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
japanese modernist
MERRY Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Naze ano kuni dake?
Ano hi tonda GAREKI no ue eikyuu fumetsu no HEDONISUTO
SUITCHI ON de kyou mo tobimasu
Yowaki jibun ni "SAYONARA" BAIBAI
Shounen yo ima, mae ni susume
Shounen yo ima, taishi o dake
Minna SUKAIHAI de ima oyukinasai
GO MAD JAPANIIZU MODANISUTO
GO MAD JAPANIIZU HEDONISUTO
Umi yo, taiyou yo, chi no hate yo, ano sora yo
Kikoeru ka? Koe ga
Chichi yo, haha yo, imouto yo, otouto yo
Kikoeru ka? Koe ga...
Umi yo, taiyou yo, chi no hate yo, ano sora yo
Kikoeru ka?
The song "Japanese Modernist" seems to be a wholesome tribute to the strength and greatness of Japan as a nation. The lyrics pose the question, "Why is only that country strong?" and repeat it again, emphasizing the longing and curiosity behind it. The following lines describe a jump to a pile of rubble, a "hedonist" who flies on with headphones on, bidding farewell to their weaker self. It seems as though the song is alluding to the idea that Japan is a country of resilience, bouncing back from destruction and hardship with determination, much like the hedonist who takes flight.
The chorus reinforces the idea of going crazy, going "mad" as a Japanese modernist, and taking flight towards the sky, sea, and sun. It seems like a call to action for young boys, telling them to move forward and face their challenges, to only look ahead and achieve their goals. The last part of the lyrics asks if the voice is heard from the sea, the sun, the end of the earth, and the sky, and then asks if the voice is that of a father, mother, sister, or brother, leaving the listener with a sense of connection and nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
Naze ano kuni dake ga tsuyoi?
Why is that country the only one that's strong?
Naze ano kuni dake?
Why is that country the only one?
Ano hi tonda GAREKI no ue eikyuu fumetsu no HEDONISUTO
On that day, a hedonist jumped onto a pile of rubble that will last forever
SUITCHI ON de kyou mo tobimasu
Today, I also jump with a switch on
Yowaki jibun ni 'SAYONARA' BAIBAI
Goodbye to a weak me
Shounen yo ima, mae ni susume
Boy, now go forward
Shounen yo ima, taishi o dake
Boy, only aim forward
Shikkari to mae dake o mitsumete
Steadily focus only on what's ahead
Minna SUKAIHAI de ima oyukinasai
Everyone, swim freely now in the skyhigh
GO MAD JAPANIIZU MODANISUTO
Go mad, Japanese modernist
GO MAD JAPANIIZU HEDONISUTO
Go mad, Japanese hedonist
Umi yo, taiyou yo, chi no hate yo, ano sora yo
Oh ocean, sun, end of land, that sky
Kikoeru ka? Koe ga
Can you hear it? My voice
Chichi yo, haha yo, imouto yo, otouto yo
Oh father, mother, sister, brother
Kikoeru ka? Koe ga...
Can you hear it? My voice...
Umi yo, taiyou yo, chi no hate yo, ano sora yo
Oh ocean, sun, end of land, that sky
Kikoeru ka?
Can you hear it?
Contributed by Elena R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
noddypeak
his scream are awesome SO freaking awesome
Ezel
the way the fans dance is so different from occidental people
skateweb
gara with devilock :D
The Overweight Pumper
Anybody has an idea of where can I find English translations of this and other Merry songs?
Patrick Bastos
Here it goes 11 years later:
ROMAJI:
JAPANIZU MODANISUTO
go mad JAPANIZU MODANISUTO
uuoo~naze ano kuni dake ga tsuyou
uuoo~naze ano kuni dake?
ano hi tondaa GAREKI no ue eikyuu
fumetsu no HEDONISUTO
SUICCHI ON de kyou mo tonbimasu
yowaki jibun ni "SAYONARA" BAIBAI
shounen yo ima, mae ni susume,
shounen yo ima, taishi wo dake
shikkari to mae dake mitsumete
minna SUKAIHAI de ima oyuki nasai
go mad JAPANIZU MODANISUTO
go mad JAPANIZU MODANISUTO
ume yo, taiyou yo, chi no hate yo, ano sora yo kikoeru ka? koe ga
chichi yo, haha yo, imouto yo, otouto yo kikoeru ka? koe ga...
ume yo, taiyou yo, chi no hate yo, ano sora yo kikoeru ka?
ENGLISH:
Japanese Modernist
Go Mad
Japanese Modernist
Why is only that country strong?(3x)*
Why only that country?**
That day I flew above the rubble and debris
an eternally indestructible hedonist
I'll switch on and fly today too
Say goodbye to the weak me (bye bye)
Now advance forward, boy!
Now grasp your ambitions, boy!
Steadily fix your eyes forward
Everyone's sky-high, now please go die.
Japanese Modernist
Go Mad
Japanese Modernist
Sea! Sun! The ends of the Earth! That sky!
Can you hear it? (x3)
My voice
Father! Mother! Younger Sister! Younger Brother!
Can you hear it? (x3)
My voice
Sea! Sun! The ends of the Earth! That sky!
Can you hear it? (x3)
My voice
Antonio Otero
2006.10.10
ペンチャンネル
DIR EN GREYと同じ事してる