View Full Version: [Lyrics Analysis] Love is All

YUI Lover: The 1st YUI Forum & Fansite > Lyrics > [Lyrics Analysis] Love is All



Title: [Lyrics Analysis] Love is All
Description: Arguably YUI's most confusing" lyrics...


banditkampus - April 21, 2008 02:39 AM (GMT)
Disclaimer:
1. This is an interpretation made by an Indonesian after reading the English translation of a Japanese lyrics. Needless to say, things do get lost in the translation. I am using Depyon's translation which can be found here: http://yui-lover.com/index.php?showtopic=6...post&p=10413824

2. This analysis is made under the assumption that the lyrics is a non-fiction, i.e: it is written by YUI to voice her true feelings.

3. This is only an analysis, of course. Until YUI herself said that it's true (a man can have his dream), then it remains an analysis. Nothing more.

Complete interpretation:

*------------------

I said I was aiming for that in the past,
But I hesitated, and you wouldnt understand me, would you?
You asked me with a blur look on your face; It was not right.
All right, it's your job anyway, isn't it?

*------------------

Imagine someone asking YUI a question about something she said in the past. This is a somewhat difficult question for her, and she can only defend herself by saying "yes, I was aiming for that in the past". Note the usage of "in the past". Quite likely, at the present time, YUI strays a little bit for her own aim, and that's why the person is asking her to comment about it. This person, very likely a music critic (described more below), doesn't buy YUI's defense, which bothers her. She thinks that the person looks down on her completely thinking that she can't keep on struggling for her own goal.

Also, the "blur look on your face" part seems to mean that YUI senses that the critic is asking this question as a trap question in order to bring her down even more.

Now, what exactly is the aim in question here? I think I have the answer, but it will be hard to explain without reading the complete analysis. So, we go further:

*------------------

What should I do to become a critic like you?
It must have been tough and full of complaints.

*------------------

This is the line that confirms the fact that she's talking about a music critic, and about how she dislikes that person for doing nothing but looking for bad things about her.

*------------------

I wrote about good things and it finally became a song, so
Love this song.
You must be doubtful, right? Fake or real?
Then, how about you?

*------------------

YUI is telling us about how she wrote her song. She put everything into it, so "love this song", she said. And she directly challenges her critic: the same critic who doubts everything she wrote, whether it's fake or real (i.e: whether what she wrote is just fiction, or truly came from her experience). This is the first clue about the aim on the first verse. YUI, of course, wrote it from her own feelings, so again she felt bothered about the critic's doubt, and asks a counter question: "what about you? Are you a true critic yourself, or are you just trying to bring me down no matter what?"

*------------------

Collecting real things and fake ones.
And then labelling them a price.
That really is troublesome, and troubling.
What now about the future? Please tell me.

*------------------

Here, YUI tells us what the critic does. In essence, the critic judges songs based on whether they're true or complete fiction, and then labels them a price, i.e. merely appreciating the "real" songs while completely dismissing fictional songs as "fake". This troubles YUI a lot, and she wonders what other bad things the critic will do in the future.

Now, let us pause a moment here.

The very reason YUI feels troubled is because YUI herself have written fictional songs that could be labelled as "fake" by the critic. As an example: Goodbye Days, I Remember You, Che.R.Ry, etc. (An interesting theory to find whether YUI's song is fictional or not can be read here: http://yui-lover.com/index.php?showtopic=3...ost&p=10222655).

Anyway, she feels that this is completely unfair. Just because a song is a fiction, doesn't mean it is a bad song: she worked hard on it as well, put her true feelings on it, gave it all her love.

So, we can now decipher what's the aim on the first verse is all about. If the critic is questioning YUI about her "fake" songs, it can be assumed that YUI's initial aim is to write all her songs based on her own experience. Of course, this was her idealistic aim, made in the past, and it's quite understandable that she can't keep that aim forever.

*------------------

It takes a longer time to write than to read a letter.
Think about it.
Even if I was told off by negative and unfair commments,
I mustn't be too mindful of it, right? This is not my job.

*------------------

YUI makes an analogy here: it's harder to write than to read a letter, the same thing with songs. You could easily hear and judge them, but writing them is a hard work indeed. So she tells herself that no matter what the critic says, she won't worry too much about it.

*------------------

Tell the person who loves to compare.
With words that are filled with a little more love.

*------------------

So, she wrote this song to address the critic. Nevertheless, she does this "with a little more love", meaning that she does not want to turn into a critic herself by throwing insults to her critic. She'll do it on her own way. Now, what does she have to say to the critic? We'll have the answer soon.

*------------------

Even if there werent good things (in this world), we would still be born.
Love oneself.
Even if we fall into depression, there is no such thing as real or fake, isnt it?

*------------------

This is her first message to the critic. The world is not all about judging whether something is good or bad. Even if something is bad, try to love it. And love yourself, even if you're still struggling to do or create good things. There is no real or fake as long as you keep on trying.

*------------------

Collecting real things and fake ones.
And then labelling them a price.
I say dont lose out like that.
What now about the future? Please tell me.

*------------------

The next message. Don't waste time worrying about people who judge things. Don't lose out like that.

*------------------

Being told off everyday, I cant get anywhere.
There are no such things that say that I cant be taken by papparazzis in magazines.
Can you do something that you really want to do now?
Of course. Of course, as always.
I can see the answer that I have been looking for. Ah ah.

*------------------

Now, this is YUI telling us how she manage to survive all the critiques she receive everyday. First of all, deep inside she knows that the change of idealism troubles her as well. She does want to write everything based on her own experience. So, initially, all the critiques did bother her a lot, until she felt that she can't get anywhere. But eventually, she found the answer. A middle-ground, if you must, between her idealism and what she does presently.

That answer, my friends, is used as the very title of this song. Love is all. YUI finds that, fiction or not, she will still put all her love into her songs. No matter what is written there, the essence of each and every song she wrote is the same: her love of music.

And with this, she answers her critic. "There's always my love inside my every song," she said, "so why don't try to find that love and see it my way?"

*------------------

If I were a better child (person) I would have done better.
Love is all.
You must be doubtful, right? Fake or Real?
How about you, then?

*------------------

Here YUI admits that she could have done better if she were a better person, but nevertheless she will stay true to herself. No matter how imperfect she is, she'll still use her love in everything she does.

*------------------

Collecting real and fake stuff.
Then labelling them a price.
I say dont lose you so easily.
What now about the future?
Let me tell you...

*------------------

...that love is all. That is her answer, her final message to her critic.

xela - April 21, 2008 03:24 AM (GMT)
hey good job there...btw i hav a question.....what does the critic wanted yui to write....a fictional or the real experience of yui....coz the fictional songs became popular.....sorry for this...

akuma_tsubasa - April 21, 2008 11:07 PM (GMT)
waaaaaaaah No way sugoii nee! XDDD i been wondering about this song cuz i rly dun quite understand it...who cud have known she is talking about a critic here haha tnxxx Love is all :clap :good :suki :suki

town_el - April 22, 2008 12:11 AM (GMT)
Interesting.. Nice analysis..
Otsu~
Thanks for the explanation..
5 starry thumbs for you~
:good :good :good :good :good

by8n7 - April 22, 2008 01:48 AM (GMT)
stupid critics..i hate you all
good explaniation..i was kinda worrying bout this also
YUI seemed to put so much emotion into this song

banditkampus - April 22, 2008 01:54 AM (GMT)
Ah...thanks for the kind words everyone :)

Now that I think of it more, it could also be about YUI's one and only lip-sync performance (instead of about fiction/non-fiction).

YUI knows.

by8n7 - April 22, 2008 05:26 AM (GMT)
^well
(fiction/non-fiction)
that would be so stupid for the critics to critic about her one time
live lip-singing performance and that was b/c she was sick of course.. what else could of she done..except for show up and try to do her best..

Manuel - April 22, 2008 02:55 PM (GMT)
WOW! Wondeful lyric analysis! I agree with you! Although I think it can also have another interpretation: the critics like to pick "bits" of her live and change them in order to make a wonderful and attractive story. Remember when her childhood photographs were printed in a magazine?

Anyway, totally awesome. Congratulations!

*simply_kawaii* - April 22, 2008 03:18 PM (GMT)
sugoi!!! that was so good..i can relate to the song now..that's why her singing there is overflowing with feelings..i almost cried while reading ur interpretations..lol

Tweety - April 22, 2008 06:18 PM (GMT)
wow... good job!
YUI really puts all her love into her songs, i think this is also a message to us...
thank you!

macska - April 22, 2008 07:15 PM (GMT)
oh, I just love the meaning of this song. Nice analysis, you did a good job^^

Fujii_Itsuki - April 22, 2008 08:24 PM (GMT)
Interesting interpretation there. Just don't think that the 'fake' and 'real' means whether YUI is writing from her own experiences or not. Each of her song has its own story and its own main character. It might not be 'real' to her but there are bound to be people who will think to themselves, "Yeah, that has happened to me before" or "I can totally understand that.". So no matter where she draws her inspiration from, if it strikes a chord with the listeners, then it's REAL imho.

Like with the Yahoo interview, this part is pretty interesting:

Interviewer: 特にタイトルは今回もはっきりと“意思”が詰まっていますね。
Particularly the title this time around seem to have "intention" written all over it.

