Shinjuku, Tokyo. Music, lyrics, musical arrangement and vocal arrangement by Kennie Ting. Photography and artwork design by Kennie Ting.

I wanted to write a song about Ginza, Tokyo, Japan.

And I wanted to write a song that was laced with yearning and melancholy, but still upbeat; an epic electronic dance number, that went on and on and attained epiphany, just like the night went on and on and imploded in a surfeit of emotion…

That year, that time, that night, when I walked with my beloved from the streets of Ginza to Omotesando Hills at night, and everything gleamed with an otherworldly, silver-white glow…

It had just stopped raining, and the streets were wet; the city was reflected at my feet.

“How come it’s so hard for us to hold this moment? Why can’t time just stop where it is now?” 

This is perhaps the most beautiful lyric, and certainly my most favourite lyric, in the entire album.

Why can’t it though?  Why can’t a moment in time simply extend to infinity, and continue to BE forever and ever?

URBAN is one of the last songs I wrote for the album. Initially I didn’t know what to call it. I thought of calling Fairyland for a time, but then felt it would be too twee. I thought I’d call it Life is Beautiful – but then that did not adhere with my one-word song-title rule for the album.

I settled finally, on URBAN, because I felt that best described the light.

This is just a demo. So it’s best listened to with earphones.

LYRICS:

This year’s Spring is just too cold, baby / This year’s rain like drops of ice. / I’m wrapped up, but I’m still cold, baby / Won’t you take me in your arms? / Everything shines so silver-white, baby / ‘Cos I’ve got you by my side. / The city’s shining so silver-white, baby / Won’t you hold me close to you. 

It’s so pretty, I can’t breathe / It’s late at night but nothing sleeps / This must be a fairyland, an urban fairyland…

Oh… 

This year’s styles are just too red, baby / The cherry tree bloomed a tad too late. / Don’t you say that it’s time for bed, baby / Just shut up and walk with me. / The city’s filled with tomorrow’s fashions / Gods and Demons walk its streets. / We float so high with these magic potions / To the Tower where Angels meet. 

It’s so pretty, I can’t breathe / It’s late at night, and nothing sleeps / This must be a fairyland, an urban fairyland…

Life is beautiful when you’re there / Time is short when you’re around / The night’s too long when you’re not there and / When you are it’s day too soon! 

Ah! 

[Interlude]

How come it’s so hard for us to hold this moment? / Why can’t Time just stop… where it is now? 

I’m so happy, I can’t breathe / It’s late at night but nothing sleeps / This must be a fairyland, an urban fairyland…

Life is beautiful when you’re there / Time is short when you’re around / The night’s too long when you’re not there and / When you are it’s day too soon…… 

Ah! 

© 2010 / 2019 Kennie Ting. All Rights Reserved.