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.
LOVE はじめました
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
良く取っていいのか悪い意味なのか?
良く分からずしばらくヘラヘラ笑ってた
不意に視線を上げれば 極彩色 ネオン街の光だ
おやじに買われて ホテルで刺される
少女を描いた 映画を思い出した
屍 回してあぶって 切り裂き 小さくなった そのお肉をほおばる
LOVE はじめました
そいつで大きくなりました
LOVE はじめました
あぁ お口に合いましたか?
殺人現場にやじうま達が暇潰しで群がる
中高生達が携帯片手にカメラに向かってピースサインを送る
犯人はともかく まずはお前らが死刑になりゃいいんだ
でも このあとニュースで中田のインタビューがあるから
それ見てから考えるとしようか
LOVE よく冷えております
時代の向かい風も受けて
LOVE よく冷えております
あぁ イッキに飲み干せたらな
この街の中で押し合いへし合い 僕らは歩いてく
多少の摩擦があっても 擦れずに
心を磨いて行くなんて出来るかなぁ
坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を書くと言うだろう
なら僕は愛してる人に 愛してるという ひねりのない歌を歌おう
意味なんかないさ 深くもないし 韻だって踏んでない
ただ 偽りなく 飾りもない
まぎれもない 想いだけがそこにはあるんだ
LOVE はじめました
毎度毎度のことですが
LOVE はじめました
去年よりおいしくできました
LOVE はじめました
そいつで大人になりました
LOVE はじめました
あぁ お口に合いましたか?
The lyrics of "LOVE はじめました" by Mr.Children is quite complex and could be interpreted in many ways. In the first verse, the singer describes a conversation he had with an ex-girlfriend who said, "You haven't changed at all." He is unsure whether this is a good or bad thing and smiles awkwardly. Then, he sees the colorful neon lights of the city and remembers a movie about a young girl. In the second verse, he eats a kebab sold from a car on the side of the road and thinks about how small pieces of meat can come from a body that was cut up and burned. The chorus talks about how love started and made him grow as a person, and how it could be cool and refreshing like a drink.
As the lyrics progress, the singer describes how people are drawn to crime scenes and how teenagers love taking selfies with peace signs. He thinks that people who gather at crime scenes should be punished, but then again, he mentions that there will be a TV interview with a celebrity after the news, which highlights the strange fascination people have with violence and celebrity culture. The singer reflects on how much he has changed since starting love, but also acknowledges that there are things in life that can bring negative energy, like the winds of change. He reflects on the difficulties of being in a crowded city but believes in the importance of polishing one's heart.
In conclusion, "LOVE はじめました" is a thought-provoking song that touches upon various themes like love, violence, and celebrity culture. The lyrics suggest that love can start from anywhere and transform how we view the world. The song talks about how life can be complicated, but we can always try to polish our heart and stay true to our feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
「相変わらずだね」って 昔付き合ってた女にそう言われた
An old girlfriend of mine said to me, "You haven't changed a bit." I don't know if she meant it as a compliment or not, so I just laughed it off for a while.
良く取っていいのか悪い意味なのか?
I didn't know whether to take it as a compliment or not.
良く分からずしばらくヘラヘラ笑ってた
I didn't really understand, so I just laughed it off.
不意に視線を上げれば 極彩色 ネオン街の光だ
When I suddenly looked up, I saw the colorful neon lights of the city.
おやじに買われて ホテルで刺される
I was lured by an older man and ended up getting stabbed in a hotel.
少女を描いた 映画を思い出した
It reminded me of a movie that had a young girl in it.
路肩に止まった車で売ってる 何たらケバブーをほおばる
I ate a kebab sold by a car parked on the side of the road.
屍 回してあぶって 切り裂き 小さくなった そのお肉をほおばる
I ate the small pieces of meat that were roasted, sliced, and made smaller by turning a dead body.
LOVE はじめました
I've started a new love.
そいつで大きくなりました
It has made me grow as a person.
あぁ お口に合いましたか?
Do you like it?
殺人現場にやじうま達が暇潰しで群がる
At a murder scene, reporters gather around for entertainment.
中高生達が携帯片手にカメラに向かってピースサインを送る
Junior high and high school students take photos of the scene with their cellphones and give peace signs.
犯人はともかく まずはお前らが死刑になりゃいいんだ
The criminal is one thing, but I wouldn't mind if all of you were executed first.
でも このあとニュースで中田のインタビューがあるから
But there's an interview with Nakata on the news later, so maybe I'll watch that first.
それ見てから考えるとしようか
And then I'll think about it.
LOVE よく冷えております
Love has gotten pretty cold.
時代の向かい風も受けて
It's also facing headwinds from the times.
あぁ イッキに飲み干せたらな
I wish I could drink it in one gulp.
この街の中で押し合いへし合い 僕らは歩いてく
We push and shove our way through the streets of this town as we walk.
多少の摩擦があっても 擦れずに
But no matter how much friction there may be, we won't get worn down.
心を磨いて行くなんて出来るかなぁ
I wonder if we can really polish our hearts as we go.
坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を書くと言うだろう
They say that a monk can draw a picture of another monk very skillfully using a folding screen.
なら僕は愛してる人に 愛してるという ひねりのない歌を歌おう
So I'll sing a simple and honest song to the person I love, saying that I love them.
意味なんかないさ 深くもないし 韻だって踏んでない
It doesn't have any special meaning, it's not deep, and it doesn't even rhyme.
ただ 偽りなく 飾りもない
But it's just honest and without pretense.
まぎれもない 想いだけがそこにはあるんだ
There's nothing else but my true feelings.
毎度毎度のことですが
It's the same thing every time.
去年よりおいしくできました
I think it's even better than last year.
あぁ お口に合いましたか?
Do you like it?
LOVE はじめました
I've started a new love.
そいつで大人になりました
It has made me grow as a person.
あぁ お口に合いましたか?
Do you like it?
Contributed by James G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.