YUI:過去があるから今の自分がいる。だからこそ、すべてのことに意味があると思うんです。過去を受け入れて、今を後悔しないように生きていきたいと思い、このアルバムには『I LOVED YESTERDAY』と名付けました。このアルバムの主人公それぞれにしっかりと意思を込めているので、その主人公たちがどんな“昨日”を過ごしていたのかというのを想像しながら聴いてもらえたらうれしいですね。
Because the past exists, the person that we are now exists. For this reason, I feel that everything has a significance. Accepting the past, in order to live in the present without any regrets. With that kind of feeling, I came out with the album title 『I LOVED YESTERDAY』. Each and every main characters of this album are filled with intention of becoming a more reliable/level-headed/firm person. What kind of 'yesterday' did these protagonists had to go through, I'll be happy if you can imagine them while listening to the songs.

Well, that's basically the gist of it though probably not that accurate...So, YUI leaves it to us to interpret her songs. =)

For 'Love is all' though, she has mentioned it before in interviews and radio shows that it was born out of some experiences she had with interviewers/critics whom she felt didn't really listen to her songs properly and simply assume things. All those feelings 'exploded' into the song basically.

banditkampus - April 23, 2008 12:12 AM (GMT)
Manuel, thank you. Your idea is possible too!

Sky, you almost cried? But I do feel the same way, that she's putting extra emotion into this song.

Tweety, thanks :) Yeah, it's a message to us as well :)

macska thank you so much :)

Fujii_Itsuki, thanks for adding way so many details there :) I haven't read the interviews and I sure don't follow her as much as you do, so I don't know about YUI's comment on the song. Thanks for letting me know :)

zacs_tommy - April 26, 2008 05:40 AM (GMT)
Thanks alot for the analysis banditkampus~
taking a point of view like that realy gives sooo much insights into how YUI thinks~ so thanks tones for that!!

also, thanks Fujii for the additional info~ its great to get first hand info from YUI herself~
i dont follow YUI's interviews so closely, but i still want to realy get to know her alot more. so thanks thanks

ann_kon_kon - May 4, 2008 01:48 AM (GMT)
yui is growing up.
:clap


Before this, her songs were almost all about achieving and believing in her dreams, and now, her songs are about keeping her dream alive (which had became true ~becoming a musician~) and accepting the critism around her.
Dreams aren't suppose to be easy to reach I guess.

Banzai to YUI-sama :good

XII DizZy - May 4, 2008 04:51 AM (GMT)
Sweet! Well done!

the_alchemist - May 4, 2008 06:14 AM (GMT)
i think this song is the best track in ILdY.. and that's a nice interpretation banditkampus.. :good
QUOTE
It takes a longer time to write than to read a letter.
Think about it.
Even if I was told off by negative and unfair commments,
I mustn't be too mindful of it, right? This is not my job.

and i really like this part of the lyrics..
Go YUI Go!! Don't let the critics get in your way!!!



harry - May 4, 2008 04:14 PM (GMT)
thanks for the translation! :good
one of the best in ILY..YUI really put all her emotion into this song. :please
so to you CRITICS! don't you dare to bring our YUI down.. :angry

YUIsavesLIFE - May 4, 2008 05:21 PM (GMT)
That's a really good analysis. It's probably 90% correct cuz YUI might have different opinions in some parts. Even in the song, you can feel her frustration as YUI sings. No matter what the critics say, YUI will always be the best!

Rachael - May 5, 2008 07:34 AM (GMT)
very good analysis indeed!! thanks dude!

this song has been my hp ringtone since ILY released. XD

br4d137 - May 5, 2008 03:44 PM (GMT)
im glad someones looking deeper into this song...

from what i heard from my girlfriend who was looking on different forums and reviews on this song...

the critics arent looking away lightly on this...

they are bashing her.. calling her whinny.. and spoiled...

and that the critics is what made her popular... and how dare her say something bad about them..

not sure on what the details are..

but YUI isnt getting good things talked about her on this amazing song...

takashi_kaoru - May 23, 2008 05:55 AM (GMT)
:cool well for what it's worth.. YUI is being truthful be it a fictional or non-fictional song... its from the heart that she writes.. i guess critics will be critics..but she sure knocked them down with this powersome song (: YUI -chan FIGHTING~

browneyes - May 27, 2008 10:27 PM (GMT)
Great analysis of the song. Thanks for sharing

reddishlypink - May 28, 2008 06:18 AM (GMT)
owwiie ~ YUI-san is honest and brave for writing this song ~

thanks for the analysis ! 8D'


Anisamar - June 14, 2008 11:17 PM (GMT)
Great analysis!, Thanks~

liangz - July 3, 2008 08:36 AM (GMT)
Good analysis, very logical. But in the end, we would never know unless we ask her directly right? :sry




Hosted for free by InvisionFree