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.
Cross Road
Mr.Children Lyrics
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「Ticket to ride」あきれるくらい君へのメロディー
遠い記憶の中にだけ 君の姿探しても
もう戻らない でも忘れない
愛しい微笑み
真冬のひまわりのように
過ぎ去った季節に 置き忘れたときを
もう一度つかまえたい
誰もが胸の奥に 秘めた迷いの中で ooh ooh ooh
手にしたぬくもりを
それぞれに抱きしめて 新たなる道を行く
Wow yes, wow yes, ooh ooh
誘惑に彩られた 一度だけの誤ちを
今も君は許せぬまま 暮らす毎日
冷たい風に吹かれて たたずむマテリアルワールド
立ち止まる cross road
さまよう winding road 傷つけずには愛せない
遠く想い焦がれて はりさけそうな夜も ooh ooh ooh
この手に受け止める
つかの間の悲しみは やがて輝く未来へと
Wow yes, wow yes, ooh ooh
抱き合う度にいつも 二人歩んだ日々の
答えを探してきたけど
崩れてく音もたてずに 果たせぬままの dream (ooh)
誰もが胸の奥に 秘めた迷いの中で ooh ooh ooh
手にしたぬくもりを
それぞれに抱きしめて 新たなる道を行く
Wow yes, wow yes
遠く想い焦がれて はりさけそうな夜も ooh
この手に受け止める
つかの間の悲しみは やがて輝く未来へと oh
Go away, wow yes, go away, wow yes
The lyrics in Mr.Children's song "Cross Road" convey a sense of longing and desire for lost love, as the singer navigates the complicated streets of life, searching for a path forward. The opening lines express the singer's search for love, singing "Looking for love, humming melodies to you that seem absurdly familiar, in the midst of the crowded city streets." This is followed by a nostalgic reflection on lost memories and the enduring image of a beloved smile that the singer is unable to forget.
The chorus of the song speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with indecision and doubts as we journey through life, with the lines 'In the depths of our hearts, where we hold our uncertainties, we must each hold the warmth we have found and embark on a new road.' There is a sense of strength and resilience in these lyrics, and a reminder that amidst uncertainty and hardship, we can have faith in a brighter future if we hold onto the warmth we have found in love and connection.
As the song progresses, we see the singer confront the challenges of a world that can feel cold and indifferent, with images of "standing at crossroads" and "wandering on winding roads" that feel both literal and metaphorical. Despite the hardships, the chorus reminds us that even in our moments of pain and sorrow, there is hope for a brighter future, as we hold onto fleeting moments of joy and love.
Overall, the lyrics in "Cross Road" celebrate the power of love to sustain and strengthen us as we navigate the uncertainties of life. They remind us that even when our path is unclear and the road is long, we have the power to hold onto the warmth of love as we forge a new way forward.
Interesting facts about "Cross Road" by Mr.Children:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Lookin' for love 今建ち並ぶ街の中で口ずさむ
Humming 'Ticket to ride' in this city where I'm looking for love
あきれるくらい君へのメロディー
A melody for you that's so frustratingly catchy
遠い記憶の中にだけ 君の姿探しても
Even when I search for you in distant memories, I can't come back, but I'll never forget your beloved smile
もう戻らない でも忘れない
I can't go back again, but I won't forget
真冬のひまわりのように
Like a sunflower in the dead of winter
鮮やかに揺れてる
Vibrantly swaying
過ぎ去った季節に 置き忘れたときを
I want to catch the times I forgot in past seasons
もう一度つかまえたい
