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)
鎌倉物語
サザンオールスターズ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
誰の心も悲しみで闇に溶けてゆく
砂にまみれた 夏の日は言葉もいらない
日影茶屋では お互いに声をひそめてた
空の青さに涙がこみあげる
こらえきれず 腕をからめ
泣き顔さえ 真夏の夢
秘密にならない 二人の秘め事
他人の空似が 乾いたマニキュア映して
鎌倉よ何故 夢のような虹を遠ざける
誰の心も悲しみで闇に溶けてゆく
いつも私は大人になれなくて
踊る胸に 浮気な癖
彼にもう一度 くちづけされたなら
涙声さえ ならないでしょう
泣かないつもりが 笑顔になれない
あの日の思い出 溢れる江の電見つめて
砂にまみれた 夏の日は言葉もいらない
日影茶屋では お互いに声をひそめてた
The song "鎌倉物語" by サザンオールスターズ, which translates to "Kamakura Story," paints a picture of the bittersweet memories and feelings associated with a summer fling in Kamakura, a coastal city south of Tokyo known for its historic temples and serene beaches. The opening lines, "Why do you push away the dreamlike rainbow, Kamakura?" sets the melancholic tone of the song as the singer reflects on the transience of summer love and how it could bring both joy and sadness.
Throughout the song, the singer yearns to relive the past and recapture the innocence and excitement of their youthful summer days. The beach, sand, and tea houses all serve as symbols of fleeting romance and youthful freedom, contrasted against the dark and heavy emotions that come with growing up and facing the harsh realities of the world.
The lyrics also touch on the themes of secrets and hidden desires between two people, as the singer reminisces on the intimate moments shared with their lover. The final lines of the song, "On the summer days covered in sand, we did not need words. In the shaded teahouse, we whispered to each other," evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a lost love that can never be fully recaptured.
Line by Line Meaning
鎌倉よ何故 夢のような虹を遠ざける
Oh Kamakura, why do you push away the dream-like rainbow?
誰の心も悲しみで闇に溶けてゆく
Everyone's heart melts into the darkness of sadness
砂にまみれた 夏の日は言葉もいらない
On summer days covered in sand, words are unnecessary
日影茶屋では お互いに声をひそめてた
At the tea house in the shade, we whispered to each other
空の青さに涙がこみあげる
Tears well up in the blue of the sky
こらえきれず 腕をからめ
Unable to resist, we embrace each other
少女の頃に 彼と出会ってたら
If I had met him when I was a girl
泣き顔さえ 真夏の夢
Even my tearful face is a midsummer dream
秘密にならない 二人の秘め事
The secret we can't keep is our secret between us
他人の空似が 乾いたマニキュア映して
Reflecting images of strangers with dry manicures
いつも私は大人になれなくて
I can never become an adult
踊る胸に 浮気な癖
My fluttering heart has a wandering habit
彼にもう一度 くちづけされたなら
If he kisses me one more time
涙声さえ ならないでしょう
I won't even have a tearful voice
泣かないつもりが 笑顔になれない
I intend not to cry, but I can't smile
あの日の思い出 溢れる江の電見つめて
Gazing at the Enoden overflowing with memories of that day
砂にまみれた 夏の日は言葉もいらない
On summer days covered in sand, words are unnecessary
日影茶屋では お互いに声をひそめてた
At the tea house in the shade, we whispered to each other
Writer(s): 桑田 佳祐, 桑田 佳祐
Contributed by Avery H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.