The oldest member of KAT-TUN, Nakamaru diligently began learning the art of beatboxing on his own shortly after the group was formed by studying hundreds of examples from hip-hop albums. His main motivation for doing so was to set himself apart from the rest of the members because he didn't want to be seen as dull. To date, he is the first and only Japanese "idol" to possess, showcase and improve such skills year after year. Nakamaru is also a host of NHK's "Shōnen Club" with 小山慶一郎 (Keiichirō Koyama of NEWS). He also formerly hosted KAT-TUN's own "Cartoon KAT-TUN" until its end in March 2010. Nakamaru is also a budding actor with roles in "Sushi Ōji!", "Rescue" and "Haha no Okurimono".
Nakamaru also hosts a radio show with bandmate 上田竜也 (Tatsuya Ueda) called R-One KAT-TUN and with bandmate 田中聖 (Kōki Tanaka), make up a comedic unit called TaNaka (a portmanteau of their surnames). The duo often perform skits together during concerts. Nakamaru is also a songwriter; his known solo songs are "Understandable", "Shooting Star", "My Weather", "Key of Life", "Smack" and "White World", "Answer", and "Film".
Nakamaru is currently an undergraduate at Waseda University, majoring in Environmental Studies.
STEP BY STEP
中丸雄一 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
FLASHBACK思い出せば WANT TO CRY泣き出しそうな震える肩を抱き寄せて
FACE TO FACE何もかも LIKE MAGIC, LET YOU FORGET僕に預けてONLY TRUST ME
波のように泳いでく 誓いのBUBBLE RING SURF-RIDE人波をすり抜けたSIGN
たったひとつだけ ONE LOVE, FOREVERMORE
「愛する」って思うほど そっと君を包むための強さになる
ふたり歩き出そう 鼓動刻むスピードで
焦らずにSTEP BY STEP LOVE IS HERE愛を抱きしめて
SPOTLIGHT華やぐRED CARPET見たくはないけど ふたりきり描いてるRUNWAY歩き続けよう
GOIN' BACK続いてる WHAT A SMILE待ってるだろう？道の先にWANT TO KNOW
SUPERMANじゃなくても君を守りたい その笑顔見ていたいONLY SMILE FOR ME
鳥のようにはばたいて 踊るよSLOW DANCETIP-TOP足並み揃えてLET ME FLY
そっとBREEZIN' BREEZIN' 感じていたいから
そう君に出逢うために ずっと時を越えて辿り着いたこの場所に
「愛する」って誓うのは もっと君と歩きたいと願っている
ふたり歩いて行こう 等身大の未来へ
心までSTEP BY STEP
季節が色づくように 君と僕と同じ時間(とき)を 刻み続けよう
背伸びなんてしなくていい 同じ速さ同じ温度ALWAYS BE WITH YOU
YOU AND I いつでもSTEP BY STEP NOW AND EVER YOU AND I
ふたり歩き出そう 鼓動刻むスピードで
焦らずにSTEP BY STEP LOVE IS HERE愛を抱きしめて
笑い合う日も 涙する日にも STEP BY STEP ONE LOVE, FOREVERMORE
焦らずに 急がず歩こうI'LL BE WITH YOU ONE LOVE, FOREVERMORE
NOW AND EVER STEP BY STEP
The song STEP BY STEP by 中丸雄一 recounts a love story, from the moment the singer meets their beloved, to their shared memories engrained in nature, and their dreams for a future together. The first verse captures the thrill of driving through the streets, overtaking the city in vibrant colors after seeing the reflection of their significant other on a blue-tinted windowpane. The second verse presents overcoming the hardship of the past by holding each other tightly, face to face, and letting go of past traumas, entrusting everything to the other person. The bridge illustrates that their love is the "one love" in the world, and they have found it together, swimming in the bubbles of their commitment.
