Mr.Children is one of the most popular bands in Japan. They made their major debut in 1992 with the release of their first album, "EVERYTHING", but it wasn't until one of their singles was used as a drama theme song, like their fourth single "Cross Road", that they started getting noticed. They got their big break in 1994 with the release of their fifth single, "innocent world", which made record sales and earned the Japan Record Award in 1994. Their fourth album, "Atomic Heart", which was released in the same year, is still their top selling album to date. Since then, all their singles have been number one hits in the Oricon charts like "Tomorrow never knows" and "Namonaki-uta", and many of them became million sellers, and they've produced other noteworthy albums.
In 1997, they took a long vacation, and came back to the Japanese music scene the next year with the single "Owari-naki-tabi."
Their sound is essentially a blend of light pop and classic rock. But due to the band's inclination to experiment with various music styles, their sound is constantly evolving. They have delved into various types of rock as well as jazz, blues, folk, country, and dance. Despite this constant change, however, their music has progressed successfully, proving them to be a versatile band that can last.
The main force behind the band is their singer and songwriter, Kazutoshi Sakurai, who composes almost all of their songs. The rest of the band include Kenichi Tahara on guitar, Keisuke Nakagawa on bass, and Hideya Suzuki (Jen) on drums and backing vocals. They also have supporting musicians on keyboards, guitar, brass instruments (trumpet and saxophone), and computer programming for their tours because they usually embellish their recordings.
It must be noted that a good part of what makes Mr.Children's songs unique is Sakurai's remarkable vocal ability. His vocal range is higher than the typical male range, and he sings with a noticeable Western style. Also, it is because he is influenced by the great classic rock artists of the '60s and '70s (in particular, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones) that the band's music usually has a classic rock feel. But being the vocalist of the band doesn't prevent him from sometimes sharing guitar solos with Tahara, or playing them by himself. He also plays the piano and harmonica proficiently.
Tahara and Nakagawa are the quietest members of the group, often choosing to remain in the background when the band appears on TV shows. Jen seems to be the most extroverted member who takes his top off onstage at any opportunity. He also always matches Sakurai's sense of humor. They are all very talented musicians who make vital contributions to the band.
On December 31, 2004, their song "Sign," was again awarded the Japan Record Award, ten years after the first.
Mr. Children has a long-time association with the Toys Factory record label.
名もなき詩
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
残さずに全部食べてやる
Oh darlin 君は誰
真実を握りしめる
君が僕を疑っているのなら
この喉を切ってくれてやる
Oh darlin 僕はノータリン
大切な物をあげる
苛立つような街並みに立ったって
感情さえもリアルに持てなくなりそうだけど
こんな不調和な生活（くらし）の中で
たまに情緒不安定になるだろう？
でも darlin 共に悩んだり
生涯を君に捧ぐ
あるがままの心で生きられぬ弱さを
誰かのせいにして過ごしている
知らぬ間に築いていた自分らしさの檻の中で
もがいているなら
僕だってそうなんだ
どれほど分り合える同志でも
孤独な夜はやってくるんだよ
Oh darlin このわだかまり
きっと消せはしないだろう
いろんな事を踏み台にしてきたけど
失くしちゃいけない物がやっと見つかった気がする
君の仕草が滑稽なほど
優しい気持ちになれるんだよ
Oh darlin 夢物語
逢う度に聞かせてくれ
愛はきっと奪うでも与えるでもなくて
気が付けばそこにある物
街の風に吹かれて唄いながら
妙なプライドは捨ててしまえばいい
そこからはじまるさ
絶望、失望（Down）
何をくすぶってんだ
愛、自由、希望、夢（勇気）
足元をごらんよきっと転がってるさ
成り行きまかせの恋におち
時には誰かを傷つけたとしても
その度心いためる様な時代じゃない
誰かを想いやりゃあだになり
自分の胸につきささる
だけど
あるがままの心で生きようと願うから
人はまた傷つていてゆく
知らぬ間に築いていた自分らしさの檻の中で
もがいているなら誰だってそう
僕だってそうなんだ
愛情ってゆう形のないもの
伝えるのはいつも困難だね
だから darlin この「名もなき詩」を
いつまでも君に捧ぐ
The song "名もなき詩" by Mr.Children portrays the struggle of living in an imperfect world while trying to understand oneself and others. The lyrics describe a sense of isolation and emotional instability that plagues individuals living in a harsh and unforgiving environment. The song stresses the importance of accepting oneself and others, regardless of flaws or circumstances, and to cherish the love and compassion shared between individuals.
The first two stanzas describe a dark and desperate situation where the singer is willing to do anything for his beloved, even if it means devouring all the dirt and grime in the world. The lyric "I will cut my throat if you doubt me" reinforces the singer's intense loyalty towards his lover. The third and fourth stanzas reflect on the difficulty of living in a society that represses emotions and forces individuals to act against their natural tendencies. The singer and his lover find solace in each other, and they vow to stand by each other's side, even through the difficult times. The final stanzas reflect on the importance of love and compassion, emphasizing the beauty and power of these intangible qualities.
Overall, "名もなき詩" is a reflection on the human condition, highlighting the need for love and understanding in a world that can feel lonely and isolating.
Line by Line Meaning
ちょっとぐらいの汚れ物ならば 残さずに全部食べてやる
I'll eat everything, even leftovers or slightly dirty food.
Oh darlin 君は誰 真実を握りしめる
Oh darlin, who are you? Holding on to the truth.
君が僕を疑っているのなら この喉を切ってくれてやる
If you doubt me, I'll cut my throat for you.
Oh darlin 僕はノータリン 大切な物をあげる
Oh darlin, I'm just giving away important things.
苛立つような街並みに立ったって 感情さえもリアルに持てなくなりそうだけど
Even when standing in such an annoying cityscape, it feels like it's hard to have real emotions.
こんな不調和な生活（くらし）の中で たまに情緒不安定になるだろう？
In such an unbalanced lifestyle, sometimes you become emotionally unstable, right?
でも darlin 共に悩んだり 生涯を君に捧ぐ
But darlin, I'll share your pain and dedicate my life to you.
あるがままの心で生きられぬ弱さを 誰かのせいにして過ごしている
Blaming someone else for not living with an honest heart.
知らぬ間に築いていた自分らしさの檻の中で もがいているなら 僕だってそうなんだ
If you're struggling inside a cage built from your own identity, I'm in the same boat.
どれほど分り合える同志でも 孤独な夜はやってくるんだよ
No matter how much you can relate to others, lonely nights will still come.
Oh darlin このわだかまり きっと消せはしないだろう
Oh darlin, we probably can't erase these ill feelings.
いろんな事を踏み台にしてきたけど 失くしちゃいけない物がやっと見つかった気がする
I've used many things as stepping stones, but I feel like I've finally found something I shouldn't lose.
君の仕草が滑稽なほど 優しい気持ちになれるんだよ
Your actions are so silly, but they make me feel very kind.
Oh darlin 夢物語 逢う度に聞かせてくれ
Oh darlin, tell me your fairy tale every time we meet.
愛はきっと奪うでも与えるでもなくて 気が付けばそこにある物 街の風に吹かれて唄いながら 妙なプライドは捨ててしまえばいい そこからはじまるさ
Love is definitely neither something taken nor given, but rather something you eventually realize is already there. Singing while the wind blows in the streets, if you throw away your strange pride, that's where it all begins.
絶望、失望（Down） 何をくすぶってんだ
Despair, disappointment (Down) What are you smoldering about?
愛、自由、希望、夢（勇気） 足元をごらんよ きっと転がってるさ
Love, freedom, hope, dreams (courage) Look at your feet, they're definitely rolling around somewhere.
成り行きまかせの恋におち 時には誰かを傷つけたとしても その度心いためる様な時代じゃない 誰かを想いやりゃあだになり 自分の胸につきささる
Falling in love by chance, even if you hurt someone sometimes, it's not an era to hurt your heart each time. If you show compassion for someone, you'll become more honest with yourself.
だけど あるがままの心で生きようと願うから 人はまた傷つていてゆく 知らぬ間に築いていた自分らしさの檻の中で もがいているなら誰だってそう 僕だってそうなんだ
But because I want to live with a true heart, people will always be hurt again. If you're struggling inside a cage built from your own identity, anyone is in the same boat. I'm in the same boat too.
愛情ってゆう形のないもの 伝えるのはいつも困難だね だから darlin この「名もなき詩」を いつまでも君に捧ぐ
Love that exists in an intangible form is always difficult to convey. That's why darlin, I dedicate this 'nameless poem' to you forever.
Contributed by Tyler C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.