The band's first big hit was the single Around The World, the theme song of the TV drama Saiyuuki-Journey to the West. In 2007 they worked on a number of collaborations with other J-pop artists, including hip-hop duo m-flo ("Picture Perfect"), SEAMO ("卒業、そして未来へ。") and the 吉田兄弟 ("Change").
The album 空はまるで (Sora wa Maru de), was released July 25, 2007. 空はまるで is MONKEY MAJIK's fourth original full-length album. The first press of the album includes two bonus tracks from the MONKEY MAJIK × MONKEY MAGIC single. The song 空はまるで was used as the Yokohama Type image song and became the first song in Japanese History to reach #1 on USEN Request Chart before being released.
On September 2008, they released another album, TIME and the album opened its first week at #2 on the Oricon Chart. They also made a collaboration with 土屋アンナ for the song GINGER that was featured in her album, NUDY SHOW! and was used for the Asahi Ginger Draft commercial song.
In 2009 they released two singles: アイシテル and 虹色の魚 / Open Happiness / MONSTER. Early 2010 they released the single SAKURA and a new compilation titled MONKEY MAJIK BEST ～10Years & Forever～ containing songs from thank you to the newest single. The compilation also contains a song titled Fast Forward which was used as the opening theme for the anime Nurarihyon no Mago.
Later 2010, they announced the 6th album and a brand new single. The new single titled ぬらりひょんの孫 オープニングテーマ EP contains the tracks Sunshine and Fast Forward, both used as opening themes for Nurarihyon no Mago and the single was released November 24, 2010. The album, titled westview was released in February 2, 2011. They released a compilation album titled RARE TRACKS in March 2, 2011, containing b-sides from singles and random songs used to movies and animes.
The band took a break after the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, and in October 26 they released their 15th single: Headlight, followed by the 16th single in early 2012, HERO. In March 7 the band released their 7th original album: Somewhere Out There.
Decay
MONKEY MAJIK Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kuchi wa joozu sore kurai nante, itsuka itsuka sore itsu no hanashi?
Okubyoomono to iwa re taku nai kara, iiwake sagashi ni zenryoku age teru
Don't let me decay
Don't let me decay
Don't let me decay now
Nagareboshi o machiwabi te mo, ki ga tsui ta toki kie teru
Okubyoomono to iwa re taku nai noni, tsuyoki no yowa sa waki agaru
That's all I have to say
Don't let me decay
Don't let me decay
Don't let me decay now
Kuruma wa ashimoto baiku wa migite ni
How long is it gonna take before I free myself from this place
Nagareboshi wa mikata ni tsuke rare nai
Is it gonna take a while I'll pack my bags
I've been through this before
Doose nara ba tachimukae ba
Don't let me decay now
Doko ka no dare no tame ja naku te
Don't let me decay now
Don't let me decay
Don't let me decay
Don't let me decay now
The lyrics of "Decay" by MONKEY MAJIK depict the struggles of an individual who feels stuck in their current situation and desires to break free. The song begins with the singer expressing frustration with their inability to speak up and ask for what they want. The rain falling outside is a metaphor for the tears that cannot be shed because of the fear of showing vulnerability. The singer acknowledges their own skillful manipulation of words, wondering when they will have a real conversation with someone that matters.
Later on, the singer acknowledges the temptation to waste time and let opportunities slip away because it is easier than risking failure. They recognize the importance of seizing opportunities in order to avoid stagnation and decay, hence the refrain "Don't let me decay." The lyrics suggest that the singer has been in this position before, but they are determined to face their fears this time and take action to move forward. There is also a sense of urgency in the repetition of "Don't let me decay now," as if time is running out and the singer needs to act fast.
Line by Line Meaning
Kitto kuchi o ake te matte tatte, ima no mama ja ame mo morae nai
Surely if I stand here with my mouth open, I won't catch any rain as it is, right now.
Kuchi wa joozu sore kurai nante, itsuka itsuka sore itsu no hanashi?
I'm good with words, but what's the point if there's never going to be a time when I can use them?
Okubyoomono to iwa re taku nai kara, iiwake sagashi ni zenryoku age teru
I don't want to be called a coward, so I'm desperately searching for excuses.
Don't let me decay
Please don't let me fall apart or deteriorate.
Kitto toki o muda ni sugose ba, itsuka kitto muchi ga tobu yo
If we spend our time uselessly, someday we'll regret it.
Nagareboshi o machiwabi te mo, ki ga tsui ta toki kie teru
Even if we wait for shooting stars, they disappear as soon as we notice them.
Okubyoomono to iwa re taku nai noni, tsuyoki no yowa sa waki agaru
Although I don't want to be called a coward, my weakness is becoming stronger.
That's all I have to say
I don't have anything else to express.
Kuruma wa ashimoto baiku wa migite ni
The car is right below and the bike is on the right side.
How long is it gonna take before I free myself from this place
When will I be able to leave this place?
Nagareboshi wa mikata ni tsuke rare nai
We can't rely on shooting stars.
Is it gonna take a while I'll pack my bags
If it's going to take some time, I'll start preparing to leave.
I've been through this before
I've experienced this situation in the past.
Doose nara ba tachimukae ba
Whenever an opportunity arises, I'll face it.
Don't let me decay now
Please don't let me fall apart or deteriorate now.
Doko ka no dare no tame ja naku te
It's not for someone else's sake, but for my own.
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.