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)
ROCK ICON
GLAY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
だからなんだって 17の憂鬱? 偶然は言いすぎ でも多分意味はなし
これからの対処のあり方 俺が被害者の家族なら同じ目にあわす
傷つき傷付け合うたび大人になれるといって
生存競争の上にて 本能に従い LIGHT MY FIRE
憧れる幼き子は今や皆無 雪が見たいならシベリアヘ行け
法律でも政治も社会も宗教 曹長 ひいては神、金
どっちをとるって己に問え
不況も昨日の事件も別れた彼女のイヤミも
唄さえ忘れた社長のあがきは KISS MY ASS
音符にならない空間 自ら生み出す体感
時代の勇者に共鳴 荒野に朽ちない生命
2000荒れ狂う JAPANESE PEOPLE 刃はなくとも日本男児
大いなる女子 オマエの中で 一生暮らす夢を見てる
ネットに溢れる情報 自分の置き場を確保
才能を担保に夢まで一歩 死ぬまで乱歩 読むのも乱歩 Yeah!
我慢の限界全開 ここから旅立つ覚悟
無数の想いを託して 古びた GLAY を爆破
音符にならない空間 自ら生み出す体感
時代の勇者に共鳴 荒野に朽ちない生命
The song "Rock Icon" by GLAY is a commentary on modern society and the struggles of everyday life. The opening line "I read the news today, oh boy" sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, as the song tackles issues such as depression, survival of the fittest, and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The second line of the first verse questions the point of being depressed at the age of 17, and suggests that chance plays a role in life but there may not necessarily be any meaning behind it. The singer also empathizes with victims of tragedy, stating that if he were in their shoes, he would experience the same pain.
The chorus of the song encourages listeners to become adults through the process of hurting and being hurt, and to follow one's instincts to light one's inner fire. The second verse addresses the thickness of one's pocket, implying that riches and power can corrupt and that the police are desperate to recover their reputation. The innocence of childhood is lost, and the only escape from the harshness of reality is through dreaming. The bridge of the song emphasizes the importance of self-reflection in regards to the law, politics, society, religion, and tradition. The song concludes with a call to action to break away from the constraints of society and to live on without regrets, with the final line stating "GLAY, that's old and worn out, will be blown up with countless emotions entrusted."
Line by Line Meaning
だからなんだって 17の憂鬱? 偶然は言いすぎ でも多分意味はなし
So what's the matter with being 17 and melancholic? Coincidences are overstated, but maybe they don't have any meaning.
これからの対処のあり方 俺が被害者の家族なら同じ目にあわす
If it were my family that was the victim, I would have the same consequences for how things are dealt with from now on.
傷つき傷付け合うたび大人になれるといって
They say that every time you hurt and are hurt, you become more of an adult.
生存競争の上にて 本能に従い LIGHT MY FIRE
In the midst of the struggle for survival, follow your instincts and light my fire.
ふくれあがる内ポケットの厚み 警察は名誉挽回で必死
My internal pockets are swelling, and the police are desperate for an honorable recovery.
憧れる幼き子は今や皆無 雪が見たいならシベリアヘ行け
The young children I used to admire are now nonexistent, so if you want to see snow, go to Siberia.
法律でも政治も社会も宗教 曹長 ひいては神、金
Whether it's law, politics, society, religion, the sergeant, or even God or money, it's up to one's own judgment.
どっちをとるって己に問え
Ask yourself which one you're going to take.
不況も昨日の事件も別れた彼女のイヤミも
The recession, yesterday's events, and the ex-girlfriend's insults.
唄さえ忘れた社長のあがきは KISS MY ASS
The struggling business owner who has forgotten even how to sing should kiss my ass.
音符にならない空間 自ら生み出す体感
Creating a sensory experience that cannot be represented by musical notes.
時代の勇者に共鳴 荒野に朽ちない生命
Resonating with the heroes of the times and having an immortal life in the wilderness.
2000荒れ狂う JAPANESE PEOPLE 刃はなくとも日本男児
The year 2000, the turbulent Japanese people, and the Japanese men even without swords.
大いなる女子 オマエの中で 一生暮らす夢を見てる
A great woman living in your heart and dreaming of living there forever.
ネットに溢れる情報 自分の置き場を確保
Securing your own place in the information overflowing on the net.
才能を担保に夢まで一歩 死ぬまで乱歩 読むのも乱歩 Yeah!
Taking one step towards your dreams with your talent as collateral and reading mysteries until the end of your life. Yeah!
我慢の限界全開 ここから旅立つ覚悟
The limits of tolerance have been reached, and now there is a readiness to embark on a journey from here.
無数の想いを託して 古びた GLAY を爆破
Explosively destroying the aged GLAY with countless emotions entrusted.
Contributed by Katherine N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
みう
この曲、音程が高いし速いし歌うの難しいよね。TERUすごいなぁ
ケンちゃん
これカラオケで歌えたら 何でも歌えそうな気がする。
守屋みえ
かっこいいなぁ～☺️
maclen86
mermaidのカップリングの曲だけどこの曲も負けず劣らず好きな曲だな。
水口高弘
歌詞が当時の2000年を風刺するような感じで中学の時よく聴いてました。
ミッキーまいろ
MERMAID / ROCK ICON、両方好きな曲😆
ファンになったきっかけの曲😆