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.
If I Knew
MONKEY MAJIK Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Akogare o akiramerarenai
Juwaki goshi shizumu kimi no koe
Ato mou sukoshi mukiaeta no nara
Yureru ressha no mado ni hirogaru
Ooki na, ooki na kumo oikakete
All I know, all I know is that I wouldn't be headin' home now
If for only this one decision was not mine to choose
I wouldn't be headin' on home
I wouldn't be headin' on home
"Konna fuuni?" ashita ni toikakeru
Bukiyou de osaeru koto dekinai
Machigai o mitometeiru youde
Ato mou sukoshi hayaku kizuiteitara
Hosoku nagaku nante tsumaranai
Ooki na, ooki na tsubasa hirogete
If I knew, if I knew, if I knew just what to do, yeah
All I know, all I know is that I wouldn't be headin' home now
If for only this one decision was not mine to choose
I wouldn't be headin' on home
I wouldn't be headin' on home
If I knew, if I knew, if I knew just what to do, yeah
All I know, all I know is that I wouldn't be headin' home now
If for only this one decision was not mine to choose
I wouldn't be headin' on home
I wouldn't be headin' on home
"Donna fuuni?" ashita ni toikakeru
The lyrics of "If I Knew" convey the feeling of being lost and uncertain in life, unsure of the decisions that have led to the present moment. The song opens with the line "Donna fuuni?" which translates to "What should I do?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the song and establishes the theme of indecision and uncertainty. The singer reflects on their past decisions and regrets not being able to pursue their dreams with more determination.
The second verse shifts the focus to the future as the singer asks themselves "Konna fuuni?" or "What will I do?" They acknowledge their mistakes and shortcomings, recognizing that their indecisiveness has held them back. The lyrics express a sense of longing and the desire to break free from the chains of self-doubt and take control of their life.
The chorus repeats the same phrases with the addition of the line "All I know is that I wouldn't be headin' on home now." This line emphasizes the idea that the singer is stuck in a place they don't want to be, both physically and emotionally. The song ends with the same opening line, "Donna fuuni?" emphasizing that the search for direction and purpose in life continues.
Line by Line Meaning
Donna fuuni? kinou ni tooikakeru
What kind of world is it? I'm looking back on yesterday
Akogare o akiramerarenai
I can't give up on my aspirations
Juwaki goshi shizumu kimi no koe
Your voice sinks as you speak through the phone
Ato mou sukoshi mukiaeta no nara
If only we could have met a little longer
Yureru ressha no mado ni hirogaru
The large, large clouds chase after the swaying train window
Ooki na, ooki na kumo oikakete
They spread out, chasing big, big clouds
Konna fuuni? ashita ni toikakeru
What kind of world is it? I'm wondering about tomorrow
Bukiyou de osaeru koto dekinai
I can't control my clumsiness
Machigai o mitometeiru youde
It's like I'm admitting my mistakes
Ato mou sukoshi hayaku kizuiteitara
If only I had noticed a little faster
Hosoku nagaku nante tsumaranai
Being thin and long is boring
Ooki na, ooki na tsubasa hirogete
Spread big, big wings
If I knew, if I knew, if I knew just what to do, yeah
If I only knew what to do
All I know, all I know is that I wouldn't be headin' home now
I know that I wouldn't be heading home right now
If for only this one decision was not mine to choose
If only this decision wasn't mine to make
I wouldn't be headin' on home
I wouldn't be heading home
Contributed by Vivian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.