As title stated,
Sorry I have a thing with long coat, just have to put a picture of dear YUI with it.
Before that, who is this YUI (in capital letters) girl anyway? She is a Japanese singer songwriter + guitarist. Supposed to be more acoustic based. Blue cat has written a nice introduction of her in JpopMusic Forums, famous YUI Fanblog Blue Wind has one too, even YUI herself wrote 6 chapters of self introduction around the debut time. You can read the translations by Ky Khor at YUI Lover Forum.
Or Google, YouTube, Wikipedia...If you think certain information sounds fishy, then double confirm from me, the YUI encyclopedia *coughs* Maybe I'm not as crazy as some Japanese fans, but when you're in this YUI stalking industry for quite some time, you will know where is the best place to get all the information, and who to believe (if you care haha). I can help you to gather relevant information or ask the correct person. I'm not 'free' all the time though. Best way is to ask in a big place with lots of people.
I have been a YUI fan since end of the year 2005 (trying to sound old). I first 'discovered' YUI on a Japanese music program called CDTV, when she entered single chart with her debut single, feel my soul (around March 2005, I think).
(not this episode of CDTV, example only)
First impression: Cool, another guitar playing girl. But why I feel my soul, take me away?? Ish, Engrish. These Japanese...lame.
That time I couldn't even differentiate between classical and acoustic guitar, but I always wanted to learn it. That was my first impression on dear YUI. Cool, at the same time, typical Japanese English.
Then time passed by, one day, as usual I was skimming through my weekly doses of PopJam, another Japanese music program (around June 2005).
It just happened that I stopped at the chorus part of Tomorrow's way.
Teo: Omg that high pitch sounds annoying. Who is that?? *skips the whole performance*
Time flies and I have no idea what was I doing around that period, STPM perhaps??
On one fine day, as I was watching Bleach the ending caught my attention. It was love at first listen.
I checked at the ending credits,
YUI?? Sounds familiar.
Then it struck me. Aah, that I feel my soul, take me away woman. Curiosity led me *ahem* all her discography at Jpopsuki, and after skimming through her songs, I ended up deleting everything. Apparently I thought her songs were too simple for my taste, or boring. Except LIFE, and a few others. The promotional video was one of my favourite Japanese music video though.
You rarely see such young, simple looking, with nice teeth, guitar playing Japanese girl who can pronounce 'I can change my life' pretty good. Something refreshing in Japanese music industry, I thought. I might not like all her songs, but her I like her image, portrayed in this PV. Of course that time my Japanese was still in kindergarten stage, and I had zero guitar knowledge, I could only judge things on the surface.
Omg I think I just fell in love again typing all these and re-watching LIFE PV for the second time...I shall move forward.
Then TOKYO PV impressed me to the max. YUI isn't just some come and go artist, she proved that she is capable of making it big. That song completely overruled the theory that I prefer 'complex' arrangements (December 2005), which Japanese music is capable of. The sales for this single are disappointing though.
And I begun to wonder how her first album will be, with such beautiful songs, mostly written by her!! Around that time there was this artist thread of YUI in JPM, some members formed YUI Lover forum and promoting the forum at the same time.
I never joined any forum with members less than 1000, let alone 14 members. I kinda pondered about it. So I lurked around and joined after a week, hence member number 54. Through YL, I learned more about YUI and tried to contribute by spamming and lurking around 24/7. At the same time I started guitar lessons and I asked my teacher to tab out TOKYO, since it seems easy. It took me one year to play this song 95% exactly how YUI plays. You show me a cover of TOKYO and I'll know whether this person is a YUI-wannabe or not haha.
I bought my first ever Japanese Edition CD (first online purchase too) around February 2006, it was YUI's debut album FROM ME TO YOU. This was another first few moves of mine towards this YUI fandom. This album is the most played CD in my car, however nowadays, CBML and RADWIMPS 4 are catching up fast though.
How I turned into this YUI-stalker, that was after I joined National Service, and entered University. I can't remember how but Taiyou no Uta definitely played a vital role. Plus knowing that slowly I'm able to handle translating all these YUI related stuff 'forced' me to know more about YUI, and ended up respecting her even more. The way she treats people, things, her passion towards music, her words, actions, inspire and motivate me to be a better person. She's my mentor, my role model, till now.
For example, today I am inspired by YUI again, after reading this interview in SEVENTEEN magazine Oct 1, 2007 issue.
(Thanks to Reset)
YUI said that the reason she kept writing diary almost everyday since 16 is because that she decided to do so. Even though she's not used to such writing stuff in the diary way. Once she decided to do something, she will go for it no matter what. That fits her latest motto, be as good as one's word.
