Hi-Standard are a Japanese punk rock group who formed in 1991. Since then, … Read Full Bio ↴Hi-Standard are a Japanese punk rock group who formed in 1991. Since then, they have become a popular and influential part of Japanese underground music. The release of their hugely popular "Making the Road" sparked sold-out Japan shows and US/European tours with punk bands such as NOFX, WIZO, and No Use for a Name. Although Hi-Standard were Japanese born, all of their major releases were sung in English. Live footage of the band shows them talking to the crowd in their native Japanese and then immediately changing to English for the songs.

Style
Although classed as a 'punk rock' band, lyrically they were not angry or politically charged like many other punk bands. Many songs were about meeting a new girl, lost love, or the transition from teenage years to adulthood. The song "Teenagers are all assholes" from their final LP "Making the road" talks about how there is no justification for violence, with lyrics such as "Don't torment your friends and neighbors/Someday you'll see you are small/There is no good reason to assault somebody/If you wanna beat someone/Beat yourself". Musically they were very similar to many other popular punk-rock bands that were big in the 90's, such as NOFX, Millencolin and The Vandals; most of their songs were very fast and catchy, with a few slower songs scattered here and there. "Making the road" was probably their most musically diverse release, featuring some very fast, hard songs (Just Rock, Crows) mixed in with slower songs (Endless Trip, Dear my Friends) and even a gentle piccolo-driven instrumental (Tinkerbell Hates Goatees). The band was considered to be very talented musically, with the fast, tight, powerful drumming and creative guitar work often standing out.

Hiatus
After recording five albums, the band entered a hiatus in August of 2000, shortly after playing "Air Jam 2000". Ken Yokoyama began working on other projects, including BBQ Chickens and Ken Band, which is now simply known as Ken Yokoyama. Yokoyama revisited the bands original label Pizza of Death Records, which has since signed many punk and alternative rock bands. Akihiro Nanba's newest project is Ultra Brain. According to CDJapan, Nanba proclaims their debut album, Neo Punk, to be the birth of neo-punk [1]. Akira Tsuneoka now provides the drums for the group, Cubismo Grafico. Although the band has never officially called it quits, as time goes on it is looking more and more unlikely that they will play together again, especially now that each member has gone on to different projects. However, fans still hope to one day see a reunion show.

Discography
Growing Up (1996) Fat Wreck Chords
Angry Fist (1997) Fat Wreck Chords
Making the Road (1999) Fat Wreck Chords
Love Is a Battlefield (EP) (2001) Fat Wreck Chords
Last of Sunny Day (2000) Japan.
The full-length Last of Sunny Day contains songs from their prior releases and original songs. The band have an additional single "The Kids are Alright" available only in Japan
Hi-Standard perform punk covers of American songs "California Dreamin'", "Green Acres", Have you ever seen the rain?" and "Fools Rush In"

Lift Me Up Don't Bring Me Down
Hi-Standard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Okay
Lights are shining, blood is pumping, let myself go
Strings are jumping, crowd is roaring, feel the power flow up
On the stage I am alive
It's where I belong
Even the wind stops to hear my song, let's go

Raise your hand to the air

Gotta stay cool tonight
Till the end and then
It's gonna be alright

You lift me up, lift me up
Can I fly on borrowed wings?
Don't bring me down (bring me down)
Take me to a higher dream

Show is over sweat is drying, body feels numb
Such a great night, beautiful sight, we became as one up
On the stage I was alive
How high can I fly
Even the wind blows to urge me on, let go

Raise your hand to the air
Gotta stay cool tonight
Till the end and then
It's gonna be alright

You lift me up, lift me up
Can I fly on borrowed wings?
Don't bring me down (bring me down)
Take me to a higher dream

Raise your hand to the air
Gotta stay cool tonight
Till the end and then
It's gonna be alright

You lift me up, lift me up
Can I fly on borrowed wings?
Don't bring me down (bring me down)
Take me to a higher dream

You lift me up, lift me up
Can I fly on borrowed wings?

Don't bring me down (bring me down)
Take me to a higher dream

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Hi-Standard's song "Lift Me Up Don't Bring Me Down" depict the exhilaration and euphoria experienced while performing on stage. The opening lines paint a vibrant picture of a live concert, with lights shining, blood pumping, and the sense of letting oneself go. The energy of the music is palpable, as the strings jump and the crowd roars. The singer feels the power flowing through them, coming alive on the stage, expressing that it's where they truly belong. Even the wind seems to stop in order to listen to their song.

The chorus emphasizes the uplifting nature of the performance. The audience's support becomes a source of inspiration and encouragement, as they metaphorically lift the singer up. The borrowed wings mentioned in the lyrics suggest that they are transcending their limitations, breaking free from earthly restraints and experiencing a sense of flight. The plea to not bring them down signifies a desire to remain in this elevated state, to preserve the feeling of soaring. The song becomes a catalyst for entering a higher dream, a euphoric state of being.

In the second verse, the aftermath of the performance is described. The sweat drying and the numbness in the body indicate the physical exertion and intensity of the show. However, the experience is deemed worth it as the night was great and the sight of the audience uniting with the performer was beautiful. The stage once again becomes a place where the singer feels alive, wondering how high they can fly. Even the wind seems to blow, urging them to continue their ascent.

Line by Line Meaning

Lights are shining, blood is pumping, let myself go
The vibrant lights illuminate the scene, adrenaline rushes through my veins, and I surrender to the moment.

Strings are jumping, crowd is roaring, feel the power flow up
The energetic music resonates deeply, the audience cheers loudly, and I feel the surge of energy within me.

On the stage I am alive
Being on stage brings me to life, igniting my passion and purpose.

It's where I belong
It is in this place that I feel a sense of belonging and fulfillment.

Even the wind stops to hear my song, let's go
My music captivates even the elements, urging me to embark on this journey.

Raise your hand to the air
Extend your hand skyward, embracing the exhilaration of the moment.

Gotta stay cool tonight
There is a need to remain composed and collected throughout the night.

Till the end and then
Persist until the very conclusion, and beyond that.

It's gonna be alright
Everything will be fine and in harmony.

You lift me up, lift me up
You elevate me, giving me strength and inspiration.

Can I fly on borrowed wings?
Can I soar towards my dreams with support from others?

Don't bring me down (bring me down)
Do not discourage or hinder my progress.

Take me to a higher dream
Guide me towards aspirations that surpass my current limitations.

Show is over sweat is drying, body feels numb
As the performance concludes, my perspiration evaporates, and my body becomes devoid of sensation.