...is an actual song, and it just happens to be one of my "top five" favorites, too.

It's entitled "Pajama Jama Da"; performed by Narikiyo Kanako; lyrics by Kou Chinka; music by Hayashi Tetsuji; arranged by Shiina Kazuo. It's the opening theme song for episodes 107 through 127 of the classic anime series Urusei Yatsura (this would correspond roughly to the "sixth" season). The version you can hear by using the controller above is a 1:30 monaural edit from the opening titles. The actual full-length song times out at 3:42, has a longer intro and a second verse. (And sounds even better in stereo!) (But I'm not including that because I don't want to get in trouble for file-sharing by providing an MP3 of the song itself; I figure a lower-quality, monaural, edited version won't be as likely to be swapped.)

The point at which we "hear" Tetsuko singing along in panel 4 comes at the first (in this title version, only) chorus, at 54 seconds into the song... 1:02 in the "album" version Tetsuko is listening to.

I find this song extremely charming and appealing. I love the bouncy organ intro, which is echoed by the bouncy chorus "Pa Pa Pajama Jama Da"; the whole song is just so cute and happy. I was in for a bit of a surprise, though, when I got ahold of the lyrics, and an English translation of same! (you can find both here and scroll waaaay down toward the bottom of the page.) Besides the title, which translates (loosely, I'm guessing) as "Pajamas get in the way" (oh, reeaallly?), I found the line "Hadaka no kimochi kanjite, Darling". The AnimEigo translation linked to above gives it as "Feel my naked emotions, Darling"...but I remember reading (but unfortunately can't link to, because I don't remember where I read it) a translation that renders it "Feel my naked feeling, Darling". Which to my mind (hey, I'm a dirtyoldman, remember?) had a delicious double-entendre: "Experience my unguarded/exposed emotions" (no doubt the intended meaning)... or "Feel what I feel like naked"(!) Add to that the line in the second chorus (unfortunately not in the title edit) "Chotto kiwadoi yume o misoude nemurenai yoru ne" ("It seems I'm having a slightly sexy dream and can't get to sleep tonight") and you've got a bright, sprightly little bubble-gum number that's capable of a slightly naughty interpretation. What's not to like?!

The author of this page pleads "fair use" for the inclusion of an excerpt from the copyrighted song "Pajama Jama Da" on "journalistic/review purposes" grounds; no commercial infringement of copyright is intended.

All other text © 2005 David C. Matthews