[OLD] Song of the Week: To Be Free - Arashi

This week we are hopping over to Japan for a song by a group that I've loved for a LONG time.  Japanese music sensation Arashi.  Since their debut in 1999 (they've been in the music industry for 14 years now...yah, that's pretty much unheard of), Arashi has taken the music world by storm (ha ha, get it? cuz Arashi means "storm" in Japanese? ha ha...what, just me? okay).  I discovered this group in 2010 right at the beginning of my Asian-crazed fandom.  This was the first Japanese group I ever liked (still one of the ONLY Japanese groups that I like).

But enough about my obsession with Arashi.  The song I've decided to focus on is called To Be Free and it is amazing.  It's kind of a rock-ish type ballad in that it has a slower beat to it, but it's nice and loud, got lots of drums, and has a really cool melody to it.  Below are the lyrics*:

We admired the flowing clouds
Nothing at all obstructing them
The colors of the sky we engraved in our memories
Are like that day and we hope it won't change
Where should we go?
To a place we haven't seen yet
Time won't stop, reach out your hand

We started running even though we were thirsty
Because we realized we wouldn't let our hearts be deceived
Without enhancing anything, just as we are
Simply going where the wind takes us, to be free

We laughed together in the sunlight
Our innocent voices are resounding even now
An overflowing amount of wishes that face tomorrow
Hoping they will shine, hoping they won't change
You're not alone
So wipe your tears
I think you'll realize what's important

We painted dreams even though we'd become transparent
Because we'll shine brighter than the unfaltering sun
Even leaving our sweat as it is
Simply searching for the light, to be free

Unable to look over our shoulders
We ran through to the end
Repeatedly going up and down
Those times were sometimes sweet, sometimes bittersweet

We started running even though we were thirsty
Because we realized we wouldn't let our hearts be deceived
Without enhancing anything, just as we are
To be free
We painted dreams even though we'd become transparent
Because we'll shine brighter than the unfaltering sun
Even leaving our sweat as it is
We started running even though we were thirsty
Because we realized we wouldn't let our hearts be deceived
Without enhancing anything, just as we are
Simply going where the wind takes us, to be free
To be free
To be free

So just reading the lyrics you can already kind of see why this song is so awesome.  It's about pressing through hardship and understanding that simple things are important and you are just fine the way you are.  This, my friends, THIS is one of the reasons I love Asian music so much.  They write about something OTHER than romance, failed or otherwise.  They write about important things like pressing through hardship, fighting for something you believe in, or even understanding that you're not alone in this world.  Granted, there's still a lot of romance and love songs and what not and that's fine too, but sometimes it's nice to break up the monotony a little.

The music video is also pretty cool.  It features a very washed out color palette, somewhat reminiscent of a faded memory or an old photograph that's been sitting in the sun for too long.  It also features a bold presentation of the bald eagle, the international symbol of ultimate freedom.  I love the inclusion of the eagle, mostly because I think eagles are beautiful birds.  Aside from that though, it's one of those music videos where the people stand around and sing.  Not my personal favorite, but it works well for the tone of the song, I think.

All in all, while not a favorite music video of mine, this is one of my favorite Arashi songs ever made.

*Translation may not be 100% accurate.  Don't fault me; I don't speak Japanese.