Gentle, mellow, calm, peaceful..... a few words would come up to describe..… Read Full Bio ↴Gentle, mellow, calm, peaceful..... a few words would come up to describe... but... A quiet joy of life....that might be one of the better expressions when you want to talk about the music of Curly Giraffe. Curly Giraffe is a one-man band by a human being, Kiyoshi Takakuwa. Originally a graphic designer based in Tokyo, Kiyoshi started his professional musical career as a bassist of Rotten Hats (a 6-piece rock/pop band from late 80's to early 90's), then a connoisseurs' favorite trio band GREAT 3, derived from Rotten Hats after its breakup, both bands had enjoyed cultic and solid fanbase in the Japanese rock market of the time. After the issue of Best & Live Best album in 2004, Great 3 decided to be separated and step off from the scene for a while. Then Kiyoshi started reviewing demos of his own music he had recorded by himself at his home, stored in the vault for the past couple of years and determined to launch into his own project at last. That was how Curly Giraffe arrived. First appearance was a limited EP exclusively available at Tower Records in 2005. It quickly went sold out. Next spring he delivered the first longplay album, which amazed people by selling over 2,000 units only at Tower's store in Shibuya. The album also stayed on top 10 of iTMS Japan's rock chart over a year. The quiet sensation continued with the 2nd album "Ta-dah" issued in 2007 and the first Best-Of on major distribution (avex) the following year. In spite of constant release and high accolades to his music, the true portrait of the aritst was not much spoken. Few recognized that it was Kiyoshi, and Curly Giraffe had stayed as a mystery for a long time even among fans. With the first two highly-acclaimed albums Curly Giraffe came to be noted for his multi-talent that varies from songwriting, singing, playing most of the instruments as well as producing, to the cool stylish artwork designing all by himself. Spending a few years in Australia in his childhood, enjoying all kinds of pop music and rock'n'roll on the radio made him feel more comfortable in writing melodies to English lyrics and singing in English, which differentiates his songs and performance from those by many other artists of such in Japan. Also combining folky and hand-crafted touch with electrified sound in the background makes Curly Giraffe music so unique and equal to nobody's, while people would recollect from his voice and melodies the reminiscence of some great precedence singer-songwriters such as Jack Johnson, Donovan Frankenreiter and James Iha etc. Yet the songs by Curly Giraffe sound so mellow and calm with exquisitely beautiful melodies and carefully crafted arrangements and impeccable sound production, all done by the artist himself. More than anything, the warmth glowing in his smooth and relaxing voice is truly definitive and the biggest attraction of his music. This spring, 2009, Curly Giraffe returns with a new recording titled "NEW ORDER". The album, scheduled for release on April 22nd, will surely catch the ears of wider range of audience with the collection of 12 strong tracks and the best sound production in his career as a recording artist ever. And after the release of his 3rd album, this tall, gentle, herviborous animal can be found delivering great music with his friend musicians live on a few stages including a notable early & mid summer festivals. Check out your nearest CD stores and iTMSJapan .. April 22nd. You can witness Curly Giraffe going to be a peaceful epoch of the current music scene in Japan. Also, the other side of Curly Giraffe is a busy musician supporting other singers and bands including Chara, Cocco and many other popular songbirds both on tours and for their records as well. The good news after his own new album, Curly Giraffe will have a compilation CD titled "Thank You For Being A Friend", where many talented female singers - Cocco, Akino Arai, BONNIE PINK, Chara ,KUMI(LOVE PHYCHEDELICO) and others cover some of the best Curly Giraffe songs. Let the cow at rest. 2009 is the year of CURLY GIRAFFE.

My Dear Friend
Curly Giraffe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My dear friend
I have one anxious thing
I have thought for ten years or more
Daily life of me
A man who runs the coastline
Anyway, he was running everyday

He's an old man

But he kicks with strong steps
White cross adhered to his chest and back
I don't know why
He was running everyday
White cross adhered to his chest and back

Like clockwork
No matter how the sun is strong
He keeps running without disarranging the pace
My dear friend
I want to be running on the wind
I can see light at the end of the way

He's an old man
But, still kicks strong steps
White cross adhered to his chest and back
I don't know why

He is still running everyday
White cross adhered to his chest and back

Overall Meaning

The song "My Dear Friend" by Curly Giraffe tells the story of a man who has been watching an elderly man running along the coastline for years, with a white cross adhered to his chest and back. The singer expresses his admiration for the old man, who no matter how strong the sun is or what kind of day it is, keeps running with a steady pace. The singer also expresses his desire to run with the same level of determination and strength, and sees a light at the end of his own journey, suggesting that he is looking for some kind of goal or purpose in his own life.

The lyrics evoke a sense of admiration for the old man's persistence and strength, and suggest that he may be running for some kind of purpose, symbolized by the white cross on his chest and back. The singer's desire to run with the same kind of determination suggests that he is also seeking some kind of purpose or meaning in his own life, and the light at the end of the way he sees may represent his own personal journey towards that goal.

Overall, "My Dear Friend" is a reflective and contemplative song that speaks to the universal human desire to find purpose and meaning in life, and the importance of determination and perseverance in achieving those goals.

Line by Line Meaning

My dear friend
The singer is addressing their dear friend, indicating that they want to share something with them.

I have one anxious thing
The singer has been anxious about something and wants to express it to their friend.

I have thought for ten years or more
The singer has been thinking about this anxious thing for an extended period of time.

Daily life of me
This anxious thing is something that affects the singer's daily life.

A man who runs the coastline
The singer is describing a man they have observed who runs along the coastline.

Anyway, he was running everyday
The man was making a daily habit of running along the coastline.

He's an old man
Despite being an elderly person, the man is still capable of running on a regular basis.

But he kicks with strong steps
The man has a strong stride despite his age.

White cross adhered to his chest and back
The man wears a white cross on his clothing, and the singer is unsure of the significance.

I don't know why
The singer is expressing their confusion about the man's behavior.

Like clockwork
The man is very consistent in his running routine, always moving at a steady pace.

No matter how the sun is strong
The man continues his routine even in harsh sunlight.

He keeps running without disarranging the pace
The man maintains a steady pace while running, not getting fatigued or slowing down throughout his routine.

My dear friend
The singer addresses their friend again to emphasize the importance of the upcoming statement.

I want to be running on the wind
The singer has a desire to experience the freedom and speed of running with the wind at their back.

I can see light at the end of the way
The singer is hopeful for the future and sees a positive outcome to their current struggles.

He's an old man
The man is still strong and consistent in his routine despite his advanced age.

But, still kicks strong steps
The man's stride is still powerful and efficient.

White cross adhered to his chest and back
The man's white cross is once again noted, with the singer still not understanding its meaning.

I don't know why
The singer is still unsure of the significance of the man's white cross and daily routine.

He is still running everyday
The man has not faltered in his daily routine and continues to run along the coastline with a strong stride and mysterious white cross.

White cross adhered to his chest and back
The man's white cross is once again mentioned, bringing attention to the mystery surrounding it.

Writer(s): Curly Giraffe, Genie Clash, ｃｕｒｌｙ　ｇｉｒａｆｆｅ, ｇｅｎｉｅ　ｃｌａｓｈ

Contributed by Arianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

Raphael Ferrero

8y↑5

This song makes me feel incredibly sad but in a good way if it makes sense? Hits me so much with nostalgia, all the wonderful memories of growing up as a kid, being surrounded with so many important people. But sadly, comes a time where we have to drift away and we ask ourselves what happened? Why are we strangers now? We hope at least someone that was put in our lives, thinks of us constantly, at least I wish someone would think of me....beautiful song, makes you cherish life no matter how difficult it may be.