Wish that someday I can clear all my tasks in my every day to-do-list T.T
On the other hand, it can backfire too. In that interview, YUI explained that she's been keeping on her diet regime as well (she always talks about getting slim). So she tried this tofu only diet, in the end she ate more after she got used to the bitterness of tofu. LOL. It can be a bad thing if we stick on one particular thing, she thought so too.
That was it, my encounter with YUI. Moral of the story is, people always different from how they seem. Try not to be too judgemental. I'm a very good example, and still guilty up till today. I think now I have read too much good about her and caused me to be neutral towards most of the YUI related stuff. Spiritually fulfilling though, with all the 'words of wisdoms'. Hopefully I can be a hard working + dutiful messenger.
Of course sometimes I will join the bandwagon and say something like omg that constipated face!! What Engrish is that?! Another single???? So thick the make up!! (sometimes it's REALLY thick haha).
I shall end this with the recent so-called rocker + mature + high class packaged YUI.
(Scanned by gotchi)
Stop talking as if you know me - How crazy
PS: How did you guys discover YUI??
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14 comments:
lol you became a yui fan girl just like i did XD but i started backwards with "life" first the to "feel me soul" then forwards to "goodbye days"
it was her voice that won me over.
but you've been one longer then me ;_; i started some time last year when "goodbye days came open"
^^ but its ok cause we all love yui-san =D
emm...we just cannot love the person without completely love the person rite? XD
if u got wut i mean...
for me..her lyrics does motivated me..
wow..so i felt EXACTLY the same way as you did when you first encountered YUI! especially about the high pitched voice. I was never really fond of it. 'feel my soul' was my first single from her too!! and I checked out her FMTY album..thought it was okay..it kinda became my 'homework' music...so i never really paid much attention till her LIFE & Good-bye days singles (thanks to BLEACH & Taiyou no Uta).
It's really cool how a person can be so influential sometimes eh? I enjoy YUI's music and thanks to your translations, I am able to appreciate her music on such a better level as I am also inspired by her motivation, personality and her strong & creative mind.
p.s. check ur email!
Ohh.. I'm a late comer. If it wasnt't for Bleach or Taiyou no Uta i'm afraid I wont never have known her. I thought Tokyo was a overly simple song at first listen, but now it's like one of my fav songs. Admire her simple yet strong passion for music the most! Because of her, I did online purchase and buying Japanese ed cds for the first time as well. Would never have spend such money before. Now.. Just started learning guitar, hope to get better at it! ><
hehe i love reading how ppl encounter YUI...
i used to mistaken the same part as you in 'i feel my soul' "take ME away part" haha..same goes with skyline.."i want to FRY well" xD
but thanks to the translation i found in YL..i knew the real lyrics to them...ah..good old memories..w/o the translation we couldn't understand YUI music any better...gotta love YL~! i shall stop now before i couldn't stop myself...jya..
chiyo~
I want to FRY well LOL, and no gigi patah haha
Hi Teo (Atheon), this is blue cat. Yes, THE blue cat (from both JPM and YL). Just wanted you to make sure cuz I don't know if there are people out there pretending to be me (cuz they can easily can get away with it). But yes, this is no pretender, this is the real ME, writing this, haha. If you have any doubt, just PM me at eithr of the forums, and I'll tell you that it was me.
In any case!! I read your post, and as always, as I once told you before, I read this blog so much!! You write so well, and you get so many YUI news that I have no idea where to get sometimes. And wow, I don't know if I ever told you this but how you met YUI, is almost IDENTICAL to how I MET YUI. It first started when I saw the PV for "feel my soul". I too thought it was pretty cool, an acoustic guitar playing Japanese girl. But the song (with the Engrish mixed with it) felt kinda typical. Nothing that really blew me away. Plus, during that time I was more focused on ORANGE RANGE who I had loved so much during that time, esp when they're single "Asterisk" came out the same day as "feel my soul" did (2005.2.23). And then later on, I randomly came across the PV for "tomorrow's way" through the Sony Music site, and I didn't think too much of it. But I noticed it was the same girl as before. It was a nice song but it didn't really strike a chord with me (although, I noticed the PV was a big rip-off of my favorite Japanese film, "All About Lily Chou Chou", which is where my name "blue cat" comes from. I think I might've told you the big story behind this blue cat name and its connection to YUI before. If not, I'll tell you again. Just let me know.
