Karashima Midori (辛島美登里) - Koi Mo Shigoto Mo (恋も仕事も)

"Koi Mo Shigoto Mo" (恋も仕事も) is recorded in Karashima Midori's (辛島美登里) first album, "In Your Eyes", after she moved to to Toshiba EMI in 1995.  Inside the album, most songs talk about the dilemma of balancing work and love for working women.  "Koi Mo Shigoto Mo" is no exception, and it talks about a woman who wanted to treat both her relationship and her dream seriously, but eventually lost her lover.  The following is directly from Karashima Midori herself talking about this song, written in the pamphlet of her album "All Time Best":

At that time, after a woman got married she'd usually quit her job.  It's rare to see a career woman.  As expected, the "Cute (かわいい) Ladies" and the "Fawning Ladies" were the winning groups.  Nowadays, it probably applies to men as well, isn't it? (laugh) Regarding women who ambush, or pretend to be calm, or are inclined to be thought of as "non-charming", I wonder if it's possible to present their true nature as a song so that it'll be less disagreeable.  It is under such thought that I wrote this song.  Inside the album "In Your Eyes", there are many songs of this nature.  For me who was entering the 2nd half of my 30s, and for all those women who were around my same age, who are in fact more clumsy beyond first impression, and prone to be hurt, I dare you to allow me to present this song.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find the whole song on YouTube.  This is the best clip I can find: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCTiF5c0uww&feature=youtu.be&t=1m58s

恋も仕事も

曲、詞：辛島美登里

愛を図るなんて　いけないことだけど
そんなことをさせる　あなたはもっと悪い人
彼女の家の前で　あなたを待ってた
きりがない　一人芝居　もうここで帰ろう

好きだった…　だけど決められない
この恋も　夢も大事にしたくて
プロポーズ…　ためらったその日から
違う人　あなた選んだの

何もなかったように　朝は舞い降りて
新しい服とルージュ　ラッシュの波へと歩きだす
友達も気づかない　心の傷跡
話してる　微笑ってる　自分が哀しいの

わからない…　涙を越える度
しなやかに　強くなれると言うけど
今はただ…　自分に負けたくない
頑張るの　恋も仕事も

好きだった…　だけど決められない
この恋も　夢も大事にしたくて
今はただ…　自分に負けたくない
頑張るの　恋も仕事も

幸せになるから　みててね…

Love Too, Career Too

Composer, Lyrics: Karashima Midori

One should not be plotting to gain love
But you who made me do so is worse
I was waiting for you in front of your girlfriend’s home
Endless times it ended up as my own one-man show
“Maybe I should go home soon,” I thought

I loved you… But I am unable to decide
Whether it’s this relationship or my dream, I want to do both seriously
Proposal… From the day I showed hesitance
You have chosen a different person

As if it’s empty, morning descends in a flutter
Putting on my new clothes and lipstick, I start walking towards the rushing crowd
Even my friends are not aware of the wound in my heart
Talking, smiling, but feeling sad inside

I don’t understand… Every time I’ve stopped crying
I say I can be both strong and tender
But now… I just don’t want to lose to myself
I will do my best, whether it’s love or career

I loved you… But I am unable to decide
Whether it’s this relationship or my dream, I want to do both seriously
Now… I just don’t want to lose to myself
I will do my best, whether it’s love or career

Because I’ll find happiness, you’ll see…