Takashi Kako, Is Paris Burning: A Collection. Soundtrack and theme for the NHK documentary program, Eizou no Seiki (The Twentieth Century in Moving Images) (1995).
Tag Archives: tv
Hitachi & Tree Song
A long running commercial for Hitachi Group.
Far from Any Road & BoFN Post
I like the opening theme to True Detective Season 1, “Far from Any Road,” and put up a post at the Blog of Funny Names on Brett and Rennie Sparks, who wrote and perform it. From the album Singing Bones (2003).
Furuhata Ninzaburo & Opening Theme
Furuhata Ninzaburo was a great detective show, comparable to Columbo in the basic premise, but it had a more philosophical and dandyish protagonist, brilliantly played by Mazakazu Tamura. It also had a great opening theme, with a James Bondish riff (probably overtly) at the beginning, but a totally different flair once it got going.
Mannix Theme Song &
One of the notable and probably forgotten and underappreciated crime show theme songs. I was remembering it, then went to search the T’Oobs, which rarely disappoint. By Lalo Shifrin (of Mission Impossible and Dirty Harry fame, to name just a few). I always considered this close to the Ironside and Hawaii 5-0 level of big band theme songs. And don’t forget Kojak!
Tabi no Hajime ni & Wong Wing Tsan
“Tabi no Hajime ni” (at the beginning of the journey), familiar as the theme music for the NKH documentary program, Nippon Kikou. Composed and played by Wong Wing Tsan.
Nao Matsuzaki & Kawaberi no Ie
Nao Matsuzaki’s “Kawaberi no Ie” (house next to a river) is a single from 2006 but seems to have been re-released on some of her albums. It made an impression on me as the theme music for a weekly documentary program on NHK, so I hunted it down for the listening pleasure of my 2 1/2 readers.
This seems like the sound sincerity would make if it could make a sound. You can see Nao’s official site here. Buy here.
This post has been one of my most visited ever. Thanks for coming by and appreciating the song.
From viewer comments I gather that most are visiting this post to get to the comments, where I posted the video of an extended session with Nao and her band. That video has (apparently) the only complete version of “Kawaberi no Ie” that can be played on the T’Oobs in Europe or North America. To make things easier, I am moving that video up here. The song starts from 21:40:
An additional note: NHK’s weekly Document 72 Hours (which always features Nao’s song at the end) is available in English on the T’Oobs. It doesn’t have a lot of thrills and chills, but it is a really fascinating slice of life show. The producers pick a spot and film the people that go there for 72 hours. Then they make that into a 25 minute documentary.
UPDATE II
Commenter Pow.r asked about English lyrics. I couldn’t find any, so I did this crude, unpoetical, probably-inaccurate-in-various-places translation below. Promise me you won’t use this to sing the song in English. We need a songwriter to do that version. Also, let me know when any of you find any mistakes.
UPDATE III
Lyrics below are modified after a suggestion by commenter Audrey.
川べりの家
Kawaberi no Ie
House by the River
Nao Matsuzaki
大人になってゆくほど
Otona ni natte yuku hodo
The more grown up I get
涙がよく出てしまうのは
namida ga yoku dete shimau no wa
The more the tears flow
1人で生きて行けるからだと
hitori de ikite yukeru kara dato
I can live on my own so
信じて止まない
shinjita yamanai
I won’t stop believing
それでも淋しいのも知ってるから
sore demo samishī no mo shitteru kara
But I know I’m lonely, too, so
あたたかい場所へ行こうよ
atatakai basho e yukou yo
Let’s go to a warm place
川のせせらぎが聞こえる
kawa no seseragi ga kikoeru
I hear a river flowing
家を借りて耳をすまし
ie o karite mimi o sumashi
I rent a house and listen to my ears
その静けさや激しさを覚えてゆく
sono shizukesa ya hageshi-sa o oboete yuku
I’ll remember that silence, that intensity
歌は水に溶けてゆき
uta wa mizu ni tokete yuki
The song melts in the water
そこだけ水色
soko dake mizuiro
Watery blue, only there
幸せを守るのではなく分けてあげる
shiawase o mamoru node wa naku wakete ageru
I won’t hold on to happiness but split it up
なるべく大きくて
narubeku ōkikute
Spread it out as far as possible
なるべくりっぱな水槽を
narubeku rippana suisō o
A fish tank as nice as I can find
自転車で買いに行き
jitensha de kai ni iki
Let’s go by bicycle and buy it
はなしてやろう
Hanashite yarou
Let’s let it go
なんて奇跡の色を持っているの
nante kiseki no iro o motte iru no
What a miracle, the color you have
キラキラ揺らめいてる
kirakira yurameiteru
Glittering, shimmering
水溜まりに映っている
mizutamari ni utsutte iru
It’s reflected in a puddle
ボクの家は青く透け
boku no ie wa aoku suke
My house is translucent blue
指でいくらかき混ぜても
yubi de ikura kakimazete mo
Even when you stir it with your fingers
もどってくる
modotte kuru
Come back
とても儚ないものだから
totemo hakananai monodakara
It’s so transitory so
大切にして
taisetsu ni shite
Cherish it
一瞬しかない
isshun shika nai
You only have a moment
一瞬しかない
isshun shika nai
You only have a moment
Obligatory Festivus Observance
Happy Festivus, everyone!
Of course, it’s two days late. I hope that doesn’t upset purists.
What Do You Do for an Encore? 