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)
流れる雲を追いかけて
サザンオールスターズ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
冷たい時間に耐えかねて つれぬ世の運命
※ただ見果てぬ夢を追えば 大連の橋の上
ああ せつない胸を抱いて 母の顔がチラホラリ※
連鎖の街にあの人と 手に手をつなぎ歩いた夜
ダンス・ホールに 行こうかな あの頃はも 帰らん
まだ幼い この娘を連れ ハルピン行きの列車
ああ お前の名前すらも きっとあの人は知らず
だけどほおら あの人に逢える その日まで
ゆらゆら通せんぼう△
(※くりかえし)
(△くりかえし)
ゆらゆら通せんぼう
The lyrics of サザンオールスターズ's song 流れる雲を追いかけて paint a picture of a person pursuing their dreams, despite facing the challenges of life. The opening line "Chasing after the drifting clouds, on the acacia hill in foreign lands" sets the tone of the search for something intangible, something that may never be captured. This sense of longing and uncertainty is reinforced in the second line, where the singer is unable to endure the cold, harsh reality of life.
The chorus, "If only I pursue my dreams until the end, on the bridge in Dalian, holding a heart full of longing, glimpses of mother's face appear," conveys the idea that the pursuit of dreams can be a powerful driving force, but also a source of nostalgia and homesickness. The verse about going to the dance hall with a loved one, evokes memories of a simpler time, but also a sense of loss and longing.
Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that the pursuit of our dreams may be fraught with challenges and setbacks, but it is also a source of hope and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
流れる雲を追いかけて アカシアの丘 異国の地よ
Chasing the drifting clouds, on the hill of acacia, in a foreign land.
冷たい時間に耐えかねて つれぬ世の運命
Unable to endure the coldness of time, a fate that cannot be avoided.
※ただ見果てぬ夢を追えば 大連の橋の上
If only chasing after an endless dream, on top of the bridge of Dalian.
ああ せつない胸を抱いて 母の顔がチラホラリ※
Oh, with a sad heart and a glimpse of mother's face.
連鎖の街にあの人と 手に手をつなぎ歩いた夜
The night when I walked hand in hand with that person in a chain city.
ダンス・ホールに 行こうかな あの頃はも 帰らん
Shall we go to the dance hall? Those times will never return.
まだ幼い この娘を連れ ハルピン行きの列車
Taking this young girl on a train to Harbin.
ああ お前の名前すらも きっとあの人は知らず
Oh, that person probably doesn't even know your name.
△進軍ラッパが ププ... つばめのダンスにゃホロホロリ
The advancing bugle goes pupu... and the swallow dance goes horohorori.
だけどほおら あの人に逢える その日まで
But until the day that I can see that person again.
ゆらゆら通せんぼう
Swinging barrier.
(※くりかえし)
(Repeating the above lyrics.)
(△くりかえし)
(Repeating the above lyrics.)
Writer(s): 桑田 佳祐, 桑田 佳祐
Contributed by Madison V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.