NMB48 – Datte datte datte. Lyrics Meaning: The Awkward Struggle of a First Crush

Why does liking someone turn you into the most awkward person on the planet? This song by NMB48 totally gets it. “Datte datte datte” is a super relatable anthem about a girl who just can’t keep it together around her crush.

    The Story Inside NMB48’s “Datte datte datte”

    The song tells a simple story, but it’s one that feels so real. It’s all about the internal battle between what you want to say and what actually comes out of your mouth.

    That Cringey First Moment

    Okay, picture this. The girl’s crush comes up to her and asks a simple question, probably after school. Instead of being cute and friendly, she panics. Her brain short-circuits, and she gives a totally cold, uninterested reply. Of course, she immediately regrets it.

    Datte datte datte datte datte shouganai desho?
    Because, because, because, because I can’t help it, right?
    Mada kaeranai no? tte kikarete gomen suzannai riakushon shite
    You asked, “Aren’t you going home yet?” Sorry for my blunt reaction
    Datte datte datte datte dokidoki shichattanda mon
    Because, because, because, because my heart was pounding
    Sou hontou wa nee issho ni kaerou tte iitakatta
    Yeah, what I really wanted to say was, “Hey, let’s go home together”

    Ouch. You can just feel the regret. She wanted to say something sweet, but her nerves got the best of her.

    The Overthinking Spiral

    After that clumsy interaction, her mind just goes into overdrive. She replays the moment over and over, hating herself for how she acted. It’s that awful feeling when you know you messed up a perfect opportunity. She feels like she’s becoming someone she doesn’t even like.

    Koi o suru to doushite jibun ga jibun ja naku naru?
    When you fall in love, why do you stop being yourself?
    Kou subeki datta toka aa subeki datta toka
    “I should have done this,” or “I should have done that”
    Tachidomattari furikaette mite wa koukai shite
    I stop and look back, filled with regret
    Jibun ga dondon kirai ni naru no
    I start to hate myself more and more

    She’s stuck in a loop of “what ifs.” It’s a classic case of your heart and brain just not working together.

    So, What’s “Datte datte datte” Really About?

    This song is all about the frustrating gap between your intentions and your actions when you have a massive crush. The title itself, which basically means “Because, because, because,” is like a frantic excuse. It’s the sound of a flustered heart trying to justify why it can’t act normally. The core story is about wanting to show your best self to someone special, but your nerves make you show your worst, most awkward self instead.

    The Sweet Message from NMB48

    Honestly, the biggest takeaway here is that you’re not alone in feeling this way. “Datte datte datte” perfectly captures that vulnerable, messy, and slightly embarrassing part of falling for someone. The song isn’t about winning them over; it’s about the chaotic internal experience. It’s a funny, honest reminder that it’s okay to be a bit of a disaster when your heart is on the line. Being flustered just means you really care!

    That’s how I see this super cute song, anyway! Does it remind you of any of your own crush stories? I bet we’ve all been there. Let me know what you think!

    Lyrics: "Datte datte datte" by NMB48


    NMB48 – Datte datte datte [Lyrics KANJI]


    だってだってだってだって だってしょうがないでしょ?
    まだ帰らないの?って聞かれて ごめん 素っ気ないリアクションして
    だってだってだってだって ドキドキしちゃったんだもん
    そう 本当は ねえ一緒に帰ろうって言いたかった

    恋をするとどうして 自分が自分じゃなくなる?
    こうすべきだったとか ああすべきだったとか
    立ち止まったり 振り返ってみては後悔して
    自分がどんどん嫌いになるの
    次 会ったらこうしよう 頭で考えすぎて
    何でもない会話まで ぎこちなくなるよ
    一番可愛い 私をあなたには見せたいのに
    可愛くない 私を見せてしまってる

    夏まですぐなのに 何にも変わってない
    太陽だって呆れてるでしょう?

    なんでなんでなんでなんで いつもこうなっちゃうの?
    そう興味ないフリをして ちょっと その場を離れたくなる
    なんでなんでなんでなんで 素直になれないのかな
    そう その後で さっきの私 悔しくて泣いてるよ

    他の誰かだったら いつだって普通でいられる
    どう思われたってそう まるで関係ないし…
    カッコつけずに 本当の自分をさらけ出して
    よくも悪くもマイペースだった
    もしも自分が男なら こんな奴 嫌いだなって
    思っちゃうような私になぜなってしまった?
    ダメならダメで 縁がなかったんだと割り切れない
    なんかおかしい あなたと出会ってから

    髪をショートにして 振り向いて欲しかった
    純情なんて似合わないのかな

    もっともっともっともっと 自然に振る舞えたら
    もう少しだけいいところ アピール できたかもしれないよね
    もっともっともっともっと ホントは可愛いんだよ
    でも 別人の私みたいで 自己嫌悪 最悪だ

    大好き過ぎて なんかうまくいかない
    目が合うだけで頭の中が真っ白で
    言葉と行動 ぎこちなくなって空回りしてるよ

    だってだってだってだって だってしょうがないでしょ?
    まだ帰らないの?って聞かれて ごめん 素っ気ないリアクションして
    だってだってだってだって ドキドキしちゃったんだもん
    そう 本当は ねえ一緒に帰ろうって

    なんでなんでなんでなんで いつもこうなっちゃうの?
    そう興味ないフリをして ちょっと その場を離れたくなる
    なんでなんでなんでなんで 素直になれないのかな
    そう その後で さっきの私 悔しくて泣いてるよ

    NMB48 – Datte datte datte [Lyrics ROMAJI]


    Datte datte datte datte datte shōganai desho?
    Mada kaeranai no? tte kikarete gomen sokkenai riakushon shite
    Datte datte datte datte dokidoki shichatta n’da mon
    Sō hontō wa nē issho ni kaerō tte iitakatta

    Koi o suru to dōshite jibun ga jibun ja nakunaru?
    Kō subeki datta toka ā subeki datta toka
    Tachidomattari furikaette mite wa kōkai shite
    Jibun ga dondon kirai ni naru no
    Tsugi attara kō shiyō atama de kangae sugite
    Nan demo nai kaiwa made gikochinaku naru yo
    Ichiban kawaii watashi o anata ni wa misetai no ni
    Kawaii kunai watashi o misete shimatteru

    Natsu made sugu na no ni nan ni mo kawattenai
    Taiyō datte akireteru deshō?

    Nande nande nande nande itsumo kō nacchau no?
    Sō kyōmi nai furi o shite chotto sono ba o hanaretaku naru
    Nande nande nande nande sunao ni narenai no kana
    Sō sono ato de sakki no watashi kuyashikute naiteru yo

    Hoka no dareka dattara itsu datte futsū de irareru
    Dō omowaretatte sō marude kankei nai shi…
    Kakko tsukezu ni hontō no jibun o sarakedashite
    Yoku mo waruku mo mai pēsu datta
    Moshimo jibun ga otoko nara konna yatsu kirai da natte
    Omocchau yō na watashi ni naze natte shimatta?
    Dame nara dame de en ga nakatta n’da to warikirenai
    Nanka okashii anata to deatte kara

    Kami o shōto ni shite furimuite hoshikatta
    Junjō nante niawanai no kana

    Motto motto motto motto shizen ni furumaetara
    Mō sukoshi dake ii tokoro apīru dekita kamoshirenai yo ne
    Motto motto motto motto honto wa kawaii n’da yo
    Demo betsujin no watashi mitai de jikokeno saikō da

    Daisuki sugite nanka umaku ikanai
    Me ga au dake de atama no naka ga masshiro de
    Kotoba to kōdō gikochinaku natte karamawari shiteru yo

    Datte datte datte datte datte shōganai desho?
    Mada kaeranai no? tte kikarete gomen sokkenai riakushon shite
    Datte datte datte datte dokidoki shichatta n’da mon
    Sō hontō wa nē issho ni kaerō tte

    Nande nande nande nande itsumo kō nacchau no?
    Sō kyōmi nai furi o shite chotto sono ba o hanaretaku naru
    Nande nande nande nande sunao ni narenai no kana
    Sō sono ato de sakki no watashi kuyashikute naiteru yo

    NMB48 – Datte datte datte [English translation]


    But, but, but, but, but it just can’t be helped, right?
    When you asked, “Aren’t you going home yet?”, I’m so sorry I gave such a cold reaction.
    Because, because, because, because my heart was pounding!
    Actually, I really wanted to say, “Hey, let’s go home together!”

    Why is it that when I fall in love, I stop being myself?
    Thinking “I should have done this” or “I should have done that,”
    I keep stopping and looking back, always filled with regret.
    I’m starting to dislike myself more and more.
    I overthink everything in my head, like “Next time I see you, I’ll do this!”
    Even simple conversations become awkward.
    I want to show you the cutest version of me,
    But instead, I keep showing you a not-so-cute me.

    It’s almost summer, but nothing has changed at all.
    Even the sun must be surprised, don’t you think?

    Why, why, why, why does it always turn out like this?
    I pretend I’m not interested and kind of want to sneak away from the spot.
    Why, why, why, why can’t I just be honest?
    Later, I regret how I acted and end up crying.

    If it were anyone else, I could always just be normal.
    I wouldn’t care what they thought of me, it wouldn’t matter at all…
    I’d show my true self without trying to be cool,
    And I’d be at my own pace, for better or worse.
    If I were a guy, I’d probably think, “I hate this kind of person,”
    So why have I become this kind of me?
    If it doesn’t work out, I can’t just accept it as “it wasn’t meant to be.”
    Something’s been strange ever since I met you.

    I wanted you to turn around and notice me when I cut my hair short.
    Maybe innocence just doesn’t suit me.

    If only, if only, if only, if only I could act more naturally,
    I might have been able to show off my good points just a little more, right?
    If only, if only, if only, if only I could show how cute I really am!
    But I feel like a completely different person, and my self-loathing is the absolute worst.

    I love you so much that nothing seems to go right.
    Just making eye contact makes my mind go completely blank,
    My words and actions become awkward, and I just fumble around.

    But, but, but, but, but it just can’t be helped, right?
    When you asked, “Aren’t you going home yet?”, I’m so sorry I gave such a cold reaction.
    Because, because, because, because my heart was pounding!
    Actually, I really wanted to say, “Hey, let’s go home together!”

    Why, why, why, why does it always turn out like this?
    I pretend I’m not interested and kind of want to sneak away from the spot.
    Why, why, why, why can’t I just be honest?
    Later, I regret how I acted and end up crying.

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