Mr.Children is one of the most popular bands in Japan. They made their major debut in 1992 with the release of their first album, "EVERYTHING", but it wasn't until one of their singles was used as a drama theme song, like their fourth single "Cross Road", that they started getting noticed. They got their big break in 1994 with the release of their fifth single, "innocent world", which made record sales and earned the Japan Record Award in 1994. Their fourth album, "Atomic Heart", which was released in the same year, is still their top selling album to date. Since then, all their singles have been number one hits in the Oricon charts like "Tomorrow never knows" and "Namonaki-uta", and many of them became million sellers, and they've produced other noteworthy albums.
In 1997, they took a long vacation, and came back to the Japanese music scene the next year with the single "Owari-naki-tabi."
Their sound is essentially a blend of light pop and classic rock. But due to the band's inclination to experiment with various music styles, their sound is constantly evolving. They have delved into various types of rock as well as jazz, blues, folk, country, and dance. Despite this constant change, however, their music has progressed successfully, proving them to be a versatile band that can last.
The main force behind the band is their singer and songwriter, Kazutoshi Sakurai, who composes almost all of their songs. The rest of the band include Kenichi Tahara on guitar, Keisuke Nakagawa on bass, and Hideya Suzuki (Jen) on drums and backing vocals. They also have supporting musicians on keyboards, guitar, brass instruments (trumpet and saxophone), and computer programming for their tours because they usually embellish their recordings.
It must be noted that a good part of what makes Mr.Children's songs unique is Sakurai's remarkable vocal ability. His vocal range is higher than the typical male range, and he sings with a noticeable Western style. Also, it is because he is influenced by the great classic rock artists of the '60s and '70s (in particular, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones) that the band's music usually has a classic rock feel. But being the vocalist of the band doesn't prevent him from sometimes sharing guitar solos with Tahara, or playing them by himself. He also plays the piano and harmonica proficiently.
Tahara and Nakagawa are the quietest members of the group, often choosing to remain in the background when the band appears on TV shows. Jen seems to be the most extroverted member who takes his top off onstage at any opportunity. He also always matches Sakurai's sense of humor. They are all very talented musicians who make vital contributions to the band.
On December 31, 2004, their song "Sign," was again awarded the Japan Record Award, ten years after the first.
Mr. Children has a long-time association with the Toys Factory record label.
水上バス
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
息切らせて漕いでは桟橋へと向かう
深呼吸で吸い込んだ風は
少し石油の匂いがして
その大きな川に流れてた
君を待ってる 手持ち無沙汰に
ぼんやりした幸せが満ちてく
近づいてくる水飛沫は君かな？
水上バスの中から僕を見つけて
観光客に混じって笑って手を振る
そんな透き通った景色を
僕の全部で守りたいと思った
君乗せて漕ぐペダルにカーラジオなんてないから
僕が歌ってた
そのメロディーに忍ばせて
いとしさの全部を
風に棚引かせて歌ってた
「この間偶然見つけたんだよ
新しいカフェ きっと気に入るよ」
君と過ごす日のことをいつでも
シミュレートしてこの街で暮らしてるんだ
夕日が窓際の僕らに注ぎ
君は更に綺麗な影を身につける
君への思いが暴れだす
狂おしいほど抱きしめたいと思った
川の流れのように
愛は時に荒れ狂ってお互いの足をすくいはじめる
僕が悪いんじゃない でも君のせいじゃない
「さよなら」を選んだ君はおそらく正しい
悲しみが満ちてく
僕は待ってる 今日も待ってる
想い出の中に心を浸して
水上バスの中から僕を見つけて
観光客に混じって笑って手を振る
そんな穏やかな景色を巻き戻すように
川の流れに沿って
ひとりペダルを漕いで
The song 水上バス by Mr.Children vividly describes a man's experience waiting for his lover at a dock while riding his newly bought pedal boat. He rows and takes in the sights and sounds of the large river that flows before him. The atmosphere is serene, with gentle wind blowing and a hint of petroleum in the air. The man grows restless, longing for his lover's arrival, feeling idle and undecided. However, the view of the river and the expectation of meeting his lover soon provide a sense of calm and joy that fills him with hazy happiness.
