Fujii Kaze’s Song ‘Shinunoga E-Wa’, What Does ‘Shinunoga E-Wa’ Mean in Japanese?

Key Points

• “Shinunoga E-Wa” likely means “I’d rather die” in Japanese, based on the phrase “Shinu no ga ii wa,” reflecting deep love and commitment.
• The song, released in 2020 by Fujii Kaze, became popular in 2022 via TikTok, especially in Thailand, due to its emotional lyrics and unique trap beat.
• Fujii Kaze, a Japanese singer-songwriter, gained global fame through this viral hit, enhancing his career with chart-topping albums.

What Does “Shinunoga E-Wa” Mean?

The title “Shinunoga E-Wa” seems to be a stylized version of “Shinu no ga ii wa,” which translates to “I’d rather die” in English. This phrase captures the song’s theme of intense love, where the singer expresses he’d rather die than be separated from his beloved.

In Japanese, “shinu” means “to die,” “no” is a particle indicating possession, “ga” marks the subject, and “ii wa” means “is good,” but contextually, it conveys a dramatic emotional stance.

Fujii Kaze’s choice to write it as “Shinunoga E-Wa,” using “E-Wa” instead of “Ii Wa,” adds a playful, memorable twist, possibly to align with the song’s rhythm. It reflects a common practice in Japanese music of using stylized titles for artistic effect, enhancing its appeal.

Song Details and Popularity

Released in 2020 as part of Fujii Kaze’s debut album “Help Ever Hurt Never,” “Shinunoga E-Wa” unexpectedly surged in popularity in mid-2022. It first caught on in Thailand through TikTok, reaching No. 1 on Spotify’s Thai viral chart by July 30, 2022.

Its blend of traditional Japanese lyrics with a modern trap beat, produced by Yaffle, resonated globally, charting on Spotify’s Daily Viral Chart in 73 countries and peaking at No. 61 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global on September 25, 2022.

Lyrics and Meaning: A Poetic Expression of Love

The lyrics of “Shinunoga E-Wa” are a heartfelt exploration of love, sacrifice, and commitment. Breaking it down:

Verse 1

“Pinky swear, if I do tell a lie, I’m willing to swallow needles or anything on Monday, It doesn’t matter if it’s Sunday, Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who would give me the fairest love of them all? No need to ask cause it’s my darling.” 

This verse starts with a childhood promise, emphasizing honesty with a dramatic vow, and reflects on finding true love through self-reflection, identifying his partner as the ultimate choice.

Chorus

“I want you to be my last, If it meant saying goodbye to you, I’d rather die, I’d rather die, I’d rather have you than three meals a day, If it meant saying goodbye to you, I’d rather die, I’d rather die.” 

The chorus reinforces the theme, showing he’d prioritize his love over basic survival, repeating the titular phrase for emphasis.

Verse 2

“That’s why sometimes my heart flutters, But I don’t need that lame stuff anymore, bye bye, I’ll always stick with ya, my baby.” 

Here, he acknowledges past uncertainties but affirms his commitment, moving beyond doubts.

Outro

Repeats the chorus, solidifying the message of undying loyalty. The lyrics, translated and available at Genius English Translations, evoke timeless romance, resonating with listeners through their emotional depth.

Artist’s Background: Fujii Kaze’s Journey

Fujii Kaze, born on June 14, 1997, in Satoshō, Okayama, Japan, is a singer-songwriter and pianist with a rich musical heritage. Exposed to jazz, classical, pop, and enka from childhood, influenced by his father’s music in their family coffee shop, he began uploading piano covers on YouTube at 12, gaining over 30 million views.

After high school, he moved to Tokyo, signing with Universal Sigma’s Hehn Records, and debuted with “Nan-Nan” in 2019, followed by “Mo-Eh-Wa.” His debut album “Help Ever Hurt Never,” released in 2020, included “Shinunoga E-Wa” and topped Billboard Japan’s Hot Albums chart, certified gold.

His second album, “Love All Serve All” (2022), also achieved platinum status, showcasing his growing influence. His ability to merge traditional and contemporary sounds, as noted on Wikipedia, has been key to his global appeal.

Why “Shinunoga E-Wa” Became Popular: Viral Success Factors

It can be attributed to several factors:

Its unique musical style, combining Showa-era lyrics with a trap beat, and emotional resonance, made it perfect for social media, leading to over 178.5 thousand TikTok videos by September 2022, per uDiscover Music.

Fujii Kaze’s charisma and the live Budokan video, boosting views to over 9 million by October 2022 (Story of Song Meaning), further amplified its reach.

Impact and Reception: Global Recognition

“Shinunoga E-Wa” significantly impacted Fujii Kaze’s career, with “Help Ever Hurt Never” returning to No. 95 on Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart in August 2022, previously No. 1 in 2020, and achieving gold certification. It charted globally, reaching #57 on Spotify’s Global Song chart and #118 on US Billboard Global 200, despite its 2020 release.

The song’s cultural impact, bridging Japanese and Western audiences, was evident in its use in fan edits and covers, like Will Stetson’s English cover on YouTube, reflecting its universal appeal.