The four of them came together in the music club of their university in 1996; for Gotoh, Kita, and Yamada, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION was the first band they ever formed.
After a while, they began to perform at the school and in the local Yokohama area. Interestingly, their first songs were all written in English and, in fact, their first independent 6 track album (released in 2000) was entirely sung in English. The CDs were sold at concerts and over the internet.
In 2001, beginning with "YMD" they held many self-planned events at Yokohama's CLUB24.
Once "Konayuki," the first song in which they used Japanese lyrics, was completed, they sent copies to all the independent shows on the FM stations, and were consequently able to get their music played for the first time on FM radio.
After that, they released their second CD of original works, this time using Japanese lyrics. It achieved great success within the region and at all the Live Houses.
From this time on, starting at Shibuya, Shimokitazawa, Kichijouji and other places, they started putting on shows famed for their energy.
In 2002, they submitted a track to the Underflow Records Compilation CD. In November of the same year, they released "Houkai Amplifier," their first Mini Album to be produced professionally. This album, which would decide their future, debuted in the number 1 spot of Highline Records weekly charts, and also made it to the number 35 spot in the Oricon Indies Chart.
On April 4, 2003, "Houkai Amplifier" was re-released under Ki/oon Records. That summer, they appeared at FUJI ROCK (on the "ROOKIE A GO GO" stage), and at SUMMER SONIC '03 in Osaka.
Following their October 16, 2003 single "Kimi to Iu Hana," their first full album "Kimi Tsunagi Five M" was released on November 19.
From January 19 to February 25 2004, they went on the "five nano seconds" tour. All shows immediately sold out and were a massive success.
In 2004, their first proper single "Siren" and their second single, the iconic "Loop & Loop," were released, the former on April 14th and the latter on May 19th.
Their self-planned event ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION presents "NANO-MUGEN FEST" took place on July 1st at Nihon Budoukan and, that summer, they appeared live at festivals in areas all over the country. On August 4th, their new single "Rewrite" was released, followed by "Kimi no Machi Made" on September 23rd.
On October 20, 2004, their long-awaited new album "Sol-fa" was released and this really pushed the band to the forefront of the J-Rock scene. Then, on November 2nd, they started their second national tour: ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION Tour Suihai No!
June 8 2005 saw the release of "NANO-MUGEN COMPILATION," an album composed of songs from various acts, both Japanese and English-language alike. Included was their first single after "Sol-fa": "Blackout." Later, the band released their first real single in over a year; "Blue Train."
In 2006, the band released another single "World Apart," followed by their third album, "Fanclub." A month later, they released their latest album "Feedback File," which includes live versions of some of their most popular tracks.
Their song "Haruka Kanata" was chosen to be a theme song for the anime series "Naruto," and the popular single "Rewrite" was selected as a theme song to the hit anime series "Fullmetal Alchemist." The song "Aru Machi no Gunjou" was used in the animated movie "Tekkon Kinkreet," and the song "After Dark" was used as a theme song for the animated series "BLEACH." The song "Maigo Inu to Ame no Beat" was used as the opening theme for the anime "The Tatami Galaxy".
Understand
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
軋んだその心、それアンダースタンド
歪んだ日の君を捨てないでよ
嘆き合って迎える朝焼けで消えゆくその想いを
ふとしたことで知る無力さでほつれるその想いを
宿ったその心、絶やさないでよ
響かない君の先の見えぬ明日も願うよ
きっといつか
軋んだその心、それアンダースタンド
歪んだ日の君を捨てないでよ
光らない心、それでも待つ明日の
掴んだその手だけ離さないでよ
響かない時を駆け抜けてく間も願うよ
きっといつか・br>
不安で泣いた君も、それアンダースタンド
刺さったそのトゲが抜けなくても
塞いで泣いた日々も、それアンダースタンド
歪んだ日の君を捨てないでよ
The lyrics of the song "アンダースタンド" by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION convey a sense of empathy and understanding towards a person who is going through a difficult period in their life. The singer acknowledges the pain and turmoil that the other person is experiencing, and urges them not to give up. They express their desire to support and stay by the other person's side even when things seem bleak.
The first verse speaks of a heart that is cracking under pressure and a person who is struggling with distorted emotions. However, the singer chooses to understand and empathize with this person instead of dismissing them. They also encourage the person not to give up and to hold onto their emotions and not let them unravel.
The second verse talks about the city streets and the darkness that looms ahead. The singer believes in the person's future even though they cannot see it clearly. They also vow to never let go of the person’s hand and to run alongside them through the tough times.
Overall, the song highlights the importance of understanding and empathy towards those who are experiencing emotional distress.
Line by Line Meaning
軋んだその心、それアンダースタンド
I understand that your heart is strained.
歪んだ日の君を捨てないでよ
Please don't abandon your twisted self from that day.
嘆き合って迎える朝焼けで消えゆくその想いを
The feeling that disappears with the dawn after we grieve together.
ふとしたことで知る無力さでほつれるその想いを
The feeling that unravels with the powerlessness we realize in trivial matters.
濁った目の先の明かり消えぬ街角
The light that doesn't disappear from the muddy end of the eyes on the street corner.
宿ったその心、絶やさないでよ
Don't let that ingrained heart die.
響かない君の先の見えぬ明日も願うよ
I hope for the uncertain future ahead of you who can't hear me.
きっといつか
Surely someday,
光らない心、それでも待つ明日の
The heart that doesn't shine, yet waits for tomorrow.
掴んだその手だけ離さないでよ
Just don't let go of the hand you grasp.
響かない時を駆け抜けてく間も願うよ
I hope even during the time when you pass through the unresponsive moments.
きっといつか・br>
Surely someday...
不安で泣いた君も、それアンダースタンド
Even you who cried in anxiety, I understand that.
刺さったそのトゲが抜けなくても
Even if the thorn that stuck doesn't come out.
塞いで泣いた日々も、それアンダースタンド
Even that time you cried and shut yourself in, I understand that, too.
歪んだ日の君を捨てないでよ
Please don't abandon your twisted self from that day.
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.