NMB48 – Kodoku Guitar. Lyrics Meaning: The Anthem for a Lonely Dreamer

What do you do when your biggest dream feels just out of reach? This is the raw feeling NMB48 tackles in their song “Kodoku Guitar”. It’s a track about pouring all your frustration and hope into one single thing.

    The Story Behind NMB48’s “Kodoku Guitar”

    This song paints a super clear picture. It’s about someone who is trying so, so hard to achieve something important. But they keep failing. It’s like they’re stuck in a loop of almost-but-not-quite.

    Chasing a Fading Dream

    The song kicks off with a really relatable feeling of exhaustion. The main character is wondering just how many times they have to get knocked down before they can finally grab what they’re fighting for. It’s like every time they get close, the dream just slips away again.

    Ikutsu no kuyashisa wo norikoereba
    How many frustrations must I overcome
    Taisetsu na mono wo tsukameru no ka?
    Before I can grasp what’s precious?
    Zutto boku ga te wo nobashita yume wa
    The dream I’ve always reached for
    Ato mou sukoshi de mata nigete yuku
    Is so close, yet it runs away again

    You can almost see them, slumped against a dented guardrail, feeling totally powerless. The lyrics even point out that the dent was probably left by someone else who also gave up. It’s a lonely, discouraging scene.

    Finding a Voice in Solitude

    So, what happens when you feel like no one understands? You pick up a guitar. This is the big turning point. The “Kodoku Guitar,” or “Solitary Guitar,” becomes their only friend and their only way to scream out their feelings. They decide to just play, pouring every bit of emotion into the music.

    Kodoku GITAA hikou ze!
    Let’s play the solitary guitar!
    Omoi no subete kakinarase!
    Strum out all of these feelings!
    Dare mo kiiteinakute mo…
    Even if no one is listening…
    Ai no KOODO wo osaete
    Holding down the chords of love
    Kanjou mukidashi ni shiyou
    Let’s lay our emotions bare

    It’s not about playing for an audience or for fame. It’s about playing because they have to. It’s a promise to themselves that they won’t stop until their sound finally reaches someone, someday.

    What “Kodoku Guitar” Is Really About

    At its heart, this song is about perseverance in isolation. It’s a story of someone who feels completely alone in their struggle. Instead of surrendering to that loneliness, they transform it into art. The guitar isn’t just an instrument; it’s their weapon against despair, their diary, and their last shred of hope.

    The Message We Can All Take Away

    The biggest lesson from “Kodoku Guitar” is that your passion is valid, even if nobody is watching. It’s okay to create for yourself. The act of pouring your soul into something—whether it’s music, art, or anything else—is what gives you strength. The song tells us to believe in our own potential, even when we’re the only ones who can hear the music. Don’t give up, because every bent road eventually leads somewhere.

    That’s my take on this powerful song! It really hits different when you feel like you’re fighting a battle alone. What do you think? Does “Kodoku Guitar” tell a different story to you? Let’s chat about it.

    Lyrics: "Kodoku Guitar" by NMB48


    NMB48 – Kodoku Guitar [Lyrics KANJI]


    いくつの悔しさを乗り越えれば
    大切なものを掴めるのか?
    ずっと 僕が手を伸ばした夢は
    あともう少しで また逃げて行く

    無力な自分
    まざまざと浮かび上がる
    錆びたガードレールが凹んでいるのは
    誰かの挫折だろう

    孤独ギター 弾こうぜ!
    想いの全て かき鳴らせ!
    誰も聴いていなくても…
    愛のコードを押さえて
    感情 剥き出しにしよう
    いつか この音が届く日まで
    この指は止まらない
    AH- AH-

    希望と絶望のその間(はざま)で
    探してた何か忘れるけど
    今も僕は胸の奥で震えてる
    この叫びを伝えたいんだ

    諦めるのは
    軽蔑に値するよ
    何度 曲がり損ねた心のカーブも
    どこかに繋がる道

    冬のギター 弾こうぜ!
    冷たいピックで かき鳴らせ!
    強くならなきゃいけない
    僕が作ったメロディー
    本当の自由を歌おう
    たった一人きりでもいいんだ
    可能性 信じろよ
    AH- AH-

    目指してる場所
    妥協せず歩いて行く
    どんな一本道も真っ直ぐではなく
    先が見えないものさ

    孤独ギター 弾こうぜ!
    想いの全て かき鳴らせ!
    誰も聴いていなくても…
    愛のコードを押さえて
    感情 剥き出しにしよう
    いつか この音が届く日まで
    この指は止まらない
    AH- AH-

    NMB48 – Kodoku Guitar [Lyrics ROMAJI]


    Ikutsu no kuyashisa o norikoereba
    Taisetsu na mono o tsukameru no ka?
    Zutto boku ga te o nobashita yume wa
    Ato mou sukoshi de mata nigete iku

    Muryoku na jibun
    Mazamaza to ukabiagaru
    Sabita gādorēru ga hekonde iru no wa
    Dareka no zasetsu darou

    Kodoku gitā hikou ze!
    Omoi no subete kakinaraase!
    Dare mo kiite inakute mo…
    Ai no kōdo o osaete
    Kanjou mukidashi ni shiyou
    Itsuka kono oto ga todoku hi made
    Kono yubi wa tomaranai
    AH- AH-

    Kibou to zetsubou no sono hazama de
    Sagashiteta nanika wasureru kedo
    Ima mo boku wa mune no oku de furueteru
    Kono sakebi o tsutaetai n da

    Akirameru no wa
    Keibetsu ni ataisuru yo
    Nando magari sokoneta kokoro no kābu mo
    Dokoka ni tsunagaru michi

    Fuyu no gitā hikou ze!
    Tsumetai pikku de kakinaraase!
    Tsuyoku naranakya ikenai
    Boku ga tsukutta merodī
    Hontou no jiyuu o utaou
    Tatta hitori kiri demo ii n da
    Kanousei shinjiro yo
    AH- AH-

    Mezashiteru basho
    Dakyou sezu aruite iku
    Donna ipponmichi mo massugu de wa naku
    Saki ga mienai mono sa

    Kodoku gitā hikou ze!
    Omoi no subete kakinaraase!
    Dare mo kiite inakute mo…
    Ai no kōdo o osaete
    Kanjou mukidashi ni shiyou
    Itsuka kono oto ga todoku hi made
    Kono yubi wa tomaranai
    AH- AH-

    NMB48 – Kodoku Guitar [English translation]


    How many regrets do I need to overcome
    Before I can finally grasp what’s truly important to me?
    The dream I’ve always reached out for
    Is just a little bit closer, but it keeps slipping away again.

    My powerless self
    Comes vividly into view.
    That rusted guardrail with a dent –
    Perhaps it’s a sign of someone’s past setback.

    Let’s play the lonely guitar!
    Strum all of your feelings with all your might!
    Even if no one else is listening…
    Hold down the chords of love
    And let all your emotions burst out!
    Until this sound reaches someone someday,
    My fingers won’t stop!
    AH- AH-

    In the space between hope and despair,
    I might forget what I was searching for,
    But even now, I’m trembling deep inside my heart.
    I really want to convey this scream!

    Giving up
    Is something that deserves contempt.
    No matter how many times your heart has taken a wrong turn,
    Every path eventually leads somewhere.

    Let’s play the winter guitar!
    Strum it with a cold pick!
    I have to become stronger.
    This melody I created,
    Let’s sing about true freedom.
    It’s perfectly okay to be all alone.
    Believe in your potential!
    AH- AH-

    The place I’m aiming for,
    I’ll walk towards it without any compromises.
    No ‘straight’ path is ever truly straight,
    And you can’t always see what’s ahead.

    Let’s play the lonely guitar!
    Strum all of your feelings with all your might!
    Even if no one else is listening…
    Hold down the chords of love
    And let all your emotions burst out!
    Until this sound reaches someone someday,
    My fingers won’t stop!
    AH- AH-

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