1) DREAMS COME TRUE (also referred to as DCT or Dorikamu by fans), is a pop… Read Full Bio ↴1) DREAMS COME TRUE (also referred to as DCT or Dorikamu by fans), is a pop duo from Tokyo, formed in 1988. They are renowned for their pop, soul, funk, jazz fusion music, having sold more than 50 million records. DCT was started by bassist 中村正人 (Nakamura Masato) and is fronted by 吉田美和 (Yoshida Miwa), who is the band's main singer-songwriter. They were originally a three-piece band with 西川隆宏 (Nishikawa Takahiro) (keyboards), until he departed in 2002. In 1989, they released their self-titled debut LP, DREAMS COME TRUE, selling over a million copies. Their 1992 release, The Swinging Star, was the first Japanese album to exceed 3 million in sales and for several years held the title of the best-selling Japanese-language album.

In 1993, they recorded "Winter Song" for the opening theme of the TriStar Pictures film Sleepless in Seattle and the following year recorded the song "Eternity" for the animated film The Swan Princess by New Line Cinema. In Japan, they recorded theme songs for TBS television shows, and it wasn't long before they caught the attention of the Walt Disney company, and were hired to create musical-tunes for their television shows, and attractions at the Tokyo Disney Resort. In 2001, they composed the theme song for the Japanese release on the Disney film Atlantis, and Miwa was hired to be the voice actor for the character Audrey Rocio Ramirez in the Japanese version.

Miwa Yoshida started a solo music career in 1995, and the following year appeared on the cover of Time Magazine. She has also appeared in advertisements for Sony, Visa, Honda, Shiseido, Lotte, Vodafone, and Coca Cola. Meanwhile Masato was hired to compose the music for television commercials, and around the same time compiled various "Dreams Come True" songs for Konami to be used in their game series Dance Dance Revolution. He had previously been hired to compose the music for the Sonic the Hedgehog video games on the Sega Mega Drive.

On April 1, 1996, they released Love Unlimited, which would be their final album for Sony Music. News of their departure would cause Sony Music shares to drop severely on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

They later signed with Virgin Music America and Toshiba-EMI in Japan, due to that label's promises to break the group into the American market--something Sony was unwilling to do. Their first album under the new contract, Sing Or Die (a title that half-jokingly described the band's relationship with their former label, according to Nakamura), was released in an English-language version, but received very little promotion and even less airplay. It would be the band's final album as a trio, and Takahiro Nishikawa would depart the band shortly after its release. Sing or Die was Virgin's only attempt to penetrate the American market, and its failure would taint the band's future relationship with that label.

Part of the failure of the Virgin-DCT relationship can be laid at the label's attempt to renovate the band into something the American audiences could relate to. Miwa dropped her last name, Nakamura became "King Masa," but Nishikawa remained the same, and only received a passing mention on Sing or Die's liner notes. Musically, the album veered away from the classic DCT formula and deeper into the hip-hop dance theme begun on Delicious and Love Unlimited. The combination was not well-received by American audiences, nor DCT's legion of loyal Japanese fans.

There are conflicting accounts concerning Nishikawa's departure. Nishikawa himself states both he and longtime DCT producer Mike Pela were forced out by Virgin because they didn't fit into the label's makeover for the band. However, he also adds that prior to that, he hadn't been touring with DCT for some time, which supports the official account. At present, there seems to be little chance of Nishikawa playing with his former bandmates ever again.

Following 2001's monkey girl odyssey, DCT severed all ties with Virgin and Toshiba-EMI, and set up shop with Universal Music Japan. More recent albums such as The Love Rocks and And I Love You have returned to the classic DCT sound, and have been received more warmly.

They have also been involved in charity events. Including a collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto in 2001 to help raise funds for land mine removal agencies, and taking part in the Live 8 benefit concert in 2005.

In 2008, their single "Tsuretette Tsuretette" debuted a top on the Oricon weekly chart, nine years since their last number-one single "Asa ga Mata Kuru". The song also appears on the band's album Do You Dreams Come True?. The album is available in three versions: A single disc version, containing the main album; a second that adds Greatest Hits: The Soul 2, a sequel to their 2000 greatest-hits package; and a third that adds a live DVD, "Winter Fantasia 2008."

In 2010, they released their download only single "Godspeed", where the title is meant to be an even stronger wish of "Good Luck" for everyone to listen to it. In November of that same year, they released their 23rd album, Love Central, their second on Universal Music Japan's Nayutawave label.

In 2011, another Best-Of compilation, titled " THE SOUL FOR THE PEOPLE~Higashi-Nihon Daishinsai Shien Best Album~ . The profits from this album's sales go completely towards the Japanese Red Cross' Tohoku earthquake relief efforts.

DCT's latest single, "MY TIME TO SHINE", is set to be released on May 16th, 2012.

2) The 80's Hi NRG disco duo, Abbe Kanter and Stacy Dunne, that released one single in 1989, "Sweet Magic".

Carnaval
DREAMS COME TRUE Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(カルナヴァル oh oh, cha cha chachacha)
(Yeah カルナヴァル)

チャレンジャーがぞくぞくと集まる (cha cha chachacha)
ディフェンダーは睨みをきかせてる (カルナヴァル)
プレッシャーに背中が丸くなる (cha cha chachacha)
ボスキャラいっぱいまるでカルナヴァル (カルナヴァル)

ふと見渡したらみんなぴりりコワイ顔
この時点でならまちがいなく誰もがルーザー

二度と来ないこの瞬間全部をタララッタ～楽しめたら最高!
飛べ! 走れ! 泣け! もしもビビったらタララッタ～笑おう!

彗星のように現われるスターは (cha cha chachacha)
自分かもって思えるのがドリーマー (カルナヴァル)
ありえないこと起こるかもここは (cha cha chachacha)
ボスキャラ勢ぞろいのカルナヴァル (カルナヴァル)

でも見渡したらみんなぴりりコワイ顔
スタートの音におじけづいたらごめんなさい

二度と来ないこの瞬間全部をタララッタ～楽しめたら最高!
飛べ! 走れ! 泣け! もしもビビったらタララッタ～笑おう!

この先何が見えるかなんて (chachacha)
行ってみないとわかるはずもないし(chachacha)
自分的には今まさに今たった今

とりあえずいっぱいいっぱいだ

でカルナヴァルがいよいよ始まる (cha cha chachacha)
ドリーマー度は正直昂まる (カルナヴァル)
変な自信がどっからか湧いてくる (cha cha chachacha)
ボスキャラ制覇出来る気がしてくる! くる! くる! くる! (カルナヴァル)

さぁいよいよ始まるカルナヴァル (cha cha chachacha)
全員白いラインに並んでる (カルナヴァル)

同じ条件で勝負は始まる (cha cha chachacha)
スターは絶対いつだって現われる! (カルナヴァル)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Carnaval" by DREAMS COME TRUE talk about the excitement, challenges, and aspirations of life, likening it to a carnival. The song portrays a gathering of challengers and defenders, with the pressure of the moment causing their backs to round. It describes the atmosphere as being full of boss characters, resembling a carnival.

The lyrics also touch upon the fear and serious faces of everyone present, implying that at this point, everyone is a loser. However, the song encourages embracing this unique moment that will never come again and enjoying it to the fullest, with the lyrics exclaiming, "If you can have fun, it'll be the best! Fly! Run! Cry! If you get scared, just laugh!" It encourages a fearless approach to life, suggesting that even if something unexpected happens, one should find joy in it.

The lyrics then mention the appearance of stars that shine like comets, and how they inspire individuals to believe they could be one too. The carnival-like atmosphere is described as a place where incredible things may happen, filled with boss characters. However, despite the intimidating faces present, the song apologizes if the sound of the start makes one feel timid.

The song concludes by emphasizing the uncertainty of what lies ahead, expressing that one can only know by trying. It highlights the importance of living in the present moment, stating that currently, right now, is the perfect time. The lyrics also convey the feeling of being overwhelmed but excited, as the carnival itself is finally about to begin. The confidence of dreamers rises, fueled by strange self-assurance, giving the feeling that they can conquer all the boss characters. It ends by stating that the carnival is truly starting, with everyone lining up on the white line, where the game begins with equal conditions, and stars will always emerge.

Line by Line Meaning

チャレンジャーがぞくぞくと集まる
Challengers gather one after another

ディフェンダーは睨みをきかせてる
Defenders are showing their determination

プレッシャーに背中が丸くなる
Under pressure, our backs round up

ボスキャラいっぱいまるでカルナヴァル
Boss characters everywhere, just like a carnival

ふと見渡したらみんなぴりりコワイ顔
Suddenly, everyone looks nervous and scared

この時点でならまちがいなく誰もがルーザー
At this point, without a doubt, everyone feels like a loser

二度と来ないこの瞬間全部をタララッタ～楽しめたら最高!
If we can enjoy every moment that will never come again, it would be amazing!

飛べ! 走れ! 泣け! もしもビビったらタララッタ～笑おう!
Fly! Run! Cry! If we get scared, let's just laugh!

彗星のように現われるスターは
Stars that appear like comets

自分かもって思えるのがドリーマー
Dreamers believe they could be one of them

ありえないこと起こるかもここは
Unbelievable things may happen here