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.
Singin' in the Rain
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
口ずさめば街に君を想うよ
あぁいつもの道は傘にゆれる
色とりどりに華やいで
あいもかわらず僕は山積みの問題を
抱えこんだままで駆け回ってるよ
ふと立ち止まって見上げた空は
あぁひとつひとつ雫がきらめいて
いつまでも降りつづけ心へ
君の好きだった雨に優しく包まれて
素敵な歌は今でも流れてくるよ
I'm just singin' in the rain with you
遠回りするたびため息ついてたね
そんなやり方しかできないみたいさ
そう雨やどりしていたね 君に
あぁこんな日には時間がよみがえる
いつまでも降りつづけ心へ
君の好きだった雨に優しく包まれて
素敵な歌は今でも流れてくるよ
I'm just singin' in the rain with you
ライラライライライ
いつまでも降りつづけ心へ
君の好きだった雨に優しく包まれて
ずっとずっと やまないで
つれだしていたいよ ah-ah
もっともっと やまないで
だきよせていたいよ
心が枯れないように
The lyrics of L'Arc~en~Ciel's Singin' in the Rain describe walking through the rain, which is comforting and rejuvenating rather than miserable. The singer sings about how the sound of the rain sensually lifts him up and allows his thoughts to drift towards the person he is in love with. He feels like he's walking his usual route, but the rain makes everything look so much more colorful and vibrant. He also talks about how he's trying to cope with the problems he has, but he can't seem to shake them off, and they're always on his mind.
However, he pauses and looks up and sees the raindrops sparkling in the sky. They remind him of the person he loves and how the rain was something they both enjoyed together. Despite the negative things that life has thrown at him, he feels comfort in little moments like these. The second verse is about how he's traveling a longer way, and he can't help but heave a sigh, but it's the only way he knows how to do things. He reminisces about times spent sheltering from the rain with the person he is in love with and how those times are precious to him.
The chorus repeats that the rain is still falling, and he is enveloped by the same sense of security and comfort it provides. He remembers the sweet melodies of the time that he spent singing in the rain with the person he loves, and it brings a smile to his face. He wishes the rain would never stop because he wants to keep that sense of security with him forever.
Line by Line Meaning
静かな雨音が心地よくはずんで
The peaceful sound of rain is comforting and uplifting
口ずさめば街に君を想うよ
When I hum along, I think of you and our memories together in the city
あぁいつもの道は傘にゆれる
The usual path shakes under my umbrella
色とりどりに華やいで
It's vibrant and lively, full of color
あいもかわらず僕は山積みの問題を 抱えこんだままで駆け回ってるよ
Nevertheless, I am still running around, carrying a pile of problems with me
ふと立ち止まって見上げた空は あぁひとつひとつ雫がきらめいて
When I pause and look up, the sky is sparkling with each and every raindrop
いつまでも降りつづけ心へ 君の好きだった雨に優しく包まれて
The rain keeps pouring gently over my heart, just like how you loved it
素敵な歌は今でも流れてくるよ I'm just singin' in the rain with you
A beautiful melody still echoes, as I just sing in the rain with you
遠回りするたびため息ついてたね そんなやり方しかできないみたいさ
We used to sigh every time we took a detour, as if we couldn't do it any other way
そう雨やどりしていたね 君に あぁこんな日には時間がよみがえる
Yes, we used to hide from the rain together, and on days like this, those times come back to life
ライラライライライ
La la la la la
ずっとずっと やまないで つれだしていたいよ ah-ah
I want this rain to keep on falling forever, as I want to be with you
もっともっと やまないで だきよせていたいよ
I want it to rain even harder, as I want to hold you closer
心が枯れないように
So that my heart doesn't wither away
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hyde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind