They originated not as a manzai duo, so much as an ippatsu gag and monomane act. During the early 80's, they became immensely popular with young Japanese audiences, appearing in several television shows, but their popularity exploded with their show The Tunnels' Thanks to Everyone (とんねるずのみなさんのおかげです, Tonneruzu no minasan no okage desu). Many times they absorbed more than 30% of nationwide television viewers, a great feat for any television show. They then turned their attention to creating music, spawning a string of hit singles that also generated massive sales and attention.
They created many words and expressions that resonated with the youth of Japan included such as moto-kare (元カレ) and moto-kano (元カノ), which are abbreviations meaning "ex-boyfriend" and "ex-girlfriend". Both phrases are still in popular use today. Also, their tendency to use inside jokes that only the show's staff would understand and laugh at created a sur-like response from the audience, inciting nervous laughter from a confused audience, while the staff laughed loudly on-mike.
Interest in the group quickly mellowed in 1990, as Tunnels took a half year vacation from the show, and U-tchan Nan-chan suddenly replaced them. They returned later saying "We are sorry to have laid the burden on U-tchan Nan-chan," but were never really accepted back by the public. As groups such as Downtown and U-tchan Nan-chan become more and more popular with young audiences, Tunnels changed their focus to talk and interview-related shows.
大人になるな
とんねるず Lyrics
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街を好きになれずに
汽車に飛ひ乗った17歳
抱いて眠ったバイクを
友達に譲り 作った
夢は片道のチケット
青春は 可能性の原石
転がれば どこかが光るはずさ
それで おしまいさ
何かに怯えてしまうから
AH 大人になるな
今のままでいい
若さはいつも馬鹿なもの
YES, ME TOO!
そして出逢った誰かを
信じるたび騙され
強くなっていた18歳
高層ビルの片隅
自分試すみたいに
ケンカばかりしたあの頃
青春は カッコ悪いものだよ
思い出が きれいに見せるだけさ
AH 落ちつかないで
もっと はみ出せよ
何にも見えなくなっちまうよ
AH 落ちつかないで
後のことなんか
その時になってあわてろよ
YES, ME TOO!
AH 大人になるな
それで おしまいさ
何かに怯えてしまうから
AH 大人になるな
今のままでいい
若さはいつも馬鹿なもの
YES, ME TOO!
These lyrics are from the song "大人になるな" (Don't Become an Adult) by the Japanese comedy duo and musical group とんねるず (Tunnels). The song reflects on the experiences and emotions of growing up and encourages the listener to hold on to their youthfulness and not rush into adulthood.
The lyrics begin by depicting the singer's dissatisfaction with the city where they were born and raised. Feeling unable to connect with their surroundings, they escape on a train at the age of seventeen, leaving behind their beloved motorcycle. The singer reminisces how their dreams were like one-way tickets and their youth was a raw gem of possibilities. They believe that if they just keep moving, somewhere along the way, something will sparkle.
The chorus of the song urges the listener not to become an adult because it leads to fear and apprehension. The singer emphasizes that it's okay to stay as they are, with the foolishness and vibrancy of youth. They express their own agreement with this sentiment by exclaiming "YES, ME TOO!"
The second verse touches upon the experiences of being 18 years old, where the singer meets people they trust and are subsequently deceived by them. However, these experiences make them stronger. They find themselves in the corner of a towering building, as if testing themselves. They reflect on their time of constant fighting back then, and describe youth as something uncool, only made beautiful by the memories that embellish it.
The bridge of the song, similar to the chorus, advises against being restless and encourages the listener to break free from limitations. It suggests not worrying about what comes after and instead face it with surprise when the time comes.
Overall, "大人になるな" is a nostalgic and reflective song that captures the essence of youth and the fear of losing it in the journey towards adulthood.
Line by Line Meaning
俺が生まれて育った
I was born and raised
街を好きになれずに
Without being able to love this town
汽車に飛ひ乗った17歳
At the age of 17, I jumped on a train
抱いて眠ったバイクを
I slept embracing my bike
友達に譲り 作った
I gave it to my friend and made it
夢は片道のチケット
Dreams are one-way tickets
青春は 可能性の原石
Youth is the raw stone of possibilities
転がれば どこかが光るはずさ
If you roll, somewhere should shine
AH 大人になるな
Ah, don't become an adult
それで おしまいさ
That's the end of it
何かに怯えてしまうから
Because you end up being afraid of something
AH 大人になるな
Ah, don't become an adult
今のままでいい
It's fine just as it is now
若さはいつも馬鹿なもの
Youth is always foolish
YES, ME TOO!
Yes, me too!
そして出逢った誰かを
And each time I met someone
信じるたび騙され
Each time I believed, I was deceived
強くなっていた18歳
At 18, I had become stronger
高層ビルの片隅
In a corner of a high-rise building
自分試すみたいに
As if testing myself
ケンカばかりしたあの頃
In those days when I only fought
青春は カッコ悪いものだよ
Youth is an uncool thing
思い出が きれいに見せるだけさ
Memories only make it look beautiful
AH 落ちつかないで
Ah, don't calm down
もっと はみ出せよ
Go beyond more
何にも見えなくなっちまうよ
You'll end up not being able to see anything
AH 落ちつかないで
Ah, don't calm down
後のことなんか
As for the future
その時になってあわてろよ
Just panic when the time comes
YES, ME TOO!
Yes, me too!
AH 大人になるな
Ah, don't become an adult
それで おしまいさ
That's the end of it
何かに怯えてしまうから
Because you end up being afraid of something
AH 大人になるな
Ah, don't become an adult
今のままでいい
It's fine just as it is now
若さはいつも馬鹿なもの
Youth is always foolish
YES, ME TOO!
Yes, me too!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 大人になるな
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind