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)
Why Don't We Make You Happy
GLAY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
禊を終えた 政治家の群れ shadow oh shadow
歌にしたならどれくらい? oh shadow oh shadow
言葉にすればどれくらい? oh shadow oh shadow
はじかれて 彷徨う 親子の願いを 叶え給え
行くあての見えない 子たちの未来を 救い給え
導く 明日をもたぬ 大人たちよ 祈り給え
why don't we make you happy
can you hear me?
oh my boy, my boy
斜に構えた 世の中の幻想 shadow oh shadow
禊を終えた 政治家の群れ shadow oh shadow
はじかれて 彷徨う 親子の願いを 叶え給え
行くあての見えない 子たちの未来を 救い給え
導く 明日をもたぬ 大人たちよ 祈り給え
豊かな時代を 織りなす あなたよ 与え給え
why don't we make you happy
can you hear me?
oh my boy, my boy
季節は巡り 生きる意味さえ Boy 失くしても
生まれた者よ 道なき道を Boy 目指し給う
それでいい 答など 何もない
The song "Why Don't We Make You Happy" by GLAY is a poignant commentary on the society we live in. The lyrics talk about the illusions and politics of the world, and how they have failed to fulfill the needs and desires of the people. The use of the word "shadow" was probably chosen to show the problems in society that are not clearly visible or acknowledged, but are still present and have an impact.
The song then goes on to ask how much can be accomplished if these issues were put into words or expressed through music, highlighting the importance of music as a means of communication and expression. The lyrics urge people to not turn a blind eye to the plight of others, especially the younger generation who aren't sure of their future. It also urges the adults to pray for and guide those who don't have a clear path ahead of them.
The last verse of the song acknowledges the cyclical nature of life and says that even if one loses sight of the meaning of life, they must still strive forward on their path. The song ends with a plea to make the world a better place and to give hope and happiness to others.
Line by Line Meaning
斜に構えた 世の中の幻想 shadow oh shadow
The world is full of illusions, but they only add more darkness, negativity and pessimism to what is already an unpopular, hopeless reality.
禊を終えた 政治家の群れ shadow oh shadow
The politicians who grab power and accept bribes can try to purify themselves through ritual, but they still leave a shadow of immorality and corruption.
歌にしたならどれくらい? oh shadow oh shadow
It's unclear how many songs would be needed to express the disappointment, anger and disillusionment that people feel towards society.
言葉にすればどれくらい? oh shadow oh shadow
Even if people try to put their thoughts and feelings into words, it's hard to quantify or measure the extent of their dissatisfaction and frustration.
はじかれて 彷徨う 親子の願いを 叶え給え
Please fulfill the wishes of parents and children who have been rejected and are wandering aimlessly, unable to find a way to achieve their dreams.
行くあての見えない 子たちの未来を 救い給え
Please save the future of children who lack direction and clarity and are unable to see a clear path forward.
導く 明日をもたぬ 大人たちよ 祈り給え
Please pray for the adults who have no bright future to lead them and who need guidance and support to find their way.
豊かな時代を 織りなす あなたよ 与え給え
Please give the people who create a prosperous era a chance to shine and to shape a better society for all of us.
why don't we make you happy
Why don't we try to please you, who seem to be indifferent, uninterested, or discontented?
can you hear me?
Are you listening to my plea and my singing, despite the noise and the distractions all around?
oh my boy, my boy
Oh, my dear child, my dear friend, my dear audience, my dear fellow human being, whoever you are and wherever you are.
季節は巡り 生きる意味さえ Boy 失くしても
Even if seasons come and go, and if one loses sight of the purpose of life, an inspiring guide or a worthy destination can still be found.
生まれた者よ 道なき道を Boy 目指し給う
All those who were born should aim for a path that leads them to uncharted territories and unknown challenges, especially when the familiar roads lead to boredom or despair.
それでいい 答など 何もない
This is fine. There is no answer or justification for why we sing, why we live, why we love, why we hope, or why we struggle. We just do.
Contributed by Mason H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.