In addition to his solo works, he is a member of the Electronica duo Kimonos, which formed in 2010 with Mukai Shutoku of Zazen Boys. He is also is a member of the band Metafive, formed in 2015 with Yukihiro Takahashi, Keigo Oyamada, Yoshinori Sunahara, Towa Tei, and Tomohiko Gondo.
Alongside his own projects, he continues to contribute a wide range of music and text to various other artists.
Born in Tokyo to a Japanese father and Swedish mother. Educated at SOAS and Oxford University. Settled in Tokyo in July 2006 to launch music career with debut album ‘City Folk’.
Showcasing a variety of styles from heart-rending killer-tunes to angular rap, he not only represents a new style of singer-songwriter in J-Pop, but his blend of lyrical passion and austerity of design may mark something new for the world at large.
Rush
LEO今井 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I forgot all my lines, and I missed my cues
All I say is misunderstood anyway
So these days I shut up, and I hope and pray
My optimistic rush will come around, soon enough
The ice will soon be crushed, so push your love
I am my own and if there's a price I have to pay, I'll pay
So why don't you all move out the way
Back up, come on, your rush is on its way
Get up, come on, you might get one today
どうだった、振り返ってみて?
折れた絆を辿って
何を求めてたんだろう?
君を犠牲にする程
色褪せ時の別れと出会い
霜枯れ時と共に
君は戻らないけど、夢でそっと
僕の背後にいて、いて
背骨を押し続け
失うものも無くて
俄かなるラッシュ感じて
愛は戻らないけど、僕はそっと
君の為にだけ、だけ
歌を口ずさんで
美しすぎる全て
唄い尽くす終わりまで
俄かなるラッシュ感じて
The first stanza of LEO今井's song Rush discusses a feeling of being lost and misunderstood. The singer believes that they were born to lose and have forgotten their lines and missed their cues. They express that they are misunderstood, so they often choose to stay quiet and hope for the best. However, they have a sense of optimism and hope that their rush will come around soon enough and the ice will soon be crushed - a metaphor for breaking free from their current situation. The line "push your love" is likely a call to action to those around the singer to show more love and affection.
In the next stanza, the singer declares that they do not care about what others say and they are their own person, willing to pay the price for their choices. They ask others to "move out the way" and make room for their rush to come through. The last line of the stanza "you might get one today" gives a subtle hint that the rush the singer is referring to is not reserved for just themselves, but also for others willing to take the leap.
The final stanza of the song is in Japanese and adds another layer of meaning to the lyrics. It talks about reminiscing on past memories, including the broken bonds that have since faded away like the "frost withering away." Although the person the singer sings to may never return, they will continue to push forward and feel the rush that they experience when they sing for them.
Overall, the song talks about feeling lost and misunderstood but still having hope for a better future. The singer is willing to take risks and pay the price for their choices, and they hope those around them can do the same. The use of a rush metaphor adds a sense of urgency to the song, giving it a powerful message of taking action and making the most of the present.
Line by Line Meaning
All I've got is a feeling I'm born to lose
I feel like I'm meant to fail and that's all I have
I forgot all my lines, and I missed my cues
I've messed up and missed my chances
All I say is misunderstood anyway
No one understands me when I speak
So these days I shut up, and I hope and pray
I've stopped talking and I'm praying for things to get better
My optimistic rush will come around, soon enough
My positive feelings will return eventually
The ice will soon be crushed, so push your love
Coldness will melt away so show your affection
Don't give a damn what they all say
I don't care about their opinions
I am my own and if there's a price I have to pay, I'll pay
I'm responsible for myself and I'll accept the consequences
So why don't you all move out the way
Get out of my way
Back up, come on, your rush is on its way
Move back, your turn is coming soon
Get up, come on, you might get one today
Get up and try, you might succeed today
どうだった、振り返ってみて?
How was it when you looked back?
折れた絆を辿って
Following broken bonds
何を求めてたんだろう?
I wonder what I was searching for
君を犠牲にする程
To the extent of sacrificing you
色褪せ時の別れと出会い
Meeting farewells and new encounters as colors fade
霜枯れ時と共に
Together with the frosted season
君は戻らないけど、夢でそっと
You won't come back, but you're silently in my dreams
僕の背後にいて、いて
Please stay behind me
背骨を押し続け
Pushing my backbone forward
失うものも無くて
With nothing left to lose
俄かなるラッシュ感じて
Feeling a sudden rush
愛は戻らないけど、僕はそっと
Love won't come back, but I softly
君の為にだけ、だけ
For you, and only you
歌を口ずさんで
Humbly sing a song
美しすぎる全て
Everything too beautiful
唄い尽くす終わりまで
Until I've sung everything at the end
俄かなるラッシュ感じて
Feeling a sudden rush
Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.