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.
Caress of Venus
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
乾いた風がくすぐっている
流れる長い髪に 瞳はさらわれて
加速された時間の針を
いつも何処か冷めた眼で
眺めていたけど
この世界は堕ちて行くから
踊り疲れた後も君を抱いていたい
瓦礫の上 慌ただしくて
止まれなくていつの間にか
忘れていたけど
君が笑うと嬉しくて
明日が来てもかまわない
Caress of Venus
素直なまま 口づけたら
さぁ お気に召すがままに
指先まで何もかもが
廻ってゆく溢れてゆく
見えなくなるまで
君がいないと苦しくて
何がおきても放さない
君が笑うと嬉しくて
明日が無くてもかまわない
君をキレイなあの場所へ
連れて行けたら素敵だね
君の全てが 君を誰にも
君のためなら 君にあげよう
君に瞳はさらわれて
The lyrics to L'Arc~en~Ciel's song Caress of Venus describes the singer's infatuation with someone's beauty, particularly their long flowing hair and white skin. The singer is constantly watching the passing of time, but is captivated by the beauty of the person they long to hold and caress. Even amidst the chaos and rubble surrounding them, the singer is focused on the person they are infatuated with, finding joy in their smile and willing to do anything for them. The singer confesses their desire to take the person they adore to a beautiful place and give them everything they have.
Line by Line Meaning
真白なその肌を乾いた
The dry wind is tickling your pure white skin
流れる長い髪に瞳はさらわれて...
Your eyes are captivated by your long flowing hair...
加速された時間の針をいつも何処か冷めた眼で眺めていたけど
Although you always stare at the accelerating clock hands with a cold gaze
朝が訪れるまでこの世界は堕ちて行くから
This world is falling until the morning comes
踊り疲れた後も君を抱いていたい...
Even after dancing to exhaustion, I still want to hold you tight...
瓦礫の上慌ただしくて止まれなくていつの間にか忘れていたけど
On top of rubble, everything was rushed and I couldn't stop, but somehow I had forgotten
君が笑うと嬉しくて明日が無くてもかまわない
I am happy when you smile, even if tomorrow doesn't exist
caress of venus
Caress of Venus
素直なまま口づけたらさぁお気に召すがままに
If I kissed you honestly, please do as you please
指先まで何もかもが廻ってゆく溢れてゆく見えなくなるまで
Everything circulates and overflows, until it cannot be seen, even to the fingertips
君がいないと苦しくて何がおきても放さない
I can't bear the pain without you, I won't let go no matter what happens
君をキレイなあの場所へ連れて行けたら素敵だね
It would be wonderful if I could take you to that beautiful place
君の全てが......君を誰にも......君のためなら......君にあげよう......君に瞳はさらわれて
All of you...... I won't give you to anyone else...... I'll give you everything...... I'm captivated by your eyes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hyde, Ken
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind