The band's music and lyrical imagery are likely influenced by the liberal Taisho and early Showa era, a period of significant artistic and musical movement when Japan shifted further towards Western concepts, and industrialization brought jazz and blues to Japanese culture. Similarly, MERRY fuse the these genres with rock music to create a "modern avant-garde" sound, or "modern-garde" as their second album is named. Along with cali≠gari, MERRY are also noted for their early "eroguro" (erotic, grotesque) themes.
MERRY was formed in Tokyo, Japan by Gara (ガラ, vocals), Yuu (結生, guitar), Kenichi (健一, guitar), Tetsu (テツ, bass) and Nero (ネロ, drums) in October 2001. Their aggressive performance and melancholic sounds got on the topics. They established an independent record label “GEKIYAKU RECORD” in 2002, and released two studio-albums, a couple of singles, and played numerous shows around Japan.
They signed to Victor Entertainment Inc. in September 2005, and the following year, they started their longest tour, performing nationwide, and played an impressive tour-final show at YOKOHAMA CULTURAL GYMNASIUM on 3rd May 2008. In 2006, they have performed outside of Japan for the first time in their history, and played successfully in München/Germany, Paris/France and Los Angeles/USA.
The band has released four studio-albums, nine singles and three DVD's from Victor Entertainment Inc.
In Europe, they've got signed on Gan-shin Records in 2005, which has released all four studio-albums.
In 2010 they were signed to FREE-WILL Co.,Ltd and management sun-krad. MERRY released their first single "The Cry Against... / モノクローム" on FIREWALL DIV. (same label as Dir en grey) on August 4th.
The band was previously known as メリー but changed their name officially to Merry in 2007. Another name change was done in 2010 when the band was signed to FREE-WILL Co.,Ltd changing the name officially to MERRY uppercased.
MERRY released another single "クライシスモメント" (Crisis Moment) on October 6th, 2010.
On the release day, MERRY announced the title and tracklist for their upcoming single "夜光" (Yakou), which is expected to be released on December 1st.
MERRY's official homepage: http://merryweb.jp/
MERRY's official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/merrymerrycojp
Meisai no Shinshi
MERRY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nibukusai egosentorikku hiiroo
Dokusai opinion riidaa
Despot@despot
Afureru chisei ni ima kyouiku wo kanata mukou ni oeta kinokogumo
Mitsume kimi wa waratteta mitsume kimi wa waratteta
Puropaganda de sendou se yo puropaganda de koufuku are
Seron anarisutotachi ga hoeteiru uchiosenu mashin gan tooku de
Iidashitara tomaranai iidashitemo tomaranai...
Karada bakari ga sechou shite, kangaekata ga hinkon desu ne?
Daitanfuteki ni warau, boku ga ita
The lyrics of "Meisai no Shinshi" by MERRY describe a world that is dominated by propaganda and control. The first two lines speak of "poisonous artificial fish reality" and "insidious egocentric heroism," suggesting that people's perceptions of the world are not their own, but rather products of manipulation. The singer then refers to a "despot," who may be the one behind this propaganda and control, or possibly a symbol of the system itself.
The chorus speaks of "propaganda" and "brainwashing," which are used to "control" and "bring happiness" to the people. The verses continue to paint a picture of a society that values physical appearance and conformity over creativity and individuality. The line "if I let it out, it won't stop" suggests that there is a pressure to conform and suppress individuality, and that breaking away from the norm could have consequences.
The final line, "boku ga ita" translates to "I was there," indicating that the singer has been a part of this world, and possibly complicit in the propaganda and control themselves. Overall, the lyrics suggest a bleak view of a society that is dominated by external influences, and that individuality and creativity are not valued.
Line by Line Meaning
Dokusai aatifisharu riaritii
Unique artificial reality
Nibukusai egosentorikku hiiroo
Poisonous egocentric hero
Dokusai opinion riidaa
Opinionated leader
Despot despot
Dictator, dictator
Afureru chisei ni ima kyouiku wo kanata mukou ni oeta kinokogumo
The mushroom, overflowing with wisdom, now surpassed education and went beyond
Mitsume kimi wa waratteta mitsume kimi wa waratteta
You stared and laughed, you stared and laughed
Puropaganda de shouchou sare puropaganda de sennou are
Manipulated by propaganda, controlled by propaganda
Puropaganda de sendou se yo puropaganda de koufuku are
Attack with propaganda, happiness with propaganda
Seron anarisutotachi ga hoeteiru uchiosenu mashin gan tooku de
Silent nihilists howling in the distance of an unmanned machine
Iidashitara tomaranai iidashitemo tomaranai...
Can't stop even if I speak out, can't stop even if I do
Karada bakari ga sechou shite, kangaekata ga hinkon desu ne?
Only our bodies are growing, isn't our way of thinking poor?
Daitanfuteki ni warau, boku ga ita
I laughed recklessly, that was me
Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.