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.
遠く遠く
槇原敬之 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
僕のことがわかるように
力いっぱい 輝ける日を
この街で迎えたい
外苑の桜は咲き乱れ
この頃になるといつでも
新幹線のホームに舞った
まるで七五三の時のよに
ぎこちないスーツ姿も
今ではわりと似合うんだ
ネクタイも上手く選べる
同窓会の案内状
欠席に丸をつけた
「元気かどうかしんぱいです。」と
手紙をくれるみんなに
遠く遠く離れていても
僕のことがわかるように
力いっぱい 輝ける日を
この街で迎えたい
いつでも帰ってくればいいと
真夜中の公衆電話で
言われたとき笑顔になって
今までやってこれたよ
どんなに高いタワーからも
見えない僕のふるさと
失くしちゃだめなことを
いつでも胸に抱きしめているから
遠く遠く離れた街で
元気に暮らせているんだ
大事なのは "変わってくこと"
"変わらずにいること"
同窓会の案内状
欠席に丸をつけた
だれよりも今はみんなの顔
見たい気持ちでいるけど
遠く遠く 離れていても
僕のことがわかるように
力いっぱい 輝ける日を
この街で迎えたい
僕の夢をかなえる場所は
この街と決めたから
In "遠く遠く," the singer expresses his longing for the place where he grew up while he is far away in the city. He wants to be able to shine brightly in the city he now lives in, yet he always remembers where he came from. The cherry blossoms in Gaienmae are always in full bloom when the time comes around, and this reminds him of the memories of the past. He remembers the flower petal storm seen from the bullet train platform and the clumsy suit he wore at the Shichi-Go-San Festival. Although he felt uncomfortable in it at the time, he now feels like it suits him well. He also remembers the invitation to his school reunion and how he couldn't attend, indicating that he has lost touch with some of his past acquaintances.
Nevertheless, despite the difficulties of living in the bustling city, he has succeeded and managed to maintain his dream of being someone. When he feels alone and unsure, he recalls the encouraging words he received at midnight from someone, saying that it was fine to come back whenever he wanted. He considers the importance of preserving where he came from, even from the highest tower, nothing is visible. So, he's resolute and embraces where he came from, even if he's come a long way from his hometown.
The song expresses a feeling of nostalgia with a sense of longing for an earlier time, where everything seemed better than it is today. It's a straightforward song that seems to resonate with anybody who has left home for a long time.
Line by Line Meaning
遠く遠く離れていても
Even though we are far apart,
僕のことがわかるように
I hope you can still understand me.
力いっぱい 輝ける日を
I want to be my best and shine,
この街で迎えたい
And do it all in the city where we met.
外苑の桜は咲き乱れ
The cherry blossoms in Gaien are blooming wildly
この頃になるといつでも
At this time of year, always
新幹線のホームに舞った
I remember the invisible sakura petals dancing on the shinkansen platform
見えない花吹雪思い出す
They remind me of the time we had our Seven-Five-Three ceremony
まるで七五三の時のよに
It's just like that day
ぎこちないスーツ姿も
Even my stiff suit back then
今ではわりと似合うんだ
Doesn't look so bad now
ネクタイも上手く選べる
And I am even better at picking out a tie now
同窓会の案内状
I got an invitation to our class reunion
欠席に丸をつけた
And I have to check "absent"
「元気かどうかしんぱいです。」と
"I'm worried if you are doing well," they said,
手紙をくれるみんなに
And everyone sent me letters
いつでも帰ってくればいいと
"Just come back anytime,"
真夜中の公衆電話で
They said to me on the late-night phone
言われたとき笑顔になって
I couldn't help but smile
今までやってこれたよ
Because I've made it this far
どんなに高いタワーからも
No matter how high I climb the tower
見えない僕のふるさと
I can't see my hometown from there
失くしちゃだめなことを
But, I know I must never forget
いつでも胸に抱きしめているから
So I always hold it in my heart
遠く遠く離れた街で
Even in a distant place,
元気に暮らせているんだ
I am living happily
大事なのは "変わってくこと"
What's important is to keep changing
"変わらずにいること"
Just staying the same isn't enough
だれよりも今はみんなの顔
More than anyone, I want to see all of their faces now
見たい気持ちでいるけど
But I can't go back there yet
僕の夢をかなえる場所は
The place where I will make my dreams come true is
この街と決めたから
Here, in this city that I have chosen.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Noriyuki Makihara
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yi2231
kaeruさん、こんばんは(^^)
「遠く遠く」
ふたたびのアップロードをありがとうございます^^
公衆電話の静止画…以前にも観た記憶があったのですが勘違いでしたらごめんなさい^^;
そして槇原さんファンの多くの皆さまの心には必ず応援歌だったり郷愁を誘われたりとコメント概要欄も拝読しましたが 槇原さんにも多くのファンの皆さまに届くようにとのメッセージだったりご自身への決心だったりするのかな…と私も「遠く遠く」には思い入れがあります^^
kaeruさん、深夜のアップロード♪嬉しい驚きです^^
いつもありがとうございます♡♪
また繰り返しご視聴させていただきます(^^)ﾉ
どうぞお元気でいらっしゃいますように☘️🍀
@yi2231
@@kaeru10000さん、こんばんは(^^)
ご多用のところご返信をありがとうございます♪
桜の花びらが舞っておりましたね^^;
私にとりましてkaeruさんのアップしてくださった作品の中の静止画は槇原さんの作品とともにとても大切に思っております^^
槇原さんの歌声を聴きながら記載してくださった歌詞を追いながら画面を視ておりますので^^
探されるのも大変ですね…きっと^^
いつもありがとうございます^^
公衆電話
「雷が鳴る前に」にも雨粒がついた公衆電話もありましたね^^
何だかまだあったようにも(◔ᴗ◔)
kaeruさん、槇原さんの歌声と素敵な映像に歌詞も載せていただきありがとうございます(^^)ﾉ
@kaeru10000
画像に関するコメント、ありがとうございます(^_^)
動画を作ろうと思い立ったらヘッドホンで曲を繰り返して聴きます。
聴きながら歌詞も別画面で読みながら数か所のフリー画像サイト探し回って十数枚を選びます。
最終的に２～３枚をトリミングや色調補正など結構派手に加工して使っています。自分の撮った画像も使いますが、稀です。なかなか思った通りの画像は撮れませんー（泣）
（珍しく全て自分で撮って作った動画の例です）
https://youtu.be/397Xpz_dKhw?si=c9hWtTIgRrq7KZ7W
歌詞を読みながら、考えながら、その画像を撮るっていうのも素敵な趣味になるかもしれませんね！
マッキーの曲に合う写真を撮られましたら是非ご拝見したいです(^_^)
@user-vb6dl1ec5m
アップありがとうございます、いま、大変な思いされている人にも、いつか笑顔で、この曲が聴ける日が来る事を願っています❤
@kaeru10000
こちらこそご視聴いただき
ありがとうございます(^_^)
@marimama9268
マッキーにこの声を
与えてくれて
神さまありがとう🧡
@user-wu3zq3kh3m
『大事なのは 変わっていく事 変わらずにいる事』
泣けるっ！！
@user-lj8bz6ym3l
学校を卒業して県外に行く人達、また、県外から来る人達に、贈りたい歌です。大事なのは変わっていく事変わらずにいる事。遠く遠く離れても友達は、側に居るよ。UPありがとうございます🎉
@kaeru10000
今は手軽で優れた連絡手段もあるので友人と離れた場所に行っても昔ほどの途絶感は無いのかなぁ？とか思ったりします。
コメントありがとうございました(^_^)
@pi9947
kareuさん 今回も最高な一曲 ありがとうございます♪
寒い日がまだまだ続きますが お身体ご自愛ください。
外苑の桜 今年は見に行きたいなぁー🌸
@kaeru10000
お気遣いいただきありがとうございます。
桜の季節が待ち遠しいですね(^_^)
@user-wr7gv9mb1f
上京する前は普通に良い曲だなくらいしか思ってなかったけど、上京して1人の夜とかに聞くと涙が出てきます
曲調が明るいのが逆に泣けます
@user-hy9ot3kj3z
kaeruさんの画像と相まって、よりよく聴こえますね。upありがとうございます😊