Welcome to another round of the Battle of the Bands! As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog post that I wanted to do a battle between two songs that features “June Bride” in the title. The songs? First, let’s see why the term “June Bride” is popular in Japan.
Many believe that the term “June Bride” became popular after the 1948 movie of the same name. But actually in Japan, “June Bride” is more significant. For example, in the ancient Japanese calendar, June is actually called minazuki or the “Month of Water”. During this month, the rainy season would happen and all the rice fields would be flooded, acting as a symbol of fertility. Thus, it was ideal to get married and have babies in June. [1]
However, June also a popular season to get married as vacations to places for honeymoons are cheap; it’s a low travel season. But, there are a lot of flowers that bloom during this month too.
So, for this Battle of the Bands, I choose two songs that have “June Bride” in the title: one by the legendary city pop artist Toshiki Kadomatsu and the 2000s Jpop band u-ka saegusa IN db. Both songs are slow in tempo, but one is a pop-rock ballad and one is an instrumental. Which one will sway your vote? Listen to both of the songs and let me know which one is your favorite in the comments!
“June Bride” by Toshiki Kadomatsu
“June Bride ~Anata Shika Mienai~” (I Only See You) by U-ka Saegusa IN db
Trivia: This song was used as the 21st ending theme for the famous detective anime Detective Conan.
Here is the English translation, thanks to LyricsTranslate.com:
musn’t pursue anyone hastily
When running through everyday life
The day I cut my hair
I found a treasure greater than friends
Every day, tomorrow is unknown
It’s good I fell in love with you
I want these feelings to never change
And stop the echoing time
Being a couple can be scary
But people and the past are unchangeable
I can change the dream of my own future
I only have eyes for you
In the darkening town, the moment escalates
In the soft wind, forever
If we believe in each other always
June bride – I’ll be with you
I’m here
God, can you see me?
There’s something within me
That believes… thank you
Wounds will certainly heal
Because you’ve chosen me
Rain or shine, whatever it takes
I can break through now
Miserable times and agonizing times
Constantly, always, I’ll be near
I’ve been freed from the memories I can never return to
I only have eyes for the future
I want to be the right one for you
Even if sometimes we fall out of love
I can always love you… let’s be together
June bride… I’ll be with you
I only have eyes for the future
I want to be the right one for you
Even if sometimes we fall out of love
I can always love you… let’s be together
June bride… I’ll be with you