After quitting school to enter a musical contest, Shiina was quickly signed to EMI, then promptly left Japan to avoid the trappings of contract work. After returning, she quickly released a series of singles and albums, all self-penned (a relative rarity for Japanese pop artists), and all meeting with great success on the Japanese charts. A hiatus to start a family followed, itself followed (after a divorce) by both a new album and a new side project, the band 東京事変. (Tokyo Jihen - or Tokyo Incidents)
After more success with the band, Shiina returned to a solo career in 2006 as the Music Director for the film 「さくらん」(Sakuran), quickly taking the number one slot on the Oricon charts with the album Heisei Fuuzoku released in tandem with a major soundtrack project. Following was a B-sides album which peaked quickly at the number one Oricon slot. In the years proceeding this, she spent most of her time dedicated to Tokyo Jihen occasionally revisiting her solo work.
Despite being involved in the main Japanese pop scene, Shiina has created a niche for herself based on a much wider musical range than most artists. Where most pop singers develop a basic sound based on contemporary pop aesthetics and throwaway lyrical matter, Shiina builds on a base of jazz, rock, Motown, and even French chanson equally well (the chanson works especially well with her trademark nasal delivery), infusing her projects with a very different aesthetic, and gaining a fan base separate from the core constituents of the Japanese pop apparatus.
Despite the release of album 三毒史 (trivisa-itihasa) in 2019, released after a myriad of singles being majorly included in aforementioned work. In 2020, Ringo and band Tokyo Jihen turned their backs to their past, doing a major reunion, with the drop of a few projects, such as sixth studio album 音楽.
Discography
Singles
幸福論 (Koufukuron)（1998）
歌舞伎町の女王 （1998）
ここでキスして。 (Koko de kisu shite)（1999）
本能 （1999）
幸福論（1999）
ギブス (Gibs)（2000）
罪と罰 （2000）
真夜中は純潔 （2001）
絶頂集 （2000）
茎（STEM）～大名遊ビ編～ （2003）
りんごのうた (Ringo no Uta)（2003）
この世の限り (Kono Yo no Kagiri) (2007） (With Saitou Neko and her brother Shiina Junpei)
ありあまる富 (Ariamaru Tomi)（2009）
カーネーション (Carnation)（2011）
自由へ道連 (Traveling Companion to Freedom) (2012)
いろはにほへと (Les Couleurs Chantent) (2013)
孤独のあかつき (The Solitude of Dawn) (2013)
NIPPON (2014)
至上の人生 (A Life Supreme) (2015)
最果てが見たい (2015)
長く短い祭 (2015)
神様、仏様 (2015)
ジユーダム (2016)
目抜き通り (2017)
獣ゆく細道 (2018)
Albums
無罪モラトリアム (Muzai Moratorium) (1999)
勝訴ストリップ (Shouso Strip)（2000)
加爾基 精液 栗ノ花（Karuki Za-men Kuri no Hana）(2003)
平成風俗 (Heisei Fuuzoku) (2007) (with Neiko Sato)
三文ゴシップ (Sanmon Gossip) (2009)
日出処 (Hi Izuru Tokoro) (2014)
三毒史 (trivisa-itihasa) (2019)
Covers Album
唄ひ手冥利～其ノ壱～ (Utaitemyori Sonoichi)（2002）
逆輸入 ～港湾局～ (Reimports Vol.1) (2014)
逆輸入 〜航空局〜 (Reimport Vol.2 -Civil Bureau Aviation) (2017)
Compilations
私と放電 (Me & Electric Discharge) (2008) - (B-Sides)
ニュートンの林檎 (Apple of Universal Gravity) (2019) - (Overview)
Stem
椎名林檎 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
其の塔なら崩れない
彼の天なら潰れない
何れも嘘らしく馨つてゐます
喩へ蒔いても育つても仙人草
咲いても強く色付かうとも
瞬時に黙つて堕ちて逝きます
如何して? 何故 哀しくなつたの
現実の夢
此の肺なら破れない
其の顔なら崩れない
彼の天なら限りない
何れも赤色に匂つてゐます
斯くて哭いては惑つては生りませぬ
立つたら強く進まなくては
やつとで呼吸に成つて来ました
如何して? 何故 魘されてゐるの
現実が夢
今日からは生えても 芽吹いても仙人草
咲いても悦び過ぎないから
大事な生命 壱ツだけ だうか持つて行かれませぬ様に
哭いたり惑つたり致しませぬ
立つたら弐度と倒れないから
何も要らない 壱ツだけ だうか 誰か 嗚呼
エントリー番号壱
The lyrics of 椎名林檎's song “茎” are quite cryptic and metaphorical. The song talks about various objects that can’t be destroyed or overcome, including doors that can’t be broken, towers that can’t be knocked down and skies that can’t be crushed. However, the singer believes that all of these things are just lies that give off a fragrant scent. The song then talks about a plant called “仙人草” (Ageratum conyzoides), which is strong and resilient even if it’s trampled or planted in an unfavorable environment. The plant can withstand harsh conditions, but it dies quickly when it blooms, falling silently in a moment.
The song then asks why the singer is feeling sad and lost, and why reality feels like a dream. The singer then talks about her own body parts, including her lungs that can’t be broken, her face that can’t crumble, and a sky that is infinite and smells of red. The song then talks about how the singer has stopped crying and feeling lost because she has learned to breathe along with the rhythm of life. The song then talks about how the singer wants to live life fully, but not to the point where she becomes overwhelmed with joy. She realizes that life is precious and wants to hold onto it tightly, but she doesn’t want anything else, just that one life.
Line by Line Meaning
此の扉なら破れない
This door cannot be broken
其の塔なら崩れない
That tower cannot be destroyed
彼の天なら潰れない
That sky cannot be crushed
何れも嘘らしく馨つてゐます
All of it seems like a lie, smelling sweet
喩へ蒔いても育つても仙人草
Even if it's sown metaphorically, it grows as Senren grass
咲いても強く色付かうとも
Even if blooming, it still shows a strong color
瞬時に黙つて堕ちて逝きます
In an instant, it falls silently and dies
如何して? 何故 哀しくなつたの
Why did I become sad? How did this happen?
現実の夢
A dream of reality
此の肺なら破れない
These lungs cannot be broken
其の顔なら崩れない
That face cannot be destroyed
彼の天なら限りない
That sky is infinite
何れも赤色に匂つてゐます
All of it smells of red
斯くて哭いては惑つては生りませぬ
Crying and being confused like this won't bear any fruit
立つたら強く進まなくては
If I stand, I must move forward strongly
やつとで呼吸に成つて来ました
Finally, I've become able to breathe
如何して? 何故 魘されてゐるの
Why am I being haunted? How did this happen?
現実が夢
Reality is a dream
今日からは生えても 芽吹いても仙人草
From today, even if it grows and buds, it's Senren grass
咲いても悦び過ぎないから
Even if it blooms, I won't be too delighted
大事な生命 壱ツだけ だうか持つて行かれませぬ様に
To make sure I don't lose my one precious life
哭いたり惑つたり致しませぬ
I won't cry or be confused anymore
立つたら弐度と倒れないから
If I stand, I won't fall twice
何も要らない 壱ツだけ だうか 誰か 嗚呼
I don't need anything else, just my one precious life, please
エントリー番号壱
Entry Number One
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ringo Sheena
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ec6co3dm7z
There’s a door here but it will not break
(ここに扉はあるけれど、破ることはできない)
There’s a stone there but it won’t remain
(そこに石があるけれど、覚えていないわ)
Up there a heaven now but it will not wait
(空には天国が、でも私を待ってはくれない)
And the lies there the scent of it just too much
(そして嘘はそこにある、その匂いがプンプンするの)
So should you
(だからあなたは)
Sow it once and make it grow
(縫い合わせて、大きくしていく)
the sweet clematis
(甘いクレマチスの花) *
Let it flower and paint it all of the colors bold
(飾り立て濃く色づけていきましょう)
Instantly things fall and fade
(すぐに全て堕ち霞んでいく)
return to silence
(静寂に戻っていく)
Why oh why why does it all feel so sorrowful?
(なぜなぜこんなにも全てが悲しいの？)
Dreams of what is real
(リアルなものを夢見ている)
There’s breath here but it will not break
(呼吸はあるけれど、弾むことはない)
There’s a face there but it won’t remain
(顔があるけれど、私は覚えていない)
Up there a heaven now but it knows no name
(空には天国が、でも誰の名も刻まれていない)
and the stain is the color of red through red
(赤より紅い色が染みついているわ)
And thus
(そしてこのようにして)
You cannot cry confuse the lies try to remember
(泣いてはいけない、嘘で惑わして、思い出そうとする)
When you rise you take you steps with a strong desire
(欲望とともに起き上がり足を進めたら)
Time goes by a breath it comes like something given
(時が来れば、吐息が何かを与えようとやってくる)
Why oh why why have these nightmares not long expired
(どうしてこんな悪夢は、すぐには消えてくれないの？)
the real is but a dream
(現実は、夢のようで)
From now on
(これからは)
should it grow and open full the sweet clematis
(成長し甘いクレマチスのように大きく花開く)
Flower bold but there’s no need for rejoicing more
(華やぐけれど、そこに喜びは必要ない)
Precious life this life just once it comes just one time
(素敵な人生、この1度きりの、1度しかない人生)
Keep it close keep it from ever just leaving you
(抱きしめて、あなたを捨てていくものからも護り抜く)
Crying tears confusing fears they are no longer
(流れる涙、混乱した恐怖、そんなものも今はなく)
When I stand I know I’ll never be down again
(立ち上がってしまえば、もう崩れることはないわ)
Nothing that I need now once it comes just one time
(もう何もいらない、たった1度きりのものだから)
Somehow somehow someone ah
(どうにか、どうにかして、誰か)
Entry Number One
(エントリーナンバー1番)
【コピペ】
@mariemaland589
There's a door here, but it will not break
There's a stone there, but it won't remain
Up there a heaven now, but it will not wait
And the lies there, the scent of it, just too much
So should you,
Sow it once and make it grow, the sweet clematis
Let it flower, and paint it all of the colors bold
Instantly things fall and fade, return to silence
Why oh why, why does it all feel so sorrowful?
Dreams of what is real
There's a breath here, but it will not break
There's a face there, but it won't remain
Up there a heaven now, but it knows no name
And the stain is the color of red through red
And thus,
You cannot cry, confuse the lies, try to remember
When you rise, you take your steps with a strong desire
Time goes by, a breath it comes, like something given
Why oh why, why have these nightmares not long expired
The real is but a dream
From now on,
Should it grow and open full, the sweet clematis
Flower bold, but there's no need for rejoicing more
Precious life, this life, just once, it comes just one time
Keep it close, keep it from ever just leaving you
Crying tears confusing fears they are no longer
When I stand I know I'll never be down again
Nothing that I need now, once it comes just one time
Somehow, somehow, someone, ah
Entry Number One
@user-qk5um6cn9u
自分用
此の扉(ドア)なら破れない
There's a door here, but it will not break
其の塔なら崩れない
There's a stone there, but it won't remain
彼(あ)の天なら潰れない
Up there a heaven now, but it will not wait
何(ど)れも嘘らしく馨つてゐます
And the lies there, the scent of it, just too much
喩へ蒔いても育つても仙人草(クレマチス)
So should you,
Sow it once and make it grow, the sweet clematis
咲いても強く色付かうとも
Let it flower, and paint it all of the colors bold
瞬時に黙つて堕ちて逝きます
Instantly things fall and fade, return to silence
如何して? 何故 哀しくなつたの
Why oh why, why does it all feel so sorrowful?
現実の夢
Dreams of what is real
此の肺なら破れない
There's a breath here, but it will not break
其の顔なら崩れない
There's a face there, but it won't remain
彼の天なら限りない
Up there a heaven now, but it knows no name何れも赤色に匂つてゐます
And the stain is the color of red through red
斯くて哭(な)いては惑つては生(な)りませぬ
And thus,
You cannot cry, confuse the lies, try to remember
立つたら強く進まなくては
When you rise, you take your steps with a strong desire
やつとで呼吸に成つて来ました
Time goes by, a breath it comes, like something given
如何して? 何故 魘(うな)されてゐるの
Why oh why, why have these nightmares not long expired
現実が夢
The real is but a dream
今日からは生えても芽吹いても仙人草
From now on,
Should it grow and open full, the sweet clematis
咲いても悦び過ぎないから
Flower bold, but there's no need for rejoicing more
大事な生命 壱ツだけ だうか持つて行かれませぬ様に
Precious life, this life, just once, it comes just one timeKeep it close, keep it from ever just leaving you
哭いたり惑つたり致しませぬ 立つたら弐度と倒れないから
Crying tears confusing fears they are no longer
When I stand I know I'll never be down again
何も要らない 壱ツだけ だうか 誰か 嗚呼
Nothing that I need now, once it comes just one time
Somehow, somehow, someone, ah
エントリー番号壱(ナンバーワン)
Entry Number One
@user-bo8jh3mq9o
茎はとても好きな曲です
このオリジナルの英語版も好きですし、日本語版も好きです
一番好きなのは党大会の英語版です
同じ林檎さんが唄っても、それぞれが全く違った魅力を持っています
作詞作曲した上で、ライブごとに異なる表現やアレンジで唄われていて、実に多彩な表現力を持った人だなと驚かされます
お若い頃に、こんな作品を作られて驚きでしかありません
本当に魅力的な方だと思います
時代劇のような演出と屏風に描かれたような絵もユニークです
@ms-el5pf
20代前半でこの曲作れるって、もう凄すぎてどう表現したら適切な表現になるのかもわからないくらいスゴイ。
天才とかそんな一言で表現できない。
@user-hk2hp2pg9j
本当ですね。凄まじい才能。まさに天才。
@user-tl2kc5cn5u
なんかすこーし食い違ってるの草
@idoldoll6
鬼才
@user-ux7tt3xz5e
いい香りがする曲
雰囲気がある曲
上手く言えないけど、品と奥ゆかしさが感じ取られて、素敵です
@spitz8823kyoko
このセンスは滅びない
@noname-dk7ri
こういう異空間にトリップするような音楽がもっと聴きたい。
@kotorikko
同感ですね。
ちなみに貴方の異空間にトリップできる曲は何ですか？
私は最近ホルストの木星にハマってます。見事に異世界に飛ばしてくれます。
@user-jn3gj4bs1b
わかる 音楽に呑み込まれたい
@Ns-ve1gh
死を感じられる曲で、椎名林檎以外にこの音は作れない。日本、海外通してこれ以上の曲はない。小林賢太郎もいい仕事をしている。
美は個人の中で完結していればいい。
これは本当に素晴らしい。