ItalianoGACKT’s new song is a love song that expresses the wish to protect a lover dying from illness, and the heartbreaking determination
■GACKT／New Single 『Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara』 Interview (1/4)
GACKT reflects on the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, talks about the feelings put into the song, and his enthusiasm for the world tour
The love song that sings about the heartbreaking determination and the desire to protect a lover dying from illness, 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」. Recalling the stage of the 『GACKT WORLD TOUR 2016 「LAST VISUALIVE Saigo no Tsuki -LAST MOON- supported by Nestle」』, the image of GACKT in a simple white shirt singing the song with fervency comes to mind. GACKT’s new single, which will be his 47th, is a recut from his album 『LAST MOON』. The song which became the opening theme song of the anime 『TRICKSTER – Edogawa Ranpo 「Shonen Tanteidan」 Yori -』 (MX, Yomiuri TV, BS11) that began broadcasting in October, started from the aspiration of the anime production to collaborate with GACKT. Made to link with the world of the work, the fully animated music video which features GACKT is also fresh. In this newest interview, GACKT reflects on the 『LAST VISUALIVE』, and talks about the feelings put into the song, as well as his enthusiasm for the world tour.
At present it sure is convenient with a variety of SNS tools to use but…… The most precious medium is still a letter, isn’t it
―― I watched the 『LAST VISUALIVE』 final (July 3, 2016 / Saitama Super Arena) and, I was really astounded by the wonderful staging. By the overwhelming world that only GACKT-san can create……
GACKT: It makes me happy that you say that. Nobody wants to do anything like that (laughs). It’s too much work.
―― It deviates from the ordinary, doesn’t it.
GACKT: It really does. Though I also flatter myself when I think 「We’ve done well so far」(laughs).
―― In an earlier interview you’ve been asked about the live being done in line with the album 『LAST MOON』 but, it was not only the album, but also the world that GACKT-san has created and the stories that you’ve spun that it’s been mixed with. I was able to feel indescribably deep emotions, and also taste a whole spectrum of feelings. You must have been tired……
GACKT: Hahaha! I indeed was tired. Really, I was shocked. I got sick in the later half of the tour, you see. My poor physical condition shows its entirety on my skin, and at the end, a supporter was wound around my arm, and I covered my entire body in foundation…… that was terrible.
―― But looking at things from the outside, it doesn’t look like the situation was like that at all, the dancing and singing were sharp. 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」, which has been made into a single this time, was performed during an important scene in the final stage, wasn’t it. It was paired with 「P.S. I LOVE U」.
GACKT: That’s right, it’s the answer song. Strictly speaking, 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」’s answer song should be 「P.S.I LOVE U」 though. The man’s feelings for a woman are expressed in 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」, while the woman’s feelings about the man is expressed in 「P.S. I LOVE U」.
―― In the interview coverage for the album 『LAST MOON』 (※February 2016), this song was not in existence yet right? Was this song created as the final piece?
GACKT: Instead of calling it the final piece, it’s more like it simply took more time to complete. I started working on it before the other songs but, despite that the melody and lyrics were already prepared, I couldn’t arrange it at all. It was actually meant to be an even longer song but, it was too unfocused, if I’m not wrong, it was completed on the final day of rehearsals. But, I think, having stuck with it that long was worth it. I think it’s a good song.
―― Be it the tempo or rhythm, the feeling of “I like it!” comes rushing out, and I can feel the furious momentum of it, but this couple, they’ve been placed in quite a serious situation, haven’t they?
GACKT: That’s right. Although they thought that everything would go well, the girlfriend suddenly falls ill, and they end up heading towards a future that differs from the one they imagined…… Like, he can’t accept that reality. But from there, he finally decided in his heart 「I’ll protect her」, and was headed towards where she is but, in the end they couldn’t meet…… But he receives a letter from the girl who passed away, and that connects with 「P.S. I LOVE U」. It’s a fleeting but good song, or rather, I think I’ve managed to write a good pair of songs.
―― 「P.S. I LOVE U」 comes in the form of a letter written with their feelings for a lover left behind, and at the start of the music video for 「Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara」 as well, the man was trying to write a letter with a fountain pen. In present times, tools like LINE or emails are at their prime but, I dare say that when it’s a letter the emotions can really be felt. Was that intentional?
GACKT: Yes. A letter is the only thing that can put a person’s feelings into the words. For example, in the strength of the words written.
―― The blurring, the occasional distortion in the handwriting. What you’re saying is, even in those, the feelings are present right.
GACKT: That’s right. Because after all, typed letters can only be conveyed in the same font, that’s why it seems like we can express (our feelings) using emoji but, even with that, it’s still in the digital world anyway. But, emotions can’t be digitised right. Now there are various SNS tools and indeed that makes things convenient though…… But, something that is really precious is still letters I think.
―― The things that can’t be expressed in symbols, are put into letter right.
GACKT: That’s right. You’d want to.
Source: excite.co.jp
Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team
Translation © GACKT ITALIA