Es VOL.3 创作者作品集 AZUKI 七作词作品 Part.2

●○ From music freak Es Vol.3

CREATOR'S COLLECTION
by AZUKI Nana　lyric works

【CREATOR'S COLLECTION】 began in January. In each installment, this feature picks one artist and introduces their creative work by focusing on their side as a creator: providing songs and lyrics to other artists, participating in recordings and live tours, working on various projects as an arranger, and more.
For the third installment, following the second, we once again feature AZUKI Nana, who handles lyrics and keyboards for GARNET CROW. AZUKI has provided lyrics 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 the first work she wrote for each of five artists among those for whom she has provided lyrics.

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.

First fine day
Lyrics: AZUKI Nana　Music & arrangement: Hitoshi Okamoto

The narrow slope as evening approaches
You keep wishing for the same thing
Your world and mine never intersected
Yet even days like that were fun
Since when have I been hurrying,
thinking of practical things first?
the first fine day　Will I love you forever, unchanged?

Packing in unexpected happiness
and a sense of guilt, I head on
I feel easier now, go toward
I’ll take you with me

We’ll change someday
But it’s enough if we share one wish
You walk with me through the rain without an umbrella
Strangers drawing close to each other
Running in a spiral as if we’ll merge someday
the first fine day　These days will not return, so I miss them
Things never follow a convenient script
That’s why I worry and keep searching

※ Excerpt from “First fine day”

Hitoshi Okamoto “First fine day”
Released November 8, 2000
Debut single

Hitoshi Okamoto’s solo debut single. Many of Okamoto’s solo works feature lyrics by AZUKI, and in an interview at the time, he said of the lyrics to this song, whose fresh guitar sound makes such an impression, “She doesn’t make love a straight pitch; she gives it a curveball, which I think suits my sound perfectly.”

CRASH
Lyrics: AZUKI Nana　Music: Masaaki Watanuki　Arrangement: Daisuke Ikeda

Looking at clouds drifting far away,
I wonder what a peaceful time is flowing by

The reason we always forget
the things that matter
is that it’s when we’re thinking only about what’s right in front of us

Wandering in search of a simple answer,
teen age time
Now that I know the answer, I’m taking the long way around
Now I have no time

CRASH
If the present is ordinary,
I can start running right away

CRASH
I’ll take those days when I was hurt
and turn them into pride

※ Excerpt from “CRASH”

FIELD OF VIEW “CRASH”
Released March 17, 1999
11th single

Released as FIELD OF VIEW’s 11th single, this is one of the hardest and most energetic rock numbers in their catalog. Its lyrics, carried by powerful vocals, depict the things we should realize now and the importance of the people we should cherish. Incidentally, “CRASH” is said to be the first song AZUKI provided as a lyricist.

Far Away ～Toward the Future～
Lyrics: AZUKI Nana　Music: Aika Ohno　Arrangement: Hirohito Furui

A long kiss,
long enough to stop my breath,
I was remembering it now

“I want to live for someone…”
I’m sure
we were happy then

As time passes,
things are forgotten
Even on days like these,
we keep reaching for each other

In the distant, distant future,
even if we hurt each other and fall apart,
I want to hold you now, right in front of me
The present will never come again
I want to be with you

※ Excerpt from “Far Away ～Toward the Future～”

DEEN “Far Away ～Toward the Future～”
1999.3.2□ Release
17th single

DEEN’s 17th single. This medium-tempo ballad, with a warm, gentle melody line□ and appealing vocals□, was written by AZUKI and arranged by Hirohito Furui□. With a simple sound□, it depicts a protagonist who, just as the title suggests, moves forward toward the future□.

“Today, I’m Living on a Whim”
Lyrics: AZUKI Nana　Music: Makoto Miyoshi　Arrangement: WANDS

On an empty shore,
the sun dazzles my eyes
In an age that feels ready to break free,
the city lights in the rearview mirror
keep following me forever
I feel like I’m about to lose my mind

Even as sad events
continue to increase
among kind people,
So　I want to believe in you,
whom I have met

Who was it that dreamed
of a world where people rise and fall?

Even at the edge of the world,
we live thinking of someone
Run through this season
We live with someone as our encouragement

Today, as I run on,
I’m living on a whim

※ Excerpt from “Today, I’m Living on a Whim”

WANDS “Today, I’m Living on a Whim”
Released March 31, 1999　15th single

This became WANDS’ final single, with lyrics by AZUKI. Its striking title and distinctive lyrical world depict honest feelings about the reality of being alive now—the light and shadow, ecstasy and anxiety that everyone carries deep in their heart. It is a brilliant song with cool, provocative guitar sounds and aggressive vocals.

Free Magic
Lyrics: AZUKI Nana　Music: Makoto Miyoshi　Arrangement: Hirohito Furui

Free Magic Game　I’ll search for you and head into the future
Free Magic Good night　Look at me

One day, in a sudden moment when the world seemed to lose its color,
I remembered that happiness has wings

I embrace even an egg that will never hatch,
and carelessly drift into a happy mood

Free Magic　The truth of it
Free Magic　What is love, anyway?

The kindness equal to the distance between us,
I want to find something to fill the scars
that became visible when I drew closer

Top grade, extra-large, all-out—the love
we raised with all our time and effort
Don’t throw it away so easily

Free Magic　What are you thinking today, gentle person?
Free Magic　Stay beside me, always, in this room

※ Excerpt from “Free Magic”

WAG “Free Magic”
Released October 14, 1999
Debut single

WAG’s major-label debut single. With lyrics by AZUKI and arrangement by Hirohito Furui, the song depicts many forms of love, including feelings for a beloved person and happiness, set against a thick, full-bodied guitar sound. In an interview at the time, WAG’s members said, “Because everything about this song, from the music and lyrics onward, was a first experience for us, it will remain in our hearts for life.”

Time Machine
Poem: AZUKI Nana

No matter what,
we can’t return to the past,
not even one second
Even events we wish we could erase
will only keep piling up
more and more～～
Our bodies
can travel only toward the future

※ From “AZUKI NANA photo & anthology 80,0”

AZUKI Nana “AZUKI NANA photo & anthology 80,0”
Published January 31, 2001
J-Rock Magazine Co., Ltd.
(ISBN 4-916019-25-3C0095)

AZUKI Nana has written the lyrics for every GARNET CROW song. This was her first collection, made up of her unpublished poems, newly taken photographs, and self-portraits.