POP STAR – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: 平井 堅

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the upbeat world of J-Pop with Ken Hirai's "POP STAR"! This cheerful and catchy track offers an excellent opportunity for language learners to immerse themselves in authentic Japanese. Its clear pronunciation and repetitive chorus make the lyrics accessible, while the joyful theme about being a hero for someone provides relatable emotional context. Beyond language, the song is special for its vibrant energy and the artist's unique, humorous music video, making it a memorable and engaging way to experience Japanese popular culture.

[English]

I wanna be a pop star

I'll make you even more swept up in dreams

Sparkling pop star, spread your wings

I'll cast a spell just for you

...

The joy of meeting you and the loneliness when I can't see you

Both are mine, and love starts to run

Though I can't fly in the sky, on nights I sing of loneliness

If I can bring a smile to your cheek

The moment I first held you tight

God's mission to me is to be your only hero

I wanna be a pop star

I'll make you even more captivated

Sparkling pop star, spread your wings

I'll cast a spell just for you

I wanna be your pop star

Hold you tight and come to me

Sparkling pop star, spread your wings

I'll cast a spell just for you

...

Even the darkness I want to hide away, you gently pick up

And hold me, telling me I'm precious

Let's walk together on the path toward the light

This right hand that protects my wounds is here to hold your hand

You're gonna be my pop star

Make me even more captivated with your smile

With those sparkling eyes of yours

Cast a magic spell on me

You are my only pop star

Hold me tight, and I won't let go

With those sparkling eyes of yours

Cast a spell on me right now

...

When you fall in love, everyone becomes someone's pop star

God's mission to me is to be your only hero

I wanna be a pop star

I'll make you even more captivated

Sparkling pop star, spread your wings

I'll cast a spell just for you

I wanna be your pop star

Hold you tight and come to me

Sparkling pop star, spread your wings

I'll cast a spell just for you

...

[Japanese]

I wanna be a pop star

君をもっと夢中にさせてあげるからね

キラキラの pop star 羽根を広げ

魔法をかけてあげよう 君だけに

君に出会えた喜びと君に会えない淋しさの

両方を手に入れて恋は走り出す

空も飛べない僕だけど孤独を謳う夜だけど

その頬に微笑みを与えられたなら

初めて君を抱きしめた瞬間に

神様が僕に下した使命は君だけのヒーロー

I wanna be a pop star

君をもっと 夢中にさせてあげるからね

キラキラの pop star 羽根を広げ

魔法をかけてあげよう

I wanna be your pop star

君をぎゅっと 抱きしめてあげるからおいで

キラキラの pop star 羽根を広げ

魔法をかけてあげよう 君だけに

隠していたい暗闇も君はそっと拾い上げて

大切な僕なんだと抱きしめてくれた

光へと続く道を歩いて行こう

傷かばうこの右手は君と手をつなぐために

You're gonna be my pop star

僕をもっと夢中にさせてよ微笑んで

キラキラの pop star その瞳で

僕に魔法をかけて

You are my only pop star

僕をぎゅっと抱きしめたら もう離さない

キラキラの pop star その瞳で

僕に魔法をかけて 今すぐに

恋に落ちたら誰もが誰かの pop star

神様が僕に下した使命は 君だけのヒーロー

I wanna be a pop star

君をもっと夢中にさせてあげるからね

キラキラの pop star 羽根を広げ

魔法をかけてあげよう

I wanna be your pop star

君をぎゅっと抱きしめてあげるから おいで

キラキラの pop star 羽根を広げ

魔法をかけてあげよう 君だけに

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pop star /pɒp stɑːr/ B1	noun - a popular singer or musician
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep verb - to imagine or hope for something
magic /ˈmædʒɪk/ B1	noun - the power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces
hero /ˈhɪəroʊ/ A2	noun - a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities
smile /smaɪl/ A1	verb - to make a facial expression showing happiness noun - a facial expression of happiness
joy /dʒɔɪ/ A2	noun - a feeling of great pleasure and happiness
loneliness /ˈloʊnlinəs/ B2	noun - the state of being alone and feeling sad about it
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise
wings /wɪŋz/ A2	noun - the appendages used for flying by birds and insects
darkness /ˈdɑːrk.nəs/ B2	noun - the absence of light
path /pæθ/ A2	noun - a way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading

Key Grammar Structures

• I wanna be a pop star

  ➔ Want to + verb (infinitive)

  ➔ Expresses desire or wish to do something.

• 君だけに

  ➔ To + noun/phrase (target/destination)

  ➔ Indicates exclusivity or exclusiveness directed towards someone.

• 羽根を広げ

  ➔ Object + を + verb (dictionary form)

  ➔ Indicates performing an action on the object, in this case, spreading wings.

• 神様が僕に下した使命は

  ➔ Subject + が + verb (past tense)

  ➔ Marks the subject performing the action, indicating that 'God' assigned a mission.

• 僕に出会えた喜びと

  ➔ Potential form + ことができる (can do)

  ➔ Expresses the ability or possibility to meet someone, reflected in the potential form.

• 傷かばうこの右手は

  ➔ Verb + かばう (to protect or shield)

  ➔ Uses the verb かばう to express protecting or shielding someone or something.

• 今すぐに

  ➔ Adverb + に + verb (indicating immediacy)

  ➔ Indicates that an action should happen immediately or right away.