ARB (Alexander's Ragtime Band) is a Japanese rock band formed in spring, 19… Read Full Bio ↴ARB (Alexander's Ragtime Band) is a Japanese rock band formed in spring, 1977.

Members:
- 石橋凌 (Ryo Ishibashi) - Vocal - (1956.7.20 - Fukuoka Perfecture, Japan)
- 内藤幸也 (Koya Naito) - Guitar - (1961.11.26 - Tokyo, Japan)
- EBI - Bass - (1965.10.2 - Hiroshima Perfecture, Japan)
- KEITH - Drums - (1952.2.6 - Akita Perfecture, Japan)

First members were 石橋凌 (Ishibashi Ryo) - Vocal, 田中一郎 (Tanaka Ichiro) - Guitar, KEITH - Drums, エンマ (Emma) - Keyboard, 宮城伸一郎 (Miyagi Shinichiro) - Bass. They debuted 1978. with single 「野良犬」.
In 1979, went out new single in April 25 「ワイルド・ローティーン・ガール」 (Wild teen Girl), and soon after on May 25, ARB's 1st album 「A.R.B」. On October, Emma and Miyagi Shinichiro left band at the same time to become independent of the agency Shinko Music.
1979.12.20, as three member band they released single 「魂こがして」.
In 1980, 野中良浩 (Yoshihiro Nonaka) is joining band as the Bass. On May 21, same year, band released 2nd album 「BAD NEWS」. Already next year the band went with 2 full Albums, in March 21 - 3rd album 「BOYS & GIRLS」, and in November 21 - 4th album 「指を鳴らせ!/Snap Your Fingers」.
On 21 June 1982, came out 5th album 「W」 and release of album followed LIVE tour "LIVE! CRAZY! LOVE TOUR" when they toured cities Yokohama, Urawa, Mishima, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, Tokyo, Sapporo.
ARB did many LIVE performances in 1983, and on April 21 they released 6th album 「トラブル中毒」(trouble poisoning). The same year in September, guitarist Tanaka quits the band. He was quickly replaced with guitarist 斉藤光浩 (Mitsuhiro Saito) from BOW WOW. In 1984, Yoshihiro quits the band. As the short replacement for Bass, Jean-Jacques Burnel from The Stranglers, joined the band when he visited Japan.
In May 1984, 岡部滋 (Okabe Shigeru) joins as the Bass, on Septembre went out 7th album 「YELLOW BLOOD」 and they did album follow up tour 'YELLOW BLOOD TOUR''. Next year om October, ARB released 8th album 「砂丘1945年」.
In June 1986, after the concert in Hyogo Gymnasium, guitarist Saito leaves the band. After one month came replacement from solo guitarist 白浜久 (Shirahama Hisashi) who joined ARB. In November 21, 9th album is released 「ONE and ONLY DREAMs」.
On 21 June 1987, quickly came out ARB's 10th album 「ROCK OVER JAPAN」, and after album release In October, Shigeru withdraws from the band, and as support Bass in December joins 浅田孟 (Asada Takeshi) previous member of Sheena & the Rokkets.
On 21 June 1988, ARB released 11th album 「PAPERS BED」. They did big tour around Japan in July, named "SWEAT, HEART&BRAIN TOUR". Soon, next year, 1989.11.8, came 12th album 「SYMPATHY」. In 1990, the band did long tour "LOVE THE LIVE '90 TOUR", where they announced hiatus, and soon after in October they released Best Album 「BALLADS AND WORK SONGS」. On December 28, ARB released Best live album 「RED BOX / ARB LIVE(1980-1990)」.
1991.1.21 came out VIDEO "THE LONGEST TOUR" release of their LIVE tour from 1990, and in June 「BLACK X'mas-ARB SECRET SINGLES」 release.
On 1993.11.21. went release「DAYS OF A.R.B. Vol.3 (1986-1990)」.
ARB came back to celebrate anniversary in 1997.7.24 at Nippon Budokan "LOFT 20th ANNIVERSARY ROCK OF AGES" (only as original members Ryo Ishibashi · KEITH).

ARB announced their comeback in January 1998, with 2 new members: EBI -Bass- and 内藤幸也 (Koya Naito) -Guitar- along with original members Ishibashi and KEITH, what stayed as current line-up.
In February 21, they are officially back with release Resurrection first bullet maxi single 「TOKYO OUTSIDER」, which follows release of 13th Album 「REAL LIFE」 on March 21, and a tour "REAL LIFE TOUR '98".
In August 1999, ARB went with 14th album 「EL DORADO」 and promo-album tour. KEITH released 1st Solo Album 「親孝行」 in November, 2000. On the same year ARB made compilation album 「武道館LIVE～1999.1.24Days of ARB～」.
2001 on June 13, came out band's 15th album 「HARD-BOILED CITY」 with the following tour.
For their 25th anniversary ARB did tour starting in October 2003, "ARB 25th Anniversary LIVE CIRCUIT IN TOHOKU", and 16th album 「KAZA-BANA」 was released on 17 December.
On 2004, ARB released new Best of Album, 「LOCUS 1998-2004 ARB LIVE BEST」.
In February 2005, new Single 「荒鷲のうた」 went out. Soon each member became more occupied with their solo projects and other bands.
After 2006, ARB went inactive.

Official website: http://www.arb-tamashii.com/
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Long Long Way
ARB Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Im tryna get rich and get a whole lot of mansions
She told me im cute, she told me im really handsome
Cops take me in i dont know i got no answers
Got that loud yeah that stupid stank it smell like pampers
Making plays thats all day
Going hard that's always
I dont care what yall say
I know i done came a long way (Long)

I know i dont came a long way (Long)
Yeah, throw you off the boat and now you swimming with sharks
Yeah i stay on point just like we was playing darts
Hooray everything's okay i keep bands on me all time like a parade
Dissapear on you hoes like we doing magic tricks
I be cuddled up with ya boo yeah i gave her magic dick
So cold and colorful yeah just like some dip and dots
After she come and make me come i make her go kick some rocks
Aint no cap, i did it fast, i had to make adjustments, had to get up off my ass
I aint go to school, i was in and out of class
Cant go back
Im tryna get rich and get a whole lot of mansions
She said that im cute she told me im really handsome
Cops take me in i dont know i got no answers
Got that loud ya that stupid stank it smell like pampers
Yeah making plays thats all day
Going hard thats always
I dont care what y'all say
I know i done came a long way
I know i done came a long way
She gonna pull up and eat it up
I know that im undefeated cause
Im in the game ima heat it up
If she come over I'll beat it up
Ima be doing everything i wanna do in my life till the death of me
I feel like a chef cause i got the sauce you just want all of my recipes
I can see the devil over my shoulder i dont know why he keep testing me
Cant let him get the best of me
I got a lot of shit stressing me
Im being for real dog i keep popping these pills dog
Cause it give me a thrill dog im the king of the hill y'all
Aye yeah im living my life
Im living it right
Gotta do it for real for real cause im living the hype
Gotta earn my stripes
Gotta do it for real
Im tryna get rich and get a whole lot of mansions
She said that im cute she told me im really handsome
Cops take me in i dont know i got no answers
Got that loud ya that stupid stank it smell like pampers
Yeah making plays thats all day
Going hard thats always
I dont care what y'all say

I know i done came a long way
I know i done came a long way

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of ARB's song "Long Long Way" express a sense of ambition, determination, and reflection on personal growth. The artist starts by stating their desire to become wealthy and acquire multiple mansions. They mention receiving compliments on their appearance but also feeling unsure when faced with authority figures like the police. The line about having loud and potent marijuana implies a rebellious and carefree attitude.

The artist emphasizes their hard work and dedication, making plays (referring to business or strategic moves) all day and going hard consistently. They assert that they don't care about others' opinions, as they are aware of the progress they have made in their journey. The chorus repeats the sentiment of coming a long way, suggesting that the artist has overcome obstacles and reached a point of success or personal growth.

The second verse includes imagery of throwing someone off a boat and swimming with sharks, representing a sense of danger and survival. The artist mentions staying focused and sharp, comparing it to playing darts. They celebrate their ability to maintain a carefree attitude and having money ("bands") on them like a parade. The mention of disappearing like a magic trick could be interpreted as the artist leaving behind negative influences or situations.

The artist boasts about their sexual prowess and their ability to satisfy partners. They mention their determination to live life on their terms until they die, feeling like a chef with the sauce (referring to their talent or skills). They acknowledge the presence of negative influences or temptations, represented by the devil on their shoulder, but vow not to let it affect them and refuse to be overcome by stress.

Overall, "Long Long Way" explores themes of ambition, personal growth, confidence, and the ability to overcome hardships. It celebrates a sense of individuality and determination, with an undertone of rebellion.

Line by Line Meaning

Im tryna get rich and get a whole lot of mansions
My goal is to accumulate wealth and acquire multiple luxurious properties

She told me im cute, she told me im really handsome
A woman complimented my appearance, praising my attractiveness

Cops take me in i dont know i got no answers
Law enforcement officials detain me without me having any explanations

Got that loud yeah that stupid stank it smell like pampers
I possess strong and pungent marijuana that emits an odor reminiscent of diapers

Making plays thats all day
Engaging in strategic moves and successful actions constantly

Going hard that's always
Maintaining a high level of dedication and intensity consistently

I dont care what yall say
I disregard the opinions of others

I know i done came a long way (Long)
I am aware that I have made significant progress and overcome many obstacles

Yeah, throw you off the boat and now you swimming with sharks
I metaphorically separate you from safety, exposing you to dangerous and unpredictable situations

Yeah i stay on point just like we was playing darts
I remain vigilant and focused, similar to the precision required in playing the game of darts

Hooray everything's okay i keep bands on me all time like a parade
Expressing joy and contentment, as I always carry a significant amount of money like a celebratory parade

Disappear on you hoes like we doing magic tricks
I vanish from your presence unexpectedly, resembling the illusions performed in magic tricks

I be cuddled up with ya boo yeah i gave her magic dick
I am intimately involved with your partner, satisfying her sexually with exceptional prowess

So cold and colorful yeah just like some dip and dots
I possess a captivating and diverse personality, similar to the experience of enjoying colorful frozen treats like Dippin' Dots

After she come and make me come i make her go kick some rocks
Once she reaches orgasm, I promptly dismiss her to engage in other activities

Aint no cap, i did it fast, i had to make adjustments, had to get up off my ass
I speak sincerely, I achieved success quickly, but only by adapting, working hard, and not being idle

I aint go to school, i was in and out of class
I did not attend school regularly, frequently skipping or leaving early

Cant go back
I am unable to return to a previous state or situation

She gonna pull up and eat it up
She will arrive and satisfy (perform oral sex)

I know that im undefeated cause
I am aware of my unbeatable nature because

Im in the game ima heat it up
I am fully engaged and will intensify the situation

If she come over I'll beat it up
If a woman visits me, I will vigorously engage in sexual intercourse with her

Ima be doing everything i wanna do in my life till the death of me
I will continue pursuing all my desires and aspirations until the end of my life

I feel like a chef cause i got the sauce you just want all of my recipes
I possess a unique style and charisma, while you merely desire to imitate and replicate my success

I can see the devil over my shoulder i dont know why he keep testing me
I perceive the influence of evil or temptation in my life, and I question why it persistently challenges me

Cant let him get the best of me
I must not allow it to overpower or defeat me

I got a lot of shit stressing me
I have numerous problems and concerns weighing heavily on me

Im being for real dog i keep popping these pills dog
I am sincere, my usage of drugs (pills) is consistent

Cause it give me a thrill dog im the king of the hill y'all
The intoxicating effect of drugs excites me, and I consider myself superior and dominant

Aye yeah im living my life
Hey, yes, I am enjoying and experiencing life to the fullest

Im living it right
I am living in accordance with my own principles and values

Gotta do it for real for real cause im living the hype
I must genuinely pursue my ambitions because I am living up to the high expectations and excitement surrounding me

Gotta earn my stripes
I need to prove my worth and gain recognition through my actions

Gotta do it for real
I must genuinely commit to my endeavors

I know i done came a long way
I am fully aware of the considerable progress I have made

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Arbra Ross

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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