"It's about yearning and imagination," says Cunimondo Takiguchi (real name … Read Full Bio ↴"It's about yearning and imagination," says Cunimondo Takiguchi (real name Toshiaki Takiguchi), 43, who has also used the moniker Ryusenkei since 2003. According to Takiguchi, City Pop's focus is on the theme of the city and the ocean. "There's a desire that's turned into sound that is what City Pop is all about," he explains. "It's about leisure."

Inspired by soul music, AOR and fusion, Takiguchi started his music career in middle school when he formed a band. He joined Tower Records after finishing school and throughout his 20s he continued to make music, taking influences from acid jazz and Shibuya-kei. Though a hobby at first, he eventually gave into pressure from his friends and in 2003 he released his debut album, "City Music" with vocalist Tomomi Sano. For his second album, "Tokyo Sniper" (2006), he was joined by vocalist Hitomitoi, and his third album, "Natural Woman," was recorded with vocalist Atsuko Hiyajo.

Summer in the city: City Pop artist Toshiaki Takiguchi, who records as Ryusenkei, says the genre is "all about leisure."
His most recent effort comes in the form of former bandmate and singer Hitomitoi's latest album, "City Dive." Takiguchi invited fellow City Pop enthusiasts Dorian and Kashif (aka Stringsburn) to join the project and they contributed to the album's songwriting and arrangements. The album, which came out on Billboard Records on June 20, contains what the label calls "new city music" and its textures and sounds recall the early '80s.

Source:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20120719a2.html

レインボー・シティ・ライン
流線形 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

ハイウェイを降りたら
潮風を感じる
カフェテラスの窓
映る黄昏に
遠い幻今も追いかけて
段々恋の歌うまくなる
流れ出すシティ・ライン
虹色の感覚

ネオンライトビルディング
街は騒めくよ
古いカセットあなた好きなメロディ
トゥトゥ口笛を吹いている
虚ろな日々は今も変わらなくて
不意に嘘をついて「さよなら」を言おうとしてる
季節はめぐり色とりどりの夢
バックミラーの中戸惑いを感じる

車を停めて少し素直になる
夜の帳が降り微笑むあなたが好き

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of レインボー・シティ・ライン by 流線形 describe a person traveling along a highway, feeling the sea breeze and observing the sunset in the window of a café. They reminisce about a distant memory, which they continue to chase after, gradually becoming better at singing love songs. As they travel through the neon-lit city, they are surrounded by the sound of buildings and the feeling of a rainbow-like sensation. They whistle a favorite melody from an old cassette and reflect on how their empty days remain unchanged, sometimes even considering lying about saying goodbye. However, as the seasons pass and dreams become more vibrant, they decide to stop their car and open up, feeling confused but drawn to the smiling person they love in the passenger seat.

The lyrics of this song evoke a sense of nostalgia and the passing of time, as the singer reflects on past memories and experiences while traveling through the city. The use of sensory details, such as the sea breeze and neon lights, creates a vivid picture of the environment and the emotions associated with it. The themes of love, melancholy, and growth are woven throughout the lyrics, culminating in a moment of vulnerability and honesty as the singer opens up to their feelings.

Line by Line Meaning

ハイウェイを降りたら
After getting off the highway

潮風を感じる
Feeling the sea breeze

カフェテラスの窓
A window at a terrace café

映る黄昏に
Reflecting the twilight

遠い幻今も追いかけて
Chasing after a distant dream

段々恋の歌うまくなる
Gradually getting better at singing love songs

流れ出すシティ・ライン
The flowing city line

虹色の感覚
A rainbow-colored feeling

ネオンライトビルディング
Neon lights and buildings

街は騒めくよ
The city is bustling

古いカセットあなた好きなメロディ
An old cassette playing your favorite melody