Crystal City – English Lyrics

• By: Junko Ohashi
• Album: Crystal City

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant soundscape of Junko Ohashi's "Crystal City," a quintessential City Pop anthem from 1977. This song offers a beautiful lyrical journey through the urban experience, providing a rich context to explore Japanese vocabulary and cultural nuances related to city life. Its clear vocals and engaging melody make it a fantastic and enjoyable way to immerse yourself in the language.

[English]

ブルーグレイの空に消える星座は

夜明けを告げるイルミネーション

インクの匂い 新しい新聞に

並んだニュース まだ眠たそう

Take a little shine

数えきれない顔を持っている

街はブリリアンカット

そのひとつひとつがキラキラと

やがて きらめくの

52階のスカイ・レストランにも

暗いあの地下鉄の駅にも

同じひとつの朝がめぐってくるの

そして街は今日も新しい

いつでも探してる 見えない何かを

Let me fly, let me fly

...

さまざまな人生 知りながら

街は何も言わない

すべてをそのままに受け止めて

今日も暮れてゆく

走る高速道路は光の帯ね

このまま行けばマンハッタン

軽いリズムで すぎてゆく日々の中

このきらめき ひとつあればいい

ここはいつでも不思議な街クリスタル・シティー

そうよ 今日もあなたを待ってる

ここはいつでも不思議な街クリスタル・シティー

そうよ 今日もあなたを待ってる

ここはいつでも不思議な街クリスタル・シティー

そうよ 今日もあなたを待ってる

ここはいつでも不思議な街クリスタル・シティー

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
symbol /ˈsɪmbəl/ C1	noun - something that represents or stands for something else
shine /ʃaɪn/ A2	verb - to emit bright light noun - a glow of light
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - a large town
lights /laɪts/ A2	noun - illumination sources
shine /ʃaɪn/ A2	verb - to emit light
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the time of darkness between sunset and sunrise
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the expanse of air above the earth
stars /stɑːrz/ A2	noun - luminous points in the sky
morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the early part of the day
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - electromagnetic radiation visible to humans adjective - not heavy or dark
dream /driːm/ B2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep verb - to experience thoughts or images during sleep

Key Grammar Structures

• 消える星座は

  ➔ The particle 'は' indicates the topic of the sentence.

  ➔ Here, 'は' marks '星座' (constellation) as the topic of the sentence, emphasizing what is disappearing.

• 夜明けを告げる

  ➔ The verb '告げる' (to announce) is used with 'を' to mark the object.

  ➔ The phrase expresses that dawn 'announces' or 'signifies' the arrival of a new day.

• 並んだニュース

  ➔ The verb '並ぶ' (to line up) in past tense '並んだ' indicates that the news has been arranged or lined up.

  ➔ This indicates that the news stories are arranged side by side, metaphorically emphasizing a list of updates.

• やがて きらめくの

  ➔ 'やがて' is an adverb meaning 'eventually' or 'sooner or later'.

  ➔ 'やがて' indicates that the sparkle will eventually appear or emerge after some time.

• 今日もあなたを待ってる

  ➔ 'を' indicates the direct object of the verb '待ってる' (waiting).

  ➔ This shows that the city is continually waiting for the person, emphasizing ongoing action.