Chihiro Onitsuka's music is heavily seeded with ballads and folk music, having grown up listening to The Carpenters and Carole King. She has written and composed most of her own songs, even citing Jewel as a major influence in her decision to pursue singing as a career. She started singing, performing and writing in high school, then eventually decided to leave for Tokyo to further her dreams.
She had allegedly written over 60 songs six months after her move to Tokyo. In early 2000 she was signed on to Toshiba EMI and debuted with the single Shine (シャイン), but it did not manage to break the charts. It was her sophomore single, Gekkou, that placed #11 on the Oricon charts, possibly fueled by the fact that it was also used as the ending theme to the television drama Trick. Her next single, Cage, was released later in the year. In 2001 her song 'Innocence' was used in a television campaign for Silicon Valley based Applied Materials. The commercial was saw quite a bit of airtime such as on US Channels CNN and the then CNBC.
Chihiro's first album, Insomnia (インソムニア), was released more than a year from her own debut, garnering critical acclaim by placing #1 on the the Oricon charts with over a million units sold. Her subsequent albums,This Armor and Sugar High also enjoyed similar success on the charts.
In early September 2003, Chihiro recorded her October single Ii Hi Tabidachi, Nishi e, a cover of a 1978 song, to be used as the theme for Japan Railway's "Discover the West" campaign. She recorded this song right before she took a hiatus to have throat surgery.
In early 2004, Toshiba EMI released a Singles Box against her wishes. This caused so much anguish that she left Toshiba and signed on as an artist under Universal Music, and gained a lot more freedom in her work. Currently she has released one single, Sodatsu Zassou (育つ雑草), which was a major change from her folk-pop style into rock. Prior to the release, she held a concert in which she performed the song and a Nirvana cover. Contrary to popular belief, at this time was not when she announced a hiatus; no hiatus was announced and the subsequent lack of release from her has been a great mystery to her fans, who eagerly anticipate the next release and hope that one will indeed be forthcoming.
It is interesting to note that even though Chihiro is on a different label, Toshiba EMI has still been releasing her music in the forms of DVD's and singles collections. The singles collection does not even have a photo of Chihiro as the cover, and instead a drawing replaces her. It is most likely that they will stop soon as there are no more new songs or footage that they own.
in 2007 February 20, According to Universal Music, she has written more than 10 songs, and she started recording since last spring. Inside there is a song showing stong emphasis on "I am still alive". [Note: It is in response to "I am dying" in Sodatsu zassou.] She is going to release a new single in the beginning of summer, following with a scheduled release of an album. Kobayashi Takeshi (47) is responsible for the production
Later in the year saw the release of Las Vegas (2007) preceded by the single Everyhome. Everyhome reached #9 on the Oricon music charts; making it one of her most successful releases to date. It is during the promotional period for Last Vegas, that it was discovered, in the popular magazine Barfout, that Onitsuka attempted Suicide in 2004. Precipitated, perhaps, by both her Vocal Polip and an eating disorder that saw her drop to 79 KG.
Though her come-back was under way, 2010 became a tumultuous year. Onitsuka's personal life took a turn, resulting in Hospitalization and a Lawsuit. Though, this did not slow down her career, releasing the single 青い鳥 (Aoi no Tori) in 2011 followed by 剣と楓 (Ken to Kaide) under a new label For Life Entertainment.
In 2012, Onitsuka paid tribute to her influences by releasing Famous Microphone (2012). A collection of covers including Simon and Garfunkle's Scarborough Faire and Bette Midler's The Rose.
Back Door
鬼束ちひろ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
それじゃこの空がいくら広くてもしょうがないわ
両足につけた鉛の重さにさえ 慣れてしまってる
自分を救ってやれれば
明日が見えてしまうなら 立ち止まってみるの
足跡だらけの道など走るのはやめて
切らした息を元に戻すの
Where is the back door?
Where is the back door?
Where is the back door of myself?
ここは平坦で遠くまで見えるけど
光は当たらない だからその窓を割って行こう
栄光はこの手の中 そんなとこにはないわ
ひどく汚れたその足の痛みに気づいて
迷いもすべて洗い流すの
Where is the back door?
Where is the back door?
Where is the back door of myself?
明日が見えてしまうなら 立ち止まってみるの
足跡だらけの道など走るのはやめて
切らした息を元に戻すの
Where is the back door?
Where is the back door?
Where is the back door of myself?
The lyrics to "BACK DOOR" by 鬼束ちひろ speak to the experience of feeling trapped and suffocated in one's current circumstances. The opening lines describe being covered in foolish sweat and realizing that no matter how wide the sky may be, feeling stuck keeps one from truly experiencing the world around them. The next lines describe being used to the weight of one's own burdens and wishing someone would come and save them.
The chorus asks repeatedly, "Where is the back door of myself?" - a metaphor for a way out of one's own mental state. The verses continue with an acknowledgement of the bleakness of one's situation - being able to see far but with no light shining on them. The idea of breaking a window and escaping is an act of defiance against this stalemate of existence.
The final lines return to the chorus asking where the way out of this cycle is found, urging the listener to stop running down the path of their own self-created troubles and to instead try to bring their breath and their mind back to a state of equilibrium.
Overall, the song backs the idea of self-empowerment and the notion that change must come from within. Only by recognizing the limitations we put on ourselves can we truly begin to break down those barriers and set ourselves free.
Line by Line Meaning
なんて愚かな汗にまみれているのよ
I am covered in foolish sweat.
それじゃこの空がいくら広くてもしょうがないわ
Even though the sky is wide, it is pointless when I'm in this state.
両足につけた鉛の重さにさえ 慣れてしまってる
I've become accustomed to the weight of lead on both my feet.
自分を救ってやれれば
If only I could save myself.
明日が見えてしまうなら 立ち止まってみるの
If I can see tomorrow, then I should stop and look around.
足跡だらけの道など走るのはやめて
I should stop walking on a path full of other people's footprints.
切らした息を元に戻すの
I will restore my lost breath.
Where is the back door?
Where is the exit?
ここは平坦で遠くまで見えるけど
Here is flat and I can see far.
光は当たらない だからその窓を割って行こう
Light doesn't hit me, so I will break that window.
栄光はこの手の中 そんなとこにはないわ
Glory is in my hands, not somewhere else.
ひどく汚れたその足の痛みに気づいて
I realize the pain in my terribly dirty feet.
迷いもすべて洗い流すの
I'll wash away all doubt.
Where is the back door?
Where is the exit?
Where is the back door?
Where is the exit?
Where is the back door of myself?
Where is the exit out of myself?
明日が見えてしまうなら 立ち止まってみるの
If I can see tomorrow, then I should stop and look around.
足跡だらけの道など走るのはやめて
I should stop walking on a path full of other people's footprints.
切らした息を元に戻すの
I will restore my lost breath.
Where is the back door?
Where is the exit?
Where is the back door?
Where is the exit?
Where is the back door of myself?
Where is the exit out of myself?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chihiro Onitsuka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind