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.
Birthday
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
熱くなって 冷やかして とっちらかって
シャボン玉が食らったように はじけて消えんじゃない?
そう思って加速度を 緩めてきた
君にだって2つのちっちゃい牙があって
1つは過去 1つは未来に 噛みつきゃいい
歴史なんかを学ぶより解き明かさなくちゃな
逃げも隠れも出来ぬ今を
It's my birthday
消えない小さな炎を
ひとつひとつ増やしながら
心の火をそっと震わせて
何度だって 僕を繰り返すよ
そう いつだって it's my birthday
「否定しか出来ないなんて子供だしね」って
期待された答えを吐き散らかして
無意識が悟った通り 僕は僕でしかない
いくつになっても 変われなくて
It's my birthday
飲み込んだ幾つもの怒りを
ひとつひとつ吹き消しながら
風に乗って希望へひとっ飛び
やがて素敵な思い出に変わるよ
そう いつだって it's my birthday
It's your birthday
毎日が誰かの birthday
ひとりひとり その命を
讃えながら今日を祝いたい
そして君と 一緒に歌おう
いつだって そう
It's my birthday
消えない小さな炎を
ひとつひとつ増やしながら
心の火をそっと震わせて
何度だって 僕を繰り返すよ
そう いつだって it's my birthday
そう いつだって it's your birthday
The song Birthday by Mr.Children is about the human desire for growth and change. The singer reflects on the passing of time and how people are constantly changing, yet also staying the same. The first stanza talks about how the singer became aware of the truth and the difficulty of dealing with one's emotions. The second stanza talks about facing one's past and future, and taking hold of one's present. The chorus emphasizes the idea of celebrating oneself daily and nurturing the fire within oneself. The third stanza acknowledges the singer's stubbornness and how their thoughts are their own. The ending of the song switches the focus from the singer to the listener, emphasizing that every day is special and should be appreciated.
Overall, Birthday is a song that encourages growth and self-acceptance while celebrating the ups and downs of life.
Line by Line Meaning
しばらくして 気付いたんだ 本物だって
After a while, I realized that it was real.
熱くなって 冷やかして とっちらかって
I heated up, cooled down, and was confused.
シャボン玉が食らったように はじけて消えんじゃない?
Like a soap bubble, will I burst and disappear?
そう思って加速度を 緩めてきた
Thinking that, I started to slow down.
君にだって2つのちっちゃい牙があって
You also have two small fangs.
1つは過去 1つは未来に 噛みつきゃいい
One for the past, and one for the future to bite into.
歴史なんかを学ぶより解き明かさなくちゃな
Rather than learning about history, I have to solve what's in front of me.
逃げも隠れも出来ぬ今を
This moment where I can't run away or hide.
It's my birthday
It's my birthday.
消えない小さな炎を
A small flame that won't disappear.
ひとつひとつ増やしながら
Adding to it one by one.
心の火をそっと震わせて
Gently shaking the fire in my heart.
何度だって 僕を繰り返すよ
No matter how many times, I will repeat myself.
そう いつだって it's my birthday
Yes, it's always my birthday.
「否定しか出来ないなんて子供だしね」って
"Can only deny it, how childish," they say.
期待された答えを吐き散らかして
Spewing out the expected answer.
無意識が悟った通り 僕は僕でしかない
As my subconscious realized, I am only myself.
いくつになっても 変われなくて
No matter how old, I can't change.
飲み込んだ幾つもの怒りを
Swallowing many angers.
ひとつひとつ吹き消しながら
Extinguishing them one by one.
風に乗って希望へひとっ飛び
Riding on the wind, I leap towards hope.
やがて素敵な思い出に変わるよ
Soon, it will turn into a lovely memory.
そう いつだって it's my birthday
Yes, it's always my birthday.
It's your birthday
It's your birthday.
毎日が誰かの birthday
Every day is someone's birthday.
ひとりひとり その命を
Each and every life.
讃えながら今日を祝いたい
I want to celebrate today while praising it.
そして君と 一緒に歌おう
And let's sing together.
いつだって そう
Anytime, yes.
そう いつだって it's my birthday
Yes, it's always my birthday.
Lyrics © TV Asahi Music Co., Ltd.
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind