BUCK-TICK is a Japanese rock band, originally formed by Imai Hisashi in 198… Read Full Bio ↴BUCK-TICK is a Japanese rock band, originally formed by Imai Hisashi in 1983 in Gunma, Japan, with its current line-up lasting since 1985. They are commonly credited as one of the founders of the visual kei movement. As of yet, they have released twenty-three original studio albums and one of self-covers, nearly all reaching the top ten on the charts. Their most recent album, "異空 -IZORA-", was released on 12th April 2023.

The band members are 櫻井敦司 (Sakurai Atsushi) (vocals), 今井寿 (Imai Hisashi) (guitars, noises, electronics, vocals), 星野英彦 (Hoshino Hidehiko) (guitars, chorus), 桶口豊 (Higuchi Yutaka) (bass) and ヤガミ・トール (Yagami Toll) (drums).

BUCK-TICK's music has changed and evolved hugely over the course of their career. Their early work is what the Japanese call "positive punk". It used simple rhythms and chords, with the songs mostly in major keys and using some English words in the lyrics. Starting with 1989's TABOO, they experimented with a darker sound, which grew more mature with 狂った太陽 in 1991. darker than darkness style 93 delved into a harsher industrial rock sound which continued all the way up through Mona Lisa OVERDRIVE in 2003. With 2005's 十三階は月光, they deliberately adopted a "goth" concept, which they combined with a retro straight rock sound for the albums 天使のリボルバー (2007) and Memento Mori (2009). Their next album, 2010's RAZZLE DAZZLE, then incorporated many instances of dance-rock.

Some elements that persist throughout their music are resounding, jangling guitar chords, throbbing, prominent bass lines, harsh roars of electronically distorted noise, and ambivalent melodies that wander between major and minor keys, as well as Sakurai's distinctive rich baritone voice. Jrockrevolution described the band's style as having gone "from the bubbly sounds of pop to the buzz of electronic cyberpunk to lustful velvety goth to the smooth style of hard rock and back again". Sakurai, who is the main lyricist of the band, is famous for the erotic decadence of his lyrics, but he also often addresses existential psychological themes. His lyrics is also described as "dance in a daydream about reality". Imai, the main composer, has written many songs that read like science fiction stories, involving genetic engineering and computer hackers, but more recently has branched out into love songs.

As Josephine Yun describes them, in 'A Concise Report on 40 of the Biggest Rock Acts in Japan', "BUCK-TICK's music is smashed-together nuances of everything from Depeche Mode and New Order to U2 and The Knack. While wry, it can float and be nebulously melodic. [...] Masked in eye makeup, Atsushi looks and sounds possessed. BUCK-TICK was (and continues to be) and anomaly in the Japanese music scene, a tangle of goth rock diluted with synth and electronica. It's unhappy, dirty music, the musical equivalent of exploded soot and smoke."

BUCK-TICK and their members have performed with, for example, KMFDM, Soft Ballet, Luna Sea, Sheena Ringo, and The Yellow Monkey. The band members have also participated in different side-projects, such as Schaft, Schwein (Sakurai and Imai with Raymond Watts (PIG) and Sascha Konietzko (KMFDM)), and The Mortal.

La vie en Rose 〜ラヴィアン・ローズ
BUCK-TICK Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

真夜中を切り裂きドレス引き裂く
声を上げて尻を上げて
吸い付くような肌に指滑らせば
冷たくコルトこめかみ弾く
安物コート襟を立て
引きずる様に引きずられてゆく
人生はバラ色
何て素晴らしい

人生はバラ色
何て儚いのでしょうね
ゲンズブルー雨ドゥダダ
びしょ濡れのマリー
裸足のマリー愛しいマリールー
路地裏野良猫俺は夢見た
明日が欲しいとお前が欲しいと
ジタンの煙殻のボトル
ひび割れた声なる様になれ
人生はバラ色
何て素晴らしい
人生はバラ色
まるで夢見ているみたいね
間奏
人生はバラ色
何て素晴らしい
人生はバラ色
何て儚いのでしょうね
人生はバラ色
何て素晴らしい

人生はバラ色
まるで夢見ているみたいね

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of BUCK-TICK's song "La vie en Rose" evoke a dark and gritty atmosphere, painting a vivid picture of a midnight scene filled with despair and longing. The opening lines describe the singer's rebellious actions, tearing their dress and raising their voice and behind. The following lines express a sense of sensuality as they glide their fingers on someone's captivating skin, while the chilling touch of a Colt gun against their temple adds an eerie and dangerous element. The mention of a cheap coat with its collar raised and being dragged along symbolizes a feeling of being trapped and led astray.

The chorus repeats the phrase "La vie en rose," which translates to "life in pink" in French, a phrase often associated with optimism and the beauty of life. However, the lyrics juxtapose this idea with the melancholic question of how fleeting and fragile it all is. The second verse brings in the imagery of a rainy scene with a soaking wet Marie, emphasizing vulnerability and a sense of longing. The mention of a back alley, stray cat, and dreams for a better tomorrow reflect the singer's yearning for something more and the desire for love and companionship. The use of a smoke-filled room and cracked voice adds to the atmosphere of sadness and desperation.

The instrumental break allows for a moment of introspection before the final chorus repeats the themes of the song - the beauty and transitory nature of life. The lyrics convey a feeling of being caught between hope and despair, painting a complex and emotive portrait of the human experience.

Line by Line Meaning

真夜中を切り裂きドレス引き裂く
Tearing apart the midnight, ripping apart the dress

声を上げて尻を上げて
Raising my voice, raising my rear

吸い付くような肌に指滑らせば
If I slide my fingers on your skin that sticks to me

冷たくコルトこめかみ弾く
Cold Colt, bouncing off the temple

安物コート襟を立て
Cheap coat, popping up the collar

引きずる様に引きずられてゆく
Dragging and dragged along

人生はバラ色
Life is rosy

何て素晴らしい
How wonderful

何て儚いのでしょうね
How fleeting it is

ゲンズブルー雨ドゥダダ
Gens blue, the rain goes splash splash

びしょ濡れのマリー
Soaking wet Marie