Ah, yes...black coffee. That is the question. Is it indeed the drinkable arbiter of true adulthood or perhaps the judge on whether you will become a coffee connoisseur or merely a coffee drinker? For myself, I'm unrepentantly the latter...gotta have at least cream in there. When I hit Tim Horton's, I also end up ordering a Double-Double (double sugar, double cream). Connoisseurs might sniff at whether I'm actually drinking coffee at all.
If I had known about this song earlier, I probably would have included it in my "Coffee, Tea or Milk?" article from several days ago. "Mou Ichido Black Coffee" (One More Black Coffee) was then-aidoru Noriko Hidaka's（日髙のり子）third single from October 1981. My last article on Hidaka was her January 1980 second single, "Hatsukoi Sunshine"（初恋サンシャイン）, which was her gift to the Nio Sun Exposition（仁尾太陽博）in Kagawa Prefecture. This time, though, "Mou Ichido Black Coffee" is her tribute to sharing that coffee with that special someone.
To be honest, I'm not sure if there is a certain age when drinking black coffee and at least getting used to the bitter taste is seen as a sign of maturity in Japan. Hidaka herself was still just nineteen years of age when "Mou Ichido Black Coffee" but of course I'm not sure if she was already glugging down the java unadulterated at that point, but there is a certain serious tone in Jun Irie's（入江純）horn-filled arrangement (despite or because of the hint of disco) of this aidoru tune as if the lass were singing "Dang it! I'm gonna drink down my joe and be an adult about it!" although I think Tomoko Aran's（亜蘭知子）lyrics were describing something more cutesy. Her co-lyricist was someone named Daimon Nazuki（奈月大門） (a number of readings is possible for both names but I'm going to go with this particular one) which was actually a pseudonym of Daiko Nagato（長戸大幸）who also composed the song.
Four years old, this kid is! He may have ended up bouncing off the walls later on...and maybe much later on, he will end up as the president of his own coffee distribution company.
I am glad you saved this song for it's very own post!
ReplyDeleteSo, everyone and listen and sing along here are the lyrics and a translation:
もう一度 ブラックコーヒー あなたと二人
Once again, black coffee — just the two of us.
もう一度 ブラックコーヒー
One more time, black coffee
夜明けまで
Until the break of dawn
さよならのわけは私のせいよ
The reason we said goodbye — was my fault.
真夏の恋は少しまぶしく見えた
That midsummer love... it shone too brightly to last.
強い腕の中 夢みるこころ
In your strong arms, my heart dreamed sweetly.
このままでは悲しすぎます
But like this, it’s just too sad to bear.
あなたのことは忘れない
I’ll never forget you.
いますぐ私抱きしめて
Hold me now, without a word.
もう一度 ブラックコーヒー
Once again, black coffee
あなたと二人
Just the two of us.
もう一度
One more time
ブラックコーヒー
Black coffee
夜明けまで
Until dawn
たそがれの街を一人歩けば
When I walk alone through the twilight city,
あなたの姿さがしてしまう私
I end up searching for the sight of you.
せつないこの気持 おくびょうすぎた
My heart was aching heart as I was so afraid.
このままでは淋しすぎます
But Just like now, I was so lonely.
今でも私好きですか
Do you still love me, even now?
優しい腕で抱きしめて
Then hold me in your gentle arms.
もう一度 ブラックコーヒー あなたと二人
Once again, black coffee — just the two of us.
もう一度 ブラックコーヒー 夜明けまで
One more time, black coffee until morning.
もう一度 ブラックコーヒー
Once again, black coffee
あなたと二人
Just the two of us.
もう一度 ブラックコーヒー 夜明けまで
One more time, black coffee until the dawn.
Thanks very much for the translation. Looking at it, I'm now wondering if this is more of a love affair between the lady and coffee than anything else. If that is the case then I'd say that most university students are having affairs. 😊
DeleteLOL, Now that you mentioned it, it does sound like a love affair with coffee! I am guessing there is some deeper or poetic meaning to this song that I am not catching! Originally, I was thinking of a couple who met in a 喫茶店 since they were popular in the late 70's and 80's. Now, I guess people meet at Star bucks, Doutor Coffee, and the like.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing, too, initially. Yup, the franchises like Excelsior and Komeda Coffee have taken over the landscape but I'm hoping that couples and people who love good (if pricey) java will still visit the Mom-and-Pop shops. Those have a lot of atmosphere.
Delete