He started his solo activities in 2002 under his own name, with the release of 街/溺愛ロジック (Machi/Dekiai Logic). Other solo projects later followed, under a variety of names: ENDLICHERI☆ENDLICHERI, 244 ENDLI-x, 剛 紫 and ENDRECHERI.
The musical style of releases under his own name tends to vary from pop ballads to rock, with influences from jazz and traditional Japanese music, among other genres.
He has also had his own television shows: 'Domoto Tsuyoshi no Shoujiki Shindoi' and '24CH△NNEL'
リュウグウノツカイ
堂本剛 Lyrics
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浮かべし君の強がり
胸を打った 胸を打った
信じる素敵を愚かと
涙した或る日の弱い灯
また答えを探す事になる
銜えそでやっぱ軽蔑
かけあがり途中
太陽熱だけ霞めて
キラキラユラユラな腹鰭で
天も深海にも行かずで
あの頃の僕は リュウグウノツカイ
初めて観る観る景色が
駆け巡ってるよ様々
見逃さずに?
いれるかしら? 僕ら
神様の引き算に
哀しんで足し算ね
受け止め笑おうか
太陽の端霞めて
キラキラユラユラな腹鰭で
過去には背を向けたぜ
もう逢えないぜ リュウグウノツカイ
太陽熱だけ霞めて
キラキラユラユラな腹鰭で
天も深海にも行かずで
あの頃の僕は リュウグウノツカイ
壮大なフューチャーへ 君と...
The lyrics of 堂本剛's song リュウグウノツカイ explores the theme of nostalgia and the process of finding oneself. The opening lyrics, "you're not honest," describe the subject's façade towards their feelings, and the singer acknowledges the struggle they have with vulnerability. As the song progresses, it delves deeper into the themes of self-discovery and acceptance. It mentions the emotions that arise when one is looking for answers, and the internal battle of doubt versus attraction. The lyrics capture the journey of letting go of the past and moving on towards the future, with hope of creating better memories.
The chorus romanticizes about the imagery of a mythical sea creature and the joy and freedom that comes with being able to live like one. The lyrics speak of wanting to be able to enjoy the scenery without missing anything and the singer's curiosity if they could possibly be accepting of new experiences. The following lyrics shift gears from the past to the present with the metaphorical math problem of adding sadness and taking away what no longer serves them, implying that the singer is now finding a better sense of peace and happiness.
Overall, the song talks not only of the journey forward but also looking back and acknowledging the lessons learned. It encourages the subject to overcome their fear of vulnerability and finding a genuine connection with themselves and others.
Line by Line Meaning
「素直じゃないのよ」微か笑み
Your feeble attempt to pretend you're okay isn't fooling me, but I won't call you out on it directly.
浮かべし君の強がり
Your facade of strength is thinly veiled, and I can see right through it.
胸を打った 胸を打った
Your situation moved me deeply, stirring up intense emotions in me.
信じる素敵を愚かと
There was a day when I was weak and upset because I cried at the foolishness of believing in something wonderful.
涙した或る日の弱い灯
My weakened spirit's flicker of hope was dampened by tears shed that day.
また答えを探す事になる
I know that I must continue to search for answers to my questions to move forward.
疑ってでも惹かれて
Despite my doubts and reservations, I was still drawn to your alluring charm.
銜えそでやっぱ軽蔑
I tried to hide my interest with a casual air, but deep down, I knew it was genuine and worthy of respect.
かけあがり途中
I was in the middle of soaring to great heights, but it wasn't a smooth flight.
太陽熱だけ霞めて
The sun's heat shrouded everything, creating a hazy, distorted view of reality.
キラキラユラユラな腹鰭で
I was shining and shimmering like a gleaming fin on a fish.
天も深海にも行かずで
I was like a dragonfish that stays within sight of the sun, never venturing too far from familiar territory.
あの頃の僕は リュウグウノツカイ
Back then, I was like a dragonfish, lost and uncertain, but still holding onto a glimmer of hope.
初めて観る観る景色が
The first time I looked at that new landscape I saw.
駆け巡ってるよ様々
Many things were happening all at once.
見逃さずに?
Could I catch it all without missing anything?
いれるかしら? 僕ら
Could we fit into that new world together?
神様の引き算に
Like the subtraction done by heaven itself.
哀しんで足し算ね
I'll take my sorrow and add it back, making something new and valuable.
受け止め笑おうか
I will embrace those new experiences and give them a smile.
太陽の端霞めて
The edge of the sun shone in the distance.
過去には背を向けたぜ
I turned away from the past, leaving it behind me.
もう逢えないぜ リュウグウノツカイ
I'll never meet that version of myself again, lost in the memories of those days like a dragonfish that never resurfaces.
壮大なフューチャーへ 君と...
Let's go forward into a grand future together...
Writer(s): 堂本 剛
Contributed by Samantha J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.