YOASOBI brings us ‘Idol’ from their album THE BOOK 3. Ayase writes lyrics and composes the music that tells the story of a perfect performer. The song explores the duality between public image and private reality.
Released: April 12, 2023
Idol
Yoasobi • From “THE BOOK 3”
Idol Lyrics Translation (from “THE BOOK 3”)
Ayase describes an idol with an invincible smile who dodges personal questions. The lyricist mentions ‘sweat that flows is a beautiful aqua’ showing how even imperfections become part of her charm. The songwriter tells us ‘lies are the most wonderful form of love’ revealing the twisted logic behind her career.
Muteki no egao de arasu mediaWith an invincible smile, she wreaks havoc on the media.
Shiritai sono himitsu misuteriasuWe want to know her secrets; she’s so mysterious.
Nuketeru toko sae kanojo no eriaEven her scatterbrained moments are part of her charm.
Kanpeki de usotsuki na kimi waYou’re perfect, and you’re a liar.
Tensaiteki na aidoru samaYou’re a truly gifted ‘Idol’.
Kyou nani tabeta“What did you eat today?”
Suki na hon wa“What’s your favorite book?”
Asobi ni iku nara doko ni iku no“Where do you go when you go out for fun?”
Nani mo tabetenai“I haven’t eaten a thing.”
Sore wa naisho“That’s a secret.”
Nani o kikarete moNo matter what they ask,
Norarikurarishe just dodges and weaves.
Sou tantan toJust like that, so calmly,
Dakedo sansan toyet she’s shining so brightly.
Miesou de mienai himitsu wa mitsu no ajiHer secrets, almost visible but hidden, taste like honey.
Are mo nai nai nai“I don’t have that, no, no.”
Kore mo nai nai nai“I don’t have this, no, no.”
Suki na taipu wa“What’s your type?”
Aite wa“Is there someone special?”
Saa kotaete“Come on, give us an answer.”
Dareka o suki ni naru koto nante watashi wakaranakute sa“I don’t really know what it’s like to fall in love with someone,”
Uso ka hontou ka shirienaiand I can’t tell if it’s a lie or the truth.
Sonna kotoba ni mata hitori ochiruWith those words, another person falls for her again,
Mata suki ni saseruand she makes them fall in love.
Daremo ga me o ubawarete ikuEveryone finds themselves captivated by her.
Kimi wa kanpeki de kyuukyoku no aidoruYou’re the perfect, the ultimate idol.
Konrinzai arawarenaiSomeone like you will never appear again;
Ichibanboshi no umarekawariyou’re the reincarnation of the brightest star.
Sono egao de aishiteru deWith that smile and an “I love you,”
Daremo kare mo toriko ni shite ikuyou make everyone your captive.
Sono hitomi ga sono kotoba gaThose eyes of yours and those words you say,
Uso demo sore wa kanzen na aieven if they’re lies, that’s perfect love.
Hai hai ano ko wa tokubetsu desu“Yeah, yeah, that girl is special.”
Wareware wa hana kara omake desu“We were just extras from the start.”
Ohoshisama no hikitateyaku b desu“We’re just the ‘Side B’ supporting acts for the star.”
Subete ga ano ko no okage na wakenai“There’s no way everything is thanks to her.”
SharakusaiIt’s so annoying.
Netami shitto nante nai wake ga naiThere’s no way we don’t feel envy and jealousy.
Kore wa neta ja naiThis isn’t just a joke,
Kara koso yurusenaiand that’s exactly why I can’t forgive her.
Kanpeki ja nai kimi ja yurusenaiI can’t forgive you for being anything less than perfect.
Jibun o yurusenaiI can’t forgive myself.
Dare yori mo tsuyoi kimi igai wa mitomenaiI won’t acknowledge anyone but you, who’s stronger than the rest.
Daremo ga shinji agameteruEveryone believes in and worships you.
Masani saikyou de muteki no aidoruYou’re truly the strongest, most invincible idol.
Jakuten nante miataranaiI can’t find a single weakness in you.
Ichibanboshi o yadoshite iruYou’ve got the brightest star shining within you.
Yowai toko nante misecha dame dameYou mustn’t show any sign of weakness, no, no.
Shiritakunai toko wa misezu niDon’t show the parts they don’t want to see.
Yuiitsumuni ja nakucha iya iyaYou’ve got to be one-of-a-kind, or it’s no good.
Sore koso honmono no aiThat’s what real love is.
Tokui no egao de wakasu mediaWith her signature smile, she thrills the media.
Kakushikiru kono himitsu dake waI’ll keep this secret hidden until the end.
Aishiteru tte uso de tsumu kyariaA career built on the lie of saying “I love you.”
Kore koso watashi nari no ai daThis is my own way of showing love.
Nagareru ase mo kirei na akuaEven the sweat that flows is a beautiful ‘aqua’.
Rubii o kakushita kono mabutaThese eyelids hide ‘rubies’ within them.
Utai odori mau watashi wa mariaSinging and dancing, I’m a ‘Maria’.
Sou uso wa tobikiri no ai daYes, lies are the most wonderful form of love.
Dareka ni aisareta koto moI’ve never been loved by anyone,
Dareka no koto aishita koto mo naiand I’ve never truly loved anyone else either.
Sonna watashi no uso ga itsuka hontou ni naru kotoI believe that my lies will one day
Shinjiterubecome the truth.
Itsuka kitto zenbu te ni ireruSomeday, I’ll surely have it all.
Watashi wa sou yokubari na aidoruI’m just a greedy idol like that.
Toushindai de minna no kotoBecause I want to love everyone
Chanto aishitai karaauthentically, just as I am.
Kyou mo uso o tsuku noThat’s why I’ll keep lying today.
Kono kotoba ga itsuka hontou ni naru hi o negattePraying for the day these words will come true.
Soredemo madaEven so,
Kimi to kimi ni dake wa iezu ni ita kedoI still couldn’t say it to you, or even to you.
Yatto ietaBut I’ve finally said it.
Kore wa zettai uso ja naiThis is definitely not a lie.
Aishiteru“I love you.”
Idol Music Video
The English lyrics of ‘Idol’ expose the dark side of perfectionism. The artist from THE BOOK 3 creates a complex portrait of fame that questions authenticity.