The band came into being when vocalist Kiyoharu (清春) from the band ＧＡＲＮＥＴ and guitarist Shin (臣) from GERACEE decided to collaborate. Kiyoharu then invited Hitoki (人時), the bassist from Garnet, to join. The band's concept was based upon the idea of "yume wa nai" (dreams don't exist).
Kuroyume started their career as one of the pioneers of the visual rock scene. Next to artists such as LUNA SEA or the early works of L'Arc～en～Ciel, Kuroyume was one of the most influential, and to this day many artists have tried to replicate the sound of their early era. Albums during this era included "生きていた中絶児" (Ikiteita Chuzetsuji, 1992), "亡骸を…" (Nakigara o... , 1993), and "迷える百合達" (Mayoeru Yuritachi, 1994).
After Shin left the group, Kiyoharu and Hitoki continued as a duo. The first Kuroyume album without Shin was "feminism" (1995). The album took the band into more pop territory than they had ever been before. The album featured hit songs such as "優しい悲劇" (Yasashii Higeki) and "Miss MOONLIGHT." The follow-up to "feminism" was "FAKE STAR" (1996). "FAKE STAR" still featured slick production to appeal to the pop crowd and also featured more songs with a punk edge. Also, it is important to say that Hitoki played guitar on most of the band songs after Shin left.
The influence of punk rock on Kuroyume would continue with their next release, "DRUG TREATMENT" (1997). While having hit songs such as "NITE & DAY" and "Spray," the album also contained what would be their most punk-influenced works to date. The album is also home to one of the most famous songs Kuroyume has ever done, "Like A Angel." Later that year a live album at Shinjuku LOFT was released, and to this day remains to be one of the best examples of Kuroyume's amazing power while playing live. In 1998, Kuroyume would release one last proper album, "CORKSCREW." It was the most abrasive, loud, and fast album they had ever done. While the album was still fun, the simplicity of the writing began to show. The band would break up the following year.
Immediately following the break up, Kiyoharu formed the band SADS. That band's original run lasted until 2003, and from 2004 onward Kiyoharu was active as a solo artist.
Unlike Kiyoharu, HITOKI returned to the indie scene. Along with keeping busy with projects such as HITOKI-PIRANHAHEADS, SSS, SUPER DROP BABIES, and Dummy's Corporation, Hitoki also served as a session/support musician for many bands and artists, including AKI, IZAM, ROBOTS, Creature Creature, 大塚愛, and Hysteric Blue.
On January 29th, 2009, Kiyoharu and Hitoki reunited for Kuroyume's "the end" ～CORKSCREW A GO GO! FINAL～ on the 10 year anniversary of their last live. The one-night event was supposed to serve as the official end of Kuroyume. However, the following year, Kiyoharu announced the band's reformation.
drive
黒夢 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tie another one to the racks, baby
Hey kids, rock and roll
Nobody tells you where to go, baby
What if I ride, what if you walk?
What if you rock around the clock?
Tick-tock, tick-tock
What if you tried to get off, baby?
Hey, kids, where are you?
Nobody tells you what to do, baby
Hey kids, shake a leg
Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby
Maybe you did, maybe you walked
Maybe you rocked around the clock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Maybe I ride, maybe you walk
Maybe I drive to get off, baby
Hey kids, shake a leg
Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby
Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Ollie
Ollie, Ollie in come free, baby
Hey, kids, where are you?
Nobody tells you what to do, baby
Smack, crack, shack-a-lack
Tie another one to your backs, baby
Hey kids, rock and roll
Nobody tells you where to go, baby
Maybe you did, maybe you walk
Maybe you rock around the clock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Maybe I ride, maybe you walk
Maybe I drive to get off, baby
Hey kids, where are you?
Nobody tells you what to do, baby
Hey kids, rock and roll
Nobody tells you where to go, baby
Baby
Baby
The lyrics to 黒夢's song DRIVE are all about rebellion, freedom and doing your own thing regardless of what society tells you to do. The opening lines of "Smack, crack, bushwhacked, tie another one to the racks" can be interpreted as a symbol of addiction, where society ties people down to its expectations and norms, and the only way to break free is to rebel against it. The "Hey kids, rock and roll" line is a call to action, encouraging young people to express themselves through music and embrace their own individuality. The verses discuss the concept of choice, with the lyrics asking "What if I ride, what if you walk? What if you rock around the clock?" These lines suggest that there are different paths you can take in life, and it's up to you to decide which one to take.
The chorus of the song reinforces the idea of freedom, with the lyrics "Maybe I ride, maybe you walk, maybe I drive to get off, baby". These lines are a metaphor for choosing your own destiny and making your own decisions, regardless of what others may think. The song encourages people to be themselves and to not worry about what others may think of you. This is especially true in the lines "Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby", which suggest that it's okay to be different and to embrace your own unique quirks and characteristics.
Overall, the lyrics to DRIVE are all about breaking free from the constraints of society and living life on your own terms. The song encourages young people to embrace their own individuality and to not worry about the expectations and norms imposed by society. It's a song that has resonated with generations of listeners, and remains a classic anthem of rebellion and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Smack, crack, bushwhacked
Being hit hard by something, cracked by it and whipped around till disoriented
Tie another one to the racks, baby
Another person being brought under control and restrained
Hey kids, rock and roll
Making music, doing something creative and expressing oneself
Nobody tells you where to go, baby
No one is in control of you, you should be free to make your own choices
What if I ride, what if you walk?
Pondering about different modes of transportation and the destinations they lead to
What if you rock around the clock?
Thinking about the possibility of spending all your time doing what you enjoy
Tick-tock, tick-tock
The sound of time passing by and the pressure to make decisions before time runs out
What if you did, what if you walk?
Considering the different paths you could take in life
What if you tried to get off, baby?
Asking what would happen if you tried to break free from the status quo
Hey, kids, where are you?
Asking where the youth are, what they are doing and what their plans are
Maybe you did, maybe you walked
Maybe you've taken a different path, maybe you've struggled or made sacrifices
Maybe you rocked around the clock
Maybe you've spent all your time pursuing your passions and interests
Maybe I ride, maybe you walk
Maybe you're not keeping up, maybe you're envious of others' journeys or methods
Maybe I drive to get off, baby
Driving as a metaphor for taking a new path, breaking free from constraints or expectations
Hey kids, shake a leg
Encouraging them to move, do something, take action
Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby
Insinuating that people may be seen as crazy for taking risks or following their dreams
Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Ollie
The chant used in Hide and Seek to signal that the person hiding can come out
Ollie, Ollie in come free, baby
Inviting people to come out of hiding and to come forward with what they truly want in life
Maybe you did, maybe you walked
Maybe you've taken a different path, maybe you've struggled or made sacrifices
Smack, crack, shack-a-lack
Repeating the first line but adding a jumble of syllables intermixed with it, conveying a sense of being muddled or jostled
Tie another one to your backs, baby
Continuing to put pressure and restrictions on people
Baby
Just a repetition of the last word to conclude the song
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Stipe, William Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind