Formed in 1991, L'Arc~en~Ciel is one of the most popular rock bands from Ja… Read Full Bio ↴Formed in 1991, L'Arc~en~Ciel is one of the most popular rock bands from Japan. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist hyde, leader and bassist tetsuya, guitarist ken, and drummer yukihiro, who replaced drummer sakura in 1997. From their beginnings in Osaka, Japan, they previously included guitarist hiro and drummer pero. All four members are established composers which adds variety to their catalog of songs. Their music ranges from ballads, to hard rock, to light pop-rock tunes.

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.

Blame
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

もう一度あの二つに別れた道へ戻れるとして君に
触れないで迷わずこの道を選べるか解らないけれど

僕が犯した罪は肌を切るより
深い痕を残した
だけど神であれ責めさせはしない
あの時のように

胸の奥に突き刺さったままの
情景が抜けない
息が出来ずいくらもがいてみても
Please don't blame it on me

それは僕のこの足跡をたどれば誰もが解るだろう
果てない苦痛に歪まれた足跡をたどれば

君を今も想う日々が僕の全てだとしても
いつか時が膝を抱えた僕を連れてゆくよ

胸の奥に突き刺さったままの
情景が抜けない
息が出来ずいくらもがいてみても
Please don't blame it on me

君を今も想う日々が僕の全てだとしても
いつか時が膝を抱えた僕を連れてゆくよ

罪を数え暮らす日々が僕の全てだとしても
夜を踊り続けるだろう

La la la la la

Please don't blame it on me

君を今も想う日々が僕の全てだとしても

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of L'Arc~en~Ciel's song Blame depict a sense of guilt and regret for past actions. The singer addresses their desire to go back and choose a different path, wondering if they could resist the temptation to touch the person they parted ways with. The consequences of their actions have left deep scars that cannot be easily healed, but the singer insists that even if they were to face divine judgment, they would not be convicted for their wrongs.

The second verse delves into the physical and emotional pain that the singer has endured, and how their footsteps bear the marks of their suffering. However, despite the burden of their past, the singer admits that their thoughts still linger on their former partner who they loved deeply. Even though time will eventually take them away, the singer is not afraid to face their consequences and continue to live with the weight of their guilt.

Overall, the lyrics of Blame convey a sense of remorse and longing, as the singer tries to come to terms with their mistakes and the consequences that follow.

Line by Line Meaning

もう一度あの二つに別れた道へ
If I could go back to the fork in the road where we parted ways

戻れるとして君に
Even if it were possible to return

触れないで迷わずこの道を選べるか
Would I be able to choose this path without hesitation, and without reaching out to you?

解らないけれど
Though I don't know for sure

僕が犯した罪は肌を切るより
The crime I committed left deeper scars than any physical wound could

深い痕を残した
Those scars still run deep

だけど神であれ責めさせはしない
Yet even if God were to judge me, I wouldn't let them blame you

あの時のように
Just like back then

胸の奥に突き刺さったままの
That scene is still etched in my heart

情景が抜けない
No matter how hard I try, I can't erase it

息が出来ずいくらもがいてみても
Even if I struggle and gasp for breath