GLAY started in 1988, when they were in high school, with TAKURO as the guitarist, TERU as the drummer and a bassist who quit when they decided to head to Tokyo. They needed a vocalist, so TERU made a tape of his singing to give to TAKURO and was immediately recruited for the part. On the search for another guitarist, HISASHI was asked to join but turned down the offer, as he was already part of a locally well-known heavy punk/rock band called 蟻 (Ari), which better suited his taste in music. When Ari disbanded, HISASHI accepted TAKURO's offer and became the lead guitarist of GLAY. By the time of TAKURO and TERU's graduation, GLAY had become more popular in their hometown of Hakodate and were playing in full live houses. Following HISASHI's high school graduation in 1990, the three of them moved to Tokyo to try and further expand their musical career. However things did not seem to improve for them in Tokyo. Their gigs only attracted a few people, and sometimes none at all.
During this time, members (particularly drummers) were constantly joining and leaving the band. When their bassist quit, Takuro had heard that JIRO, who was also from Hakodate and had played with the indie band ピエロ (Pierrot) (different from the now disbanded Japanese rock band PIERROT, that enjoyed mainstream popularity), had moved to Tokyo and invited him to join GLAY. He, too, declined the offer, insisting that he was already heading in the right direction for himself. It wasn't until TAKURO asked him to play at just one show to fill in for their missing bassist that he decided to go. Following that show, JIRO continued to receive invitations to play with GLAY, and in 1991 he had become GLAY's official bass player, finalizing the official four member lineup
Takuro was heavily influenced by his favourite band, The Beatles, and took a great interest in composing original songs and lyrics. The band name "GLAY" is a deliberate misspelling of the word "gray", which represents the style of music they wanted to play; a mixture between rock (black) and pop (white). Although GLAY primarily composes songs in the rock genre, they have also composed songs in styles ranging from reggae to gospel. Due to their musical diversity, beautiful lyrics and wonderful melodies, they have become one of the most successful and well known bands in Japan, and most of Asia.
Official site: HAPPY SWING SPACE SITE (glay.co.jp)
17ans
GLAY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Minareta machinami wo narenai seisou ga oyogu
Yogoto miru yume wa kanki no koe de same hazumu kodou ga okiru
Tokei no hari ga kasanari kyaku den ga ochita
Ladies & Gentlemen! Put on your listening cap! It's show time!
Hey Boys & Girls, Kick Start Your Real Life!
Omae no choushi ppazure na DANSU ga uwasa ni naru
Muzukashii hanashi wa kuru ototoi ni shimasu
SHOU no maku wo otosu hade na hanabi nazedaka hakanai
"Tomare toki yo" to nando mo sakebi tsudzuketa
Kiro de eru SUKIRU wa yoru no hoshi no kazu hazumu kodou ga ikiru
Tokei no hari ga taikutsu na kyou wo nurikaeta
Wow! Time's gone by and you grew up!
Hey Boys & Girls, Kick Start your Real life!
Omae no choushi ppazurena MERODI ga onpu ni naru
Hey Dad & Mom, Beat your feet & sing
muzukashii mirai ga kuru hibi wo kangei shimasu
The song “17ans” by GLAY is a catchy and energetic rock tune that encourages listeners to embrace their youth, celebrate their growth, and face the challenges of the future with confidence. The lyrics describe the exhilarating feeling of running with light steps through familiar streets, the fluttering heart as one watches an unreachable goal, and the excitement of anticipating the possibilities that the onward of time brings. The first stanza vividly illustrates the joy of feeling alive and unrestricted, as one chases their dream with a restless heartbeat, leaving behind an unchanging townscape filled with unfamiliar, uninspiring people.
The second stanza is an invitation to the audience to join in the fun, encouraging them to let loose and dance to their rhythm, bursting with energy and vitality. The chorus cheers on the beloved listener, urging them to start their real life, filled with adventure, passion, and uncertainty. The third stanza sings about the fleeting nature of fireworks, and how they resemble the briefness of youth and the excitement of living in the moment. The final line of the stanza implores time itself to halt, wishing that the present could linger eternally.
Overall, “17ans” is an uplifting rock ballad that celebrates youth, courage, and creativity. The song is an encouraging call to action, inviting people to follow their dreams, take risks, and embrace the possibilities of the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Ashibaya ni kakeru tsumasaki wo oikake hazumu kodou ga hashiru
The pulsating rhythm of my heart races as I chase my dreams with swift footsteps.
Minareta machinami wo narenai seisou ga oyogu
My new-found freedom swims through the familiar streets I have yet to fully explore.
Yogoto miru yume wa kanki no koe de same hazumu kodou ga okiru
Every night, I wake up to the sound of my excited heartbeat after seeing magnificent dreamscapes.
Tokei no hari ga kasanari kyaku den ga ochita
Time ticks away as customers leave, marking the end of the night.
Omae no choushi ppazure na DANSU ga uwasa ni naru
Your unrestrained dance moves become the talk of the town.
Muzukashii hanashi wa kuru ototoi ni shimasu
Difficult conversations will come sometime in the future.
SHOU no maku wo otosu hade na hanabi nazedaka hakanai
The colorful fireworks drop their curtains as if they are ephemeral.
"Tomare toki yo" to nando mo sakebi tsudzuketa
I shout "stop time" over and over again.
Kiro de eru SUKIRU wa yoru no hoshi no kazu hazumu kodou ga ikiru
My skills to conquer difficulties coincide with the number of stars that make my heart beat rapidly at night.
Tokei no hari ga taikutsu na kyou wo nurikaeta
The monotony of today is painted over by the ticking hands of the clock.
Omae no choushi ppazurena MERODI ga onpu ni naru
Your unrestrained melody turns into musical notes.
muzukashii mirai ga kuru hibi wo kangei shimasu
I welcome the days when a difficult future awaits.
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.