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.
Peeping Tom
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
飾らないで ラルララ手をつなごう
会ってもないのに何だって知ってる
だまったままでも目覚めの時間も
眠れぬ夜のこともお見通しなんて
うんざりするよ夏の足音が聞こえているのに
ばかばかしいけど なんて悲劇でしょう
あした晴れたなら 髪をゆらせて
やすらぐまで ラルララ君といよう
季節に誘われて漂いたいのさ
そうだから そうだから
もう少しそっとしといて!
本当のことは耳元でそっと囁いていよう
この世の中では開き直りもないと壊れちゃうのさ
影みたいに地球の果てまでついてくるつもり?
イライラするから雨の音を聞いた
あした晴れたなら こころ連れ出して
飾らないで ラルララ手をつなごう
あした晴れたなら 髪をゆらせて
やすらぐまで ラルララ君といよう
色つき眼鏡じゃ見えなくなるよ
そうだから そうだから
もう少しそっとしといて!
The lyrics of Peeping Tom by L'Arc~en~Ciel are about the ups and downs of a romantic relationship. The singer expresses his desire to be with his lover under clear skies and how much he hates the feeling of being watched or judged. He wants to hold hands and escape from the reality of the world, which demands him to be perfect all the time. The song also touches on the issue of communication in a relationship. The singer feels that he knows his lover's feelings and thoughts even when they haven't met, and it's frustrating for him. He wants her to speak up and tell him what's on her mind. The song is a beautiful blend of the singer's emotions and the music, which, with its upbeat tempo, gives a feeling of hope and optimism.
Line by Line Meaning
あした晴れたなら こころ連れ出して
If tomorrow is sunny, let's take our hearts out
飾らないで ラルララ手をつなごう
Without pretense, let's hold hands and go
会ってもないのに何だって知ってる
Even though we haven't met, I know everything
だまったままでも目覚めの時間も
Even in silence, I know the time to wake up
眠れぬ夜のこともお見通しなんて
I know even about the sleepless nights
うんざりするよ夏の足音が聞こえているのに
Even though I hear the sound of summer, it's frustrating
ばかばかしいけど なんて悲劇でしょう
It's ridiculous, but what a tragedy
あした晴れたなら 髪をゆらせて
If tomorrow is sunny, let's sway our hair
やすらぐまで ラルララ君といよう
Let's be together, listening to the lalala until we relax
季節に誘われて漂いたいのさ
I want to drift while being invited by the season
そうだから そうだから
Yes, that's why, that's why
もう少しそっとしといて!
Let's keep it a little quieter!
本当のことは耳元でそっと囁いていよう
Let's whisper the truth gently in your ear
この世の中では開き直りもないと壊れちゃうのさ
In this world, if you don't cope with it, you'll break
影みたいに地球の果てまでついてくるつもり?
Do you plan to follow me like a shadow to the ends of the earth?
イライラするから雨の音を聞いた
I listened to the sound of rain because I was getting frustrated
Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.