Makihara was first discovered by 坂本龍一 (Ryuuichi Sakamoto) in November 1985 on his radio show, Sound Street during a segment where he played demo tapes submitted by aspiring music makers. Upon winning the Axia Music Audition '89 in March 1990 with his song "NG", he signed with Warner Music Japan and made his debut in October 1990. His first album was a moderate success, peaking at top 50 on the Oricon Weekly Album Charts. With the breakout of "Donna Toki Mo." selling more than one million copies in 1991 alone, he gained his first appearance on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Achieving his first million-seller in 1992 with "Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono" and making even more hits like "No. 1" and "SPY" into the mid-1990s, he has became one of the most popular singer-songwriters in Japan. Being arrested for possessing amphetamines in 1999, his career's success came to a standstill and despite making a comeback the subsequent year, his sales dipped and he entered a career slump. In 2003, upon writing the massive three-million-seller hit, "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" for SMAP, he had a second career breakout and has stayed successful ever since. He was subsequently put under arrest in 2020 for possessing stimulants but made a successful comeback in October 2021 with "Yosoro" and has recently concluded a 2-month tour around Japan for the album. Pulling through public opinion and homophobia after being forcibly exposed to having a male partner, he is currently the third best selling male solo act in Japan and has a stable and relatively big fanbase.
One could arguably compare him to Western pop stars such as Elton John, both in terms of musical ability and talent, and continued longevity despite playing to an intensely fickle industry. The two also seem to have shared something of a similar career path in terms of personal ups and downs, public scrutiny and survival through the years in spite of it all.
Makihara has managed to endure and maintain a healthy level of popularity in Japan and other nations worldwide, due to his soothing, appealing voice quality and flair for catchy melody. Not just your average manufactured pop star, real talent can be found in Mackey's work to this day.
It's interesting to note how, as the years have passed, the quality of Makihara's voice has deepened, bringing him into a soulful, velvety range that might remind one of Barry White or Luther Van Dross. Much of his music's lyrical content has revolved around the subject of romantic love, though themes of profound joy, reminiscence, gratitude and deeper spiritual aspects of the human condition have become predominant in recent years. When not more slowly paced and romantic, his tunes are bright and upbeat, and though certainly dated, even his albums from the 90's are still enjoyable and worth a listen. Remarkably, the cheesy, early 90's pop style lends an immortal charm to his early work, though he has been known to update and bring back old hits, such as "Donna Toki Mo.", which can be found currently as a B-side to his 2007 single, "Green Days."
To sum it up, Macky's an extremely good vibe, quality artist. The messages in his music are extremely positive, which only adds to the beauty of his arrangement and vocal appeal. If you haven't already, check him out! You won't be sorry.
ズル休み
槇原敬之 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
なんでもそろってるけど
二人をもとに戻す
接着剤はないらしい
日曜出勤から
つかれてもどる僕は
一人ぼっちのつまった
留守電の点滅
四件は友達の声で
残りの一つはいったい
何て呼べば 僕は救われるの?
人は必ず誰かに
愛されてると言えるよ
だって僕は今でも君を
とてもとても好きだから
明日は月曜日
会社をズル休みして
すいたコーヒーショップで
おなかいっぱい食べよう
煙草をとり出して
ぼんやりしてるうちに
ウエイトレスがカップと
気持ちまで全部片づけて行く
忙しさになんか
負けない恋だと思ってた
あの時雑誌についてた
占いなんて嘘だと思っていた
恋人が今いなくても
いるとどうか嘘をついて
僕も「幸せでよかったね」と
うまく嘘をつくから
僕は誰かを探すよ
それはきっと君のためだよ
例えば髪を切るように
生き方は変えられない
人は必ず誰かに
愛されてると言えるよ
だって僕は今でも君を
とてもとても好きだから
人は必ず誰かに
愛されてると思いたい
君のこと想うように
僕もいつか愛されたい
These lyrics of the song "ズル休み" by 槇原敬之 tell a story of longing, loneliness, and the complexities of love. The first verse describes a trip to a convenience store on the way home, where everything is available except the glue to mend the broken relationship between two people. This sets the tone for the song, highlighting the inability to fix what has been broken.
The second verse depicts the singer's return from working on a Sunday, tired and feeling alone. Carrying a bag filled with his troubles, he opens the door to his solitude. The flashing voicemail notifications indicate missed calls from friends, but one remains unheard. The question arises as to what it would take for him to find salvation.
The chorus conveys a message of hope. It suggests that everyone can confidently say they are loved by someone. The singer still deeply loves the person mentioned, despite the current circumstances. This demonstrates the enduring power of love, even when it seems impossible or unrequited.
The third verse describes the singer's plan to take a sneaky day off work on Monday, avoiding responsibilities to indulge himself in a coffee shop, filling his stomach with food. It portrays a desire for escape and self-indulgence, perhaps driven by the pain and loneliness experienced.
The final verse reveals the singer's previous belief that love could overcome busyness or external difficulties. They thought that horoscopes were lies and even if their lover wasn't present at the moment, they would lie and pretend they were, just to maintain a sense of happiness. This line highlights the desperation to hold onto love, even if it means deceiving oneself.
The song concludes with the singer expressing their desire to find someone, specifically for the sake of the person mentioned earlier. They acknowledge that their way of life cannot be changed easily, comparing it to something as permanent as a haircut. They still yearn to be loved and believe that everyone should feel loved by someone, emphasizing the human need for affection and connection.
In summary, "ズル休み" captures the emotional journey of a protagonist longing to mend a broken relationship while navigating loneliness and searching for love. The lyrics convey a sense of yearning, hope, and the complexities involved in human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
帰り道のコンビニには
In the convenience store on my way home,
なんでもそろってるけど
they have everything, but
二人をもとに戻す
they don't have the adhesive to bring us back together
接着剤はないらしい
it seems they don't have any adhesive
日曜出勤から
Coming back tired from Sunday overtime,
つかれてもどる僕は
I, who return home exhausted,
一人ぼっちのつまった
holding a bag full of loneliness
袋を片手にドアあける
open the door with one hand, holding the bag
留守電の点滅
The blinking of the answering machine
四件は友達の声で
Four of them are messages from friends
残りの一つはいったい
But what about the remaining one,
何て呼べば 僕は救われるの?
what should I say to be saved?
人は必ず誰かに
Everyone must be able to say to someone
愛されてると言えるよ
that they are loved
だって僕は今でも君を
Because I still love you
とてもとても好きだから
very, very much
明日は月曜日
Tomorrow is Monday
会社をズル休みして
Skipping work and
すいたコーヒーショップで
in an empty coffee shop
おなかいっぱい食べよう
let's eat until we're full
煙草をとり出して
Taking out a cigarette
ぼんやりしてるうちに
In the midst of my absent-mindedness
ウエイトレスがカップと
The waitress cleans up not only
気持ちまで全部片づけて行く
the cup, but also my emotions
忙しさになんか
I used to think that love
負けない恋だと思ってた
could never be defeated by busyness
あの時雑誌についてた
At that time, there was a horoscope
占いなんて嘘だと思っていた
attached to the magazine, but I thought it was a lie
恋人が今いなくても
Even if my lover is not here right now,
いるとどうか嘘をついて
I'll tell a lie about being together
僕も「幸せでよかったね」と
so that I can say, 'I'm glad you're happy too'
うまく嘘をつくから
I'm good at lying
僕は誰かを探すよ
I will search for someone
それはきっと君のためだよ
and that someone is surely for you
例えば髪を切るように
Just like cutting my hair
生き方は変えられない
I can't change the way I live
人は必ず誰かに
Everyone must be able to say to someone
愛されてると言えるよ
that they are loved
だって僕は今でも君を
Because I still love you
とてもとても好きだから
very, very much
人は必ず誰かに
Everyone must feel that they are
愛されてると思いたい
loved by someone
君のこと想うように
Just as I think of you,
僕もいつか愛されたい
I want to be loved someday too
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Noriyuki Makihara
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-je1bl4yy8t
〖歌詞〗
帰り道のコンビニには
なんでもそろってるけど
二人をもとに戻す
接着剤はないらしい
日曜出勤から
つかれてもどる僕は
一人ぼっちのつまった
袋を片手にドアをあける
留守電の点滅
四件は友達の声で
残りの一つはいったい
何て呼べば ぼくは救われるの？
人は必ず誰かに
愛されてると言えるよ
だって僕は今でも君を
とてもとても好きだから
明日は月曜日
会社をズル休みして
すいたコーヒーショップで
おなかいっぱい食べよう
煙草をとり出して
ぼんやりしてるうちに
ウエイトレスがカップと
気持ちまで全部片づけて行く
忙しさになんか
負けない恋だと思ってた
あの時雑誌についてた
占いなんて嘘だと思っていた
恋人が今いなくても
いるとどうか嘘をついて
ぼくも「幸せでよかったね」と
うまく嘘をつくから
僕は誰かを探すよ
それはきっと君のためだよ
例えば髪を切るように
生き方は変えられない
人は必ず誰かに
愛されてると言えるよ
だって僕は今でも君を
とてもとても好きだから
人は必ず誰かに
愛されてると思いたい
君のこと想うように
僕もいつか愛されたい
@sho-ml9it
「2人を元に戻す接着剤」
単純な歌詞ですが
非常に胸を打たれます。
@user-us4lj2mv5j
「恋人が今いなくてもいるとどうか嘘をついて僕も幸せでよかったねとうまく嘘をつくから」このフレーズは天才すぎる。そしてこのフレーズの直後の間奏が切なさを更に際立たせてる。自分の中では、「どんなときも」や「もう恋なんてしない」をも凌駕する名曲です。
@tomokat1825
この歌詞、天才ですよ。
@user-pn5xw4bx8b
まだ聴いてる人おるよな？
@user-wo4iz7pr7x
久しぶりに聴いたら、年齢を重ねたせいか、昔以上に心に染みて涙が溢れてしまいました。
@davidsonharley1928
何度聞いても泣ける。名曲だ。
@user-fw3kp8ko3z
独り者の男に優しく寄り添う名曲……力が湧いてくる
@user-ou3jy7mj9j
この歌は必ず誰かに愛され続ける
@salmon__5611
小さい頃、母の車でよく聴いていたあの時からもう10年以上
ずっと聴き続けてる
@Art-oe9rt
史上最高に好きな曲です。
辛いことがあったときに、聞いて、我慢していた涙を思いっきり出して、すっかりしました。
また、この曲歌うのはマッキーでないと感動しない。