As he waits, he sees a water bus and wonders if his lover is aboard. He sees people laughing and waving, and he wishes to protect that kind of happiness, wishing that everything could always be so peaceful and clear. He thinks about the times he and his lover spent together, rowing the pedal boat without a car radio, singing familiar melodies that carry all of his love and care in the wind. He wishes for the future to be spent with his lover, simulating dates and futures together in a perfect little city they could call home. However, his feelings surge like the turbulent river, and he can't help but hold his lover tightly, wishing that it would never end, but unsure because she's already chosen to say goodbye.
The song is a poetic expression of a man's love sitting on a momentary threshold of time and space waiting for the next turn in their story. While waiting for someone, he reflects on the happy times, consoled by the peacefulness of the river and the scenery that surrounded it.
Line by Line Meaning
買ったばかりのペダルを 息切らせて漕いでは桟橋へと向かう 深呼吸で吸い込んだ風は 少し石油の匂いがして その大きな川に流れてた
I pedal hard on my newly bought bike as I gasp for breath, heading towards the pier. Taking a deep breath, I can smell the odor of gasoline mixed in the wind that flows down that big river.
君を待ってる 手持ち無沙汰に ぼんやりした幸せが満ちてく 向こう岸から ゆるいスピードで 近づいてくる水飛沫は君かな？
I'm feeling aimless waiting for you as a vague happiness envelops me. As you approach from the other side of the river at a gentle speed, I wonder if the water splashing around you is you.
水上バスの中から僕を見つけて 観光客に混じって笑って手を振る そんな透き通った景色を 僕の全部で守りたいと思った
You found me from the water bus and waved at me with a smile amid the tourists. Looking at the crystal-clear scenery, I want to do everything I can to protect it.
君乗せて漕ぐペダルにカーラジオなんてないから 僕が歌ってた そのメロディーに忍ばせて いとしさの全部を 風に棚引かせて歌ってた
As you ride on the bike I'm peddling, there's no car radio, so I'm singing to you. Hiding all my love in the melody, I sing, letting the wind carry it away.
「この間偶然見つけたんだよ 新しいカフェ きっと気に入るよ」 君と過ごす日のことをいつでも シミュレートしてこの街で暮らしてるんだ
I found a new café by chance the other day and said, "You'll definitely love it." I'm always simulating the days I spend with you, living in this city.
夕日が窓際の僕らに注ぎ 君は更に綺麗な影を身につける 君への思いが暴れだす 狂おしいほど抱きしめたいと思った
The sunset pours down on us by the window, making you even more beautiful. My feelings for you go wild, and I want to hug you so hard it's almost crazy.
川の流れのように 愛は時に荒れ狂ってお互いの足をすくいはじめる 僕が悪いんじゃない でも君のせいじゃない 「さよなら」を選んだ君はおそらく正しい
Love can be tumultuous like a river's flow, starting to trip each other up. It's not my fault, and it's not yours either. You probably made the right choice in saying goodbye.
悲しみが満ちてく 僕は待ってる 今日も待ってる 想い出の中に心を浸して
As sadness overwhelms me, I'm waiting. I'm waiting for you today, while immersing myself in the memories.
水上バスの中から僕を見つけて 観光客に混じって笑って手を振る そんな穏やかな景色を巻き戻すように 川の流れに沿って ひとりペダルを漕いで
You found me on the water bus and waved at me with a smile amid the tourists. To rewind and recreate that calm scenery, I pedal alone, following the flow of the river.
Contributed by Lincoln F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ピンクサファイア
リハやってます。リハはドームスタジアム🏟向けてのリハだけではなく、これから２０年先見据えて、５０周年むけてモチベーションアップします⤴️。
まずは、３０周年満了になったが、満了ではなく２０年先見据えて５０周年目指す「入り口」に、リハは入ってモチベーションアップします。よろしくおねがいします🤲🏼んで！