Es VOL.2 创作者作品集 AZUKI 七作词作品 Part.1

CREATOR'S COLLECTION
by AZUKI Nana　lyric works

【CREATOR'S COLLECTION】 began in January. Each time, this feature focuses on one artist and introduces their creative work, looking at their side as a creator: providing songs and lyrics to other artists, taking part in recordings and live tours, working on various projects as an arranger, and more.
For the second installment, we once again turn to AZUKI Nana, who handles lyrics and keyboards for GARNET CROW. As a lyricist, AZUKI has provided work for many artists, and her distinctive worldview and lyrics, reminiscent of literary works, mythology, and art, have made a strong impression. She has written the lyrics for every GARNET CROW song. This time, we focus on AZUKI and introduce three songs she wrote for female artists that were composed by members of GARNET CROW.

PROFILE
Handles lyrics and keyboards. In addition to writing all of GARNET CROW’s lyrics, she has provided work for many artists, including Aiko Takaoka, Shiori Takei, and Sayuri Iwata, and has also written lyrics for Hitoshi Okamoto’s solo work.
With a keen sensitivity that draws lyrical inspiration even from ordinary days, she subtly expresses emotions hidden deep within people’s hearts. Her deep knowledge of literature can also be glimpsed in her varied use of characters and distinctive readings, which reveal her ideas and philosophy.

reigning star
Lyrics: AZUKI Nana　Music & arrangement: Hitoshi Okamoto

The sunset I see every day
Hey, I wonder why
when I’m feeling down,
it sinks so deeply into my heart

fake it　I had overlooked it
break it　you can do it again and again

reigning star in time
Everyone is alone, each their own the master
Don’t let yourself forget the first feeling
as you drift along
Carve it in

Full of contradictions
to the point of absurdity
ah- I don’t know what to do with them
“What’s past is past,” you say
ha- Is this just a life of inertia?

take it　It doesn’t matter
um- make it　Do whatever you like

reigning star in time
As if reaching for a dream floating in space (□)
Don’t forget even that feeling, the first feeling
Hold it close

※ Excerpt from “reigning star”

Hayami Kishimoto “reigning star”
Released September 10, 2003
Included on the 1st album 『Meikyu』

“reigning star” was written by AZUKI Nana, with music by Hitoshi Okamoto. Many of Hayami Kishimoto’s early songs were written by AZUKI, and on her first album, 『Meikyu』, AZUKI wrote every song except “Kioku,” Kishimoto’s first attempt at writing lyrics herself. In an interview about 『Meikyu』, Kishimoto said of AZUKI’s lyrics, “There are so many things I can relate to!! I learn so much from them, and with almost every song I think, ‘Ah, I see.’” Of all the songs made for the album, “reigning star” apparently left the strongest impression on her. In an interview at the time, she said, “I remember singing with all my might because I loved the strength in these lyrics and melody.”

★ Other works with lyrics by AZUKI Nana include… “MeiQ!? -Meikyu-MAKE★YOU-” (1st single), “If You Are by My Side, My Beloved” (2nd single), “KAMAWANAIDE,” “In the Same World,” “SODA POP,” “Aitakute,” “reigning star,” “OPEN YOUR HEART,” and “Yes or No?” (all from the 1st album 『Meikyu』), “Mienai Story” (3rd single), “It's so easy...” (B-side of the 3rd single “Mienai Story”), “Kaze ni Mukai Aruku Youni” (4th single), “Suteki na Yume Miyou ne” (5th single), “Dessert Days” (6th single), and “NEVER CHANGE” and “NON-FICTION-GAME” (both from the 2nd album 『JUICY』).

The Sky-Blue Cat
Lyrics: AZUKI Nana　Music: YURI Nakamura　Arrangement: Hirohito Furui

Look, the sky-blue cat leaves the town
blending into the clear sky
Pushed on by the color of its fur (□)
that hurt you

The sound of church bells comes from far away
and people pray again, without ever learning
They simply pray before the sun goes down

If you could throw away the scars inside your heart,
would you really choose a life without suffering
from the very beginning…?

Listening to a gentle song overflowing out,
the sky-blue cat goes on,
searching for the one voice that echoes in his heart

They say you should learn kindness
in proportion to how much you’ve been hurt
but even with those cheap words I’m tired of hearing,
are there times when you truly feel them?

I tried forcing myself a little to fit in with someone,
but surely this world isn’t quite that small

※ Excerpt from “The Sky-Blue Cat”

Sayuri Iwata “The Sky-Blue Cat”
Released March 30, 2005
2nd single

Sayuri Iwata’s second single, “The Sky-Blue Cat,” was written by AZUKI Nana, composed by YURI Nakamura, and arranged by Hirohito Furui. This was Nakamura’s first collaboration outside GARNET CROW, and AZUKI said in an interview at the time, “It had originally been completed once for GARNET CROW, but I rewrote it so that Ms. Iwata could sing it.” With a story that seems to contain the various feelings of people living beneath a clear blue sky, and a brisk tempo full of freshness, the song is a medium-tempo number where hope can be felt within its wistfulness. Iwata described its image as “a story about a little cat setting out on a journey to look for something important,” and this is a song where you can fully enjoy her fresh, youthful voice.

★ In an interview at the time, AZUKI also explained “The Sky-Blue Cat” this way.
● What does “The Sky-Blue Cat” mean? What does it symbolize?
AZUKI Nana: It’s a feeling—something that seems as if it might not exist, but perhaps does… To the person themselves, it’s something they were born with and therefore take for granted, but people around them treat them as a minority…
(The GARNET CROW version is included on GARNET CROW’s 1st best album 『BEST』.)

Yunagi
Lyrics: AZUKI Nana　Music: Hitoshi Okamoto
Arrangement: Dr. Terachi & Pierrot Le Fou

With the town behind me, I walked
without a destination,
simply continuing on as if dividing up time,
slowly taking in the scenery

Swaying grass…
Your hand touches mine

Yunagi, wrap around my whole body
and carry me far, far away
The time flowing by for the two of us
reflects such bittersweet feelings
I press my cheek to the cold wind

Even feelings this dear
will eventually be buried in the past
The joy I don’t want to forget
keeps spilling away

tears blurred…
The world I see with you is dazzling

Yunagi, within the tomorrow that is being born,
may these gentle feelings never change
Smiling, I say that if something is truly precious,
people should be able to protect it
Don’t let it pass without making a sound

My feet slip; the small distance
is a timid curve. Call my name.
I wanted you so helplessly…
the grace of you…

※ Excerpt from “Yunagi”

Shiori Takei “Yunagi”
Released May 19, 2004
B-side of the 2nd single “Kimi ni Koishiteru”

This song, written by AZUKI Nana and composed by Hitoshi Okamoto, is the B-side of the second single “Kimi ni Koishiteru.” Its wistful lyrics and somewhat lively melody are woven together by Shiori Takei’s elegant, supple vocals. In an interview at the time, Takei said that layering harmonies and working on various details to express the strange lyrical world of “Yunagi” had been rewarding. She also said that the lyric “A timid curve—call my name” made a particularly strong impression on her. For “Yunagi,” which she sang in a relaxed mood, “without rushing” and with the feeling that “it’s okay even if I fall behind the rhythm,” please listen once again while attending to her calm, gentle voice.

★ Other works with lyrics by AZUKI Nana include… “Shizukanaru Melody” (1st single), “close line” (from the 1st album 『My Favorite Things』), “Kimi ni Koishiteru” (2nd single), “Sakurairo” (6th single), “Kitto Mou Koi niwa Naranai” (7th single), and “Like a little Love” (8th single).