With You - Seiko Matsuda
-------------Originally posted from “When Emily Goes Out”--------------This is my first post about songs I enjoy singing to our dear family pet. My long-suffering dog - the sole (loyal) audience for my out-of-tune mini-concerts in our household,
Let's start with the "Eternal Idol" Seiko Matsuda's With You. Based on my online search, this song was not well known like her other singles like 'Sweet Memories'. Her single duet with Donnie Wahlberg (yep, Mark Wahlberg's older brother) is still popular on the radio stations in the Philippines.
I discovered this song when I was rediscovering my appreciation for J-pop during Covid lockdowns. Seiko's demure vocals match the song's theme - a girl hoping for her crush's attention. So simple and so innocent. There's something nostalgic about the memories of our younger selves admiring someone and longing to be seen by this special person.
Below is my attempt at translating the lyrics into English, and the last column is the Romanji (in Roman letters)
Lyrics
声をかけてねもう祈るように
見つめているのあなたを
パーティーの夜二人が知りあう
きっかけだけが無いのね
遠くから好きなのキャンドルの透き間に
あなたが踊るのが見えたわ
他の人の誘いみんな断って
一人で待ってるの
Let me dance with you
今日のために買った真っ白な靴が
踊りたがってるの
Let me dance with you
遠くから好きなのそうずっと前から
片想いしてたのほんとよ
空のグラスを手にそばに立ってても
気付きもしないのね
Let me dance with you
こんな可愛い娘をほっておくなんて
センスを疑うわ
Let me dance with you
あまりダンスは上手じゃないから
靴を踏むかもしれない
でもあなたならうまく踊れそう
だから気付いて私に
Romanji
Koe wo kakete ne
mou inoru yo-u ni
mitsumete iru no-u anata wo-u
Pa ti noyo-uru futari ga shiri-au
kikkake dake ga nai no ne
to-oku kara suki nano kyandoru no sukima
ni anata ga ooru no ga mieta wa
hoka no hito no sasoi minna kotowatate
hitori de matte’ru no
Let me dance with you
kyou no tame ni katta
masshiro na kutsu ga
odoritagatte’ru no
Let me dance with you
tooku kara suki nano sou zutto mae kara kataomoi shite’ta no honto yo
kara no gurasu wo te ni soba ni tatte’temo kidzuki mo shinai no ne
Let me dance with you
konna kawaii ko wo
hotte oku nante
sensu wo utaugau wa
Let me dance with you
amari dansu wa jousu jana i kara
kutsu wo fumu kamo shirenai
demo anata nara umaku odoresou
dakara kidsu ite watashi ni
English Translation
I’ve been watching you, hoping that
You would look and talk to me,
On this fun night, will we ever have a chance
To get to know each other?
I am admiring you from afar
Watch you dance between candle gaps
Rejecting other boys’ offers to dance
Just to be with you alone
Let me dance with you
I really want to dance wearing
these white shoes I bought
Just for this day
Let me dance with you
Been admiring you from afar.
I’ve had a crush on you for a while,
Yeah, it’s true
You never seem to notice me
Standing next to you
with empty glass in hand
Let me dance with you
How could you ignore a cute girl like me?
I am curious what’s in your thoughts now
Let me dance with you
I’m not that good at dancing,
And might step on my shoes
You dance well and can take the lead
Please look at me
Concha’s face when trying to steal your attention
I would like to credit the owner of KMNBT Translation for providing the Romanji lyrics.