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.
killing me
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
手を伸ばしたら届きそうな
いつか落ちる太陽焦げついた
My wasted dream
何処へ向かうのか知りもしない
爆音に乗せて夜を明かす
愛さえ零れて落ちる
Killing me 壊れそうなくらい
甘くくちづけて きっと夢は醒めない
この世界をとめて
いつまでも (ah broken time) とけていたい (ah broken time)
瞳は (ah broken time) あけないで (ah broken time)
Ah 掲げた正義を旗めかせ
地の果てまでも塗りつぶせ
無邪気に笑うのさ知らないふりで
指先に転がる未来
Killing me 壊れそうなくらい
甘くくちづけて きっと夢は醒めない
この世界をとめて
いつまでも (ah broken time) くずれない (ah broken time)
愛を今 (ah broken time) 見つけたから (ah broken time)
Killing me 壊れそうなくらい
甘くくちづけて きっと夢は醒めない
この世界をとめて
決して君が傍に居なくなる前に
Kiss me 壊れそうなくらい
甘くくちづけて
いつまでも (ah broken time) とけていたい (ah broken time)
瞳は (ah broken time) あけないで (ah broken time)
The lyrics of L'Arc~en~Ciel's song Killing Me describe a feeling of despair and uncertainty about life, and the desire to escape reality. The first verse talks about a sun that seems within reach but always falls beyond one’s grasp, representing a dream that cannot be realized. The second verse describes a feeling of aimlessness, being lost, and unable to save oneself from despair. The chorus talks about the sweet kisses of a dream and a desire to stop time, never letting go of the dream. The bridge talks about the flag of justice being raised and the future being held in one's fingertips. The final chorus repeats the desire to never let go of the dream, and to kiss until the end of time.
The song conveys strong emotions of desperation and longing for something unattainable, a sense of being lost and adrift in the world. Its upbeat tempo and catchy melody contrast with the melancholic lyrics, creating a complicated and nuanced listening experience. The song reflects the band's unique sound, blending rock, pop, and alternative music genres, and is a popular choice among their fans.
Line by Line Meaning
ハッ!
A sudden exhale of breath, indicating excitement, anticipation or energy
手を伸ばしたら届きそうな
The sun that looks like it's almost within reach
いつか落ちる太陽焦げついた
The sun that is ready to set, leaving only burnt and barren land
My wasted dream
A dream that has been unfulfilled, leading to feelings of regret and dissatisfaction
何処へ向かうのか知りもしない
Not knowing where to go in life, feeling lost and directionless
爆音に乗せて夜を明かす
Spending the night partying to forget the struggles of life
胸の風穴はもう 施しようも無い
Feeling so empty inside that nothing can fill the void
愛さえ零れて落ちる
Even love seems to be slipping away from one's grasp
Killing me 壊れそうなくらい
Feeling like one's heart is going to break from the stress and pain they are feeling
甘くくちづけて きっと夢は醒めない
Sharing a sweet kiss in hopes that their dreams will come true and they won't have to face reality
この世界をとめて
Wanting time to stand still, to enjoy the perfect moment
いつまでも (ah broken time) とけていたい (ah broken time)
Wanting to stay together forever, in a world that seems to be falling apart
瞳は (ah broken time) あけないで (ah broken time)
Closing one's eyes, not wanting to see the harsh reality of the world
Ah 掲げた正義を旗めかせ
Holding high the banner of justice and righteousness
地の果てまでも塗りつぶせ
Filling the world with one's ideology, no matter how far they have to go
無邪気に笑うのさ知らないふりで
Putting on a facade of innocence and indifference, hiding one's true feelings
指先に転がる未来
The hope and promise of the future, within arm's reach
決して君が傍に居なくなる前に
Not wanting to be separated from a loved one, wanting to cherish the moments spent together
Kiss me 壊れそうなくらい
Sharing a passionate kiss, feeling like their heart is going to break from the intensity of the emotion
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Hyde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind