Bye Bye - Puffy and Fujifabric (Translation of the post on 21st Jan)

For non-Japanese fans, let me introduce relationship between other Japanese bands and Fujifabric at every opportunity now on.
Today's band is Puffy!
Some of Okuda Tamio fans might have already known them as Puffy's first producer was Tamio san.

Puffy, Okuda Tamio and Fujifabric belong to the same music company, Sony Music Artists (website of SMA).
Puffy consists of Ami Oonuki and Yumi Yoshimura, and made their debut in Japanese music world in May, 1996 as the first band produced by Tamio.  (Here is Puffy's official homepage)

"Asia No Jinshin"  (1996) was a million seller of the year, and it is still fresh in my memory that the Puffy's songs were very outstanding at that time being strongly influenced by Tamio's taste in Japan, where was full of Komuro's harsh techno-like artificial sounds.
I had never imagined that after some years, Puffy Ami Yumi would be on children's TV, and see them again here in Thailand!

At the time of their debut, Okuda Tamio criticised the band as "a band in height of a season" (implying that they would not stay long), but they have established their solid position in the music world and are celebrating their 15th year this year.

Shimura kun must have known Puffy since he was a high school student in Fujiyoshida City, as paying an extra attention to Tamio and Unicorn, I guess.
After Fujifabric has made their major debut in Sony, Shimura wrote two songs, "Bye Bye" and "Doki Doki" for Puffy for their 11th album, "Bring it!" released on 17th June 2009.  It was the first opportunity for Shimura to do his work on his own as a producer for other bands being away from Fujifabric.
The chorus was by Shimura in both songs, and in "Doki Doki" the other three members joined and played their instruments, too.

"Bye Bye" was one of Shimura's favourite songs and it was also recorded in Fujifabric's 5th album, "MUSIC", in their own musical arrangement, and it is surely sung by Shimura kun! (I just love to listen to "Doki Doki" sung by Shimura as a fan! How will he sing the girlish lyrics in his voice...?)



It is still fresh in our memory that Puffy sung "Bye Bye" and "Doki Doki" in Fuji Fuji FujiQ last July mourning Shimura's early death, and there, Ami and Yumi had a nice talk show on the stage teasing Shimura kun - laying a secret story bare that "the lyrics of Bye Bye is based on a true experience of Shimura" and "those two songs were originally written and dedicated to Puffy.  Shimura did not write it for his band.  We often face this kind of problem that a musician rearranges Puffy's song, and sell again under his/her name.  So, please prove here in front of everyone that the song was written for Puffy, ok?  We are so kind to let you use "Bye Bye" in your new album!"
It was really fun because Fujifabric fans all know that Puffy really loved Shimura kun.

Ami and Yumi were like flowers blooming on the stage among other male musicians.

"Bye Bye" is also popular among children especially among boys between 4 - 12 years old.  I have been asked to give a CD once!
I personally feel that Fujifabric's music strike our heart at the spiritual level, and "something" reaches children's and foreigner's heart.



There is no particular phrase in the lyrics requiring for extra explanation as it is following a stereotype of boy's and girl's love in any country. (please wait for an English translation!)
The setting of the song can be Tokyo, as "I" found "you" on a train.  (In my town, cars are a main source of transportation, not a train.)

"Even you have gone far away    that's right     take care"
"wish you in my heart    stay happy"

This song has been loved by many people who have shared a similar experience in the lyrics with outlook of their life.
"We" could not succeed our love at the end, but wish "you" a happy life with "your" new boy friend.  "I " pay respect to the past time when we were lovers and try to begin my new step, but there is another part of "me" missing you so much...
The criteria of love might vary between individuals and different races to a certain extent, but some honest feeling about love is embedded in this song.