And then, I discovered LIFE. Back then I was a huge fan of BLEACH, both the manga and anime. I heard that she was gonna do the ending theme. So I downloaded the sample song, and then found the PV for it. And thats when I fell in love, for exactly the same reason that you did!! The song, the PV, her appearance, her pronunciation, the riffs, the melodies, the rhythm, her voice, everything about it just blew me away. And yes, as with many people, and with you and myself, the PV is still one of my favorites today. In fact, LIFE is still my #1 fav song by her. :)
My point is, being an avid reader of your blog, I'm so glad that I can connect to you even more, not only cuz its true a music artist we both love, but cuz our discovery of YUI is pretty much the same!! It's crazy, and so cool!! Thank you, Teo!!
And on a side note, about your post, I had no idea that YUI was on a diet regime. But that Tofu diet thing does work. I once did that sometime last year. I lost a lot of weight, but I lost even more weight thru running and surfing almost everyday. This was a period of 4 months and I lost 60 pounds. No joke!! If you YUI wants to get slim, she should do more exercise, at least running. But, IMHO, she looks completely fine the way she is. :)
BTW, I know you describe yourself as a YUI "stalker" but I'm not sure if "stalking" is the right word choice... that is, if you don't mind people seeing you in a weird, condescending way. BUT, to each his/her own, and if you want to be a "stalker" as negative of a connotation as it has (even if it is just a joke), then by all means. ^_^
Well, thanks for letting us know how you found out about YUI.
Like bluecat, LIFE struck at me hard back when I was watching Bleach.
I found our about YL through Jpopsuki. I think AditZ was the one heralding everyone to join YL.
You always like to quote YUI's lyrics from How crazy, "stop talking as if you know me."
Well, I might not know much about her, I don't know what's going on in her mind, but I do believe I know when YUI sings a crappy song, the latest being Love&Truth.
所谓：“当局者迷， 旁观者清。”
the comments i don really undstand
Anyways yui always great.
Cute and great singer.
Superb and awesome.
bravo!!!
don't kill me but i don't understand why lots of people like LIFE... i mean, it's good but it's not a favorite for me...
feel my soul go into me immediately but i didn't become a YUI immediately... but I loved feel my soul immediately when i first heard it.. and like you, Taiyou no Uta was a vital part... heheheh... I can't get enough of it...
nice story...
i saw YUI for the first time when she performed tomorrow's way on popjam...
i liked the melody of that song and i've been on the look-out for her since then
LOL I really enjoy reading your post Teo, Man~ Your writing is so so good, I got so touched after reading it! After reading the post and the comments, I found out that most of the YUI fan already discovered about YUI since her first single. Really feel envy of that, wish I could turn back time and met YUI earlier. My first discovery of YUI is on Animax channel, where her "Good-Bye Days" PV is played half, always half! >< That time watching this PV, I thought whoa! A cute face and clear voice, and nice songs too! And then of course the "constipated face" when she sings the part 'I wish' LOL I wondered why she have to do that face as if like doing this expression could make the vocal sounds better?! XD Why she wants to make such "suffer-looking" face that looks so weird haha! (but now I'm starting to like it ^^") Yeah, that later I started to search for her songs and discovered YL forum and joined it (in which I'm still not that active, paiseh LOL). I tried to listen to all her songs, without looking the lyrics translations. Liked some of them, and felt "just normal lo" for some of them. But after I started to learn about the songs, I became extremely appreciating all of them!! XD and becoming a YUI fan till now ngiak ngiak~! Me too started to learn guitar because of YUI, starting with TOKYO (which after I got into the song, I really felt in love with it. The lyric is just same with my feeling before I came to UKM, I even tears when I played it at home, before departed far away from my home to university, a new life and totally new for me!)
LOL chiyo, you're more better than I am! When first heard "skyline", I thought the part is "i want to fly away" totally the different ^^"
PeaceViolet XD
How I become a Yui Lover and Fan. One day one of my friends from work told me about Yui. He send me Life mp3 for me to listen to. When i first listen to Yui's Life this song really cool. Then i went on to youtube found more about Life. After watching it on youtube the mv or the live one I don't know what had happen to me. I was hooked on to Yui and i wanted to find more about her. The second song that i heard from Yui was Tokyo which was a slow song and sad. From that day on i been listening to YUI's songs ever since then i think it was around 2005. Around mid 2006 i found out that Yui was coming out with an movie called Taiyou no uta. I been waiting for it. Then i saw it on youtube with the subtitles. After watching this movie Yui had impressed me more. After watching the movie i became an Yui lover
that is how i know about Yui
I first heard her song "Life" from the bleach opening and thought it was decent and pretty nice but couldn't really be bored to check out(was crazy with rock that time). Then I got bored with my old redundant playlist and went to google around and soon found myself in the SonyJP website and I clicked here and there and opened up some player or some sort. It plays 20 seconds of different PVs and shuffles to the other. I saw YUI's "Love & Truth" and was totally captivated. I listened to it like a hundred times or so. Still love it.
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