[°C] [Blog Translation: Tsunku] °C-ute 11/2 single "Singing~Ano Koro no Youni~" Liner Notes
I translated Tsunku's blog from Oct 13, 2016 regarding writing one of the songs for °C-ute's 30th single.
It was around spring of this year when the leader [of °C-ute] Yajima contacted me and said, "We've been thinking about the future, and after discussing with each other, we've decided to put an end to °C-ute, and continue along different paths."
That's right. All of you have done everything you should have.
That's what I thought.
This applies to Michishige and Berryz as well, [but] generally in the occupational genre of "idols", to be able to continue for over 10 years isn't possible without an extraordinary amount of effort. I really respect that.
I'm no longer a general producer for Hello! Project, but I've created many works with these girls since before they debuted, and I feel from the bottom of my heart that I would like them to walk along a wonderful path of life.
On that topic, I was given an offer from someone from the company in relation to one of the songs included in the single being released this November, and I immediately started writing it.
I don't know how many more singles will be released until the end of °C-ute's life, but after the announcement of the group's disbandment, for the fans, this remaining time is a countdown. Whether it's a concert tour, or anything else, the image of the last day flickers in and out. (T/N: I tried to translate this sentence to fit exactly what Tsunku said as closely as possible, but it's a little hard to understand. Essentially, what he's getting at is that no matter what °C-ute does from now on, it's done with their disbandment in mind.) For me, I created this song with the feeling of honouring all of the work they have done until now.
In comparison to Berryz Koubou, °C-ute has had more of an image of "honour students", and I definitely think this is true in some respects.
I thought of them when they were elementary students.
Back then, they said things like, "I like music" and, "I like to sing". They had those simple feelings, which was a different mindset from adults who would prepare to work in that situation, who would have feelings like "I'll work for my entire life," or, "I'll put my life on the line to perform."
For that reason, I think there were times when those songs and music that they were supposed to like ended up turning into "things I have to do" or "work", which took the fun out of it.
Even so, these girls have supported themselves through hearing the applause and the sense of accomplishment when they were up on stage; of feeling moved with their comrades with each event and experience.
They've surpassed that obligation to act like honour students, but because they are aware of the coming of °C-ute's last day, those feelings from when they were first starting out have returned. With those thoughts in mind, I wrote this song.
Rather than for someone, for the company, for their parents, for their fans, singing for something that is not them; I wanted them to sing this song with those pure, simple feelings of wanting to sing for themselves from back then until the end.
In regards to their upcoming disbandment, what they will do, and what they will leave behind are probably different for each individual member, but I'm really looking forward to [what they will do next].
I'm sure many people will come see them during their concert tour. I want them to have a succesful tour that leaves a strong impression.
Of course, it should start with Massara Blue Jeans!? (laugh)
It was around spring of this year when the leader [of °C-ute] Yajima contacted me and said, "We've been thinking about the future, and after discussing with each other, we've decided to put an end to °C-ute, and continue along different paths."
That's right. All of you have done everything you should have.
That's what I thought.
This applies to Michishige and Berryz as well, [but] generally in the occupational genre of "idols", to be able to continue for over 10 years isn't possible without an extraordinary amount of effort. I really respect that.
I'm no longer a general producer for Hello! Project, but I've created many works with these girls since before they debuted, and I feel from the bottom of my heart that I would like them to walk along a wonderful path of life.
On that topic, I was given an offer from someone from the company in relation to one of the songs included in the single being released this November, and I immediately started writing it.
I don't know how many more singles will be released until the end of °C-ute's life, but after the announcement of the group's disbandment, for the fans, this remaining time is a countdown. Whether it's a concert tour, or anything else, the image of the last day flickers in and out. (T/N: I tried to translate this sentence to fit exactly what Tsunku said as closely as possible, but it's a little hard to understand. Essentially, what he's getting at is that no matter what °C-ute does from now on, it's done with their disbandment in mind.) For me, I created this song with the feeling of honouring all of the work they have done until now.
In comparison to Berryz Koubou, °C-ute has had more of an image of "honour students", and I definitely think this is true in some respects.
I thought of them when they were elementary students.
Back then, they said things like, "I like music" and, "I like to sing". They had those simple feelings, which was a different mindset from adults who would prepare to work in that situation, who would have feelings like "I'll work for my entire life," or, "I'll put my life on the line to perform."
For that reason, I think there were times when those songs and music that they were supposed to like ended up turning into "things I have to do" or "work", which took the fun out of it.
Even so, these girls have supported themselves through hearing the applause and the sense of accomplishment when they were up on stage; of feeling moved with their comrades with each event and experience.
They've surpassed that obligation to act like honour students, but because they are aware of the coming of °C-ute's last day, those feelings from when they were first starting out have returned. With those thoughts in mind, I wrote this song.
Rather than for someone, for the company, for their parents, for their fans, singing for something that is not them; I wanted them to sing this song with those pure, simple feelings of wanting to sing for themselves from back then until the end.
In regards to their upcoming disbandment, what they will do, and what they will leave behind are probably different for each individual member, but I'm really looking forward to [what they will do next].
I'm sure many people will come see them during their concert tour. I want them to have a succesful tour that leaves a strong impression.
Of course, it should start with Massara Blue Jeans!? (laugh)