Sparks通算5枚目、1975年のアルバム『Indiscreet : 軽薄』。渡英して３枚目、プロデューサーにトニー・ヴィスコンティを招き入れ、サージェント・ペパーズを目指した野心作は傑作となった。チェンバーポップからビックバンドジャズ、ビートルズ的なロックまで、その多種多様なアレンジは歌詞の面白さを伝えるために凝らされている。言葉のリズム、言葉の面白さは、拍の長さや拍子の変化にまで連動しているのだ。このため、スタンダードなポップ/ロックと比較すると、曲の構成は普通ではない(とはいえ、プログレ的、ということではない。プログレ的要素は皆無だ)。これを面白いととるか、いびつととるか？結果的に、当時は前後のアルバムよりも全く評価されなかったとのことだが、確かに、趣向を凝らしすぎたポップ/ロックはすぐに理解されなく、売れないかもしれない。しかし、本人たちがドキュメンタリー映画内でも言ってるが、紛れのない傑作だ。私としても、楽曲と歌詞のあまりの面白さとキレ味、アレンジの芳醇さ、完璧な演奏に驚嘆してしまっている。1曲1曲が映画のように感じられる稀有な作品である。
■1. "Hospitality On Parade"
Someday we'll have one extra coastline
We'll tire of the Atlantic
By then we'll be rid of your lot
いつか、別の海岸線を領有する頃には
大西洋にはうんざりしているだろう
それまでにお前は追い払われることになる
A shot heard 'round the world will soon be shot, will soon be shot
世界中に響き渡った銃弾は、またすぐ発射されるだろう、
'Til then have some tea and tobacco
Hey Jenny meet your master
Be nice, show him kindness and such
Be kind to our master
それまでお茶とタバコでもどうぞ
ジェニー、ご主人にご挨拶
愛想よく、誠意をみせなさい、このように
私たちの主人には敬意を
But a feeling is a-brewing that we don't need any masters
'Cause we all can be a master and we all can be a king
しかし、ある感情が芽生えつつつある
私たちには、いかなる主人も必要ないと
なぜなら、私たちはみな主になれるし、王になれるからだ
We speak and we sing the way that you do
And showed you our hospitality on parade
私たちはあなた達と同じように喋れるし歌えるんだ
そして、あなた達にはとめどない奉仕をした
But now we are we, we're no longer you
Tara to that hospitality on parade
でももはや、私たちは自分自身であって、決してあなたではない
さよなら(Tara: 1700年代の表現)、奉仕活動はおしまい
Today you're going to find their descendants In places all around you
You're faced with the easiest task
How best to act a king when always treated like a king
現代では、身の回りのどこでも彼らの子孫をみつけられるだろう
世の中、安易な仕事ばかり
いつも王のように扱われて、王を演じるのは最高だよね
Lunch counters, at banks and the theatre
Kind help right there to serve you
Men selling, and girls selling too
And everyone's special
レストランでも銀行でもシアターでも
抜群なサービスばかり
男も商売、女も商売
そして、みんなが特別
We all are someone special
Yes, we all are someone special
For we all are someone special
Where the customer is king
私たちはみんな特別な誰か
そう、特別な誰かなんだ
特別な誰かなんだから
お客様が王様の世界では
Whoever you are, whoever you bring
You'll find that hospitality on parade
However you look, you're always a king
Wherever there's hospitality on parade
君が誰だろうと、誰を連れてこようと
抜群な奉仕を享受することができる
でも見て、あなたは常に王なんだ
奉仕活動にあふれる世界では
I'm special, you're special
He's special, she's special
We're all someone special
And I am the king
私は特別、君は特別
彼は特別、彼女は特別
私たちは皆、特別な誰か
そして、この私が王
Whoever you are, whoever you bring
You'll find that hospitality on parade
However you look, you're always a king
Wherever there's hospitality on parade
Whoever you are, whoever you bring
You'll find that hospitality on parade
However you look, you're always a king
Where ever there's hospitality on parade
■2. "Happy Hunting Ground"
Happy hunting ground, happy hunting ground
They don't talk or act like you do
Happy hunting ground, happy hunting ground
No they sure don't look like you
なんぱスポット なんぱスポット
君とは喋りも振る舞いも全然違う
なんぱスポット なんぱスポット
君とは全然違うね
Who, what, when, where and why everyday
Identify every disease
I drew a blank in my language
And Latin and Spanish and Greek
誰が、どう、いつ、どこで、なぜ
病気になったのか毎日チェック
やらかしちゃった国語で
Thrown out, thrown out, so happy at first
I danced 'til I wore out my shoes
Now I'm in trouble, I know it
Oh, please let me back into school
退学、退学、初めはハッピー
靴がすり減るまで踊りまくり
でも困った。分かってるよ
お願い、僕を学校に戻してよ！
Back in the happy hunting ground
Where all around are fair, fair game
I need the happy hunting ground
'Cause all around it's not the same
なんぱスポットに戻ろう
どこもかしこもなんぱ祭り
なんぱスポットが必要
こんな場所ないからね
How to say it, and not to offend
Well, you're still inside it's OK
なんて言えばいいのか、怒らないでね
ええと、まだ中にいるんだ、OK
As soon as a girl leaves the refuge
Out go the reason they're great
女の子が1人出てきた瞬間に
最高な場所だと確信したよ
Hips are spreading, and never a smile
They always demand that they drive
お尻は大きくなりつつ、笑顔ひとつも見せない
いつも自分で運転するって譲らない
Well, I've got to get back inside there
Back where at least they're alive
だから、僕も中に戻らなきゃ
みんな元気な場に
Back in the happy hunting ground
Where all around are fair, fair game
I need the happy hunting ground
'Cause all around it's not the same
Happy hunting ground, happy hunting ground
They can sort of dance like you do
Happy hunting ground, happy hunting ground
But they just can't last like you
Happy hunting ground, happy hunting ground
But they just can't last like you
なんぱスポット なんぱスポット
みんな君のようにはなんとなく踊るれるよ
なんぱスポット なんぱスポット
でも、君のようには続かないのよね
Some are coming to learn how to read
Others to learn how to write
But I want a better selection
It's larger but poorer outside
リーディングを学びにくる人もいれば
ライティングを学びにくる人もいます
でも、僕はより良い選択をしたい
外は広いけど、しょぼいからね
It's fair, fair game inside
It's fair, fair game inside
It's fair, fair game inside
It's fair, fair game inside
It's fair, fair game inside
It's fair, fair game inside
It's fair, fair game inside
中はお祭り、なんぱフェア(みんな平等、格好の的)
Back in the happy hunting ground
Where all around are fair, fair game
I need the happy hunting ground
'Cause all around it's not the same
It's fair fair game inside
It's fair fair game inside
It's fair fair game inside
It's fair fair game inside
Back in the happy hunting ground
Where all around are fair, fair game
I need the happy hunting ground
'Cause all around it's not the same
Back in the happy hunting ground
Where all around are fair, fair game
I need the happy hunting ground
'Cause all around it's not the same
Back in the happy hunting ground
Where all around are fair, fair game
I need the happy hunting ground
'Cause all around it's not the same
■3. "Without Using Hands"
The canopy over the main doorway of the Ritz hotel Had served as a very large umbrella when the May rains fell
五月雨の季節に、ホテルリッツのメインエントランス上の張りだしは、
Still the men of Paris glistened and their ladies did as well
まだ、パリジャンとパリジェンヌがきらめいていたとき
As long as their powder was dry there'd be some heterosexual thrills
With or without the protection of the Paris Ritz hotel
粉が乾いている限り、ワクワクした交友があったことでしょう
リッツホテルによる隠蔽があったにしろ、なかったにしろ
And every single Parisian will love tonight without using hands
without using hands
without using hands
without using hands
without using hands
そして、独身のパリジャンはみんな手を使わずに夜を楽しみました
手を使わずに
手を使わずに
手を使わずに
手を使わずに
手を使わずに
And these are the slides that Mary took when we were overseas
これは僕たちが海外旅行した時にメアリーが撮ったスライドショーだよ
Oh, look at the funny little Frenchmen with some French company
あ、おかしな小柄のフランス男とその仲間をみてよ
There's the Ritz hotel where me and Mary stayed a couple of days
ここが僕とメアリーが数日宿泊したリッツホテルだよ
Jerry, let go of your sister, what is wrong with you today
ジェリー、お姉ちゃんから離れなさい。今日はどうしたの？
Sit over there with your mother and let's sing La Marseillaise
あそこでお母さんと座って、フランス国歌を歌おうよ
The only way children are punished, unlike old times is without using hands
昔と違って、子供を叱る唯一の方法は、手を使わないことです
Oh, what a lovely city, city, city, city
Oh, what a lovely city, city, city, city
Oh, what a lovely city, city, city, city
Oh, what a lovely city, city, city, city
あぁ、なんて愛しい街、街、街、街
あぁ、なんて愛しい街、街、街、街
あぁ、なんて愛しい街、街、街、街
あぁ、なんて愛しい街、街、街、街
Oh, are you willing to go
Oh, are you willing to go
ねぇ行かない？
ねぇ行かない？
How about letting me know, without using hands
僕に教えてくれない？
手を使わずに
When the explosion rocked the lobby of the Ritz hotel
Nobody moved for fear of learning that they weren't all that well
リッツホテルのロビーで爆発が起こった時、
Is there is anybody missing, answer only if you're well
Everyone cheered the good fortune, for indeed it turned out well
Only the manager suffered, but at least his face looks well
誰かいませんか？いたら返事をください
みんなは幸運に喜びました
上手くことが運んだのです
支配人だけ怪我をしました
でも、少なくとも顔色は大丈夫そうです
The manager is going to live his entire life without using hands
その支配人は、今後の人生、手を使わずに生きることになりました
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
Without using hands
■4. "Get in the Swing"
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing With everybody and everything
スイングしよう、みんな
スイングしよう、全員で、何もかも
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing With everybody and everything
My friends are here
Mind if I go out and not come back again
Well, thanks a lot
Hooray, hooray
友達と来たんだ
もう帰ったら困る？そのまま戻らないで
あ、ありがとう
やった！やった！
The night is younger than the girl who's got the touch
But not by much
今夜は年齢層が低めで、上手な女の子が少ないなあ
おしいなあ
Well, I ain't no Freud, I'm from L.A
But I know certain things
That they also serve who sit and wait
They're cheaper than paintings
And don't need explaining
えーと、僕はフロイトなんかじゃないよ、ロスからきたんだ
でも、
ペインティングより安いんだよね
説明不要だよね
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
With everybody and everything
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
With everybody and everything
When salmon spawn
A ton of water blocks their motion Spoils their game
But on they go
Thrashing 'til their mission is fulfilled or else
鮭が産卵する時
押し寄せる水が泳ぐのを邪魔して失敗続き
でも泳ぎ続けなきゃいけない
運命の決着がつくまで
Oh, but they have their friends
And have a warm bed waiting
Just like I do with you
I'm happy, so happy, I'm happy, oh happy
でも仲間はいるんだ
そして、あたたかいベッドが待ってる
僕が君とするようにね
僕は幸せだよ、めちゃ幸せ、あー幸せ
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
With everybody and everything
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
With everybody and everything
All for one, one for all
All for one, one for all
All for one, one for all
みんなは1人のために、1人はみんなのために
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing With everybody and everything
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing With everybody and everything
Hello down there
This is your creator with a questionnaire
下界の者どもよ
私はお前らの創造主だ。アンケートを持ってきた
Hello up there
こんにちは
I don't have the time to fill out questionnaires
アンケートに答える時間はない
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
With everybody and everything
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
With everybody and everything
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
With everybody and everything
Get in the swing, pal
Get in the swing
With everybody and everything...
■5. "Under the Table With Her"
Nobody misses diminutive offspring
Not when there's big wigs there, there
Dinner for twelve is now dinner for ten
'Cause I'm under the table with her
誰も小粒の子孫なんか可愛がらない
大物がもうそこにいなければ
12人向けの夕食は今10人向けに
なぜなら僕は彼女とテーブルの下にいるから
I give a yelp and they throw me a cutlet
Somebody pats her hair, hair
Everyone's nice to the subhuman species
I'm under the table with her
僕が叫ぶと彼らはカツレツを投げてくれる
誰かは彼女の髪をなでる
みんな亜人種族には優しいんだ
僕は彼女とテーブルの下にいる
People all around the world are having only rice and tea
Two of them should come and take the place of Laura Lee and me
世界中の人々は、お米とお茶だけ摂取しています
誰でもいいから、ローラ・
Nobody misses diminutive offspring
Not when there's big wigs there, there
Dinner for twelve is now dinner for ten
'Cause I'm under the table with her
I'm under the table with her
People all around the world are having only rice and tea
Two of them should come and take the place of Laura Lee and me
Nobody misses diminutive offspring
Not when there's big wigs there, there
Dinner for twelve is now dinner for ten
'Cause I'm under the table with her
I'm under the table, I'm under the table, I'm under the table with her
■6. "How Are You Getting Home?" 2:57
How are you getting home
It's on my way, so let me take you home
Home, home sweet home
どうやって家に帰るの？
帰り道だし、家まで送ってあげるよ
家まで、快適な家
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home, I'm curious
No, I'm really only curious
How are you getting home
どうやって帰るの？
どうやって帰るの？
どうやって帰るの？マジなんだ
いや、ただマジなだけだよ
どうやって帰るの？
Get away from here
Let's get away from here
I hope you live a million miles away
I could take you half way home tonight
Tomorrow you'll be home
Tell me how you're getting home
ここから離れよう
ねえ離れよう
君の家が100万マイル離れてたらいいな
今夜は道半ばまで連れてくよ
明日には家に着くよ
どうやって帰るのか教えてよ
We got one thing in common baby
We're too good to be at this party
We're too good to be anywhere but
Inside my car
僕たちにはひとつ共通点ができたね
このパーティーにいれて良かったよね
どこでもいいんだけど、車の中はどう？
How are you getting home
It's on my way, so let me take you home
Home, home sweet home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home, I'm curious
No, I'm really only curious
How are you getting home
Well, get away from here
Let's get away from here
I hope you live a million miles away
I could take you half way home tonight
Tomorrow you'll be home
Tell me how you're getting home
Don't let me push you baby
What I like is your independence
Real spunk, real independence
And there's my car
つれないなあ
僕が好きなのは君の自立心
マジな度胸、マジな自立心
でさ、僕の車はそこだよ
How are you getting home
It's on my way, so let me take you home
Home, home sweet home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How are you getting home
It's on my way, so let me take you home
Home, home sweet home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home, I'm curious
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home, I'm curious
Let's get away from here
Let's get away from here
I hope you live a million miles away
Let's get away from here
Let's get away from here
I hope you live a million miles away
How're you getting home
How're you getting home
How're you getting home, I'm curious
Let's get away from here
I hope you live a million miles away
How're you getting home...