I want to catch them once again
誰もが胸の奥に 秘めた迷いの中で ooh ooh ooh
Everyone is caught in the hidden doubts in their heart
手にしたぬくもりを それぞれに抱きしめて 新たなる道を行く
We'll each embrace the warmth we've obtained and go down a new path
Wow yes, wow yes, ooh ooh
Wow yes, wow yes, ooh ooh
誘惑に彩られた 一度だけの誤ちを
That one mistake embellished with temptation
今も君は許せぬまま 暮らす毎日
Every day you still live without being able to forgive yourself
冷たい風に吹かれて たたずむマテリアルワールド
The material world stands still in the cold wind
立ち止まる cross road
I stop at the cross road
さまよう winding road 傷つけずには愛せない
I can't love without hurting while wandering down the winding road
遠く想い焦がれて はりさけそうな夜も ooh ooh ooh
Even on nights when my longing feels like it will burst
この手に受け止める
I'll catch it with these hands
つかの間の悲しみは やがて輝く未来へと
The transient sadness will lead to a shining future
抱き合う度にいつも 二人歩んだ日々の
Every time we embrace, I'm reminded of the days we walked together
答えを探してきたけど
Even though we were looking for answers
崩れてく音もたてずに 果たせぬままの dream (ooh)
Our dreams fall apart without a sound, unfulfilled
誰もが胸の奥に 秘めた迷いの中で ooh ooh ooh
Everyone is caught in the hidden doubts in their heart
手にしたぬくもりを それぞれに抱きしめて 新たなる道を行く
We'll each embrace the warmth we've obtained and go down a new path
Wow yes, wow yes
Wow yes, wow yes
遠く想い焦がれて はりさけそうな夜も ooh
Even on nights when my longing feels like it will burst
この手に受け止める
I'll catch it with these hands
つかの間の悲しみは やがて輝く未来へと oh
The transient sadness will lead to a shining future
Go away, wow yes, go away, wow yes
Go away, wow yes, go away, wow yes
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
桜桜
今はスビードが命、配信が
セールスの中心だから。
その分狭く深い浸透度に、
なる傾向が強い。
知っている、聴く人はとことんリピートするけど、知らない人、まったく聴かない無関心の人もいる。
ちょっと前までは、製作にもセールスにも時間がかかった。
その分浸透度は、広く浅くが
多かった、ファン以外の人が、見たり聴いたりする事が、当たり前だったから。
その分昔の曲に対して、思い
が強いのかもしれないですね。
自分はKing Gnu、YOASOBI
ミスチル、B'z何でも聴きます。
いいものは、年代とか誰とか
関係なく、いいですから。
さきの
Lookin' for love 今建ち並ぶ街の中で口ずさむ
「Ticket to ride」あきれるくらい君へのメロディー
遠い記憶の中にだけ 君の姿探しても
もう戻らない でも忘れない
愛しい微笑み
真冬のひまわりのように
鮮やかに揺れてる
過ぎ去った季節に置き忘れたときをもう一度つかまえたい
誰もが胸の奥に 秘めた迷いの中で ooh ooh ooh
手にしたぬくもりを
それぞれに抱きしめて 新たなる道を行く
Wow yes, wow yes, ooh ooh
誘惑に彩られた 一度だけの誤ちを今も君は許せぬまま 暮らす毎日
冷たい風に吹かれて たたずむマテリアルワールド
立ち止まる cross road
さまよう winding road 傷つけずには愛せない
遠く想い焦がれて はりさけそうな夜も ooh ooh ooh
この手に受け止める
つかの間の悲しみは やがて輝く未来へと
Wow yes, wow yes, ooh ooh
抱き合う度にいつも 二人歩んだ日々の答えを探してきたけど
崩れてく音もたてずに 果たせぬままの dream (ooh)
誰もが胸の奥に 秘めた迷いの中で ooh ooh ooh
手にしたぬくもりを
それぞれに抱きしめて 新たなる道を行く
Wow yes, wow yes
遠く想い焦がれて はりさけそうな夜も ooh この手に受け止める
つかの間の悲しみは やがて輝く未来へと oh
Go away, wow yes, go away, wow yes
Tsubame
CROSS ROAD → innocent world → Tomorrow nerver knowsこの３作品を１年間で作り上げるMr.Children はまさに神。。。
ねこ二乗
@バイクマン そんなキレんなよ落ち着け
バイクマン
なんで書き手が間違ってるって前提でコメントを読むんだ？もしかしたら自分の捉え方が違うかもって視点で見てればわかるだろこれくらい
バイクマン
@あー その上のやつが1994年を奇跡の年って言ってるから、cross roadは94年の曲じゃないよって言ってるんだろ
メンションしてなくても文脈で誰に言ってるかわかるだろ
T氏
改めてすげ
あー
@FUKADA MAYA 年ごとじゃなくて1年間でってことだろ
Jpop Channel
朝も夜もどんなときでも聴きたくなる圧倒的に自分の気分を上げてくれる曲
。 MONO
何がすごいっていつの時代の曲聴いても声が全く変わってない櫻井さんの声よ。圧倒的安心感と力強さのある歌声に何度救われたことか...
太郎わっしょい
😊
サトチャンマン
ミスチルの原点はInnocent worldでもtomorrow never knowsでもなく実はCROSS ROADが原点だけあって何年たっても心に刺さる名曲だな。