Post by Colin on Jun 21, 2008 16:50:29 GMT
Hi everyone
My favourite track on Hayley's Japanese album is I Believe, and I've traced the (I believe original) version by Ayaka on Youtube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSobb9w_4JE
This version is very good in its own right, but interestingly it gives an English translation of the lyrics. I've put them together with Hayley's here side by side (I don't know how well this will look in the browser):
I think Stephany will be able to tell us whether the translation is very good or not, but I think it's clear that the gist of the two versions is much the same: it's an almost-spiritual but certainly humanistic - and optimistic - outlook on life, a view which Hayley clearly shares. But what I think is very evident is the artistic, almost poetic sensitivity that has gone into Hayley's words for this song. While we don't know what her collaboration was and what Suzi's was, I believe the "I understand your wary face" and "And spreading right before me" stanzas feel Hayley-ish, as well as the actual wording of the choruses. If so, I think this does begin to represent a significant step forward in Hayley's songwriting ability which we all know from Treasure is a strength waiting to blossom.
When I first heard the CD I thought that it a gave an interesting view on Japan and Japanese culture with all the love and flower and dream references (I thought a good westernised title would have been "The Flower of My Love"). However, the more I listen to it the more I think we see of Hayley in it, and this really excites me for her future work.
Kind regards
Colin
My favourite track on Hayley's Japanese album is I Believe, and I've traced the (I believe original) version by Ayaka on Youtube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSobb9w_4JE
This version is very good in its own right, but interestingly it gives an English translation of the lyrics. I've put them together with Hayley's here side by side (I don't know how well this will look in the browser):
HAYLEY'S VERSION | TRANSLATION OF AYAKA'S VERSION |
Inside this fragile heart of mine Lives uncertainty A never-ending fear | Hidden inside my heart Is a whirlpool of uncertainty |
And right before my eyes The crossroads of my life The path for me is clear | If I have to walk on Which way do I go? |
These doubts, lingering in my head I must free, to let me move ahead | As the streets overflow with people I say "Goodbye" to that uncertain me |
I believe myself The more I believe I know That believing is the start of everything to come Whoa, I believe myself The burning light I see It just can't be wrong I'm gonna keep on going on I believe | I believe myself I know that if I believe Everything and anything can begin Whoa, I believe myself, And as the sunshine warms me I walk on without failing myself because I believe |
In this world full of lies I see you trying to smile A smile to survive | Small lies begin to surface from the falsehoods That people create in life As a young girl I saw the lies pile up I sighed to myself |
I understand your wary face Your distrusting embrace That I recognize | |
Black as night - the colour I used to be No one could ever stain me | And I swore to myself To color the lies in "black" |
I believe myself The more I believe I know That believing is the start of everything to come Whoa, I believe myself The burning light I see It just can't be wrong I'm gonna keep on going on I believe | I believe myself I know that if I believe Everything and anything can begin Whoa, I believe myself, And as the sunshine warms me I walk on without failing myself because I believe |
And spreading right before me The biggest sky I've seen The colours engulf me This is my dream | Right now as the wide sky Is reflected in my eyes I feel like I'm living While staying true to myself |
I believe myself The more I believe I know That believing is the start of everything to come Whoa, I believe myself The burning light I see It just can't be wrong I'm gonna keep on going on I believe myself I believe... | I believe myself I know that if I believe Everything and anything can begin Whoa, I believe myself, And as the sunshine warms me I walk on without failing myself because I believe... |
I think Stephany will be able to tell us whether the translation is very good or not, but I think it's clear that the gist of the two versions is much the same: it's an almost-spiritual but certainly humanistic - and optimistic - outlook on life, a view which Hayley clearly shares. But what I think is very evident is the artistic, almost poetic sensitivity that has gone into Hayley's words for this song. While we don't know what her collaboration was and what Suzi's was, I believe the "I understand your wary face" and "And spreading right before me" stanzas feel Hayley-ish, as well as the actual wording of the choruses. If so, I think this does begin to represent a significant step forward in Hayley's songwriting ability which we all know from Treasure is a strength waiting to blossom.
When I first heard the CD I thought that it a gave an interesting view on Japan and Japanese culture with all the love and flower and dream references (I thought a good westernised title would have been "The Flower of My Love"). However, the more I listen to it the more I think we see of Hayley in it, and this really excites me for her future work.
Kind regards
Colin