ALI PROJECT is a Japanese music duo well known for their strong Gothic Loli… Read Full Bio ↴ALI PROJECT is a Japanese music duo well known for their strong Gothic Lolita image and various opening and ending themes of famous Anime shows such as Rozen Maiden, Code Geass or .hack/Roots.
The duo consists of Arika Takarano (real name: Ari Hironaga, born 28th September 1963 in Kumamoto, Japan, vocals & lyrics) and Mikiya Katakura (born 1st August in Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan, music).
Never listed as official members, but always mentioned in the albums' booklets, violinists Yu Sugino and Tuyoshi Watanabe are a vital part of this duo.

Katakura met Takarano in 1985 when he just graduated from music school and was looking for a singer. As ARI PUROJEKKUTO, they released their first song Sakura no Hana ha Kuruizaki on a compilation CD named Rebel Street IV ~Some Girls one year later. Their first album Gensou Teien was released in 1988.
However, they made their major debut in 1992 as ALI PROJECT.

In the late 90s, they decided to shift their artistry to a much darker direction which Takarano referred to as a switch from Shiro Ari to Kuro Ari, they stick to the Kuro Ari concept ever since.

ALI PROJECT makes music regularly to this date which is generally highly influenced by Classical music, yet Katakura's love for experimenting is obvious. He makes heavy use of synthesizers and likes to intergrate key elements from other, often contemporary music styles and genres such as Rock, Metal, Hip Hop or even Drum 'n' Bass.
Their music's distinct sound is driven by a well-made mix of synthetic and organic, always complemented by Takarano's highly complex lyrics and clean vocals.
They developed a signature sound for Anime related work though.

ダリの宝石店
ALI PROJECT Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

ルビーは蜥蜴の二枚舌
男を騙すにもってこい
真赤なルージュを揃えます

真珠は人魚の喘ぎ声
ベッドの船で舵を取る
貴女の足首飾るため

おひとついかが?と囁くペテン師

壜詰めにした恋の涙を
ダイヤに変えてご覧にいれましょう
ここはダリの素敵な宝石店

彷徨う瞳はエメラルド
金銀星夜に嵌め変えて
終わりのない地図探します

きっと貴女は訪れる
サファイヤ通りのこの店へ
ルーペで心臓覗かれて

今晩お暇?と義眼の魔術師

メッキの愛でもないよりマシなら
豪華に仕立ててリボンで括りましょう
ここはダリの不思議な宝石店

最後に貴女の心も肉体も

売り捌くまで出口は開かない
ここはダリの素敵な宝石店

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of ALI PROJECT's song ダリの宝石店 has a dark and enigmatic nature that borders on the surreal. The lines speak of rubies being compared to the forked-tongue of a lizard, which is perfect for deceiving men. The woman behind the song seeks to provide a perfect red lipstick that matches the ruby's deep red. The pearls in the song are in comparison to the begging voice of a mermaid and are meant to be worn as an ankle bracelet by a lady steering the ship of love. However, the woman whispers to potential buyers to be wary of tricksters when offering the pearls.

The song continues with a charlatan offering to turn tears of love in a bottle to diamonds for viewing at Dali's wondrous jewelry store. The singer's desolate eyes are compared to emeralds and seek to explore maps without end on a night full of silver and gold. The woman singing speaks of lovers who will undoubtedly come to Sapphire Street's store where a monocle-wearing magician has the ability to peek at one's very own heart. Finally, the singer speaks of how the store is such that it will not open the exit until the lady's heart and flesh have been sold entirely.

Line by Line Meaning

ルビーは蜥蜴の二枚舌
Rubies are like the forked tongue of a lizard, making them perfect for deceiving men.

男を騙すにもってこい
They're just the thing for tricking men.

真赤なルージュを揃えます
We'll match them with a bright red lipstick.

真珠は人魚の喘ぎ声
Pearls are like the gasps of a mermaid.

ベッドの船で舵を取る
They navigate the ship of the bed.

貴女の足首飾るため
To adorn your ankles.

おひとついかが?と囁くペテン師
The con artist whispers, 'Won't you have just one?'

壜詰めにした恋の涙を
Let's replace the bottled tears of a broken heart with diamonds,

ダイヤに変えてご覧にいれましょう
and behold their transformation into diamonds.

ここはダリの素敵な宝石店
Welcome to Dalí's lovely jewelry store.

彷徨う瞳はエメラルド
Wandering eyes are like emeralds,