Japanese people often don't express themselves and prefer indirect expressions. They use ambiguous expressions, implying what they want to say. Although even Japanese people have difficulties sensing what speakers imply under some circumstances, the cultural custom still remains in the society.
Anyway, I've heard that old Japanese songs released more than 20 years ago are paid more attention to stir listeners' imaginations. Some experts say that if you listen to their lyrics, you'll be easily able to imagine something and empathize with them. Since the lyrics aren't written explicitly, you need to read between the lines to understand these songs, which seems to help you stir your imagination. I'm wondering if this is because of that cultural custom. For example, while listening to the aforementioned song "Haruyo, koi", many people are likely to think of when they are struggling to find a way to overcome their difficulties. However, some may think of when they are having difficulties getting over their lost love. Some may think of when they are worrying about their future. In contrast, recent J-pop music tends to depict a certain situation relatively directly. Many singer-songwriters express themselves in their songs, and the lyrics are written with relatively direct expressions. These days, there are so many J-pop songs that people choose the best one to listen to based on their mood.
Since that earthquake, I feel like some of those old Japanese songs have been popular again. Since everyone has songs which bring back memories, it's natural that people, especially victims, are willing to listen to old songs to encourage themselves and think of who and what they don't want to forget. Other than this, I'm wondering if more people are touched by old Japanese songs because the songs allow more freedom to interpret.
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If you are interested in finding the meanings of Haruyo koi lyrics, please see my English translations below. I tried to translate them into English without my interpretations, but I don't know if I could do that. Some sentences and phrases were really hard to translate for me, so you'll have difficulties understanding them. If you can get some feelings, I would be happy.
淡き光立つ 俄雨(ﾆﾜｶｱﾒ)
いとし面影(ｵﾓｶｹﾞ)の沈丁花(ｼﾞﾝﾁｮｳｹﾞ)
溢るる涙の蕾(ﾂﾎﾞﾐ)から
ひとつ ひとつ香り始める
それは それは 空を越えて
やがて やがて 迎えに来る
春よ 遠き春よ 瞼(ﾏﾌﾞﾀ)閉じればそこに
愛をくれし君の なつかしき声がする
A rain shower giving off watery light.
The winter daphne I've been longing for.
Blossom buds of overflowing tears begin to have a scent one by one.
That, that will cross over the sky, and then, eventually, will come for me.
Hi, spring. Hi spring being far from me.
If I close my eyelids, in there, I'll sense you who have given me love and hear your familiar voice.
君に預けし 我が心は
今でも返事を待っています
どれほど月日が流れても
ずっと ずっと待っています
それは それは 明日を越えて
いつか いつか きっと届く
春よ まだ見ぬ春 迷い立ち止まるとき
夢をくれし君の 眼差(ﾏﾅｻﾞ)しが肩を抱く
My heart I've left to you is still waiting for a reply.
No matter how long the time passes by, I'll wait for it forever.
That, that will jump over tomorrow, and someday, someday, will surely arrive.
Hi spring. Hi spring I haven't yet seen.
When I'm at a loss as to what to do, I sense you who have given me a dream and your gazes/ eyes/ look hold my shoulders (back).
夢よ 浅き夢よ 私はここにいます
君を想いながら ひとり歩いています
流るる雨のごとく 流るる花のごとく
Hi the dream. Hi the shallow dream. I'm just here.
I'm walking alone while thinking of you, like rain streaming and flowing flowers.
春よ 遠き春よ 瞼閉じればそこに
愛をくれし君の なつかしき声がする
Hi, spring. Hi spring being far from me.
If I close my eyelids, in there, I'll sense you who have given me love and hear your familiar voice.
春よ まだ見ぬ春 迷い立ち止まるとき
夢をくれし君の 眼差しが肩を抱く
Hi spring. Hi spring I haven't yet seen.
When I'm at a loss as to what to do, I sense you who have given me a dream and your gazes/ eyes/ look hold my shoulders (back).
