Rie Fu- “Life is like a boat”
A while ago a friend sent me this song, claiming it to be good and apparently meaningful. I scoffed at his ravings, dismissing it as blind love for a song just because he liked the anime (This song is the ending theme of the hugely popular anime “Bleach”). I took a first listen to it rather superficially, without going into the lyrics, but it did not bowl me over then. I thought his judgement of this song as ‘meaningful’ was overrated, that he arrived at this conclusion just by listening to the first line, “Nobody knows who I really am”.
In retrospect, I have to admit that I have underestimated my friend’s(/s’) musical tastes, and my musical snobbery (OK, I am admitting to this) has taken a beating. The thing about soundtrack songs is that you may not appreciate the song until you have seen the TV show/anime/film and are then able to understand the context in which the song was used. Sometimes it may be to a particular scene in the show while other times it could be the overall theme of that show. For instance, after watching a scene in the OC where two characters, Seth and Summer slow-danced to cover version of ‘Wonderwall’ by Ryan Adams, I searched everywhere for the song. Similarly for this song, it was after I began to watch the anime that I understood why this song was chosen to represent its characters.
The song possesses a soothing melody, beautifully delivered Rie’s mellow vocals. Her rhythmic yet non-intrusive piano chords were reminiscent of Carole King’s musical styles, which later came as no surprise as Rie mentioned her and Joni Mitchell (both are 1960’s folk legends) as her musical influences.
Personally, it was the lyrics that markedly changed my perception about the song. As the title suggests, the song employs seemingly simple imagery, yet at times the symbolism can ring so true that they inevitibly induce nods of agreement from yours truly. Apparently, Rie penned this song after her pastor likened life to a ride down the river, where we encounter things that will soon pass us by. And so my friend was right after all, this song is pretty meaningful.
Anyway I’ll cut the crap, watch the video and listen to the lyrics. Half of the song is sung in intelligible English (Rie was raised in Maryland), while for the Japanese lyrics, check out the translation that I have put out below.
Life is Like a Boat
Rie Fu, “Life is Like a Boat” single
Nobody knows who I really am
I never felt this empty before
And if I ever need someone to come along,
Who’s gonna comfort me, and keep me strong?
We are all rowing the boat of fate
The waves keep on coming and we can’t escape
But if we ever get lost on our way
The waves would guide you through another day
Each breath escaping my body becomes transparent and goes far away
And even when I think everything’s dark, I’m only blindfolded
Offering a prayer, I wait for a new day to come
Until the reflection of the sunrise sparkling on the sea disappears completely
Nobody knows who I really am
Maybe they just don’t give a damn
But if I ever need someone to come along
I know you would follow me, and keep me strong
People’s hearts are constantly changing, peeling away fresh layers
with each new phase of the moon
And every time I see your face
The ocean heaves up to my heart
You make me wanna strain at the oars, and soon
I can see the shore
Oh, I can see the shore
When will I see the shore?
I want you to know who I really am
I never thought I’d feel this way towards you
And if you ever need someone to come along,
I will follow you, and keep you strong
And still, the journey goes on, even on these calm days
And still, each new phase of the moon reflects its light onto my heart
Offering a prayer, I wait for a new day to come
Until the reflection of the sunrise sparkling on the sea disappears completely
And every time I see your face
The ocean heaves up to my heart
You make me wanna strain at the oars, and soon
I can see the shore
We are all rowing the boat of fate, the waves keep on coming and we can’t escape
Even that is a beautiful journey; even anything is a beautiful journey
Translation taken from Sarah/Frecklegirl
Boooo!!!! Like you have good taste in music ler….sucks…ptui…hehe….anyway that song was one hell of a suck-a-soul phobic roo song…it just take your breath and blow your mind away to somewhere peaceful…
Comment by Mysterious — February 14, 2006 @ 12:06 am
Deng…that’s why I said I THOUGHT I have good taste in music, which I don’t haha. But since both of us like this song that means we must have pretty good taste in music, rite? muahahaha
Comment by Administrator — February 14, 2006 @ 12:21 am
hi there…like you have good taste in music ler…sucks…ptui….but that is one hell of a good song…cya sucka
Comment by Mysterious — February 14, 2006 @ 1:00 am
Hi, chanced upon your blog when i was finding the translation for Japanese lyrics part. thankz. Do you mind if i link this entry of yours in my blog?
anyway, i love this song for it reflects my thoughts and the situation i am in..
Comment by Melanie — March 4, 2006 @ 3:08 am
hey melanie
no problem, u can link my blog entry to ur blog…
anyway just would like u to know that the translation is credited to another person, Frecklegirl. I got it from her website.
Comment by Administrator — March 8, 2006 @ 5:07 pm
I actually love this song. Perhaps I didn’t at first, but after realizing its meaning I became rather attached to it. Maybe it’s also because I’m a fan of Bleach? ^__^ *shrugs* But thanks for your hard work at translation! I was looking all over for this…
dazed+confused: hehe yup I didn’t like this song at the first listen too. And Bleach rules! But FYI, I didn’t come up with the lyrics
translation. I took it from Freckegirl’s site. Just thought you should know. Cheers
Comment by Anonymous — April 7, 2006 @ 3:54 am
i luv this song even though i don’t understand all of the japanese language,but i luv it and i luv bleach!!! u rule
Comment by Taylor Harsley — July 1, 2007 @ 1:36 am
OMG i thought id’ never see this song again because i went to Rie Fu consert in Japan and after i was on my flight back to Manitoba and i forgot name of the song I JUST LUV THIS SONG!!!!!!!…..
Comment by Erica — November 16, 2007 @ 3:35 am
Hello, I’m Aoi. I saw that many people who gave you a comment one year ago. Hehe… I’m sorry, i just hear it right now…
I’m the one who loved this song too.
First i hear it, I’m love with the rhyme. but, As like you, when i hear the ‘nobody knows who i really am’ I’m trying to find the lyics. When I saw it completely, I really know what the point of this song is.
Oh, i make a refrences, It also from Rie Fu. The title is “I Wanna Go To A Place”. Its come from OST. Gundam Seed Destiny. Hope you hear it.
If you can find it nowhere, i can give you…
Eee… Mata Aimashou…
See you…
xo: Hi, thanks for commenting on my blog. It’s never too late to discover songs that you like. I’ve heard of “I wanna go to a place” too. I like it, but not as much as this song
Comment by Aoi no Sora — August 20, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
I love this song. I left home and went aboard when I was 14, for the past 9 years ,i am always alone…until i met her. she doesnt know that i love her but i really wanna share this song with her, maybe in my dream….she is so perfect and way out of my league, we start as friends but one day i suddenly realize that i love her so much in my heart.She is always being a good friend ,support me when i need her. she is the best thing ever happen to me, but i dont hv the guts to tell her that i love ,it is becos i am too afraid to lose her as a friend…..was listening this song today and found this lyrics on this blog, so decided to write all my feelings here. once she told me she will be ready for a serious relationship when she is 30, that is another 4 years away and i will wait… loving her is just the best feeling in my heart.
And every time I see your face
The ocean heaves up to my heart
You make me wanna strain at the oars, and soon
I can see the shore
Oh, I can see the shore
When will I see the shore?
I want you to know who I really am
I never thought I’d feel this way towards you
And if you ever need someone to come along,
I will follow you, and keep you strong
Comment by tekkenman — October 9, 2008 @ 9:12 pm