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.
the Fourth Avenue Cafe
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
彩られた記憶に寄せて
さよなら 愛をくれたあの人は
この瞳に揺らめいていた
途切れない気持ちなんて
初めから信じてなかった
移りゆく街並に取り残されたまま
行き交うあの人々が今は
遠くに感じられて
ざわめきさえ薄れては
溜め息に消えてしまう
空席に見つめられた
退屈な休日には
終わることなくあなたが
流れ続けている
分かっていても気付かない振りして
溺れていたよ いつでも
誰かのこと想ってる
横顔でも素敵だったから
季節は穏やかに終りを告げたね
彩られた記憶に寄せて
さよなら 愛をくれたあの人は
この瞳に揺らめいていた
あと どれくらいだろう?
そばに居てくれるのは
そう 思いながら
時を刻んでいたよ
寄せては返してく oh 波のように
この心はさらわれて
今日も街は相も変わらず想い巡らせ
それぞれに描いてゆく
さよなら 愛をくれたあの人は
遠い空に 恋焦がれて
この瞳に揺らめいていた
移りゆく街並に 溜め息はこぼれた
The lyrics of L'Arc~en~Ciel's "Fourth Avenue Cafe" evoke a sense of nostalgia and lost love, speaking to the emotions one feels when thinking back over a relationship that has ended. The opening lines set the tone by bidding farewell to a season, symbolizing an ending that is bittersweet. The memories of a person who once loved the singer come to mind and haunt them, their image dancing in front of their eyes. The singer admits that they never believed in everlasting love, that there was always a sense of cynicism within them. As the world changes around them, they are left behind, unable to catch up. The people they once knew now feel far away, and the bustle of the city fades into the background.
The second verse describes a boring day, perhaps one of many since the relationship ended. The melody of the song is constant, like a flowing river, and the person they once loved continues to haunt their thoughts. Even when they realize that they are lost and drowning, wishing that they could be rescued, they continue to think of that person. The sight of their profile, even in memory, is beautiful to them. As the song returns to the chorus, the cycle of seasons and memories are repeated. The person they loved is far away, and the city continues to buzz on, but the singer is left behind, forever holding onto their memories.
Line by Line Meaning
季節は穏やかに終りを告げたね
The season has peacefully come to an end.
彩られた記憶に寄せて
I reminisce on the colorful memories.
さよなら 愛をくれたあの人は
That person who gave me love said goodbye.
この瞳に揺らめいていた
They were wavering in my eyes.
途切れない気持ちなんて
I never believed in never-ending feelings.
初めから信じてなかった
I didn't trust it from the beginning.
移りゆく街並に取り残されたまま
Left behind in the changing cityscape.
行き交うあの人々が今は
Those people passing by now,
遠くに感じられて
Feel far away.
ざわめきさえ薄れては
Even the noise fades away,
溜め息に消えてしまう
Disappears into a sigh.
空席に見つめられた
Staring at an empty seat,
退屈な休日には
On a boring day off,
終わることなくあなたが
You, who never ends,
流れ続けている
Continue to flow.
分かっていても気付かない振りして
Knowing, but pretending not to notice,
溺れていたよ いつでも
I was drowning, always.
誰かのこと想ってる
Thinking of someone,
横顔でも素敵だったから
Because even the profile was lovely.
あと どれくらいだろう?
I wonder how much longer?
そばに居てくれるのは
Those who are there for me,
そう 思いながら
I think so.
時を刻んでいたよ
I kept time ticking.
寄せては返してく oh 波のように
Come and go like waves.
この心はさらわれて
My heart is taken away.
今日も街は相も変わらず想い巡らせ
Today, the city is still full of thoughts.
それぞれに描いてゆく
Each person will draw it differently.
遠い空に 恋焦がれて
Longing for the distant sky,
さよなら 愛をくれたあの人は
That person who gave me love said goodbye.
この瞳に揺らめいていた
They were wavering in my eyes.
移りゆく街並に
In the changing cityscape,
溜め息はこぼれた
a sigh spills out.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hyde, Ken
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind