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)
Dear John
サザンオールスターズ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, my dear もう ここにいない
言葉で夢と恋を 教えられた日々が
心の奥に今も蘇る "Strawberry Fields"
強がりばかりじゃなく ときめく弱さまでいい
Oh, my star 輝やく星よ
住み慣れた街で たぶん忘れられぬ Liverpool
夜のとばりに痛みが走り
その手の先を一番好きな女性だけに
闇を切る音 彼女の前で
Just with you, baby もう一度逢いたい Johnny
君のいない世界が 誰かに汚されないと
Oh, my word 今はもう言えない
人が互いのために大事にするものが
大人になるにつれて少しだけ感じる "Love"
The lyrics to "Dear John" by サザンオールスターズ delve into themes of nostalgia, lost love, and longing for a connection that has been severed. The song begins by reminiscing about a time in the past when the singer was drawn towards a voice, but now that voice is no longer present. They recall the days when they were taught about dreams and love through words, and those memories still resurface in their heart's depths, resembling the vividness of "Strawberry Fields."
The lyrics then express the sentiment that it is okay not to put on a facade of strength all the time, and it is acceptable to embrace vulnerability and excitement. The singer addresses their star, the shining one, noting that in the familiar city they reside in, there is probably no forgetting Liverpool. Suddenly, the day arrived when everything became "No reply" to the singer, emphasizing their solitude and lack of communication.
In the midst of the darkness, the pain runs through the singer, and they can only reach out to their favorite woman. The sound that cuts through the darkness is present in front of her. They express their longing to meet Johnny once more, suggesting that he may have left them in some way.
Furthermore, the lyrics touch upon the fear of the world without the person they long for being tainted by someone else. They confess their inability to express this feeling anymore, possibly due to the pain it brings. As individuals mature, they begin to sense the preciousness of what people do for one another, and they may experience a glimpse of "love."
Overall, "Dear John" encapsulates a mix of emotions - nostalgia, longing, vulnerability, and the pain of a lost connection. The lyrics evoke a sense of bittersweetness, reflecting on the past and the difficulty of expressing love in a changing world.
Line by Line Meaning
君の声がする方へ 幼い頃 誘われて
I was led towards the direction where I heard your voice when I was young
Oh, my dear もう ここにいない
Oh, my dear, you are no longer here
言葉で夢と恋を 教えられた日々が
The days when dreams and love were taught through words
心の奥に今も蘇る "Strawberry Fields"
"Strawberry Fields" still resurrects deep within my heart
強がりばかりじゃなく ときめく弱さまでいい
It's not just about being strong, it's okay to feel the throbbing weakness
Oh, my star 輝やく星よ
Oh, my star, shining brightly
住み慣れた街で たぶん忘れられぬ Liverpool
In the familiar city, probably unforgettable Liverpool
突然 あの日が来たね 何もかもが "No reply" to me
Suddenly, that day came, where everything was a "No reply" to me
夜のとばりに痛みが走り
Pain runs through the veil of the night
その手の先を一番好きな女性だけに
Only to the woman I love the most, beyond that hand
闇を切る音 彼女の前で
A sound cutting through the darkness in front of her
Just with you, baby もう一度逢いたい Johnny
Just with you, baby, I want to meet Johnny once again
君のいない世界が 誰かに汚されないと
In a world without you, hoping it won't be tainted by someone else
Oh, my word 今はもう言えない
Oh, my word, I can't say it anymore now
人が互いのために大事にするものが
What people treasure for each other
大人になるにつれて少しだけ感じる "Love"
As I grow older, I can feel a little bit of "Love"
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Keisuke Kuwata, Masao Yagi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind