堂本剛がこれまで14年以上にわたるソロ音楽活動でアルバムおよびシングルでリリースした自作曲は、約170曲あるとみられる。今回は、その中でバラード系のおすすめの20曲を、筆者が個人的好みでランキングしてみた。もちろん全曲が堂本剛の作詞作曲だ。ややテンポが速めでも、情感豊かな曲は含めている。（スペースの都合で、ENDLICHERI☆ENDLICHERI=E☆E、どうもとくべつよしちゃん盤=初回盤A、とくべつよしちゃん盤=初回盤B、ふつうよし盤=通常盤との短縮形を用いた。）
順位 タイトル [収録シングル/アルバム]
1. 街 [街/溺愛ロジック(2002), ROSSO E AZZURRO(2002), カバ 通常盤(2013)]
ソロデビュー曲だが、時を経てなお名曲だ。故郷に置いてきた少年の頃の剛自身へのメッセージ曲。詞に示唆されている辛い経験の渦中にあって闘っていた当時の剛が歌い上げた2002年バージョンからは、本人にしか表現できない感情と気迫が伝わってくる。2013年のセルフカバーでは、かつて辛い思いをしながら頑張った自分を慈しむようなソフトな歌声と、円熟した表現力になっている。
2. ソメイヨシノ [ソメイヨシノ(E☆E名義、2006), Coward (E☆E名義、2006), NIPPON (2011)]
剛が年を重ねていく母と一緒に花見に行った時の想いを歌った曲。幻想的な音色のギターで始まり、次第にドラマティックに盛り上がっていく。2つのアルバムにそれぞれ異なるアレンジのバージョンを収録。アルバム「NIPPON」（欧州向けベスト盤）にはシングルの倍の長さの壮大なライブ・バージョンを収録。
3. 赤い鼓動のHeart [TU 初回盤A (2015)]
大きな愛を穏やか、さらにドラマティックに歌い上げた曲で、ライブでの初披露時からファンに絶賛された名曲。剛によると、愛を諦めずに立ち上がれば、全てがいい方向に進むはず、との思いが込められている。
4. 瞬き [瞬き(2013)]
主演ドラマ「天魔さんがゆく」の世界観にも通じる、命がテーマの温かい曲。剛がこの曲をテレビ披露したのを観た和田アキ子がわざわざ「すごく良い歌詞を書いたな」と連絡してきたそうだ。
5. これだけの日を跨いで来たのだから [Coward (E☆E名義、2006)]
ライブ終盤に歌った剛が、詞と自分の人生がダブり感極まって泣きそうになった曲。
6. 縁を結いて [縁を結いて(2011), NIPPON (2011), shamanippon -ラカチノトヒ- (2012)]
剛の故郷の古都・奈良や人との縁、人の力、命への想いが込められている。剛が吉野の天河神社を訪れた時に、詞とメロディーが沸き上がってきたとのこと。鈴の音が入っている。アルバム「shamanippon -ラカチノトヒ-」にはキーを下げて長くし、管弦楽器で音が厚くなったライブ・バージョンを収録。
7. 綴る [美我空 - ビガク～my beautiful sky (剛紫名義、2009)]
ピアノ弾き語りのラブソングで、ピアノおよび後半に加わるギターを剛が弾いている。
8. Heart Disc [TU 通常盤(2015)]
明るい音とリズムの曲で、元々年老いた自分が愛する家族を想う心境を想像して書いた詞だったが、レコーディングの時に老いた愛犬の容体が悪化し、「きみを愛する胸は 灰になっても 消えたりしない」の歌詞を追加した。剛はこの曲を歌う時、亡くなったその愛犬に話しかけたり、愛犬に話しかけられたりするような感覚になるという。
9. 空が泣くから [空が泣くから (E☆E名義、2007), Neo Africa Rainbow Ax (E☆E名義、2007), NIPPON (2011)]
剛が故郷の奈良からインスピレーション得たという幻想的かつドラマティックな曲。効果音が多用されている。
10. Be grateful [Grateful Rebirth 通常盤 (2016/6)]
剛によると、感謝して生きればいいことがある、こうしたいけれどもこうできないといういろいろな現実と向き合っている人の心を救えたらな、と思って作った曲。
11. 空～美しい我の空 [空～美しい我の空 (剛紫名義、2009)]
故郷の奈良の空をテーマにした曲。雅楽師の東儀秀樹が参加している。
12. 優しさを胸に抱いて [カバ 初回盤 (2013)]
1997年に「LOVE LOVE あいしてる」の番組内で制作過程を追っていた処女作を初めて音源化したもの。別れを歌った切ないラブソング。
13. いま あなたと生きてる [TU 通常盤(2015)]
6/8バラード。孤独を感じている人に、誰もがあなたと生きているんだよ、との思いを込めた。
14. Nijiの詩（うた） [Nijiの詩(2011)]
傷ついた心から未来に向かう詞で、それまでの作風に比べて明るいトーンの曲になっている。音源化のかなり前に剛が書いた曲だったが、2011年3月に東日本大震災が起き、不安を拭えるような曲なら意味があると感じて、同年9月のリリースが決まった。
15. 雨恋 – amagoi [カバ 通常盤(2013)]
2009年頃に作った曲で、別れた恋人を想う切ない歌詞。タイトルは雨乞いとかけている。
16. 彼方（タイムマシーン） [shamanippon - ロイノチノイ - 初回盤B(2014)]
ピアノ伴奏のみの穏やかな曲で、強烈な望郷の念と昔の恋の回想の歌詞。ピアノ奏者はSWING-O a.k.a.45。
17. I'm you You're me [shamanippon - ラカチノトヒ - (2012)]
傷ついた人に寄り添って共に生きていこうとするハートフルな曲。
18. Help Me Help Me… [I AND 愛 (244 ENDLI-x名義、2008), NIPPON (2011)]
穏やかに始まるロックバラードで、「逃げる気なんてないさ 闘うさ」と、生き方を問う歌詞。「I AND 愛」ではエフェクターをかけて加工した声で歌っている。「NIPPON」収録のものはライブのロング・バージョンで、I love youなどの歌詞の追加がある。
19. 春涙 [I AND 愛 (244 ENDLI-x名義、2008)]
阪神大震災のことも思いながら、妻を亡くした年配の男性の気持ちになって書いた詞。2010年に剛のラジオ番組での人気曲リスナー投票で1位となった。
20. Rainbow wing [Neo Africa Rainbow Ax (E☆E名義、2007)]
12/8ブルースのバラードで、愛や生きることを歌う。男らしく力強い熱唱。剛によると、人生や人との関わりや優しさなど、いろいろ悩んでいて、泣いて書いた曲だそうだ。
*デビュー曲「街」のシングル通常盤。
街/溺愛ロジック楽天ブックス: Grateful Rebirth 通常盤 (堂本剛) 2016/6/8
Amazon (Japan) Artist Store: Tsuyoshi Domoto
Amazon (Japan) Artist Store: ENDLICHERI☆ENDLICHERI (=Tsuyoshi Domoto) Amazon (Japan) Artist Store: 244 ENDLI-x (=Tsuyoshi Domoto) Amazon (Japan) Artist Store: 剛紫 (=Tsuyoshi Domoto) Amazon (Japan) Artist Store: KinKi KidsIn his more than 14 years of solo musician activities, Tsuyoshi Domoto has released a total of about 170 pieces, all written by himself. This time, the author has selected 20 ballad-type pieces for recommendation, based simply on the author’s own preferences. Certainly, the lyrics and music for all these pieces were written by Tsuyoshi Domoto. Pieces with a somewhat fast tempo and deep feelings are also included. (Due to space constraints, the following abbreviations are used: ENDLICHERI☆ENDLICHERI=E☆E; Domo Tokubetsu Yoshi-chan version=initial version A; Tokubetsu Yoshi-chan version=initial version B; Futsuuyoshi version=ordinary version.)
# Title [Single/Album in which the piece is included]
1. Town (Machi) [Machi/Dekiai Logic (2002); ROSSO E AZZURRO (2002); Kaba ordinary version (2013)]
Tsuyoshi’s solo debut piece, which retains its value as an excellent work even now. This is a song of a message to Tsuyoshi’s mind in his boyhood left in his home town, Nara. Tsuyoshi’s singing in the original 2002 version conveys his real feelings and sprits, which would never be expressed so well by any other vocalists, as Tsuyoshi was actually facing hardship suggested by the lyrics and struggling at that time. In the 2013 self-cover version, Tsuyoshi’s singing voice sounds soft, as if he were affectionate to himself in the past, who was struggling, and his expressions sounds matured.
2. Yoshino Cherry (Someiyoshino) [Someiyoshino (under name of E☆E, 2006); Coward (under name of E☆E, 2006); NIPPON (2011) ]
The lyrics express his feelings when he went out with his aging mother to see cherry blossoms. The introductory part begins with a fantastic guitar sound, and the music gradually becomes dramatic. The piece is rearranged for two albums, with different arrangements between the two albums. The dramatic live arrange version included in the album “NIPPON” (the best selection album shipped for the European market) is twice as long as the original single version.
3. Red-beat Heart (Akai Kodo no Heart) [TU initial version A (2015)]
A song of braod love with moderate and then dramatic singing. This piece was highly praised among fans in the very initial stage performance. According to Tsuyoshi, he reflected his belief that things should move to a right direction if we stand up without giving up love.
4. Wink (Mabataki) [Mabataki (2013)]
A heartwarming piece for the theme of life, which is consistent with the worldview of the drama titled “Ghost Negotiator Tenma”, in which Tsuyoshi played the principal role. There is an episode that Akiko Wada watched Tsuyoshi’s TV performance of this piece, contacted him and said, “You have written very good lyrics.”
5. Because I Have Spent So Many Days (Koredakeno Hi o Mataide Kitanodakara) [Coward (under name of E☆E, 2006)]
When Tsuyoshi sang this piece near the end of his live performances, he became emotional and was about to cry as the lyrics overlapped his life.
6. Cherish Our Fate with Others (Eni o Yuite) [Eni o Yuite (2011); NIPPON (2011); shamanippon –rakachinotohi- (power of human beings, 2012)]
A piece reflecting Tsuyoshi’s feelings about his home town Nara, which is an old capital of the ancient Japan, fate with others, power of human beings and life. According to Tsuyoshi, when he visited the Tenkawa Shrine in Yoshino, the lyrics and melody suddenly arose in his mind. The tinkling of a bell is included. In the live arrangement version included in the album “shamanippon – rakachinotohi- (power of human beings)”, the key was lowered with horn and strings players making the sound thicker.
7. Writing (Tsuzuru) [Bigaku--My Beautiful Sky (under name of Tsuyoshi, 2009)]
A love song for singing to a piano accompaniment. Tsuyoshi played both the piano and the guitar, which was added in the latter part of the piece.
8. Heart Disc [TU ordinary version (2015)]
A piece with a cheerful sound and rhythm. Tsuyoshi initially wrote lyrics expressing his feelings in an imagination of his future love for his family when he gets very old. During the recording process, his old pet dog became seriously ill, so he added additional lyrics “my love to you would never disappear even after death with only ashes left.” According to Tsuyoshi, when he sings this song, he feels as if he were speaking to the pet dog or being spoken to by the pet dog.
9. The Sky Is Shedding Tears (Sora ga Nakukara) [Sora ga Nakukara (under name of E☆E, 2007); NIPPON (2011)]
A fantastic and dramatic piece, for which Tsuyoshi got inspiration from his home town Nara. Sound effects are heavily used.
10. Be grateful [Grateful Rebirth ordinary version (June 2016)]
According to Tsuyoshi, he wrote this piece, believing that being grateful should bring a favorable outcome, and hoping to help minds of people facing reality of being unable to realize their wishes.
11. Sky--My Beautiful Sky (Sora-Utsukushii Ware no Sora) [Sora-Utsukushii Ware no Sora (under name of Tsuyoshi, 2009)]
A piece with a theme of the sky of his home town, Nara. Gagaku (Japanese imperial music) musician Hideki Togi joined the recording.
12. Tenderness in Mind (Yasashisa o Mune ni Daite) [Kaba initial version (2013)]
Tsuyoshi’s maiden work, which was written in the TV show titled “LOVE LOVE I Love You” with the making process documented. The work was finally recorded for a release in this album. This is a sad love song on separation.
13. Now, I Am Living Together with You (Ima Anata to Ikiteru) [TU ordinary version (2015)]
A 6/8 time ballad. Tsuyoshi reflected his message that everyone is living together with you if you feel lonely.
14. Poem of Rainbow (Niji no Uta) [Niji no Uta (2011)]
The lyrics of the piece express a shift of mind that was hurt to the future. The tone of the piece sounds positive relative to that of his past works. The piece was written a long time before the CD release. Following the outbreak of the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, Tsuyoshi felt that a piece that could help dissipate anxiety might be of significance, so the lease of this piece in September 2011 was determined.
15. Rain Love – amagoi (Amagoi) [Kaba ordinary version (2013)]
A piece written around 2009. The lyrics express feelings about a past girlfriend after separation. The title can also be interpreted as praying for rain.
16. Far Away (Kanata): Time Machine [shamanippon –roinochinoi- (color of life) initial version B (2014)]
A moderate piece for singing to a piano accompaniment only. The lyrics express intense nostalgia and recollection of past love. The pianist is SWING-O a.k.a.45.
17. I'm you You're me [shamanippon –rakachinotohi- (power of human beings, 2012)]
A heartwarming piece, which suggests an intention to live together with people who have been hurt.
18. Help Me Help Me… [I AND Love (under name of 244 ENDLI-x, 2008), NIPPON (2011)]
A rock ballad, which begins with a moderate tone. The lyrics focus on how to live, saying “I am not running away; I will fight.” In the version included in the album “I AND Love”, Tsuyoshi’s singing voice was changed by an effector. A long live version is included in the album “NIPPON” with additional lyrics such as “I love you.”
19. Spring Tears (Haru Namida) [I AND Love (under name of 244 ENDLI-x, 2008)]
Tsuyoshi recalled the Great Hanshin Earthquake and wrote lyrics of imagined feelings of an aged man who has lost his wife. This piece came out on top in listeners’ voting in Tsuyoshi’s radio show in 2010.
20. Rainbow wing [Neo Africa Rainbow Ax (under name of E☆E, 2007)]
A 12/8 blues ballad with a theme of love and life. Tsuyoshi’s singing is manly and powerful. According to Tsuyoshi, he wrote this piece when he was sobbing as he was suffering anxiety about various things including life, human relationships and tenderness.
(December 7, 2016)
