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.
雨のち晴れ
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
そんな毎日もいいさ
親友との約束もキャンセルして
部屋でナイターを見よう
あの娘が出て行ったのはもう3ヵ月前
淡い想い出だけを ほのかに残して
涙もない 言葉もでない あっけない結末
最近じゃ グラマーな娘に滅法弱い
男ってこんなもんさ
新人のマリちゃんに言い寄っても
まるで手応えが無い
不景気のあおり受けて社内のムードは
緊迫しているから僕一人が浮いてる
上司に愚痴言われるうちが "花"だって言うから
いっそ可憐に咲き誇ろうかと思うよ ah
もうちょっと もうちょっと 頑張ってみるから
ねえもっと ねえもっと いい事があるかな
今日は雨降りでも いつの日にか
"お前って暗い奴"そう言われてる 幼少の頃からさ
1DK狛江のアパートには
2羽のインコを飼う ah
たまに実家に帰れば 真面目な顔して
出来損ないの僕に母親は繰り返す
"生きてるうちに孫を抱きたい"
それもわかる気がする
なるべくいい娘を探したいって
思っちゃいるけど ah
もうちょっと もうちょっと 僕を信じてみて
こうなっちゃ こうなっちゃ 後戻りできない
イメージはいつでも 雨のち晴れ
優秀な人材と勘違いされ
あの日の僕はただ
過酷なしがらみを 掻き分けては
頭を下げていた
若さで乗り切れるのも今年ぐらいだね
この先どうなるのかなんて 誰もわからない
その日暮し 楽しく生きりゃ
いいのかもしれないね
そんな事思いながらも
また日が暮れる ah
もういいや もういいや 疲れ果てちまった
そう言って そう言って ここまで来たじゃないか
今日は雨降りでも いつの日にか
もうちょっと もうちょっと 頑張ってみるから
ねえもっと ねえもっと いい事があるかな
イメージはいつでも
雨のち晴れ いつの日にか
虹を渡ろう uh
The lyrics of Mr.Children's song "雨のち晴れ" ("Ame nochi hare" in English, which translates to "Rain, then Clear") depict a monotonous daily life that the singer repeats over and over again. Despite the simplicity of their everyday routine, they find it enjoyable. They cancel a promise with their best friend to stay at home and watch a nighttime baseball game. The song then reflects on a past relationship, where a girl left three months ago, leaving only faint memories behind. The ending of the relationship was abrupt, with no tears, words, or closure, making it feel like a lie compared to the intense passion they once shared.
The song continues to explore the singer's current circumstances, including their vulnerability to glamorous girls and their struggles in a stagnant professional environment due to the economic downturn. While they feel like a misfit and are faced with complaints from their boss, they contemplate blooming beautifully, comparing themselves to a flower. They express determination to keep trying and hoping for something better. The lyrics also touch on the singer's childhood, where they were called a gloomy person and kept two parakeets in their one-room apartment in Komaeda. Occasionally visiting their parents, they feel pressure from their mother's desire to hold a grandchild while also acknowledging the difficulty of finding a good partner. Despite these thoughts, the image of rain clearing and the idea of always having a chance for better things remains.
Line by Line Meaning
単調な生活を繰り返すだけ
Just repeating a monotonous life
そんな毎日もいいさ
But that kind of everyday is fine
親友との約束もキャンセルして
Canceling plans with my best friend
部屋でナイターを見よう
Let's watch the night game in my room
あの娘が出て行ったのはもう3ヵ月前
That girl left three months ago
淡い想い出だけを ほのかに残して
Leaving behind only faint memories
涙もない 言葉もでない あっけない結末
No tears, no words, a disappointing ending
あれほど燃え上がってた二人が嘘みたい
The two of us who were so passionate seem like a lie
最近じゃ グラマーな娘に滅法弱い
Lately, I've been irresistibly attracted to glamorous girls
男ってこんなもんさ
That's just how guys are
新人のマリちゃんに言い寄っても
Even if I flirt with the rookie Mari-chan
まるで手応えが無い
There's absolutely no response
不景気のあおり受けて社内のムードは
The mood in the company is affected by the recession
緊迫しているから僕一人が浮いてる
Because it's tense, I stand out
上司に愚痴言われるうちが "花"だって言うから
Since my boss says, "Complaining to your boss is a blessing"
いっそ可憐に咲き誇ろうかと思うよ ah
I even think about brilliantly blooming in a charming way
もうちょっと もうちょっと 頑張ってみるから
I'll try a little harder, a little more
ねえもっと ねえもっと いい事があるかな
Hey, maybe there's more good things
今日は雨降りでも いつの日にか
Even if it's raining today, someday
"お前って暗い奴"そう言われてる 幼少の頃からさ
"You're a gloomy guy," I've been told since childhood
1DK狛江のアパートには
In my 1DK apartment in Komae
2羽のインコを飼う ah
I have two pet parakeets, ah
たまに実家に帰れば 真面目な顔して
When I occasionally visit my parents' house, I put on a serious face
出来損ないの僕に母親は繰り返す
My mother keeps repeating to me, who is a failure,
"生きてるうちに孫を抱きたい"
"I want to hold a grandchild while I'm still alive"
それもわかる気がする
I can understand that feeling
なるべくいい娘を探したいって
I want to find a good girl if possible
思っちゃいるけど ah
But I'm also thinking, ah
もうちょっと もうちょっと 僕を信じてみて
A little more, a little more, try to believe in me
こうなっちゃ こうなっちゃ 後戻りできない
Once it becomes like this, once it becomes like this, there's no going back
イメージはいつでも 雨のち晴れ
The image is always of clearing up after rain
優秀な人材と勘違いされ
Mistakenly seen as a talented person
あの日の僕はただ
On that day, I was just
過酷なしがらみを 掻き分けては
Pushing through harsh constraints
頭を下げていた
And bowing my head
若さで乗り切れるのも今年ぐらいだね
I guess I can get through with just my youth, at least this year
この先どうなるのかなんて 誰もわからない
No one knows what will happen in the future
その日暮し 楽しく生きりゃ
Living day by day, if I can enjoy it
いいのかもしれないね
Maybe that's fine
そんな事思いながらも
While thinking about such things
また日が暮れる ah
The day still ends, ah
もういいや もういいや 疲れ果てちまった
I'm done, I'm done, I'm exhausted
そう言って そう言って ここまで来たじゃないか
Saying that, saying that, I've come this far, haven't I?
今日は雨降りでも いつの日にか
Even if it's raining today, someday
もうちょっと もうちょっと 頑張ってみるから
I'll try a little harder, a little more
ねえもっと ねえもっと いい事があるかな
Hey, maybe there's more good things
イメージはいつでも
The image is always
雨のち晴れ いつの日にか
Clearing up after rain, someday
虹を渡ろう uh
Let's cross the rainbow, uh
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai, Takeshi Kobayashi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind