Angela Aki - Answer (with English Subtitles)

Another one of my favorite Angela Aki songs. This translation was part of a bigger project I did for a class on literary translation. I worked really hard on it so it's definitely more of an artistic approach to the lyrics than a word-for-word translation. Since the song is about math and words, I tried to incorporate both math lingo and rhyme when I thought them appropriate. I made it so she rhymes only when she's using math, cause that's her forte and where she really shines. I'm pretty proud of my final result, and I hope you like it too!

Of course, the song and picture are copyright Angela Aki. The only think I contributed was the English translation of her awesome lyrics. No copyright infringement is intended.

My translation:
"Some day you'll write a song for me too, right?"
You, jokingly awkward,
Asked me out of the blue.

I couldn't honestly say "Sure!"
So I went with "I'll think about it."
I'm always like this -- digging in my heels
And keeping you away.

Now I'm putting pen to paper, but
All that's coming out is
Endless embellishments of our romance.
I've always been better at arithmetic than rhyme and meter,
So maybe I should just give up and let the calculations commence.

If I add a friend plus a lover,
And then divide that by two -
The answer would be you,
I've discovered.
If I halve my joy and my grief
And share them with you,
I can breathe a sigh of relief
Because then I find life's value in us two.
You are my answer.

You were trying to pass it off as nothing,
But I knew it was her on the phone.
I was bitter, I couldn't forgive you,
I was so cold-hearted.

I know there will be jealousy and conflict,
And even some low blows and sharp jabs,
But I want to take you on in the boxing ring of love.

If you add a bigmouth plus a scaredy-cat,
And then divide that by two, I guarantee
The answer would be me,
Now I've finally realized that.
You, always working so hard
To reduce our fractions,
Through the dark, you are my guard
And my guide through all the distractions.
You are my answer.

La la la la

Because I know that there are answers to all life's equations somewhere,
Even if it takes me forever to find them,
I know that sometimes it's only when I stop looking that I'll see what I was looking for.

If I add "I'm sorry" plus "Thank you",
And then divide that by two,
The answer would be love, it's true.
Now I know that through and through.
If I add a friend plus a lover,
And then divide that by two -
The answer would be you,
I've discovered.

Sometimes the very answer that you were searching high and low for
Can be found right by your side all along --
You're the one who made me realize that.
In all the solved equations up to now,
In those that remain as we approach infinity,
I find life's value in us two.
You are my answer.


Enjoy and lemme know what you think!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Angela Aki
• Answer
• English Subtitles
• Eng Subs
• Translation
• lyrics
• ryuusei7
• ryuusei726

[DavidRasssare]

is dis chinese??

[ryuusei7]

@DavidRasssare: Nope, Japanese.

[earthiswithus]

I don't like it when people confuse Japanese with Chinese :(

[passion4jc7]

I like your "artistic translation" any chance you could post the English translation below the Romaji?

[Utena99planet]

she has all my support ^^

[WulanJayendraIswari]

you really did a good job!! love the eng sub :)

[1313rosey1313]

omg! love the lyrics!

[borata90]

angela aki is the best singer ever!!!!!

[miharuchi16]

SWEET :)

[grublover]

Thank you for these translations! Angela Aki is one of the world's greatest artists!