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/
.

Vacío Existencial
ARB Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Quiero saber cómo escapar de esta soledad
Las cosas cambian no se puede volver atrás
Creíste en algo que comenzó como un juego
Porqué se siente esto si estoy cumpliendo tus sueños

Quiero saber cómo escapar de esta soledad
Las cosas pasan no se puede volver atrás
Creíste en algo que comenzó como un juego

Porqué se siente esto si estoy cumpliendo tus sueños

El hiphop me tomo y en mi hizo su trabajo
Me transformo en poco tiempo, me prohibió tomar atajos
Me dio la oportunidad entre tener una vida normal
O transmitir y construir siendo una guerrera más
Asumir la responsabilidad que llevas sobre tu espalda
Vivir con enemistad es una tarea ardua
Escribir contra tu voluntad para que tu esfuerzo valga
Resistir a la adversidad y ver que la verdad tarda
Optas y entras, piensas cuestionar, intentas mientras
Dentro de esta lucha la voz del pueblo representas
Postura dura en frente pa defender tu ideal
Mientras la masa se atribuye ver tu imagen destrozar
Rapeas por ti y pa que a los demás le agrade
Por miles manos en alto cambiaste real amistades
Hace rato que no es grato artos estamos chatos
Y seguimos aquí en este camino ingrato

Quiero saber cómo escapar de esta soledad
Las cosas cambian no se puede volver atrás
Creíste en algo que comenzó como un juego
Porqué se siente esto si estoy cumpliendo tus sueños

Quiero saber cómo escapar de esta soledad
Las cosas pasan no se puede volver atrás
Creíste en algo que comenzó como un juego
Porqué se siente esto si estoy cumpliendo tus sueños

Debería ser feliz tener buenos amigos
Piensan que yo cambie, pero ellos cambiaron conmigo
Somos aceptados dentro de la escena
Ver cómo funcionan las cosas por dentro es una pena
Viciados o asegurados cual es mejor cualidad
Buscan beneficio propio sin importar los demás
Por desconocimiento acciones desmotivan
Luego arriba el rap chileno y apoyemos la movida?
Se crean historias, mitos invenciones sin fin
Hablan sin saber e inventan cada cosa de ti
Que no pagan lo que deben o cobras lo que no debes
En vez de ver el deber de que creces si tú te atreves
Al parecer nos estamos dividiendo
Envidia, rencor, pica? No lo entiendo
Respeta y eres respetado a toda hora
Ten presente que antes de ser raperos somos personas

Quiero saber cómo escapar de esta soledad
Las cosas cambian no se puede volver atrás
Creíste en algo que comenzó como un juego
Porqué se siente esto si estoy cumpliendo tus sueños

Quiero saber cómo escapar de esta soledad
Las cosas pasan no se puede volver atrás

Creíste en algo que comenzó como un juego
Porqué se siente esto si estoy cumpliendo tus sueños

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of ARB's song "Vacío Existencial" delve into themes of loneliness, change, self-identity, and the complexities of pursuing dreams within the realm of hip hop. The repeated refrain "Quiero saber cómo escapar de esta soledad" (I want to know how to escape this loneliness) underscores a deep sense of isolation and desire for connection or understanding. The artist grapples with the idea that once certain decisions are made, there is no going back, as expressed in "Las cosas cambian no se puede volver atrás" (Things change, you can't go back). This speaks to the irreversible nature of choices and the consequences they bring.

The verse describes the transformative power of hip hop in the artist's life, highlighting how it became both a tool for self-expression and a burden of responsibility. The struggle between leading a normal life and pursuing a path as a warrior for one's beliefs is evident in lines like "Vivir con enemistad es una tarea ardua" (Living with enmity is a difficult task). The artist reflects on the internal conflicts of maintaining authenticity while dealing with external pressures to conform or compromise for the sake of approval.

The lyrics also touch upon the artist's relationships and the disillusionment experienced with friends who may not have evolved alongside them. The lines "Debería ser feliz tener buenos amigos / Piensan que yo cambié, pero ellos cambiaron conmigo" (I should be happy to have good friends / They think I changed, but they changed with me) reveal the complexities of interpersonal dynamics and the difficulty of finding genuine connections in a scene where personal gain often overshadows camaraderie. There is a sense of betrayal and disappointment in these lines, as the artist navigates the shifting landscapes of friendship and authenticity.

Overall, "Vacío Existencial" presents a raw and introspective exploration of the artist's inner struggles, external pressures, and the ongoing quest for fulfillment and meaning amidst a backdrop of societal expectations and personal growth. The lyrics encapsulate a poignant blend of vulnerability, resilience, and self-awareness, inviting listeners to reflect on their own battles with identity, relationships, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of loneliness and disillusionment.

Line by Line Meaning

Quiero saber cómo escapar de esta soledad
I want to know how to escape from this loneliness

Las cosas cambian no se puede volver atrás
Things change, you can't go back

Creíste en algo que comenzó como un juego
You believed in something that started as a game

Porqué se siente esto si estoy cumpliendo tus sueños
Why does it feel like this when I'm fulfilling your dreams

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michu MC, Jaime Gajardo

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS