by Wonsuh Song
In 1997, during my short stay in Japan, I had little understanding of the Japanese language. At that time, one of the songs that became explosively popular was GLAY’s “HOWEVER.” Yet, with no YouTube and limited means to obtain lyrics, it was difficult to grasp the true meaning behind the song. I heard only snippets of its melody on TV music programs, and, coupled with the language barrier, I could not delve any deeper into its essence.
Over twenty five years have passed since then. One day, while walking down the street, “HOWEVER” suddenly drifted into my ears. Struck by nostalgia, I whipped out my smartphone, searched for the song on YouTube, and immediately looked up the lyrics. The fact that I could so readily access them made me realize just how significantly the times have changed. I was also astonished to discover that this song contained so much more depth than I had initially imagined.
Back then, it was not easy to seek out and listen to any song at will. One had to purchase a CD or patiently wait for it to be played on radio or television. Today, however, one can instantly access music from all over the world with just a few touches, and song lyrics are readily available. Moreover, translations into other languages are equally easy to find, a hallmark of this incredibly convenient era.
Yet, I cannot help but feel that such convenience has somewhat diminished the weight and value each individual track once held. We can now repeat any song endlessly, and in the flood of endless choices, each track can become merely another item to be consumed. The resonance that music can bring to our lives—its quiet way of permeating our emotions—risks being overlooked.
Music possesses a mysterious power to evoke different impressions and emotions depending on when and how we listen to it. Even if I had fully understood Japanese in 1997, the feelings I would have had back then would likely differ substantially from those I experience now. This capacity for music to reconnect us across time is precisely why it continues to enrich our lives.
We live in an age where almost everything is at our fingertips. At the same time, we risk being swept away by the deluge of information, neglecting to appreciate the true worth of each piece of content we encounter. For that reason, it seems more crucial than ever to reflect once again on the messages that music—a rare and precious medium—conveys to us across the years.
Recalling my past self through “HOWEVER,” and noticing how my perspective has changed since then, is one of the great joys that music offers. No matter how much the times may transform, the power stored in a single song and the brilliance of the emotions it contains will surely never fade.
Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Full-time Lecturer, Faculty of School Teacher Education, Shumei University
Adjunct Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Waseda University
Visiting Researcher, Center for Spatial Information Science, University of Tokyo
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