The band's roots trace back to 1975, when Kuwata Keisuke was part of a popular group Better Days. The group saw many changes to its name and members. It was when keyboardist Hara Yuko and bassist Sekiguchi Kazuyuki joined the group that it had a permanent name.
After more and more changes of members, the group finally saw light as they released their debut single 'Katte ni Sinbad' in 1978.
January of 2000 saw the release of TSUNAMI, which was #1 on the Oricon charts for 5 weeks, selling almost 3 million copies. The single was marked the 3rd best-selling one in Japan.
In 2003, HMV Japan announced Southern All Stars to be the No.1 Japanese pop artist in its survey of “Top 100 Japanese pops Artists” all-time.
Members:
Kuwata Keisuke (桑田佳祐) (Lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars)
Sekiguchi Kazuyuki (関口和之) (Bass)
Hara Yuko (原由子) (Vocals & keyboards)
Matsuda Hiroshi (松田弘) (Drums)
Nozawa Hideyuki (野沢秀行) (Percussion)
Former Members:
Omori Takashi (大森隆志) (Guitar) (Left August 2001)
ニッポンのヒール
サザンオールスターズ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
人並みに満たない者の存在は無い
成功に呑まれ 人は絶望を舐める
栄光のバッジを胸に老人は説く
"有能な君の通夜には花を届けよう"
兵隊になって上官となって
ニッポンのヒールは戦闘機で love and peace!
全国区のイメージが故に当確の名士
本業の夢に破れた日にゃ繰り出そうぜ!
キャンペーンの勝利を馬鹿なミーハーに賭けて
霊能のジュースで飲む高値なドラッグ
サイの目のようにソフトを神に売りさばく
戦略となって産業に化けて
ニッポンのヒールも芸風は baby face
人間の声によく似た風の音には
悲しみの blues
物語の中によく見りゃその物陰に
秘められた truth, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
追いすがる妻子を狭い部屋で飼い
豪邸に住む夫婦の危機を問い詰めてのスクープ
カメラがあれば覗きも仕事と呼べる
アイアンとウッドで森林を切り裂こう!
金と名誉で海の水を吸い出そう!
最強であって最悪であって
ニッポンのヒールと電気椅子で fuck しよう!
冗談の後によく見りゃその片隅に
悲しみの blues
金縛りのように悪魔が君の心に
ささやいた truth, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
The lyrics of サザンオールスターズ's song ニッポンのヒール convey a commentary on societal expectations and the pursuit of success in Japan. The song starts by describing a young person with big ambitions who is determined to solve equations. It emphasizes that there is no such thing as someone who is ordinary and lacks fulfillment. However, as people become consumed by their quest for success, they also taste despair.
The lyrics then shift to an older person wearing a badge of glory on their chest, imparting wisdom to the capable youth by suggesting they should send flowers to their own funeral. The narrative also touches on the singer becoming a soldier and a superior officer, portraying the "heels" of Japan as a fighter jet enforcing love and peace.
The song continues to critique the image-conscious nature of the nation, where celebrities are confirmed as such due to their nationwide popularity. It refers to them as fools who gamble on the victory of campaigns. The lyrics also introduce the idea of using expensive "spiritual juice" as a metaphor for selling softwares to god-like figures. The heels of Japan are depicted as both strategic and industrial, with their artistry resembling a baby face.
The chorus highlights the blues reminiscent of human voices in the sound of the wind. It encourages the listener to look closely within the story and discover hidden truths lurking behind the shadows. The song further explores themes of marital crises, tabloid scoops, and the intrusion of cameras in private lives. It also references the destruction of forests and the exploitation of nature in the pursuit of wealth and fame. The heels of Japan are portrayed as both the strongest and the worst, engaging in acts of defiance even with electric chairs.
Ultimately, the lyrics imply that behind the facade of jokes and laughter, there lies sorrow in the corner. They suggest that demons whisper truths similar to being trapped in a golden prison, corrupting and influencing one's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
少年は大志を抱き方程式を解く
A young boy holds great ambition and solves equations
人並みに満たない者の存在は無い
There is no existence that falls short of being average
成功に呑まれ 人は絶望を舐める
Swallowed by success, people taste despair
栄光のバッジを胸に老人は説く
With the badge of glory on their chest, the elderly speak
"有能な君の通夜には花を届けよう"
"Let flowers be delivered to your capable funeral"
兵隊になって上官となって
Becoming a soldier, becoming a superior
ニッポンのヒールは戦闘機で love and peace!
The heel of Japan fights with fighter jets for love and peace!
全国区のイメージが故に当確の名士
Due to their nationwide image, they become confirmed celebrities
本業の夢に破れた日にゃ繰り出そうぜ!
On the day when their dreams in their profession are shattered, let's go all out!
キャンペーンの勝利を馬鹿なミーハーに賭けて
Betting the victory of the campaign on foolish trend followers
霊能のジュースで飲む高値なドラッグ
Drinking expensive drugs made from psychic juice
サイの目のようにソフトを神に売りさばく
Selling software like the eye of a psychic to the gods
戦略となって産業に化けて
Becoming a strategy and transforming into an industry
ニッポンのヒールも芸風は baby face
The heel of Japan, with a performance style like a baby face
人間の声によく似た風の音には
In the sound of the wind that closely resembles a human voice
悲しみの blues
The blues of sadness
物語の中によく見りゃその物陰に
If you look closely within the story, in the shadows of objects
秘められた truth, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
The hidden truth, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
追いすがる妻子を狭い部屋で飼い
Keeping a chasing wife and children in a small room
豪邸に住む夫婦の危機を問い詰めてのスクープ
A scoop that questions the crisis of a couple living in a mansion
カメラがあれば覗きも仕事と呼べる
If you have a camera, even peeping can be called work
アイアンとウッドで森林を切り裂こう!
Let's tear through the forests with iron and wood!
金と名誉で海の水を吸い出そう!
Let's suck the water from the sea with money and fame!
最強であって最悪であって
Being the strongest and the worst at the same time
ニッポンのヒールと電気椅子で fuck しよう!
Let's fuck with the heel of Japan and an electric chair!
冗談の後によく見りゃその片隅に
After a joke, if you look closely in the corner
悲しみの blues
The blues of sadness
金縛りのように悪魔が君の心に
Like a money-bound demon in your heart
ささやいた truth, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Whispered truth, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Keisuke Kuwata
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind