Christmas is fast approaching in a little over 2 weeks.  I can’t believe how fast this year is going by.  Around this time of the year, everywhere you go, we hear all kinds of Christmas songs played.  Out of so many Christmas songs out there, I am sure many of you probably have your favorite Christmas song or two that you like listening.

For the next few articles, I would like to introduce you the top 3 most popular Japanese Christmas songs,one song at a time.  I have researched many of the Japanese rankings for Christmas songs, and have to tell you that these top 3 songs were very classic in that they have been around for many years, and people just love listening to them over and over around Christmas season!

So, here is the No. 3 on the list!

~Itsukano Merry Christmas (いつかのメリークリスマス) By B’z~

 

B’z (Bīzu, ビーズ) is a Japanese rock duo, consisting of guitarist, composer and producer Takahiro “Tak” Matsumoto (Takahiro Matsumoto, 松本 孝弘) and Koshi Inaba (Koshi Inaba 稲葉 浩志) as vocalist and lyricist. B’z is one of the best-selling music artists in Japan,  released 46 consecutive No. 1 singles, 25 No. 1 albums and sold more than 80 million records worldwide. In 2007, B’z became the first band from Asia to have their handprints and signatures put up in the Hollywood’s RockWalk.

 

Here is the original song: Itsukano Merry Christmas (いつかのメリークリスマス）

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc5yx0qgEog

Japanese singer, Ayumi Hamasaki also sings this song.

Itsukano Merry Christmas by Ayumi Hamasaki (浜崎あゆみ)

Japanese version Lyrics~

ゆっくりと12月のあかりが灯りはじめ
慌ただしく踊る街を誰もが好きになる

僕は走り　閉店まぎわ　君の欲しがった椅子を買った
荷物抱え　電車のなか　ひとりで幸せだった

いつまでも　手をつないでいられるような気がしていた
何もかもがきらめいて　がむしゃらに夢を追いかけた
喜びも悲しみも全部　分かちあう日がくること
想って微笑みあっている　色褪せたいつかのメリークリスマス

歌いながら線路沿いを　家へと少し急いだ
ドアを開けた君はいそがしく　夕食を作っていた

誇らしげにプレゼントみせると　君は心から喜んで
その顔を見た僕もまた素直に君を抱きしめた

いつまでも　手をつないでいられるような気がしていた
何もかもがきらめいて　がむしゃらに夢を追いかけた
君がいなくなることを はじめて怖いと思った
人を愛するということに　気がついたいつかのメリークリスマス

部屋を染めるろうそくの灯を見ながら　離れることはないと
言った後で急に　僕は何故だかわからず泣いた

いつまでも　手をつないでいられるような気がしていた
何もかもがきらめいて　がむしゃらに夢を追いかけた
君がいなくなることを はじめて怖いと思った
人を愛するということに　気がついたいつかのメリークリスマス

立ち止まってる僕のそばを　誰かが足早に
通り過ぎる　荷物を抱え　幸せそうな顔で

This is the English version by Eric Martin.

English version Lyrics~

Every December the lights they shine so bright
Once again the celebration begins
Everywhere I go I feel the energy
They ignite these warm feelings within

Caught up in the rush of all my Christmas shopping
I’m searching for a special gift from me to you
Walking to the station I’m thinking of you
The day is done, now I’m on my way home

Always forever, just take hold of my hand
and I know that we will walk this path together
Shining so brightly for all the world to see
We can take all our dreams and make them reality
All that I treasure, all the things you give to me
All the stars in the heavens up above us
I know that they’ll always live deep down inside me
Everything that I feel for you this Merry Christmas

Walk from the station, I feel my hearthbeat race
For I know that very soon I will be home
You greet me at the door, a kiss a short embrace
You’re so busy with the preparations

In the twilight hour as we exchange our presents
You smile and say you love me and my feeling soar
Stare into each other’s eyes, it’s so clear to me
I’ve found my home, you know it makes me love you more

Always forever, just take hold of my hand
and I know that we will walk this path together
Shining so brightly for all the world to see
We can take all our dreams and make them reality
I still remember the day you made me see
that a life without your love it has no meaning
And now that I know what your love means to me
Through the years I’ll be wishing you a Merry Christmas

On that December night, underneath the moonlight
I promised you that we’d never ever be apart
Swept up in the moment I broke down and cried
The pain of love from the bottom of my heart

Always forever, just take hold of my hand
and I know that we will walk this path together
Shining so brightly for all the world to see
We can take all our dreams and make them reality
I still remember the day you made me see
that a life without your love it has no meaning
And now that I know what your love means to me
Through the years I’ll be wishing you a Merry Christmas

And as the years go by, each passing Christmas
I reflect on what life’s given me
The gentle snow fall, the look of love in your eyes
Time together, my sweet memories

Lastly, here is the Piano version of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr6RKS0nyME

So which version did you like the best?