Their debut single Blurry Eyes released in 1994 was used as the opening theme for the animated TV show DNA². In late 1996, L'Arc~en~Ciel gained worldwide attention for the first time after the release of their fourth album, True. This album includes the single the Fourth Avenue Cafe, which was used as an ending theme for the popular animated TV show Rurouni Kenshin. However, drummer sakura was arrested for drug possession and consequently all L'Arc~en~Ciel merchandise was removed from store shelves. The release of their single the Fourth Avenue Cafe was canceled and the song was immediately removed from the TV series.
sakura left the band in 1997, and former DIE IN CRIES drummer yukihiro replaced him for the REINCARNATION tour that year, subsequently serving as a support member for their first single after the incident, 虹 (Niji). Eventually, yukihiro officially joined the band and released the album HEART in 1998.
After the release of their eighth album REAL in 2000, L'Arc~en~Ciel went on a hiatus, releasing only compilation albums aside from their 2001 single, Spirit dreams inside -another dream-, the theme for the CG-animated Final Fantasy movie. During this time, each member engaged in solo projects: yukihiro with the band acid android, ken and former L'Arc~en~Ciel drummer sakura with SONS OF ALL PUSSYS, HYDE as a solo artist, and tetsu as TETSU69. On March 31st, 2004, L'Arc~en~Ciel released SMILE, their first album in four years.
On July 31st, 2004, L'Arc~en~Ciel performed their first concert in the United States at Otakon, a Japanese animation convention. They performed for an audience of more than 12,000 in Baltimore, Maryland.
They are best known outside of Japan for the song READY STEADY GO, which served as the second opening theme for the animated series Fullmetal Alchemist, and Link for the show's respective theatrical film. These songs earned them substantial Western popularity and attention to their album, SMILE, which was released in the United States by American label Tofu Records.
After more than a year since SMILE, the band released AWAKE on June 22nd, 2005, which was accompanied by ASIALIVE, L'Arc~en~Ciel's first tour to take them to South Korea and China, as well as the Japanese AWAKE tour.
The year 2006 marked the band's 15th anniversary since their debut. It was celebrated with the release of a box set of books titled L'Arc~en~Ciel BOX, re-releases of their first 15 singles along with the albums ark and ray, and the L'Anniversary live concerts held on November 25th and 26th. They also finally released the Fourth Avenue Cafe, the single canceled nearly 10 years prior, as part of their 15th anniversary celebrations.
The year 2007 saw increased activity for the band, with the release of four new singles, four DVD releases, the new album KISS, and the beginning of two back-to-back tours. The first was TOUR 2007-2008 THEATER OF KISS in Japan, followed by L'7 ～trans ASIA via PARIS～. The latter tour took them through Shanghai, Taiwan, Paris, Seoul, Hong Kong, and a return to Japan for shows in Tokyo and Osaka. At the end of this tour it was announced that the band would not tour again until their 20th anniversary in 2011. The band, however, says they're not on hiatus.
2008 saw the release of two new single from the band, DRINK IT DOWN released in April, and the double A-side NEXUS 4 / SHINE in August. Since then, HYDE has begun a new solo project with former OBLIVION DUST guitarist K.A.Z as VAMPS, with the release of a self-titled album and successful tours in Japan and the United States. With the legacy of 11 albums and 35 singles, L'Arc~en~Ciel continue to gather more and more fans throughout the world who eagerly await their return to renewed band activities.
Be destined
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
tsuchi no hito yo sono no chuu ou ni aru
zenniku no ki ni naru mi wa benuyoo to
kami ga watashi ni iru
tsuchi no hito yo naze nuno wo matou
moo hitori no watashi wa yoru goto samazamana jinsen wo okuru
ima moo hitori no watashi wa sono wo tsuihoo sareta
Be destined dakara konya mo chigau yume wo motomeru
Be destined daremo shirukoto no nai kyoohu de sae
moo hitori no watashi wa yoru goto samazamana jinsen wo okuru
moo hitori no watashi wa juujika ni yakareta
Be destined dakara konya mo chigau yume wo motomeru
Be destined daremo shirukoto no nai kyoohu de sae
Be destined kono sekai ga sukoshi demo mienai tamen
Be destined dare ni mo kizu karenuyoo kami ni sae nareru
The lyrics of L'Arc~en~Ciel's song Be destined explore the themes of destiny, individuality, and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The lyrics begin with the singer hearing the voice of a god, telling them that they are within the realm of the earth's central king, and that they will become a tree of wealth. The singer questions why the people of the earth would wear clothes despite having bodies that are already so beautiful.
The chorus of the song then repeats the phrase "Be destined", emphasizing the idea of fate and the importance of embracing one's individual destiny, even in the face of fear and uncertainty. The singer affirms their determination to pursue a different dream each night, even if it is different from the dreams of others or if it brings anxiety and doubt.
Overall, the lyrics of Be destined suggest that the key to finding meaning and purpose in life is to embrace one's own unique path, even if it is misunderstood or difficult to follow.
Line by Line Meaning
kami ga watashi ni iu
The gods are telling me
tsuchi no hito yo sono no chuu ou ni aru
People on this earth have a destiny in the middle of the universe
zenniku no ki ni naru mi wa benuyoo to
The body that becomes one with the virtuous tree is to be avoided
kami ga watashi ni iru
The gods are with me
tsuchi no hito yo naze nuno wo matou
People on this earth wonder why they wear clothes
arehodo kinjita mi wo kuchi ni shitanoka to
Did we really speak of such forbidden things?
moo hitori no watashi wa yoru goto samazamana jinsen wo okuru
As a lonely person, I send out various signals every night
ima moo hitori no watashi wa sono wo tsuihoo sareta
Now, as a lonely person, I am cornered
Be destined dakara konya mo chigau yume wo motomeru
Because I am destined, tonight too, I seek a different dream
Be destined daremo shirukoto no nai kyoohu de sae
Be destined, even in a frightening situation where nobody knows anything
moo hitori no watashi wa juujika ni yakareta
As a lonely person, I was burned on the cross
Be destined kono sekai ga sukoshi demo mienai tamen
Be destined, in order for this world to be seen even a little
dare ni mo kizu karenuyoo kami ni sae nareru
Anyone can become a god without getting hurt
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.