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The song "Rider" A tribute to a lost AKB48 fan

Discussion in 'General AKB48 Discussion' started by Tatami Mats, Nov 11, 2007.

  1. Tatami Mats

    Tatami Mats Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2007
    Location:
    Tokyo
    Oshimen:
    minegishiminami
    I feel this song deserves its own thread right now.

    Regarding the song "RIDER"

    I was told recently by one of my friends...we'll call him Yoshi, a story of a fellow AKB48 fan. This fellow AKB48 fan, let's call him Takeshi, used to go to AKB48 concerts with Yoshi all the time.

    Since Takeshi used to go to all of the AKB48 concerts, everybody knew him. Everyday...he was one of the locals. Everybody knew him, and everybody liked him. Yoshi told me how nice Takeshi was, and how he was one of the original AKB48 fans. People also knew Takeshi for his love of motorcycles.

    On the day that they first sold Gaccha back in 2006, "Rider-san" passed away.

    -----------

    EDITHe did not pass away in a motorcycle accident. I found out that that was not the cause of his passing. The cause was medical, and he passed away on the way to the hospital

    -----------


    Everybody was really hurt by this...both fans and the AKB48 girls. Since the group was relatively small then, they knew a bunch of their loyal fans. Takeshi was one of their loyal fans, so the news of his death really touched their hearts.

    In Team A's Stage 3, the song "RIDER" is dedicated to Takeshi, and is written about him.

    I think that is really touching, and I wanted to share this with all of you.

    The following translation was done by GIDEON123, and all credit goes to him. I hope you don't mind me copying/pasting your translation in this thread, but I figured it is the best way to honor this AKB48 fan who is no longer with us.
    “Rider”
    Original lyrics by Mr. Akimoto Yasushi
    Translation by gideon123

    This place
    Because I didn’t catch sight of it,
    I got worried
    I remembered your smile
    Brighter than anyone else’s…
    I heard that
    You moved to a distant town
    Something like a final ‘Good-bye’
    I wanted to say

    You rode your bike
    Into the wind
    Where did you turn and run off to?
    Is the sky shining there?

    I miss you!

    Yes!
    I won’t forget
    About you…
    At the empty open square
    We sat on a bench,
    And all the time
    You listened to my song, right?
    Yes!
    I won’t forget
    That encounter…
    Even though it happened in December,
    Like it was yesterday
    I completely remember
    Time moves so fast, right?

    Even though we can’t meet
    Without feeling sad
    I sing
    I hope that somewhere
    You’re getting along well
    Now, that’s the case
    But while I say “You’re late,”
    It’s like a sudden appearance, right?
    Always at that bench…

    At the corner of my heart,
    You stopped your bike
    From somewhere you watch me
    Even though the rain starts to fall…

    Remember!

    You!
    The time when
    I seemed broken,
    You disappeared
    Because I dream,
    I put out a voice
    Larger than anyone else’s
    You!
    The time when
    I seemed broken,
    I close my eyes
    And remember
    That careless
    Figure of yours
    Is an eternal friend

    I miss you!

    Yes!
    I won’t forget
    About you…
    At the empty open square
    We sat on a bench,
    And all the time
    You listened to my song, right?
    Yes!
    I won’t forget
    That encounter…
    Even though it happened in December,
    Like it was yesterday
    I completely remember
    Time moves so fast, right?


    Here's to "Takeshi," wherever he may be now.

    Rest in peace


    EDIT: Thanks for the updated lyrics Gideon123 and the corrections, doink-chan :)
     
  2. gideon123

    gideon123 Kenkyuusei Retired Staff

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2007
    Location:
    New York, USA
    Oh my goodness! Talk about a shocker! This totally puts a whole new perspective on the song for me!

    I didn't know how close the fans and the AKB48 girls were - talk about a tight circle. But yeah, thanks for pointing this out.

    And I also don't mind that you posted copied and pasted my translation - in fact, I'm kind of honored.
     
  3. Youkokurama

    Youkokurama Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2007
    Location:
    Japan
    @tatami: i tried reading the book we just bought this morning, it seems that the entire story about rider is there. quite interesting. i may have to read it again with a dictionary in my hand.
     
