AKB48 – Barebare bushi. Lyrics Meaning: The Hilarious Daily Grind of a Salaryman
Why does the daily work routine sometimes feel like a total comedy show? AKB48’s song “Barebare bushi” perfectly captures this feeling, turning the everyday struggle of a Japanese office worker into a super catchy and funny anthem. It’s a tune for anyone who’s ever had a tough day at the office and just had to laugh.
- AKB48 – Aozora no soba ni ite | A Goodbye That Feels Like a Promise
- AKB48 Team Surprise – Youchien no sensei | Finding Your Dream Job with the Cutest Kids
- AKB48 Team Surprise – Namida ni shizumu taiyou | The Sun Sinking in Tears After a Summer Fling
- Blxst – ain’t done | The Story of Relentless Drive and Proving Everyone Wrong
- Meghan Trainor – NO | Owning Your Power, Anime Style
- Lady Gaga – The Fame | Chasing the Glamorous Life
- Sakurazaka46 – Plastic regret | The Unbreakable Heart That’s Secretly Crying
- AKB48 Team Surprise – Sono mama de | A Love Song to Your Unfiltered Self
- Hinatazaka46 – My god | The Shock of a Sudden Crush
A Week in the Life: The Story of “Barebare bushi”
This song is basically a diary of a typical “salaryman,” an office worker, as he survives the work week. It’s not glamorous, but it sure is relatable. The song breaks down the daily grind with a ton of humor and honesty.
Kicking Off the Week with a Sigh
The song starts on Monday, and it’s exactly as you’d imagine. The hero of our story is stuck in a packed train, surrounded by other tired faces. His day is filled with things that make absolutely no sense, but he has to do them anyway. It’s the classic start to a long week.
[su_quote]
Muda na kaigi ni iminai shorui to
With useless meetings and meaningless documents
Musekinin joushi
And an irresponsible boss
Barebare bushi
It’s the Barebare bushi
[/su_quote]
Sound familiar? He’s dealing with pointless meetings and a boss who doesn’t take responsibility, but he just has to keep going.
The Mid-Week Power-Through
By Wednesday, things get even more complicated. It’s not just about the work anymore; it’s about navigating the tricky world of office politics. He’s stuck in the middle, trying to please everyone and not step on any toes.
[su_quote]
Joushi ni utare bukachou ni tsukare
Pushed by the boss, poked by subordinates
Otokuisama ni wa IESU MAN
For the clients, he’s a YES MAN
Ningen kankei SHIISOO GEEMU da
Human relationships are a seesaw game
[/su_quote]
He feels like he’s on a seesaw, trying to keep his balance between his higher-ups and the people working under him. To clients, he has to agree with everything. It’s a real juggling act!
The Weekend That Isn’t Really a Weekend
You’d think he’d get a break on the weekend, right? Think again. The company is cutting costs, which means our guy is working on Saturday when he should be off. And Sunday isn’t for relaxing either; it’s for sucking up to clients on the golf course or at karaoke. Even his free time isn’t really his.
[su_quote]
Do-nichi yasumi no kaisha no hazu ga
It’s supposed to be a company with Saturday and Sunday off
Are ya kore ya de shigotochuu
But for this and that, he’s working
Jinin sakugen KOSUTO mo KATTO de
With staff reductions and cost cuts
Zangyou tsukazu ni
There’s no overtime pay
[/su_quote]
After all that, he still has to go home and make sure his wife and kids are happy. The poor guy never gets a moment to himself!
So, What’s the Real Story Here?
AKB48’s “Barebare bushi” is a playful but sharp look at the life of the average Japanese office worker. It paints a picture of a man who faces endless, often ridiculous, challenges every single day. He’s not a superhero, just a regular person trying to provide for his family and get through the week with his sanity intact.
The “Ganbarebare” Spirit
Even though the song details a lot of struggles, it’s not a downer at all. The main message is actually super positive. Throughout the song, he chants, “If I don’t do it, who will?” It’s his personal pep talk. He knows his job is tough and sometimes silly, but he takes responsibility and keeps pushing forward. The title itself, “Barebare bushi,” feels like a “warrior’s song” for the employee whose struggles are totally obvious. It’s a funny, energetic cheer for all the unsung heroes of the office just trying to do their best.
This song is just so real, isn’t it? It manages to be both hilarious and incredibly relatable. What part of the salaryman’s week do you find the funniest or most true? Let me know what you think!
[su_spoiler title=”
Lyrics: "Barebare bushi" by AKB48
” open=”no” style=”fancy”]
AKB48 – Barebare bushi [Lyrics KANJI]
ラッシュアワーの電車に揺られ
あくびだらけの金魚鉢
サラリーマンよ ご一緒に
俺がやらなきゃ誰がやる?
月曜日からガンバレバレ
無駄な会議に意味ない書類と
無責任上司
バレバレ節
今日も元気に それなりにね
日本全国 頑張ろう
パソコン 英語 競争が苦手
出世街道 渋滞中
ダメリーマンよ ご一緒に
俺がやらなきゃ誰がやる?
火曜日からガンバレバレ
家のローンに子供の学費と
父さん 負けずに
バレバレ節
今日も元気に それなりにね
日本全国 頑張ろう
上司に打たれ 部下に突(つつ)かれ
お得意様にはイエスマン
ツラリーマンよ ご一緒に
俺がやらなきゃ誰がやる?
水曜日からガンバレバレ
人間関係 シーソーゲームだ
どっちつかずで
バレバレ節
今日も元気に それなりにね
日本全国 頑張ろう
人事異動は蚊帳の外でも
期待しなけりゃ落ち込まない
ヒラリーマンよ ご一緒に
俺がやらなきゃ誰がやる?
木曜日からガンバレバレ
役職 給料は現状維持でも
体重アップ
バレバレ節
今日も元気に それなりにね
日本全国 頑張ろう
ちよっと一杯 いつものコース
夢を肴に また終電
ヨッパラリーマンよ ご一緒に
俺がやらなきゃ誰がやる?
金曜日からガンバレバレ
GDPにγ(ガンマ)-GTP
まとめて任せろ
バレバレ節
今日も元気に それなりにね
日本全国 頑張ろう
土日休みの会社のはずが
あれやこれやで仕事中
ハタラキーマンよ ご一緒に
俺がやらなきゃ誰がやる?
土曜日だってガンバレバレ
人員削減 コストもカットで
残業つかずに
バレバレ節
今日も元気に それなりにね
日本全国 頑張ろう
接待ゴルフ 接待カラオケ
下手で通せばグッドジョブ
ヘタリーマンよ ご一緒に
俺がやらなきゃ誰がやる?
日曜日だってガンバレバレ
家に帰れば 女房と子供の
機嫌もとって
バレバレ節
今日も元気に それなりにね
日本全国 頑張ろう
今日も元気に それなりにね
日本全国 頑張ろう
AKB48 – Barebare bushi [Lyrics ROMAJI]
Rasshu awā no densha ni yurare
Akubi darake no kingyobachi
Sararīman yo go issho ni
Ore ga yaranakya dare ga yaru?
Getsuyōbi kara gambarebare
Mudana kaigi ni imi nai shorui to
Musekinin jōshi
Barebare bushi
Kyō mo genki ni sorenari ni ne
Nihon zenkoku ganbarō
Pasokon eigo kyōsō ga nigate
Shusse kaidō jūtai-chū
Damerīman yo go issho ni
Ore ga yaranakya dare ga yaru?
Kayōbi kara gambarebare
Ie no rōn ni kodomo no gakuhito
Tōsan makezu ni
Barebare bushi
Kyō mo genki ni sorenari ni ne
Nihon zenkoku ganbarō
Jōshi ni utare buka ni tsutsukare
O-tokui-sama ni wa iesuman
Tsurarīman yo go issho ni
Ore ga yaranakya dare ga yaru?
Suiyōbi kara gambarebare
Ningen kankei shīso gēmu da
Docchi tsukazu de
Barebare bushi
Kyō mo genki ni sorenari ni ne
Nihon zenkoku ganbarō
Jinji idō wa kaya no soto demo
Kitai shinakerya ochikomanai
Hirarīman yo go issho ni
Ore ga yaranakya dare ga yaru?
Mokuyōbi kara gambarebare
Yakushoku kyūryō wa genjō iji demo
Taijū appu
Barebare bushi
Kyō mo genki ni sorenari ni ne
Nihon zenkoku ganbarō
Chotto ippai itsumo no kōsu
Yume o sakana ni mata shūden
Yoppararīman yo go issho ni
Ore ga yaranakya dare ga yaru?
Kin’yōbi kara gambarebare
GDP ni ganma-GTP
Matomete makasero
Barebare bushi
Kyō mo genki ni sorenari ni ne
Nihon zenkoku ganbarō
Donichi yasumi no kaisha no hazu ga
Are ya kore ya de shigoto-chū
Hatarakīman yo go issho ni
Ore ga yaranakya dare ga yaru?
Doyōbi datte gambarebare
Jin’in sakugen kosuto mo katto de
Zangyō tsukazu ni
Barebare bushi
Kyō mo genki ni sorenari ni ne
Nihon zenkoku ganbarō
Settai gorufu settai karaoke
Heta de tōseba guddo jobu
Hetary-man yo go issho ni
Ore ga yaranakya dare ga yaru?
Nichiyōbi datte gambarebare
Ie ni kaereba nyōbō to kodomo no
Kigen mo totte
Barebare bushi
Kyō mo genki ni sorenari ni ne
Nihon zenkoku ganbarō
Kyō mo genki ni sorenari ni ne
Nihon zenkoku ganbarō
AKB48 – Barebare bushi [English translation]
Swaying on the rush hour train,
Like a goldfish bowl full of yawns.
Hey, salarymen, let’s do this together!
If I don’t do it, who will?
From Monday, let’s keep doing our best (ganbarebare)!
With useless meetings and meaningless documents,
And irresponsible bosses,
It’s the “Barebare” melody!
Let’s stay cheerful today, in our own way, okay?
All of Japan, let’s keep working hard!
Not great with computers, English, or competition,
My career path is stuck in a traffic jam.
Hey, “Damerīman” (struggling salarymen), let’s do this together!
If I don’t do it, who will?
From Tuesday, let’s keep doing our best (ganbarebare)!
With home loans and children’s tuition,
Dad, don’t give up!
It’s the “Barebare” melody!
Let’s stay cheerful today, in our own way, okay?
All of Japan, let’s keep working hard!
Beat down by the boss, poked by subordinates,
A “yes-man” to important clients.
Hey, “Tsurarīman” (tough-it-out salarymen), let’s do this together!
If I don’t do it, who will?
From Wednesday, let’s keep doing our best (ganbarebare)!
Human relationships are a seesaw game,
Caught in the middle,
It’s the “Barebare” melody!
Let’s stay cheerful today, in our own way, okay?
All of Japan, let’s keep working hard!
Even if personnel transfers leave me out in the cold,
If I don’t expect anything, I won’t get down.
Hey, “Hirarīman” (chill salarymen), let’s do this together!
If I don’t do it, who will?
From Thursday, let’s keep doing our best (ganbarebare)!
Even if my position and salary stay the same,
My weight just goes up!
It’s the “Barebare” melody!
Let’s stay cheerful today, in our own way, okay?
All of Japan, let’s keep working hard!
Just one drink, the usual course,
Dreaming over snacks until the last train again.
Hey, “Yoppararīman” (drunk salarymen), let’s do this together!
If I don’t do it, who will?
From Friday, let’s keep doing our best (ganbarebare)!
From GDP to gamma-GTP,
Just leave it all to me!
It’s the “Barebare” melody!
Let’s stay cheerful today, in our own way, okay?
All of Japan, let’s keep working hard!
My company is supposed to be closed on weekends, but…
With this and that, I’m working!
Hey, “Hatarakīman” (hardworking salarymen), let’s do this together!
If I don’t do it, who will?
Even on Saturday, let’s keep doing our best (ganbarebare)!
With staff reductions and cost cuts,
No overtime pay!
It’s the “Barebare” melody!
Let’s stay cheerful today, in our own way, okay?
All of Japan, let’s keep working hard!
Client golf, client karaoke,
If you pretend to be bad, it’s a good job!
Hey, “Hetary-man” (strategically clumsy salarymen), let’s do this together!
If I don’t do it, who will?
Even on Sunday, let’s keep doing our best (ganbarebare)!
When I go home, my wife and kids,
I have to keep them happy too!
It’s the “Barebare” melody!
Let’s stay cheerful today, in our own way, okay?
All of Japan, let’s keep working hard!
Let’s stay cheerful today, in our own way, okay?
All of Japan, let’s keep working hard!
[/su_spoiler]
