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.
Machine Gun wo Buppanase
Mr.Children Lyrics
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「また核実験をするなんて一体どういうつもり?」
愛にしゃぶりついたんさい
愛にすがりついたんさい
やがて来る"死の存在"に目を背け過ごすけど
残念ですが僕が生きている事に意味はない
愛せよ 目の前の不条理を
そして僕に才能をくれ
見えない敵にマシンガンをぶっ放せ Sister and Brother
正義も悪もないこの時代を 行進していく兵士です
殺人鬼も聖者も凡人も 共存してくしかないんですね
触らなくたって神は祟っちゃう
救いの唄は聞こえちゃこないさ
参考書を持って挑んだんじゃ一生謎は解けぬ
良識を重んじてる善人がもはや罪だよ
愛せよ 目の前の疫病を
憎めよ 無能なる組織を
そして僕にコンドームをくれ
僕は昇りまた落ちてゆく 愛に似た金を握って
どうせ逆らえぬ人を殴った 天使の様な素振りで
毒蜘蛛も犬も乳飲み子も 共存すべきだよと言って
偽らざる人がいるはずないじゃん
この現実に目を向けなさい
愛せよ単調な生活を
鏡に映っている人物を
憎めよ生まれてきた悲劇を
飼い慣らされちまった本能を
そして事の真相をえぐれ
見えない敵にマシンガンをぶっ放せ Sister and Brother
天に唾を吐きかけるような 行き場のない怒りです
宗教も化学もUFOも信じれるから悲惨で
絡まりあって本心偽って めくるめくの every day
僕は昇りまた落ちてゆく
何だってまかり通る世界へ
The lyrics of Mr.Children's song "Machine Gun wo Buppanase" convey a strong message about the complexities of society and the human condition. The opening lines express frustration towards a news broadcaster who seems to speak on behalf of humanity but fails to truly understand the intentions behind nuclear testing. The singer yearns for love, clinging to it as a source of comfort and meaning in a world that is trying to turn a blind eye to the impending presence of death. They acknowledge that their own existence may hold no significance, but urge themselves and others to embrace love and confront the irrationality and convenient morality that surrounds them. The lyrics speak of a need to fight against unseen enemies and unleash a metaphorical machine gun to challenge the injustices of this era. The song brings attention to the coexistence of murderers, saints, and ordinary people and emphasizes the futility of trying to avoid the consequences of one's actions, as even if untouched, divine retribution will find its way. It criticizes the belief that knowledge found in textbooks can solve all mysteries, highlighting the importance of valuing reason while recognizing that clinging excessively to it can become a sin. The lyrics urge individuals to love and confront the epidemics and incompetent organizations before them and ask for more than just condoms but the truth of the matter. The singer describes the ups and downs of life, comparing it to holding onto love that resembles money, admitting to the action of striking those who cannot be opposed with an angelic façade. They argue that venomous spiders, dogs, and newborn babies should coexist, reminding listeners to face the reality rather than living in denial. The lyrics conclude with a call to love the monotonous life, the reflection seen in the mirror, to hate the tragedy of birth, to tame the tamed instincts, and to dig out the truth. The song ultimately reflects the frustration of living in a world where anything goes, and individuals can rise and fall as they are swept along by ruthless forces.
Line by Line Meaning
あのニュースキャスターが人類を代弁して喋る
The news caster speaks on behalf of humanity.
「また核実験をするなんて一体どういうつもり?」
"What are your intentions to conduct another nuclear test?"
愛にしゃぶりついたんさい
I became addicted to love.
愛にすがりついたんさい
I cling onto love.
やがて来る"死の存在"に目を背け過ごすけど
Although I try to ignore the impending "presence of death" that will come.
残念ですが僕が生きている事に意味はない
Unfortunately, my existence holds no meaning.
愛せよ 目の前の不条理を
Love the absurdity in front of you.
憎めよ 都合のいい道徳を
Hate the convenient morals.
そして僕に才能をくれ
And give me talent.
見えない敵にマシンガンをぶっ放せ Sister and Brother
Fire a machine gun at unseen enemies, Sister and Brother.
正義も悪もないこの時代を 行進していく兵士です
We are soldiers marching through an era with no justice or evil.
殺人鬼も聖者も凡人も 共存してくしかないんですね
We have no choice but to coexist with murderers, saints, and ordinary people.
触らなくたって神は祟っちゃう
Even without touching, God will punish.
救いの唄は聞こえちゃこないさ
I can't hear the song of salvation.
参考書を持って挑んだんじゃ一生謎は解けぬ
If you approach with textbooks, the mystery will never be solved.
良識を重んじてる善人がもはや罪だよ
A good person who values common sense is now a sin.
愛せよ 目の前の疫病を
Love the epidemic in front of you.
憎めよ 無能なる組織を
Hate the incompetent organization.
そして僕にコンドームをくれ
And give me a condom.
僕は昇りまた落ちてゆく 愛に似た金を握って
I rise and fall, holding onto money that resembles love.
どうせ逆らえぬ人を殴った 天使の様な素振りで
I hit someone who couldn't resist, pretending to be an angel.
毒蜘蛛も犬も乳飲み子も 共存すべきだよと言って
Saying that venomous spiders, dogs, and nursing infants should coexist.
偽らざる人がいるはずないじゃん
There shouldn't be anyone who is not genuine.
この現実に目を向けなさい
Focus on this reality.
愛せよ単調な生活を
Love the monotonous life.
鏡に映っている人物を
The person reflected in the mirror.
憎めよ生まれてきた悲劇を
Hate the tragedy you were born into.
飼い慣らされちまった本能を
The tamed instincts.
そして事の真相をえぐれ
And reveal the truth of the situation.
見えない敵にマシンガンをぶっ放せ Sister and Brother
Fire a machine gun at unseen enemies, Sister and Brother.
天に唾を吐きかけるような 行き場のない怒りです
It's an aimless anger that spits at the heavens.
宗教も化学もUFOも信じれるから悲惨で
It's tragic because it believes in religion, chemistry, and UFOs.
絡まりあって本心偽って めくるめくの every day
Entangled, feigning true feelings, it's a dazzling every day.
僕は昇りまた落ちてゆく
I rise and fall.
何だってまかり通る世界へ
To a world where anything goes.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind