There are at least four bands named Complex: a British psychedelic rock gro… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four bands named Complex: a British psychedelic rock group, a Japanese rock super group, a Tanzanian band and a Finnish punk band.

1. Complex is a Japanese rock band formed in 1988 with Koji Kikkawa (吉川晃司) as lead singer and his long time friend Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋寅泰) from the legendary rock band BOØWY on guitar.
Making two albums both of which went to number one in the national charts, Complex remained as one of the most popular bands in Japan until their split in 1990.

2. Complex were an English psychedelic rock band from Blackpool, United Kingdom. Formed in 1968, the group initially consisted of Brian Lee (lead guitar), Tony Shakespeare (lead vocals, drums), Lance Fogg (bass) and Tony Fisher (rhythm guitar). After some early personnel changes, in early 1970 the line-up was Lee, Shakespeare and Fogg with the addition of Steve Coe (keyboards). In November 1970 they cut their first, self-titled album Complex, of which only 99 copies were released in May 1971. Originally devised as a demonstration record for bringing the band to the attention of major record companies, it went on to become quite famous among collectors of rare British psychedelia, fetching high prices.

In the Summer of 1971 they recorded a second album, which was released in August 1971, The Way I Feel, once again as a 'private press'. Original copies of their two albums are sought-after artefacts of British psychedelia today. They feature echo-laden and organ-driven garage psychedelia. Most of the songs were penned by Steve Coe, who left the group shortly after the 'release' of the second LP. Several years later he re-emerged in Monsoon. The remaining members recorded a five-track acetate for a third album, which remains unreleased, before disbanding. Cherry Red Records released the group's collected works on a CD called Live for the Minute: The Complex Anthology in early 2022.

3. Complex is a Bongo Flava (Swahili hiphop) artist from Tanzania.

4. Complex is a Finnish punk band that released a 7-inch EP entitled Tervetuloa Yhteiskuntaan... in the 1990s.

Clockwork Runners
Complex Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

午前6時の目覚めとともに
今日も始まる終わりのない悪夢
いつも誰かがどこかで見つめてる
時に追われた行くあてのない自分を
狂った日差しかあざ笑う様に
疲れ果てた体を照らし続ける
昨日の傷も癒せないまま
走り続ける孤独な走者達

きっと誰もが夢みる自分を
どこかで愛しながら
時計じかけの毎日を生きてく
Clockwork runners
Clockwork runners
Clockwork runners
Clockwork runners

鏡に映る嘘の自分が
負け犬の様に悲しい笑顔を気取る
空回りの本当の自分は
鼓動の数だけ涙を流し続ける
きっと誰もが夢見る自分を
どこかで愛しながら
時計じかけの毎日を生きてく
Clockwork runners
Clockwork runners
Clockwork runners
Clockwork runners
Clockwork runners
Clockwork runners

Clockwork runners
Clockwork runners

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Complex's song "Clockwork Runners" describe the never-ending and exhausting cycle of living in a world that demands constant movement and progress. The song starts with the singer waking up to yet another day of a seemingly endless nightmare. They feel constantly watched, pursued by an unknown force, with no clear direction to follow. The scorching sun continues to shine down on their tired body, as the wounds of yesterday remain unhealed. The chorus repeats the phrase "Clockwork runners" several times, emphasizing the idea that we are all just like clockwork, living out our lives in a predetermined and mechanical way.

As the song continues, the singer confronts the lies they tell themselves, and the facade they present to the world. They feel trapped in their own illusion, pretending to be someone they are not. The true self, the one that is directionless and lost, is filled with tears and sorrow. The chorus once again repeats the phrase "Clockwork runners," cementing the idea that our lives are just like running on a clock, that no matter how much we want to stop or change, we keep moving forward.

The song seems to be criticizing the society that perpetuates the idea of taking on endless responsibilities and living a life that is void of meaning or purpose. We are all just like clockwork runners, chasing something that we don’t even know exists.

Line by Line Meaning

午前6時の目覚めとともに
When waking up at 6 in the morning,

今日も始まる終わりのない悪夢
The never-ending nightmare of another day beginning

いつも誰かがどこかで見つめてる
Someone is always watching somewhere

時に追われた行くあてのない自分を
Chasing after a purposeless self

狂った日差しかあざ笑う様に
The blazing sun mocking in madness

疲れ果てた体を照らし続ける
Continuously illuminating an exhausted body

昨日の傷も癒せないまま
While yesterday's wounds remain unhealed

走り続ける孤独な走者達
The lonely runners keep on running

きっと誰もが夢みる自分を
Surely everyone dreams of their own self

どこかで愛しながら
Loving that self somewhere

時計じかけの毎日を生きてく
Living each day like clockwork