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)
Tsunami
サザンオールスターズ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
通りすがるあの日の幻影
本当は見た目以上
涙もろい過去がある
止めど流る清か水よ
消せど燃ゆる魔性の火よ
あんなに好きな女性に
人は誰も愛求めて闇に彷徨う運命
そして風まかせ oh, my destiny
涙枯れるまで
見つめ合うと素直にお喋り出来ない
津波のような侘しさに
I know 怯えてる hoo
めぐり逢えた瞬間から
魔法が解けない
鏡のような夢の中で
思い出はいつの日も 雨
夢が終わり目覚める時
深い闇に夜明けが来る
本当は見た目以上
打たれ強い僕がいる
泣き出しそうな空眺めて
波に漂うカモメ
きっと世は情け oh, sweet memory
旅立ちを胸に
人は涙見せずに大人になれない
ガラスのような恋だとは
I know 気付いてる hoo
身も心も愛しい女性しか見えない
張り裂けそうな胸の奥で
悲しみに耐えるのは何故?
見つめ合うと素直にお喋り出来ない
津波のような侘しさに
I know 怯えてる hoo
めぐり逢えた瞬間から
死ぬまで好きと言って
鏡のような夢の中で
微笑をくれたのは誰?
好きなのに泣いたのは何故
思い出はいつの日も 雨
The lyrics to サザンオールスターズ's song Tsunami seem to discuss past relationships and the pain that can come with them. The opening lines talk about a weak and confused version of the singer, possibly implying that they are reflecting on a past version of themselves. They then reference a woman who they loved during a summer but can never meet again. This sets up the theme of longing for a past love and the sadness that can come with it.
The lyrics then shift to talking about destiny and the idea that everyone is searching for love but can get lost along the way. The singer mentions the fear and hesitation that can come with starting a new relationship, comparing it to the melancholy feeling of a tsunami. They also mention a magic that they can't seem to shake off since they met this person. The chorus repeats the idea of the difficulties in communication that can arise when meeting someone you're attracted to.
The last stanza goes back to the singer's personal experiences, describing the pain and sadness they feel when thinking about their past love. They reference the idea that love is like glass, fragile and easily broken. The song ends with the singer asking why they cried and who smiled at them in their dreams. The repeated motif of rain throughout the song adds to the overall melancholy feel.
Line by Line Meaning
風に戸惑う弱気な僕
I am a weak and uncertain person who is lost in the wind
通りすがるあの日の幻影
I am haunted by the memory of that day when you passed me by
本当は見た目以上
I am not what I seem
涙もろい過去がある
I have a past that has made me sensitive and emotional
止めど流る清か水よ
I cannot stop the flow of the pure water
消せど燃ゆる魔性の火よ
I cannot put out the burning flame of my passion
あんなに好きな女性に
I met the woman I loved so much
出逢う夏は二度とない
But the summer when we met will never come again
人は誰も愛求めて闇に彷徨う運命
Everyone is destined to wander in the darkness seeking love
そして風まかせ oh, my destiny
And I am at the mercy of the wind, oh, my destiny
涙枯れるまで
Until my tears run dry
見つめ合うと素直にお喋り出来ない
When we look at each other, I cannot speak honestly
津波のような侘しさに
I am overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness like a tsunami
I know 怯えてる hoo
I know I am scared, hoo
めぐり逢えた瞬間から
From the moment we met
魔法が解けない
I cannot break the spell
鏡のような夢の中で
I am trapped in a dream like a mirage
思い出はいつの日も 雨
The memories are always rainy
夢が終わり目覚める時
When the dream ends and I wake up
深い闇に夜明けが来る
The dawn comes in the deep darkness
打たれ強い僕がいる
But I am also a strong person who can endure hardship
泣き出しそうな空眺めて
I look at the sky, feeling like crying
波に漂うカモメ
The seagulls drifting on the waves
きっと世は情け oh, sweet memory
The world is surely full of kindness, oh, sweet memory
旅立ちを胸に
With the journey in my heart
人は涙見せずに大人になれない
People cannot become adults without shedding tears
ガラスのような恋だとは
Our love is fragile like glass
I know 気付いてる hoo
I know I realize it, hoo
身も心も愛しい女性しか見えない
I can only see the woman I love with all my body and soul
張り裂けそうな胸の奥で
My heart feels like it might burst inside
悲しみに耐えるのは何故?
Why must I endure this sadness?
死ぬまで好きと言って
Until death, I will say that I love you
微笑をくれたのは誰?
Who gave me a smile?
好きなのに泣いたのは何故
Why did I cry even though I love you?
思い出はいつの日も 雨
The memories are always rainy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Keisuke Kuwata
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind