just one more time

[bladehand]

character playlist. ⏵ ⏸ LET GO 　m-flo & ms ooja. Japanese. This legendary Japanese R&B hit by m-flo was first released in 2004 and has since been certified triple platinum and covered by all manner of artists over the decades since, but I happen to like this cover by singer-songwriter Ms. Ooja. There's something about the sappy, sensitive throwback vibe and the gentle piano over a thumping bass that I find very relevant to Byleth in a lot of ways. Lyrics that describe a passionate unrequited love and an odd fixation on the flow of time only complement his character and general temperament even more. By the way, I also like the cover by FAKY, but there are a million good ones, since the song is so beloved! 01. RELEVANT LYRICS I can't forget it I can't just shut it away I know I shouldn't rush in But I've just gotta let you know how I feel Passionate and intense in the flow of time I want your heart, boy... even if just for an instant Even though I'm drowning in an unrequited love I don't want to wake up from this dream, can't let go I don't care if it's selfish I want an unwavering love right here Time stops, and even if I'm not with you I'm alright, I try to be strong But without you by my side, my heart aches Time flows sweet and quiet But my body, it's breaking apart, boy - why? I get so anxious I feel as if I'm breaking apart Oh why do I want you for my own? Don't say anything, I just want your love right here Even though I'm drowning in an unrequited love I don't want to wake up from this dream, can't let go I don't care if it's selfish I want an unwavering love right here I get so anxious I feel as if I'm breaking apart Oh why do I want you for my own? Don't say anything, I just want your love right here ⏵ ⏸ LET GO 　m-flo & matt cab. English. I'm kind of cheating since this is an English cover of the song above. That being said, songwriter and producer Matt Cab, who has been active in Japan for many years, delivers a very sensible adaptation of the classic m-flo hit that would be perfect for American radio. The first time I listened to this, I thought he was quite liberal with the lyrical adaptation, but after giving it a third and fourth listen, I realized it's a near-perfect translation and even sort of improves on the original at some points. (I particularly like "spinning in time, I gave my all," for example.) I don't know, funny how that works, I guess? There's something about the singular set of vocals over the stripped-down piano that works particularly well with the desperate and unrequited implications of the song. This is what I use for most of Byleth's journal lyrics and the song that always gets me in the mood to write him, for whatever reason. 02. RELEVANT LYRICS I’m burning, I’m open wide Spinning in time, I gave my all I need you, I want your heart, boy Just one more time Though I’m drowning in a love that I will never know I still don’t wanna wake up from this dream I can’t let go I’m selfish But I don’t care I still want you right here Your unconditional love So softly, so quietly Time passes by in front of me My body is breaking apart, boy So tell me why Though this pain is breaking me apart It's building up inside my heart Oh why? I need your love All to myself Don’t say the word I don’t care I still want you right here Your unconditional love So tell me One last time Though I’m drowning in a love that I will never know I still don’t wanna wake up from this dream I can’t let go I’m selfish But I don’t care I still want you right here Your unconditional love ⏵ ⏸ UREIZAKURA. 　atarayo. Japanese. A slow, sensitive J-Pop song with a heavy school graduation vibe. There's almost absolutely nothing special about Ureizakura as a song except how cleanly and perfectly it executes on all of its intended themes; I've probably heard at least two dozen different "Japanese school graduation pop songs" over the years, but this one is my favorite by a mile, and thoroughly expresses the heartbreak, frustration, emotional maturity, hope, and optimism of graduation. I don't know, I just like to listen to this and think about the five-year timeskip, and the way the announcement of war is a terrible way to end one's schooling years. 03. RELEVANT LYRICS “When this view turns Into a memory of that moment, What do you want to remember? I’d want to remember you Forever and ever” Today, I’m captivated by The beauty of the spring breeze and flowers blooming All the familiar views Looked different somehow Even the never-changing days When I know it’s all coming to an end I realized that it was precious Before I even knew Don’t worry now and forever There will be a clearer world Reflecting me vibrantly Even the cherry blossoms will bloom After another year passes by Even the days When I couldn’t spin a single word They are vibrant now On those days We tried to act like adults Here, look at the view we see now Even the frustrating memories are Our trajectory Someday is okay Without changing Someday is okay If we can meet (If we can meet somewhere someday, I want us to be laughing) At this place (Without thinking about anything, I want to be with you) Don’t worry now and forever On regular days Leave me and our memories behind “Someday, again” Days that haven’t changed until now Will become the signs of life ahead We wish and think about that moment Even the tears will turn into rain When a year passes by We will heal ourselves We will heal you ⏵ ⏸ SAKURA KIMI WATASHI. 　tuki. Japanese. Humorously, this is yet another "Japanese school graduation pop song," with a bit of a surprise twist that I won't spoil if you've never watched the music video and which made me cry the first time I watched it because I am terribly sensitive. Tuki outlines the narrative of an impossible young love and why her love for a particular blond boy in her class is never going to work; I find it fitting for Byleth for all of the obvious reasons, and because, amidst all the typical imagery of school and fated partings, there is still more talk of stopping and halting time. Also, it's just musically complementary to all my other choices here. 04. RELEVANT LYRICS You tell me as you take off your second button “It’s the last time so it’s fine” The classroom on graduation day Feels somewhat sad If we could turn back time I wanted to talk to you more You don’t have to say anything Our story Let’s make it I fell for you Sakura-you-me I knew it was The kind of love that would end in spring Sorry, I didn’t mean to cry Blackboard and notes, I hear the pens running Staring out at the field Even equations can’t solve I was looking for answers The bell goes like it’s rushing us That we can’t be here anymore May time stand still Our story Is what I’ve been dreaming of The familiar streets I look back on Would soon feel nostalgic I don’t want to Remember you like that I fell for you Sakura-you-me I knew it was The kind of love that would end in spring Sorry, I didn’t mean to cry ⏵ ⏸ GONE 　niko rain & ejean. English. niko rain makes full use of EJEAN's perfectly husky vocals on a floaty pop track that describes an unwavering love that persists in spite of some kind of initial rejection or breakup. I think it's highly applicable to the five-year timeskip situation, for reasons I think are quite obvious... but it's also just musically appropriate for Byleth's personality. I would've liked Byleth to sound more like niko rain in English, to be honest — he has just the right soft and slightly husky tone that the Japanese voice actor has. I'd recommend his entire discography, actually, but I'll limit myself to just one more song. 05. RELEVANT LYRICS Tell me that it’s all just in my head Is it true we were never meant? I know that this isn’t how it ends Promise me this isn’t how it ends Don’t tell me that it’s gone You’re still the one I want Underneath the stars I’ll meet you where you are No matter where you are Don’t tell me that it’s gone You’re still the one I want Underneath the stars I’ll meet you where you are No matter where you are I swear I’ve cried my heart out to pieces Trying to make up stupid reasons Maybe it’s the devil I’m missing Maybe he’ll allow me three wishes Please Don’t Say that it’s gone I know that I’m wrong but Baby I’m on my knees Know you’re all that I’ve wanted All that I want and more Saying I’m sorry for all that you’ve been through Isn’t it obvious that I miss you? Can I be honest with all the things you said Just don’t say that it’s over Don’t tell me that it’s gone Don’t tell me that it’s gone You’re still the one I want Underneath the stars I’ll meet you where you are No matter where you are Don’t tell me that it’s gone You’re still the one I want Underneath the stars I’ll meet you where you are No matter where you are ⏵ ⏸ LEAVING 　niko rain & ejean. English. niko rain collaborates with EJEAN again to create another ethereal pop song that somehow oozes nostalgia despite its relatively recent release date. Again, the theme of time comes up in the context of a doomed romance. I also just like the way this song feels: heavenly and wistful, with a vaguely longing air. Also, funnily enough, the Japanese voice sample here is actually from the opening lines of Ureizakura? So I guess now I've figured out that I have the same playlist as niko rain and EJEAN! We all just listen to each other in a circle, I suppose... 06. RELEVANT LYRICS (If I told you a lie) If I told you a lie Saved you the tears Falling down from your eyes Don't cry, cherish our time Promise I'll find you When we're up in the skies Hanging on to the seconds The promise we don't have time to spare Cause I know that you're leaving Fighting half a million reasons You shouldn't go Guess I just don't believe in letting you go I know that in my dreams I won't be alone So if you (so if you) so if you 「いつかこの景色が 思い出に変わるその時」 If I told you a lie Saved you the tears Falling down from our eyes Don't cry, cherish your time Promise I'll find you When we're up in the skies If I told you a lie Saved you the tears Falling down from your eyes Don't cry, cherish our time Promise I'll find you When we're up in the skies ⏵ ⏸ SUMMER 　raph & ejean. English. This time, raph and EJEAN join soft vocals on an evocative duet that outlines a unrequited love that was doomed by lingering feelings from a previous relationship; the indie chill vibe of the instrumental makes the whole track wistful and full of regrets. The thing that doesn't really apply is the repeated reference to California, but listen. California can be anything. California can be Fhirdiad. Reject lyrical relevance and embrace musical association. The acceptance of loss, secret self-doubt, and weary resignation is very Byleth-adjacent, I think, for reasons that probably only make sense to me. 06. RELEVANT LYRICS When you go home to California You’ll pretend I didn’t know ya Yeah, I know the time we had is over Was I here just for the summer? No time to get to know ya Thought there was a chance that I’d be it for you What did it all mean? Was it nothing in the grand scheme? Night-time eating at me 'til the morning Got me doubting it all (Oh, it all) Just go home I knew she’s the only one you ever loved For good Let me go You’ve been keeping me on hold for way too long, too long So when I’m home in California I hopе you leave and find another 'Causе the distance wouldn’t have made it easier Had to leave before we got closer Thinking “I could just forget her” When there’s everything reminding me of you Just go home You know you’re the only one I ever loved For good Let me go You’ve been keeping me on hold for way too long, too long What did it all mean? Was it nothing in the grand scheme? Nighttime eating at me 'til the morning Got me doubting it all code by shiruyeh.