As the song progresses, the couple is shown dancing to a "slow dance," and the partner is referred to as "superman," highlighting the trust and admiration the singer has for their significant other. They promise to always be present for each other, walking at their own pace, and cherishing the present. The melody carries a bittersweet vibe through its combination of pulsing beats and soulful vocals, mirroring the ups and downs of being in love.
Overall, the song conveys the message of moving forward with oneself and loved ones in the face of adversity, promising to be with each other step by step, making every moment meaningful and everlasting.
Line by Line Meaning
蒼く染まる窓ガラスに映る横顔と VIVIDに着替えてく街を追い越してDRIVE
Driving past the colorfully dressed city with a glimpse of your face reflected in the blue stained glass
FLASHBACK思い出せば WANT TO CRY泣き出しそうな震える肩を抱き寄せて
Recalling the past, I want to cry as I embrace your shaking shoulders
FACE TO FACE何もかも LIKE MAGIC, LET YOU FORGET僕に預けてONLY TRUST ME
Face to face, forget everything like magic, just trust me and leave it all to me
波のように泳いでく 誓いのBUBBLE RING SURF-RIDE人波をすり抜けたSIGN
Swimming like a wave, passing through the crowd with a sworn bubble ring surf-ride, leaving a sign behind
たったひとつだけ ONE LOVE, FOREVERMORE
Only one thing, one love, forevermore
そう君に出逢うまでは きっと弱いなんてことに気づきもしないで
Until I met you, I never realized that I was weak
「愛する」って思うほど そっと君を包むための強さになる
Thinking 'I love you', I become strong enough to gently embrace you
ふたり歩き出そう 鼓動刻むスピードで
Let's start walking together, with a speed that beats in time with our hearts
焦らずにSTEP BY STEP LOVE IS HERE愛を抱きしめて
Step by step, calmly embracing the love that is here
SPOTLIGHT華やぐRED CARPET見たくはないけど ふたりきり描いてるRUNWAY歩き続けよう
I don't want to be under the shining spotlight or walk the red carpet, but let's keep walking on the runway we drew for just the two of us
GOIN' BACK続いてる WHAT A SMILE待ってるだろう？道の先にWANT TO KNOW
Going back, what a smile is waiting ahead on the road, I want to know
SUPERMANじゃなくても君を守りたい その笑顔見ていたいONLY SMILE FOR ME
I want to protect you even if I'm not Superman, I want to see your smile, only smile for me
鳥のようにはばたいて 踊るよSLOW DANCETIP-TOP足並み揃えてLET ME FLY
Flapping like a bird, dancing, walking tip-toe to be in sync, let me fly
そう君に出逢うために ずっと時を越えて辿り着いたこの場所に
I've crossed time to come to this place where I met you
「愛する」って誓うのは もっと君と歩きたいと願っている
I pledge to 'love you' because I wish to keep walking with you
ふたり歩いて行こう 等身大の未来へ心までSTEP BY STEP
Let's walk together towards a life-sized future, step by step, heart to heart
季節が色づくように 君と僕と同じ時間(とき)を 刻み続けよう
Let's keep marking time together, just like the changing seasons
背伸びなんてしなくていい 同じ速さ同じ温度ALWAYS BE WITH YOU
We don't need to overreach, let's always be together at the same pace and temperature
YOU AND I いつでもSTEP BY STEP NOW AND EVER YOU AND I
You and I, always step by step, now and forever, you and I
笑い合う日も 涙する日にも STEP BY STEP ONE LOVE, FOREVERMORE
On days we laugh or cry, step by step, one love, forevermore
焦らずに 急がず歩こうI'LL BE WITH YOU ONE LOVE, FOREVERMORE NOW AND EVER STEP BY STEP
Let's walk calmly and steadily, I'll be with you, one love, forevermore, now and ever, step by step
Writer(s): Ｊａｍ Ｍｕｓｈ, CHLOPECKI KAROL KASE, Jam Mush, CHLOPECKI KAROL KASE
Contributed by Nathaniel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.