I was having this conversation with Mrs. Akanishi and I decided to post this. During the Mouse Peace concert, Ueda wrote forewords about some of his self-composed and self-written songs that he performed in Mouse Peace. Okay, it might not be all of his songs, he didn't mention about Pieces, Hana No Mau Machi, Rabbit Or Wolf, Marie Antoinette, Deep Red Drop, Friends, I think there are some others he didn't mention too. (Neet Man hasn't been released yet by the time this pamphlet was written)
I posted some basic things about himself. For Ueda's full pimp post,
click here.
Now have fun exploring his mind~!! ^_^
Mouse Peace Pamphlet
01. Sparking
The solo song at KAT-TUN’s first concert after debut. At that time, the lyrics of this song were widely discussed due to its total new style. The music is composed based on a certain type of people: “don’t be afraid to show the “real” you, take a deep breath and let’s fly towards that unknown world”. The lyrics are written in the way of hoping to put this message across.
The music was arranged in such a perfect manner, that I still remember clearly that during the concert the fans all got very happy and excited.
This song has a “running” feel to it. “ GO!” It’s great to have such strong feelings in a song.
During this concert, I have planned to start off with this song, since it can bring up the atmosphere at once, so that in a way the rest of the performances can run smoothly.
02. Lost
To summarize it all - it’s a song about a girl fooling around *laughs*
Like an innocent child who has never fallen in love before. I heard from some of my friends that “these types of children really exist”, “actually although they know very well that they could not live like that all their lives, at the same time they still think it would be nice if they simply do nothing at all”. I tried to imagine a bit more and came up with the song lyrics from a girl’s point of view.
Last year, I performed this song during KAT-TUN’s concert at Tokyo Dome as well. At that time the lightings were entirely switched off so I was singing in absolute darkness!
The atmosphere was really great back then so personally I really love that performance.
I believe that the lightings play a very important part in this concert, therefore I was quite picky in a lot of details and I want to try out a lot of awesome lighting techniques too.
03. Hara Pekoman
Well, I was actually starving when I was writing the lyrics, so I just thought about all the food that I enjoy eating and wrote them all down just like that. *laugh*
“I would feel so happy if I could actually eat them all up!” This thought just shouts out in my mind. *laughs*
Normally I am quite strict on my diet, but actually I really like all these sweet food and dairy products that are being mentioned here.
The lyrics of this song, as well as the expression symbols, will be displayed right before the concert starts, in a way I want to create a very cheerful and lively atmosphere.
However, though the lyrics have such a theme, it does feel kinda different when the music is being composed according to this theme too.
I really enjoy the two different concepts of this song, with it being cool and interesting at the same time. That’s why I attempt to make this a quick rhythm rock song.
I think the LIVE performance of this song will be pretty exciting; personally I really look forward to it as well.
04. Love In Snow
This is the song which five years ago, for the first time, both the music and the lyrics are composed entirely on my own, as well as being my favorite song of all. Now, I actually feel a bit embarrassed hearing the song again after the lyrics are being edited. *laughs*
When I first composed this song, I was a bit nervous since I told myself that I must do this perfectly, I guess I had done a pretty good job considering this is my first.
I was determined to write the lyrics entirely in Japanese, because honestly I think the audience can picture out the scenery in their mind more easily if the lyrics are in Japanese than in English. In this way they will be able to get into the feel of the song more easily. Try listen to this song while imagining a scene covered entirely in snow and a sad longing, you'll be more able to immerse into the world of this song. The song which I love in particular, I would be really happy if everyone can listen to it carefully.
05. Kakigoori
In a way, what is being described in this song is real.
When I was in primary, there was this little girl somewhere close to where I live.
Well then, I wrote down as lyrics what has happened between her and me in a summer festival we both had attended.
Fishing goldfish, lighting the fireworks etc all those events appeared in the lyrics of this song are all my real memories. Therefore it feels somehow a bit embarrassing when I’m singing this song, as if I’m reading my own diary. *laughs*
After that, I moved house, and I never met that girl again. I wrote the lyrics as I thought about what would really have happened if I still live there. Even so, when I was recalling this childhood memory, I tried my best to use words that can give warm feelings to the audience to create a “relaxed” feel to this song.
It would be nice if you can feel that gentle feeling of first love too.
06. Time
This time around, I’ve decided to compose the music with a “visual kei” image in mind. Not just the music, but also the rhythm to have this impression. As a result I have decided to transform myself entirely into the “former Ueda” when performing this song. Please everyone recollect those times then. *laughs*
Of course, I did plan to transform the members of the band into the visual kei style as well.
But no matter how they’re going to turn out, I will still really enjoy it!
The song gives off the feeling that both the music and visual are really enjoyable.
But please understand that this will be the only visual kei song throughout my whole performance. Therefore please don’t make a judgement based on this song that “this will be what Ueda goes to do from now on”. *laughs*
About the lyrics, I wrote them all in one go at the point when I were totally running out of time, so I just thought to myself “on the contrary perhaps I can only write them all out now within such limited time”
In a way, the lyrics actually summarize what I truly feel these days.
07. Haruka Mirai E
This is a support song coming from me.
The image I have, is of the boxers who go to the gym as me.
These boxers have the dream of being champions, and are working hard everyday.
However, be it losing weight or other matters, it really feels rather lonely.
But the truth is, you are really not alone. You have family, friends and loads of people around you.
They are all watching and caring about you, so don't give up on your dream and do your best in everything, this is what I tried to express in my lyrics.
Of course this applies to things outside of boxing.
To those working hard towards their dreams, to not give up whatever comes in the way, to continue progressing is what I want. Therefore, if this can becomes the encouragement of those working hard, I would be happy.
Of course, I intend to live my life in the same way as the lyrics that I have written.
The melody of this song gives a nice feel, I think you will feel better after you listen to it.
08. Sodachi Shima
In fact when I was small, I did live in Okinawa for some time.
Therefore I have always wanted to compose a song based on Okinawa.
At that time I cannot remember who mentioned the idea of composing a song with a dialect, but I was able to picture in my mind the times when I visited Okinawa while I recalled the Okinawa dialect.
I have always valued the Japanese language, that’s why I wish to write the lyrics in such way that even those who have not been to Okinawa could be able to imagine the scenery there. “Okinawa seems to be a lovely place, I would love to go~” I would be glad if such thoughts occur in their minds. By the way, I made up the words “Sodachi Shima” , because there’s the word “birthplace” but I was thinking that it would be great if somehow there could be a word which has means an island that nurtures me. As a result I thought of such a song name.
And the melodies are in the unique musical scales of Okinawa. I was quite concerned with this matter in order to allow everyone to sense the Okinawa style.
During the concert, I plan to perform this song barefooted with a carefree mood.
09. Yankee Kata Omoi Chuu
Everyone around me says that they cannot believe I would write this kind of lyrics. This is the song that really surprised them.
In my opinion, I recommend this song along with “Hara Pekoman”.
Back to the song, its theme is “hooligan”.
Though this boy is pretty violent normally, he is still an original guy who will be shy in front of the girl he likes. I wrote the lyrics with this thought in mind.
I have paid a lot of attention in the choice of words. Although this boy is quite dumb and uses a lot of katakana instead, just because he is a hooligan he did use the type of words like “strongest” and “sacrifice” as well. *laughs*
I would be really happy if everyone can even notice such small details.
According to the impression this song want to express, the “mouse couple” among the con merchandise are related to the theme of “hooligan” as well. *laugh* Please look forward to that too. In addition, I have put in the 337 beat in the interlude so during that time please everyone uses the mousepeace fans. I would be mega happy if everyone can join in the fun. *laughs*
10. Dictator
At the beginning, I have planned to put in some dance only but since this opportunity of holding a solo con is so valued and I thought the performance is going to be pretty grand anyway. As a result, after many further discussions I have decided to try presenting an “exceptionally magnificent SM world”. *laughs*
Making fully use of the stage, I wish to try out a lot of ways to express this so please look forward to it.
For the music, I have also tried my very best to make every single detail of the composition as perfect as possible.
In fact, I did face a lot of obstacles in the process, even though it really tortures me that I need to change the stage plan arrangements over and over again, the fact that I didn’t give up and stick to my original plan allowed me to complete a really awesome song. Because of this, I am so looking forward to the performance!
About the lyrics, it’s about me being the dictator of a random country who dominates everybody. A content that is quite hard to express.
However, I did compose the lyrics entirely in English on purpose. The impression of this song cannot merely be created by words. The dance, outfits, performance itself... the combination of every single element here forms my view of the world which I hope everyone can feel.
I can say this is an uncommon song from me, so you wouldn’t be able to witness it anywhere else except in the solo con.
Everyone, please raise your spirits and get your adrenaline pumping from the beginning to the end!
11. Teen’s
The song content reminds me of the happy times I had when I was a student.
The lyrics actually include some of my personal experiences. Youth, in my opinion, is a frank and joyful feeling.
Yet, even though when I was around 10 I would simply dash to my goals without thinking over everything carefully, so because of that I could be happier. At that time all those things I hadn’t seen, later on I realized that there’s always loads of things I would not be able to experience even as I grew up.
Therefore, compared to the present students, the lyrics would be more likely to appeal to those who have actually started working in the society.
The song “yankee kata omoi chuu”, which I had originally planned to perform before this, is also a song based on the concept of students. The lyrics and the music style completely express the deep messages behind.
I do not mean to force everyone to look at things the same way as I am, since this opportunity of holding a solo concert is extremely hard to come by, so I would love to express many different sides of me to everyone here.
......Even so, I am actually completely unready for this song.
How this performance would turn out at the end, let’s look forward to my actual performance then.....*laughs*
12. Ai No Hana
This is the song which I have put absolutely every single effort into it : no matter it’s the lyrics, melodies or the music arrangement.
In particular, I love the parts when the prelude A part ~ B part ~ 2nd chorus have a gradual building up of the atmosphere.
The pretty high notes in this song are the other issue I am considered about.
In fact, I could not even sing a lower key than that in the past; it is because in KAT-TUN I have been singing songs with pretty high notes so eventually I can reach them too.
I am really glad that I can truly feel my own improvements through this song!
About the lyrics, I have actually rewrote them once after my friend said to me that he did not understand anything at all, when I first showed him my original lyrics.
Yet, I do believe it’s a good thing to be criticized like that since I managed to come up with a good piece at the end.
Actually, one of my friends who have recently broken up with his/her boyfriend/girlfriend almost cried reading the lyrics. *laughs*
When the lyrics appear and the cherry blossom petals float around like snow, in such a performance, I want (my) view of the world to be clearly expressed.
~~