Backwards – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: 三浦大知

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a fantastic journey, and Daichi Miura's "Backwards" offers a special opportunity. The song's mix of Japanese and English lyrics allows you to see how emotions of frustration and determination are expressed in both languages. Its powerful beat and acclaimed choreography make the learning process both energetic and memorable. Discover the story of breaking free from stagnation through this dynamic J-Pop hit.

[English]

If there is no beginning

There can't be an end either

When I look up after being called

My bangs fall over my eyes

Even if I take a step forward

The scenery doesn't change

A rusty sense of responsibility

Memories are overwhelming

The grid of life

A world I can't reach and let go

Still burning bright

Leaving behind connections

A feeling that my heart is fraying

I can’t take it anymore

There is no future in this place anymore

I can’t take it anymore

Because I felt like I was walking backwards

Spitting everything out

Peeling off the lies

No one can interfere

I can't hold it back

It's time to let it go

I'm sick and tired of walking backwards

If I get lost

Under a low rainy sky

Dissonance echoes

Night after night

Faces that seem familiar

But I don't know them

Raise both hands and celebrate

A false supernova

If it's fiction

In the end, peace will come

Happily ever after

Happily ever after with a smile

Memories are overwhelming

The grid of life

A world I can't reach and let go

Still burning bright

Leaving behind connections

A feeling that my heart is fraying

I can’t take it anymore

There is no future in this place anymore

I can’t take it anymore

Because I felt like I was walking backwards

Spitting everything out

Peeling off the lies

No one can interfere

I can't hold it back

It's time to let it go

I'm sick and tired of walking backwards

I’m unstoppable

No one gets in my way

I’m unstoppable

No one gets in my way

I’m unstoppable

No one gets in my way

I’m unstoppable

Unstoppable

I can’t take it anymore

There is no future in this place anymore

I can’t take it anymore

Because I felt like I was walking backwards

Spitting everything out

Peeling off the lies

No one can interfere

I can't hold it back

It's time to let it go

I'm sick and tired of walking backwards

[Japanese]

始まりがなければ

終わりだってない

呼ばれ顔上げれば

目にかかる前髪

踏み出しても

変わらない景色には

さびた責任感

回想は持て余す

人生の格子

届かず手放す世界

まだ燃えさかる

縁を残し

心が毛羽立つ気配　

I can’t take it anymore

この場所にはもう未来はない

I can’t take it anymore

Because I felt like I was walking backwards

全てを吐き出して

嘘を剥がして

誰も邪魔できない

抑えられない

It's time to let it go

I'm sick and tired of walking backwards

迷い込んだら

低い雨空

不協和音が響く

夜な夜な

知っているような

知らない顔が

両手上げ祝う

偽のスーパーノバ

フィクションなら

最後には平和が訪れ

めでたし

笑顔でめでたし

回想は持て余す

　人生の格子

届かず手放す世界

まだ燃えさかる

縁を残し

心が毛羽立つ気配

I can’t take it anymore

この場所にはもう未来はない

I can’t take it anymore

Because I felt like I was walking backwards

全てを吐き出して

嘘を剥がして

誰も邪魔できない

抑えられない

It's time to let it go

I'm sick and tired of walking backwards

I’m unstoppable

No one gets in my way

I’m unstoppable

No one gets in my way

I’m unstoppable

No one gets in my way

I’m unstoppable

Unstoppable

I can’t take it anymore

この場所にはもう未来はない

I can’t take it anymore

Because I felt like I was walking backwards

全てを吐き出して

嘘を剥がして

誰も邪魔できない

抑えられない

It's time to let it go

I'm sick and tired of walking backwards

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
始まり /hajimari/ A2	noun - beginning
終わり /owari/ A2	noun - end
景色 /keshiki/ B1	noun - scenery
責任感 /sekinin kan/ B2	noun - sense of responsibility
世界 /sekai/ A1	noun - world
未来 /mirai/ A2	noun - future
嘘 /uso/ B1	noun - lie
抑えられない /osaerarenai/ B2	verb - cannot be suppressed
燃えさかる /moesakaru/ B2	verb - to burn fiercely
心 /kokoro/ A1	noun - heart/mind
気配 /kehai/ B1	noun - sign/indication
邪魔 /jama/ B2	noun - hindrance
祝う /iwau/ B1	verb - to celebrate
平和 /heiwa/ B2	noun - peace
フィクション /fikushon/ B2	noun - fiction
スーパーノバ /suupaanoba/ C1	noun - supernova
持て余す /moteamasu/ C1	verb - to be at a loss with

Key Grammar Structures

• 私はもう未来はない

  ➔ Use of は (wa) as the topic marker.

  ➔ The particle "は" indicates the topic of the sentence, marking what the sentence is about.

• この場所にはもう未来はない

  ➔ Use of に (ni) to indicate location or target.

  ➔ "に" marks the location or point in space where something exists or an action occurs.

• 全てを吐き出して

  ➔ Use of て-form to connect verbs in sequence.

  ➔ The て-form of a verb links actions together, indicating that the actions are performed in sequence or as a set.

• 誰も邪魔できない

  ➔ Use of できない (dekina) to express inability.

  ➔ "できない" is the negative form of potential verbs, meaning "cannot" or "unable to".

• It's time to let it go

  ➔ Use of the phrase "It's time to + verb" indicating the appropriate moment to act.

  ➔ The phrase indicates that the present moment is appropriate or necessary to perform the action suggested by the verb.

• I felt like I was walking backwards

  ➔ Use of "like" to express similarity or analogy.

  ➔ "like" is used here to compare the feeling to walking backwards, indicating a sense of regression or going in the wrong direction.