2.27.16
Recently, I haven’t been able to get a favorite song out of my head. Back in 1992, I picked up the two-disc CD set of Godzilla vs Mothra. And its last track is Godzilla So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do (Godzilla Gymnastics), ゴジラ・ソファミレド(ゴジラ体操) [伊福部昭 完全収録 伊福部昭 特撮映画音楽 東宝編9 Disc 2, 3:45 min]. This song accompanies an gymnastics/aerobic workout for children on Godzilla Land (ゴジランド).
Godzilla So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do was created by LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井) and Ushigami Ichiban (氏神一番, うじがみいちばん). The song’s title was very elusive. I had to sleep on it. Then it dawned on me that it is the reversal of Solfège. The Solfege goes by many variations. It is the seven syllables commonly used for to teach pitch: do (or doh in tonic sol-fa), re, mi, fa, sol (or so in tonic sol-fa). Like translating the title, the remainder of the song was difficult as well. I did my best with translating the lyrics below. Sing along and work out!
ゴジラ・ソファミレド(ゴジラ体操)
悔しい事に (kuyashi koto ni)
A terrifying thing
僕に合う服が無いから (boku ni au fuku ga nai kara )
from clothing not fitting me
いつもいつも裸だけど (itsumo itsumo hadaka dakedo)
I’m always naked
僕は平和のシンボル (boku ni heiwa no shinboru)
I’m a symbol of peace
僕の自慢は (boku no jiman wa)
My pride
口から火を吹き (kuchi kara hi wo fuki)
I blow fire from my mouth
暗い町を明るくする (kurai machi wo akaru kusuru)
To brighten the dark town
とっても気持ちが良いよ (tottemo kimochi ga yoi yo)
It’s very good feeling
ラララ 何を言われてもへっちゃら (La la la nani wo iwaretemo hecchara)
La La La Even if what you say, “I don’t care”
大空向かって唱えよ (oozora mukatte tonae yo)
Turn and shout to the sky
だけどちょっぴりハラペコさ (dake docho piri harapeko sa)
However, a little bit hunger
ゴジラソファミレド (Gojira sofamiredo)
Godzilla sofamiredo
みてくれなんて関係無い無い (mitekurenante kankeinai)
Not concerned about the outward appearance
ナイスな一日の始まり (naisuna ichinich no hajimri)
The start of a nice day
ゴジラソフャミレド (Gojira sofamiredo)
Godzilla So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do
気ままに今日も生きてみた対 (kimamani kyou mo ikitemitatai)
Carefree life today
大切な夢無くさない為に (taisetsuna yume nakusanai tame ni)
In order not to lose precious dream
ご機嫌毎日 (gokigen mainichi)
Happy every day
暴れ回るよ (abaremawaru yo)
Run wild
大地を 地面揺らし (daichi wo jimen yurashi)
Throw rocks to the ground
散歩すれば人や町は大騒ぎ (sammpo sureba hito ya machi ha oosawagi)
People walking and the town clamouring
僕の膝小僧 学校の屋根に (boku no hizakozo gakko o yane ni)
My knee on the school rooftop
空き刺さって 痛いけれど (suki sasatte itai keredo)
Although painful empty
僕はのろまじゃないよ (boku ha noroma ja nai yo)
I’m not slow
ラララ お尻をフリフリ明日に (La la la oshiri wo furi furi ashita ni)
La la la tomorrow my bottom is free
星空見つめて唱えよう (hoshi zora mitsumete tonae yo)
Shout and stare at the starry sky
友だち同志 なんちゃって(tomodachi doshi nanchatte)
Fake like-minded friend
ゴジラソファミレド (Gojira sofamiredo)
Godzilla sofamiredo
みてくれなんて関係無い無い (mite kurenante kankeinai nai)
Not concerned about the outward appearance
ナイスな一日の始まり (naisuna ichinich no hajimri)
The start of a nice day
ゴジラソファミレド (Gojira sofamiredo)
Godzilla So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do
気ままに今日も生きてみた対 (kimamani kyou mo ikitemitatai)
Carefree alive today
大切な夢無くさない為に (taisetsuna yume nakusanai tame ni)
In order not to lose precious dream
ゴジラソファミレド (Gojira sofamiredo)
Godzilla So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do
みてくれなんて関係無い無い (mite kurenante kankeinai nai)
ナイスな一日の始まり (naisuna ichinich no hajimri)
The start of a nice day
ゴジラソファミレド (Gojira sofamiredo)
Godzilla So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do
気ままに今日も生きてみた対 (kimamani kyou mo ikitemitatai)
Carefree life today
大切な夢無くさない為に (taisetsuna yume nakusanai tame ni)
In order not to lose precious dream
Now that you’ve got the gist of the song, join in the aerobic workout below!
