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 According to a minute-by-minute audience rating carried out by Video Research, Inc. for the Kanto area (the region around Tokyo) of the 54th annual NHK Red vs. White Singing Contest, broadcast nationwide on New Year's Eve 2003, the group SMAP recorded the highest audience rating of any moment in the program at 57.1 percent--by far the highest viewer rating of all the singers who performed. The nation's well-known singers appeared at this very popular event in which they are divided between male and female singers, and SMAP performed this song in the coveted final spot on the program. Just before singing their smash hit, Sekai ni hitotsu dake no hana [One and Only Flower in the World], which has sold over two million copies, the members of SMAP offered the following passionate appeal for world peace: "Everyone please close your eyes and think back over the year 2003. This year, too, many precious lives were lost around the world. And many things hideous to behold took place. What can each of us do in such times? We believe that a happy future awaits us all if we can all learn to be kind to one another." The line in this song that runs, "You don't have to be Number 1--You've always been the one and only one," has lent courage to many people, adults and children alike, this year. Undoubtedly that is because people have a desire to accept themselves as they are, to respect themselves, and to live with respect for others as well. |
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| 世界に一つだけの花 One and Only Flower in the World （作詞・作曲／槇原敬之 Lyrics and Music Composed by Makihara Noriyuki） |
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I was looking at the flowers lined up in front of the florists We all have our favorite perhaps, but aren't they all beautiful? Never vying with each other over which is the best They all stand tall and proud in their buckets Why are we human beings always trying so hard to compare ourselves? Trying so hard to be number 1 even though we're each unique and different? It's true--we are each the one and only flower in the world Each of us holds the seed of something different It is enough to give everything we have To bring that flower into bloom Smiling with indecision, one customer hesitated a long while She couldn't help it, I'm sure--any flower that struggles into bloom is beautiful When she finally came out of the shop, she held in her arms A bouquet of every color, her face beaming with delight I did not even know her name, but she smiled at me that day Like a flower blooming in some forgotten corner It's true--we are each the one and only flower in the world Each of us holds the seed of something different It is enough to give everything we have To bring that flower into bloom Small flowers and big flowers Not one is identical to another So, you don't have to be Number 1 You've always been the one and only one |
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| The following website is useful for finding the lyrics to popular Japanese songs. The site is free of charge, but users are required to register. | |
| Uta-Net (http://www.uta-net.com/) | |
| If you would like to obtain CDs by Japanese vocal artists, please check the following sites. | |
| amazon.co.jp （http://www.amazon.co.jp/） Fujisan.com （http://www.fujisan.com/） |
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Original text : The Japan Forum Newsletter no 32" Japanese Culture Now" March 2004.
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