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.
Fanfare
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
さぁ 旅立ちのときは今 重たく沈んだ碇を上げ
Congratulations! 今胸に高鳴るファンファーレ!
もう gradation は 無限で脳に紙吹雪よ舞え!
覚悟なき者は去れ あてどない流浪の旅
Nobody knows 航海の末路
見えもしねえもんを 掴んで天にも昇った気になって
やがて風船が割れ 独り悲しい目覚め
そんな日でも 懲りずに「ヨウソロ」を
ちょっと待ってと言われたって
どっち行くんだと問われたって
「答えはいつも風の中」にあるんですって
いつの間にか大人になって
うっかりして真面になって
失った宝物を探しに行こう!
吹き荒れるよ 今日も見通しの悪い海原で
みんな悪戦苦闘してるんだ 独りじゃないぞ 頑張れ!
歓喜の裏側で 誰かが泣く運命
それが僕でも 後悔はしないよ
「僕はボクさ」と主張をしたって
僕もボクをよく知らなくて
ぐるぐる自分のしっぽを追いかけ回して
ひょっとしたらあなたの瞳に
いつか出会った本当の僕が
迷い込んでやしないかなぁ? って探してみる
まるで袋のネズミ 自分で自分を追い込んでた
さぁ 旅立ちのときは今 重たく沈んだ碇を上げ
悔やんだって後の祭り もう昨日に手を振ろう
さぁ 旅立ちのときは今 風をよんでデカい帆をはれ!
ちょっと待ってと言われたって
どっち行くんだと問われたって
「答えはいつも風の中」にあるんでしたっけ!?
きっと今日もあなたの瞳で
僕も知らない新しい僕は
ぐるぐる旅をしてる
いつか誰もが大人になって
ちゃっかりした大人になって
失った宝物を探しに行こう!
The lyrics of Mr.Children's song "fanfare" are about the journey of life and the idea of embracing opportunities and living in the moment. It starts with the line "It’s no use regretting, it’s too late for that." The singer understands that dwelling on past mistakes is pointless and chooses to move forward. The chorus encourages a sense of celebration with the uplifting lines "Congratulations! A fanfare is sounding deep in my chest!" and "Let the confetti fly infinitely through my brain!"
The song emphasizes the importance of perseverance through life’s struggles with the line "the sea of life is murky, even on a clear day" but encourages listeners to keep going and chase their dreams regardless. The writer also reflects on the idea of self-discovery, acknowledging that it’s easy to lose one's way when trying to figure out one's true self. The song urges listeners to accept themselves and be proud of who they are. Overall, the song is about taking chances and embracing new opportunities, with the belief that life is an adventure and should be lived to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
悔やんだって後の祭り もう昨日に手を振ろう
There's no use regretting the past, let's just say goodbye to yesterday and move on
さぁ 旅立ちのときは今 重たく沈んだ碇を上げ
Now is the time to set sail, and lift up the heavy anchor that weighed us down
Congratulations! 今胸に高鳴るファンファーレ!
Congratulations! The fanfare in my heart is ringing loudly now!
もう gradation は 無限で脳に紙吹雪よ舞え!
The gradation is now infinite, and let the confetti dance in my brain!
覚悟なき者は去れ あてどない流浪の旅
Those without determination, leave now on an aimless journey
Nobody knows 航海の末路
Nobody knows the outcome of this voyage
例えて言うとすれば 僕はパントマイムダンサーです
Metaphorically speaking, I am a pantomime dancer
見えもしねえもんを 掴んで天にも昇った気になって
Grabbing onto something invisible, and feeling like I've ascended to the heavens
やがて風船が割れ 独り悲しい目覚め
Soon, the balloon will burst and I will wake up, feeling sad and alone
そんな日でも 懲りずに「ヨウソロ」を
Even on such days, keep singing 'yousoro' without losing heart
ちょっと待ってと言われたって
Even if someone tells me to wait a moment,
どっち行くんだと問われたって
Even if someone asks me which way to go,
「答えはいつも風の中」にあるんですって
The answer is always in the wind.
いつの間にか大人になって
Before I knew it, I had become an adult
うっかりして真面になって
Carelessly, I became serious
失った宝物を探しに行こう!
Let's go look for the treasure we lost!
吹き荒れるよ 今日も見通しの悪い海原で
Today, in the stormy and uncertain sea
みんな悪戦苦闘してるんだ 独りじゃないぞ 頑張れ!
Everyone is struggling, but you are not alone, keep doing your best!
歓喜の裏側で 誰かが泣く運命
Behind every celebration, there is someone's destiny to cry.
それが僕でも 後悔はしないよ
Even if it's me, I won't regret it
「僕はボクさ」と主張をしたって
Even if I insist, 'I am me'
僕もボクをよく知らなくて
I also don't really know who 'I' am
ぐるぐる自分のしっぽを追いかけ回して
Chasing my own tail in circles
ひょっとしたらあなたの瞳に
Perhaps, in your eyes,
いつか出会った本当の僕が
The true me that I met someday
迷い込んでやしないかなぁ? って探してみる
Is lost and wandering? I'm searching to find out
まるで袋のネズミ 自分で自分を追い込んでた
Like a mouse trapped in a bag, I was cornering myself
風をよんでデカい帆をはれ!
Summon the wind and set sail with a large sail!
きっと今日もあなたの瞳で
Surely, today in your eyes
僕も知らない新しい僕は ぐるぐる旅をしてる
A new me that I don't know is on a journey going around in circles
いつか誰もが大人になって
Someday, everyone becomes an adult
ちゃっかりした大人になって
A scheming and calculating adult
失った宝物を探しに行こう!
Let's go look for the treasure we lost!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind