‘Umbrella’ is a song featuring solo artist Younha in Epik High’s 2008 album ‘Pieces, Part One.’
Epik High debuted in 2003 and consists of two rappers, Tablo and Mithra, and DJ Tukutz. They continue to be active musically and collaborate with a range of younger artists through 2021.
But their popular hits from the 2000’s stand out, like ‘Umbrella.’
According to data from 2001 to 2016 of Cyworld – the Korean equivalent of Myspace – ‘Umbrella’ was one of the top songs users bought as background music for their homepages. In a December 4th episode of ‘Hangout with Yoo,’ Tablo also mentioned that the group was still relying on ‘Umbrella pension,’ referring to the royalties they earn from the song’s popularity especially when it rains in Korea.
Most of the song is rap but it’s lyrical and poetic, with its literal and metaphorical use of the word ‘umbrella.’
Take a look at the translated lyrics below and let us know what you think. Do you have another favourite Epik High song?
Note: The translation below is based on my own interpretation of the lyrics and is not an official English translation of the song provided by the artist.
Translated lyrics to ‘Umbrella’ (우산)
Raindrops are already
collecting at my ankles
Teardrops I held back
are collecting in my eyes
Sound of the clock in an empty room
Sound of the rain landing its kisses on the roof
A ring inside a coat not worn for a while
A memory seeps through my fingers
Stepping into the night of Seoul for the first time in days
The puddle of rain is a small mirror
Because in it, I’m faltering in pain
I’m a chair with an uneven leg without you
That umbrella too small for the two of us
That umbrella that was like an island in a cold world
Now it’s too big and awkward
My left shoulder always wet with the rain for you
I drop my head from the weight of the memories
I see my shoelaces untied like they’ve been abandoned
But there’s only rain and wind beside me
(Not here) Someone to hold the umbrella even just for a while
Raindrops already
collect at my ankles
Teardrops I held back
collect at my eyes
You’re an umbrella above my head
On a night when the cold rain falls on my shoulders
It’s become a habit to have you beside me
I can’t live without you
Alone in the rain
Alone in the rain, rain, rain
Nothin’ but pain, pain, pain
Girl, I just want you to know
Alone in the rain, rain, rain
Nothin’ but pain, pain, pain
And I just can’t let you go
The ground where tears have collected from the sky
The moon seen through the clouds hiding the stars
The sound of my footsteps alone down an alley
The echoes make me turn as my heart stops
Your shadow that looks exactly like me
We couldn’t see one another
Are you finally two? Picturing the answer
I cloud up the picture in my head with the answer
That umbrella was too big in my eyes
That umbrella I folded towards the world that made me cry
That umbrella I open up towards the promise of forever
Now there’s two hearts under that torn umbrella
Even if I look back (you) wouldn’t be there
I would just put both hands deep in my pockets
Even if I walk freely here and there
Both my cheeks would get wet easily even in a drizzle
I’ve left it open, the door to my heart
You’re the umbrella above my head
Your shadow is my shade
You’re the umbrella above my head
Because you’re not beside me
I stand outside holding an umbrella
Waiting for you
I cry
You’re the umbrella above my head
On a night when the cold rain falls on my shoulders
It’s become a habit to have you beside me
I can’t live without you
I need you back in my life
You’re the umbrella above my head
On a night when the cold rain falls on my shoulders
It’s only half the world without you beside me
You can’t live without me
Forever in the rain
Top Epik High tracks on Spotify
Related links
- Korean lyrics to the song on Bugs music
- Official Epik High YouTube and Spotify
- Tablo on Instagram and Twitter