  4. qilver

    qilver Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2007
    Location:
    Reinyan's kitchen
    it is really awesome how AKB48 acknowledges this great AKB48 fan, both as a dedicated wota, and as a individual. It is also tragic and sad to hear what had happened.
    The song dedicated to Takeshi, just shows how AKB48 thinks of their fans.
     
  5. RocketStarLauncher

    RocketStarLauncher Member Retired Staff

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2007
    Location:
    PHL -> IC
    Oshimen:
    Sato Natsuki
    That's so sad!

    Yeah, I agree. It shows the group really respects their fans just as much as the fans respect them. It's neat that they even took note of tragedy. That also proves they aren't just a pop group, but can also respond to the events and issues that are happening today.
     
  6. Ange

    Ange Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Location:
    The Stage48 Institute for Akimoto Sayaka Worship
    Oh :(

    This made me sob :cry:
     
  7. Heiwa

    Heiwa Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2007
    U.U rest in peace
     
  8. doink-chan

    doink-chan Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2007
    Location:
    the land of doinks
    Thanks for sharing this story...doinkies did not know the backstory behind the song.

    Though I didn't know "Takeshi" I want to offer my condolences to the wotas and the others who knew him well. He was certainly a loyal person. And it was great that Akimoto Yasushi decided to write a song about him, I'm sure "Takeshi" would have been extremely honored.
     
  9. pikopikopong

    pikopikopong Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2007
    Location:
    End of The Road
    That's was touching. I feel really sad for this. A great fan he was. It's hard to find singers really appreciate their fan.
     
  10. muizu

    muizu Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2007
    Location:
    My Melo or Your Melo?
    which page kurama?? i want to see his photo
     
  11. Tatami Mats

    Tatami Mats Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2007
    Location:
    Tokyo
    Oshimen:
    minegishiminami
    Here is a picture of him I took from the book.

    May you rest in peace, "Rider"

    (click for larger image)

    [​IMG]
     
  12. kyu

    kyu Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2007
    Location:
    Inside the heart of a lost child...
    OMG :shock:
    To tell the truth, i didn't really like "Rider" at first, but knowing the story behind it, i have high respect for the song now. Thank you AKB48 and Mr. Yasushi Akimoto and all the caring fans. Hope your unity (and ours also) always keep maintained for all time <3 <3 <3
     
  13. MilkGreen

    MilkGreen Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2007
    Location:
    Mochi Island
    Wow.. Kaze has ever told the story, but now I see the complete one.
    Such a sad story.. :cry:
    I love how AKB48 care about their fans :D
     
  14. Monty

    Monty Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2007
    I didn't realize that "Rider" has some story behind it... maybe cause the song itself has cheerful atmosfer,
    thanks for sharing the story Tatami Mats

    for "Takeshi", may you rest in peace
     
  15. Pan-chan

    Pan-chan Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2007
    Thats really sad to hear, and complete condolances to everyone who had the pleasure to know him well. Its nice when Artists take the time to acknowledge their fans, especally in such a personal way. I'm sure Utada Hikaru did somehing like this. It was the song Final Distance.

    I hope he has found peace now
    xxxx
     
  16. transcendental_protagonis

    transcendental_protagonis Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Location:
    beyond the blackhole
    rest in peace where you may be, great fellow, I hope you're in a great road riding your bike
     
  17. tempethegreat

    tempethegreat Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2007
    Location:
    aachan room's
    Oh man...this song translation really touched my heart...
    I dont really think that akb48 to be alert to their fans before...
    But after read the translation and know about the real story, I conscious that akb48 really appreciate their fans...
    How lucky this takeshi if he still live....
     
  18. Tatami Mats

    Tatami Mats Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2007
    Location:
    Tokyo
    Oshimen:
    minegishiminami
    Today celebrates the 2 year anniversary of his passing.

    There was a small memorial service today held for Rider-san.

    Rest in peace
     
  19. Copyninja

    Copyninja Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2007
    Location:
    I'm watching you.
    Hmmz I did know it was a song for someone, I just didn't know it was a fan :eek:

    Rest in peace, "Rider"!
     
  20. HIROKI

    HIROKI Kenkyuusei

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2008
    Location:
    The Stage48 Institute for Miyazawa Sae Worship
    "Rider" was freiend with me…

    Rest in peace
     

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