Title: たそがれ (Tasogare)
Artist: 山根麻以 (Mai Amane)
Album: Dream Project #1: Exotic Sex Funk Sounds Across Asia 1970-1988
Release Date: May 25, 1980
Requested By: fernando ortega

Tasogare is a classic city pop ballad that describes the sorrowful end of adult love story.  The word tasogare (twilight) establishes a dark setting and describes the end stage of a breakup, where although one may desire greatly to return to how things were but ultimately must face the uncertainty of the future.

Romaji

itsudatte soba ni iru ore ga mienai no ka
mune no naka nukumori wo nokoshite oita
wake mo naku yasashiku wa dekinai to itta darou
kotoba nado nantodemo ii tsukuroueru

[collapse]

  • いつだって　そばにいる　俺が見えないのか
  • 胸の中　ぬくもりを　残しておいた
  • わけもなく　やさしくは　出来ないと言っただろう
  • 言葉など　何とでも　いいつくろえる
  • Even though I’m always by your side, can you not see me?[1]In this line, the singer laments how his partner does not feel seen or noticed even though they are physically next to each other.
  • In my heart, I’m still holding onto the warmth[2]The singer reminisces about the good times in their relationship.
  • I’ve said before, I can’t be nice all the time out of nowhere[3]A person who is わけもなくやさしい is someone who is always nice to everyone for no reason, which is unreasonable to expect.  As the relationship progressed, the partner became more cold and distant which in turn makes the singer cold as well.
  • But words can be used as an excuse for anything[4]The singer understands that his words are cheap and don’t justify how their relationship has ended up.

Romaji

nantoka umaku yareta yo koushite ima made
mou ichi do kakete miyou ze
honno sukoshi dake ore wo shinjite

[collapse]

  • なんとか　うまくやれたよ　こうして今まで
  • もう一度　賭けてみようぜ
  • ほんの少しだけ　俺を信じて
  • We’ve managed to do okay, with the way things have been
  • so let’s give it another shot[5]The term 賭ける specifically means to take a risk or a gamble.
  • Believe in me, just a little bit[6]The refrain in this song happens twice, both with different meaning.  In this first instance, the singer is attempting to reconcile with the partner to give him another change.

Romaji

icho do demo furi kaeru sonna mane shitakunai
omae nara waratte mi okutte kure

[collapse]

  • 一度でも　ふりかえる
  • そんなまね　したくない
  • おまえなら　笑って
  • みおくってくれ
  • To look back even once[7]振り返る refers to both literally turning around as well as to think back on something. The singer doesn’t want to reminisce as it would be too painful for him.
  • I don’t want to do anything of the sort
  • I know you’ll understand[8]おまえなら literally means “because you’re you” but the implied meaning is usually along the lines of “you’re the kind of person who would do X (where others wouldn’t)” or “I know that you will be able to do X” and smile for me
  • when you see me off

Romaji

ima sara modorenai no sa shirakete shimau yo
otoko wa tabi ni dete yuku
tsumetai kaze ni kokoro wo sarashi

[collapse]

  • 今さら　もどれないのさ
  • シラケてしまうよ
  • 男は旅に　出てゆく
  • 冷たい風に　心をさらし
  • It’s too late to turn back now
  • What a total letdown[9]シラケる means to have the atmosphere or mood be ruined.
  • This man sets off on a journey[10]Mai Amane is singing from the perspective of a man, using terms like omae, ore, and darou.
  • exposing his heart to the cold wind

Romaji

nantoka umaku yareta yo koushite ima made
mou ichi do kakete miyou ze
honno sukoshi dake ore wo shinjite

[collapse]

  • なんとか　うまくやれたよ　こうして今まで
  • もう一度　賭けてみようぜ
  • ほんの少しだけ　俺を信じて
  • We’ve managed to do okay, with the way things have been
  • so let’s give it another shot
  • Believe in me, just a little bit[11]Although the lyrics of this refrain are exactly the same as the first time, the meaning has shifted from preservation to perseverance.  Rather than asking his partner for another chance and asking for her to trust him, he is now convincing himself to move on and believe in himself.

Notes

Notes
↑1 In this line, the singer laments how his partner does not feel seen or noticed even though they are physically next to each other.
↑2 The singer reminisces about the good times in their relationship.
↑3 A person who is わけもなくやさしい is someone who is always nice to everyone for no reason, which is unreasonable to expect.  As the relationship progressed, the partner became more cold and distant which in turn makes the singer cold as well.
↑4 The singer understands that his words are cheap and don’t justify how their relationship has ended up.
↑5 The term 賭ける specifically means to take a risk or a gamble.
↑6 The refrain in this song happens twice, both with different meaning.  In this first instance, the singer is attempting to reconcile with the partner to give him another change.
↑7 振り返る refers to both literally turning around as well as to think back on something. The singer doesn’t want to reminisce as it would be too painful for him.
↑8 おまえなら literally means “because you’re you” but the implied meaning is usually along the lines of “you’re the kind of person who would do X (where others wouldn’t)” or “I know that you will be able to do X”
↑9 シラケる means to have the atmosphere or mood be ruined.
↑10 Mai Amane is singing from the perspective of a man, using terms like omae, ore, and darou.
↑11 Although the lyrics of this refrain are exactly the same as the first time, the meaning has shifted from preservation to perseverance.  Rather than asking his partner for another chance and asking for her to trust him, he is now convincing himself to move on and believe in himself.