Mo(re)ichido 平井堅 Ken Hirai

Seeing that our lil post on Ken Hirai went down pretty well with y’all, here are two more music videos which are very different in style and treatment.

“Strawberry Sex” – Fruity Yum!

“瞳をとじて” (Hitomi O Tojite). Ken’s 20th single was also a HUGE hit in Japan. Both written and composed by Ken himself this moving song served as the theme track of tear-jerker movie based on best-selling novel “世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ” (Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu).
Here are the original lyrics followed by the romanised version for your reading and karaoke-ing pleasure:

あの日　見せた泣き顔
涙照らす夕陽　肩のぬくもり
消し去ろうと願う度(ﾀﾋﾞ)に
心が　体が　君を覚えている
Your love forever
瞳を閉じて　君を描くよ　それだけでいい
たとえ季節が　僕の心を　置き去りにしても
いつかは君のこと　なにも感じなくなるのかな
今の痛み抱いて　眠る方がまだ　いいかな
あの日　見てた星空
願いかけて　二人探した光は
瞬(ﾏﾀﾀ)く間に消えてくのに
心は　体は　君で輝いてる
I wish forever
瞳をとじて　君を描くよ　それしか出来ない
たとえ世界が　僕を残して　過ぎ去ろうとしても
Your love forever
瞳をとじて　君を描くよ　それだけでいい
たとえ季節が　僕を残して　色を変えようとも
記憶の中に君を探すよ　それだけでいい
なくしたものを　越える強さを　君がくれたから
君がくれたから
Asa mezameru tabi ni
Kimi no nukegara ga yoko ni iru
Nukumori o kanjita
Itsumo no senaka ga tsumetai
Nigawarai o yamete
Omoi katen o akeyou
Mabushisugiru asahi
boku to mainichi no oikakekko da
ano hi miseta nakigao
namida terasu yuuhi kata no nukumori
keshisarou to negau tabi ni
kokoro ga, karada ga, kimi o oboeteru
your love forever
hitomi o tojite kimi o egaku yo
sore dake de ii
tatoe kisetsu ga boku no kokoro o
okizari ni shitemo
itsuka wa kimi no koto nani mo kanjinaku narunokana
ima no itami daite nemuru hou ga mada iikana
anohi miteta hoshizora
negai kakete hutari sagashita hikari wa
matataku ma ni kieteku no ni
kokoro wa, karada wa, kimi de kagayaite iru.
I wish forever
hitomi o tojite kimi o egaku yo
sore shika dekinai
tatoi sekai ga boku o nokoshite
sugisarou to shitemo
your love forever
hitomi o tojite kimi o egaku yo
soredake de ii
tatoe kisetsu ga boku wo nokoshite
iro wo kaeyou to mo
kioku no naka ni kimi o sagasu yo
soredake de ii
nakushita mono o koeru tsuyosa o
kimi ga kureta kara
kimi ga kureta kara

Queer Candy – Ken Hirai

As one of Japan’s best-selling and most popular male singers, Ken Hirai’s sexuality has long been of interest for many. Speculations can finally be laid to rest as the singer has finally come out recently.
The R&B King (January 17, 1972) was born in Osaka prefecture, and grew up in Nabari, Mie Prefecture. Contrary to popular belief, Ken is a full-blooded Japanese, though some think otherwise due to his appearance. His soulful voice, piercing falsettos and unconventional looks had won his fans’ hearts when he made his debut back in the 1990s. Some musical artists whom he respects are Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye etc.
In 2003, Ken performed for MTV Unplugged Live in New York, as the 1st Japanese male solo vocalist. Also, he was interviewed by CNN “THE MUSIC ROOM”, which was televised in 210 countries, and watched by 230 million viewers.
His latest album “UTABAKA : 10 Years : The Singles Collection 1995 – 2005” is Japan’s best selling album last year.
Here’s his latest music video “Pop Star” which is dripping with wholesome gayness! Enjoy!