斉藤 由貴 卒業 作詞 作曲

Introduction

斉藤 由貴 (Saito Yuki) is a renowned Japanese singer and songwriter who has made a significant contribution to the music industry. She has released numerous hit songs in her career, and one of her most iconic songs is the graduation song, 卒業 (Sotsugyou). Written and composed by Saito Yuki herself, the song has touched the hearts of many people and has become a staple graduation song in Japan. In this essay, we will delve deeper into the meaning of the lyrics of 卒業 and analyze the song’s structure and themes.

The Background of the Song

卒業 was released in 1986 as a single and was included in Saito Yuki’s album, Prism. The song became an instant hit, reaching number one on the Oricon charts and selling over one million copies. The song’s success was not only due to Saito Yuki’s beautiful voice and melody but also because of the lyrics’ relatable nature. 卒業 is a graduation song that speaks not only to those graduating from school but also to anyone facing an end to a chapter in their lives.

The Lyrics

卒業のうた　青春の光と影に
Sotsugyou no uta, seishun no hikari to kage ni
The graduation song, in the light and shadows of youth

胸のときめきを　時には涙をあふれさせ
Mune no tokimeki wo, toki ni wa namida wo afuresase
Overflowing with the heart’s excitement, sometimes with tears

別れの朝に　いつものように
Wakare no asa ni, itsumo no you ni
On the morning of separation, as usual

ポケットの　小さなメモに
Poketto no chiisana memo ni
On a small memo in my pocket

「今日はありがとう　さようなら」と
Kyou wa arigatou, sayounara to
Thank you, goodbye for today

明日からは　新しい風が吹く
Ashita kara wa, atarashii kaze ga fuku
From tomorrow, a new wind will blow

卒業のうた　夢の続きに
Sotsugyou no uta, yume no tsudzuki ni
The graduation song, in the continuation of dreams

いつか叶えたい　あの日の約束を
Itsuka kanaetai, ano hi no yakusoku wo
The promise of that day I want to fulfill someday

さよならは　切なくて　胸がいっぱいで
Sayonara wa, setsunakute, mune ga ippai de
Goodbye is painful, and my heart is full

でも私たちは　これからも　ずっと友達でいられる
Demo watashitachi wa, kore kara mo, zutto tomodachi de irareru
But we will still be friends forever from now on

卒業のうた　青春のひとときに
Sotsugyou no uta, seishun no hitotoki ni
The graduation song, in the moment of youth

思い出は　きらきらと輝いてる
Omoide wa, kirakira to kagayaiteru
Memories are sparkling and shining

卒業のうた　夢に向かって
Sotsugyou no uta, yume ni mukatte
The graduation song, heading towards a dream

私たちの　旅路は続く
Watashitachi no, tabiji wa tsuzuku
Our journey continues.

The Meaning of the Lyrics

卒業’s lyrics revolve around the theme of graduation and the end of a chapter in life. The song’s lyrics are relatable and have resonated with many people, not just those graduating from school. The lyrics speak of the excitement, joy, and sadness that come with parting ways with someone or something that was once important.

The song starts with the lines, The graduation song, in the light and shadows of youth, which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics speak of the mixed emotions that come with graduation, where the light represents the joy and excitement of moving on to something new, and the shadows represent the sadness and uncertainty of what lies ahead.

The lyrics then go on to speak of overflowing emotions, where the heart’s excitement sometimes turns into tears. This line speaks to the idea that graduation is not just about moving on to something new, but also about leaving something behind, which can be difficult.

The next lines speak of the morning of separation, where the protagonist writes a small memo in their pocket. The memo reads, Thank you, goodbye, for today. This line speaks to the idea of cherishing the present moment and being grateful for the time spent together, even if it’s just for a day.

The chorus speaks of the continuation of dreams and the promise of someday fulfilling them. The lyrics speak to the idea that even though graduation can be sad, there is still hope and a future to look forward to. The chorus ends with the line, But we will still be friends forever from now on, which speaks to the idea that even though things are changing, some things will remain the same.

The final verse speaks of memories that are sparkling and shining, and the journey towards a dream that will continue. The lyrics speak to the idea that even though graduation is the end of a chapter, it’s also the beginning of a new one. The song’s lyrics are optimistic and hopeful, speaking to the idea that there is always a new adventure waiting.

The Structure of the Song

卒業 has a typical structure for a J-pop song, consisting of an introduction, verse, chorus, and bridge. The song starts with a soft piano introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The verses are sung softly, with a slow tempo that gives the song a melancholic feel. The chorus is where the song picks up, with a faster tempo and a more upbeat melody. The song’s bridge is a short instrumental break that leads into the final chorus.

The song’s melody is simple, with a repetitive pattern that is easy to remember. The repetition of the chorus also adds to the song’s catchiness, making it easy to sing along to. The song’s arrangement is mostly piano-driven, with some orchestral elements added in. The arrangement complements the lyrics well, creating a melancholic yet hopeful mood.

Conclusion

卒業 is a timeless song that has touched the hearts of many people in Japan and beyond. The song’s lyrics speak to the universal emotions that come with graduating or ending a chapter in life. The song’s structure and arrangement complement the lyrics perfectly, creating a melancholic yet hopeful mood. The song’s success is a testament to Saito Yuki’s talent as a songwriter and singer, and it will continue to be a staple graduation song for many years to come.