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.
L'oiseau bleu
ALI PROJECT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
私を今に留めているの
この広い世界中で
たったひとり
幸福をくれた人
あの日々はもう
ここにはない
青い鳥は
恋は捕らえれば
すぐに逃げるもの
もっと自由なあの空へ
いいの どうぞ
越えてらして
貴方の優しいまなざしが
この身へと
かつて降り注いだ
眩むような日射しの中
ただふたりで
目を閉じて
生きていられたのに
青い鳥よ 窓を抜け
飛んで行った
どこまでも
どこまでも
永遠に
The lyrics of ALI PROJECT's song L'oiseau bleu tell a story of a person remembering their past lover whom they saw as the only one who brought happiness to their life. The memories of their lover are the only thing that keeps them together in the present. The singer sings of the blue bird that flew out of the cage, representing the idea that love cannot be captured, but must be set free. The bird's freedom is seen as a symbol of the freedom that the lovers had when they were together. However, the song ends on a sad note as the singer recollects how the blue bird flew out of the window and disappeared into the distance, forever.
The lyrics are deeply emotional, and the use of metaphors such as the blue bird, the cage, and the wide open sky add to the song's poetic feel. The song also talks about the transience of love, highlighting that it cannot be captured or held onto indefinitely. The singer reminisces about the times when they were happy with their lover, but these moments are fleeting and are now replaced with the painful memories of their lover's absence.
Line by Line Meaning
貴方のその面影だけが
Only the memory of your face keeps me at this moment
私を今に留めているの
It's the only thing keeping me from moving forward
この広い世界中で
In this vast world
たったひとり
I am alone
幸福をくれた人
The one who gave me happiness
あの日々はもう
Those days are no longer here
ここにはない
They don't exist here anymore
青い鳥は
The blue bird
籠を抜け飛び立った
Flew away from its cage
恋は捕らえれば
If you try to catch love
すぐに逃げるもの
It will quickly escape
もっと自由なあの空へ
To a more free sky
いいの どうぞ
It's okay, please go
越えてらして
Fly over there
貴方の優しいまなざしが
Your gentle gaze towards me
この身へと
Penetrated my being
かつて降り注いだ
In the past, it showered upon me
眩むような日射しの中
In the dazzling sunlight
ただふたりで
Just together
目を閉じて
Closing our eyes
生きていられたのに
We were able to live together
青い鳥よ 窓を抜け
Blue bird, fly out the window
飛んで行った
And fly away
どこまでも
Anywhere and everywhere
どこまでも
Anywhere and everywhere
永遠に
Forever
Contributed by Nathan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.