Tokyo is about YUI’s trip from Tokyo to Fukuoka in September of 2004. YUI and Cozzi listened to the first draft of this song one holiday morning, and YUI pulled out a few melodies and tunes she liked. YUI also said that she linked the melody with the very feelings she was feeling on that day. Just after YUI finished the lyrics, we gathered the staff and they watched YUI as she performed for the recording. Yes, we recorded the song just like that. There was a lot nervousness on both sides, if I remember correctly. But we also felt a lot of resolve and determination. We only added the piano and the raw guitar for the final release. It was a bit of a painful time for YUI…

13. Spiral & Escape
Lyrics: YUI
Music: YUI
Arrangement: Ikoman

When I listened to this song, I think I tasted a strange, mysterious feeling, one of “sitting in a dark corner and musing about the past.” YUI got a request to write a song for the album release, “Just for fun,” so she took up the request. And this song marks the arrival of our arranger “Ikoman.” It was a while before he’d noticed YUI’s music when I offered him the job. He said there was “pressure,” but at the same time he loved the offer. He looked forward to the difficulty of the song, and he exceeded our expectations wonderfully.

Everybody who works here instantly gains confidence in what YUI writes and makes. “Kindness without sacrifice isn’t worth anything,” and with that we wrap up the album commentary.

Bonus commentary:

It seems another message about the Album has been posted on YUI’s website, right under the first one. The page is here.

Here’s the first paragraph:

To all the people chasing their dreams:

YUI’s first album has been completed!

Has there ever been a truly “perfect” album? Without relying on fancy decorations or ornaments, YUI has created this amazing album using only her guitar and her voice. She refuses to dress up or put on flashy clothes for the media, and, no matter what other people might think, she’ll shine on without losing her simplicity or herself. If you keep listening to these songs, you’ll understand her feelings, her nature. You’ll laugh, cry, and be encouraged by them. It’s like those feelings when you talk to your friends: you want to say things, and your friends kindly understand you and sympathize with you. You slap each other on the back to encourage one another. That’s the kind of album she’s created here.
(Note: This part of the translation is incomplete)

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After listening to the album and reading the great commentaries, what do you think?
Feel free to post your thoughts and comments in the forum! ^^