All Song Tracks in KinKi Kids' 28th Single - Yakusoku

I really love all the 4 song tracks in KinKi Kids' newest 28th single - Yakusoku. All are ballads but each has a distinct flavour that makes it stand out amidst the usual sentimental music style available in the current pop scene.

Please do buy their CD if you like the songs as the competition in Japan music scene is very aggressive and the sales of the artistes there are ranked on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis on the Oricon charts (*faint*). The extent of an artiste's popularity will naturally impact on their whole career. So if you like KinKi Kids, please support them by buying their CD through online sources like YesAsia, PlayAsia, CD Japan, etc.


Track 1: 約束 Yakusoku (Promise)

When I first heard Yakusoku, I was overwhelmed by the rich visual imagery of the song. What came to my mind was a regency ballroom with lots of mirrors and gilt, and gentlemen in tux and ladies in ballgowns dancing away; but our protagonist was instead standing alone in the open balcony bathed in moonlight whilst behind him, the ball carries on. Sad but beautiful imagery. KinKi Kids' voices have an amazing ability to harmonize very naturally and Tsuyoshi's slight metallic voice mellowed by Koichi's warm tones create a rich harmonized voice that powerfully brings across this imagery.


Track 2: ユメハジメハナ Yume hajime hana

Quite a number of fans have commented that this song has an oldie flavour to it. I share the same view but too often than not, we associate the word "oldie" with a negative connotation. I have to say that oldies tend to have a strong melody line and poetic lyrics, and people are thus better able to remember and sing or hum these tunes. Well, I haven't tried to translate the lyrics yet and will thus need to reserve my comments. However, I have to say that I already can't shake the chorus from my head - "Yume hajime hana, la la la la la la la......".


Track 3 (Limited Edition): 旅立ちの日 Tabidachi no hi (The day we set off on our journey)

This is my favourite of the lot! I really really love the simple sweet melody and it has been a while since we have a song with Koichi singing the lead part. Koichi's voice is good for the sweet and gentle music pieces. I think when more people discover this song, it should overtake the popularity of the other songs.


Track 3 (Normal Edition): Loving


At first, after hearing the above 3 songs, this one doesn't seem to stand out much by comparison. However, after I have re-listened to it again, I have to admit that I have also fallen in love with this song. Tsuyoshi has the lead part and I love the way he sings this song. The harmonising by Koichi also lends depth to this song. I especially love the part towards the end where Tsuyoshi belts out the words "Lo-v-ing you...". Though if Koichi had sung those words, the high notes would have sounded more crystal clear, Tsuyoshi's slightly strained high notes add a unique flavour that makes this part so memorable. Beautiful!



LYRICS

Track 1: 約束 Yakusoku (Promise)

まだ、誰も知らない
揺らぐ心の行き先
君の髪をそっと撫でる
何かを確かめたくて

心（大事だと）
映し出す（想うほど）
鏡を（真実は）
覗けば（遠ざかる）
愛しい姿が消えてく

僕ら愛を重ね合って
約束を交わした
他の誰も踏み込めない
二人だけの場所で
だけど君は綺麗になる
僕のいない場所で
僕はなぜか　目を閉じて
気付かないフリをした
…痛むから

まだ、誰も知らない
この迷いの向かう先
長いまつ毛　瞬きして
その瞳　誰を見るの

声を（何げない）
聞きたくて（相槌も）
君の名（何もない）
を呼ぶよ（会話でも）
近くにいるような気がして

僕ら愛を重ね合って
約束を交わした
他の誰も踏み込めない
二人だけの場所で
だけど僕が微笑む度
愛をささやく度
君はなぜか　目を閉じて
息を飲み込んだのは
…痛むから？

化粧を落とす　鏡越し
視線が教えていた
こころのゆくえ　知る事は
全てを失う事なんだと

僕ら愛を重ね合って
約束を交わした
他の誰も踏み込めない
二人だけの場所で
だけど君は綺麗になる
僕のいない場所で
僕は今日も　目を閉じて
気付かないフリをする
…痛むから


Track 3 (Limited Edition): 旅立ちの日 Tabidachi no hi (The day we set off on our journey)
Lyrics by：Satomi
Composed by：松本良喜
Arranged by：CHOKKAKU

桜の蕾が
そっと　膨らむ頃
夢抱き翔ゆく　　
弥生の美空へ

冬の寒さに堪えながら
旅立つ春を待ちわび打
別れが来ることに
目を伏せ
思い出を
綴りながら

卒業は終わりじゃなく
まだ見ぬ未来
探す為の旅立ちのひ
寂寞の思い
胸に　さめざめと...
君よ
いつのひにか
逢いましょう

夢は見るものじゃなくて
叶えるもの...
嘘偽りなき
君からの言葉
孤独に潰されそうな夜は
川面で流れ咲く桜に
震えないた
君を思えば
頑張れる
気がするんだ

霞ゆく春の風に
別々の道
選ぶ刻が旅立ちの日
惜別の言葉
胸に　さんざめく
いつか
またこの場所で
逢いましょう

かけがえのない思いでと
何気ない言葉を
心と云う　鞄に僕は
無造作詰込みゆくよ

移りゆく春のなかで
もう還らない
蒼い刻は旅立ちの日
双影の桜
空に 潸潸と
君の言葉
ありがとう

卒業は終わりじゃなく
まだ見ぬ未来
探す為の旅立ちのひ
寂寞の思い
胸に　さめざめと...
君よ
いつのひにか
逢いましょう