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.
Monster
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
真向かいのビルを 敵のアジトに見立てて 文明やなんかを憎んでみる
セキュリティーがイヤモニして 警戒を強化しだした
ラブ & ピースが与えられた使命だ だけど特に何をするでもない
Knock, knock, knock, knock
誰かいますか? 開けてくれますか?
Knock, knock, knock, knock
彼女は「カナリヤ」人目に触れたがらない メモ帳の中にだけ存在している
聞かせてくれたことはまだ無いが きれいな虹色の声で歌うよ
誰ともsexしなくても 子供だって身籠もれる
全裸でいるのは宗教上の理由だ 慈悲の御心で世界を救う
Knock, knock, knock, knock
誰かいますか? 入れてくれますか?
Knock, knock, knock, knock
お気付きですか? あなたもモンスター
さぁ どんな叫び声をあげようか?
探していました 分かり合える人を ずっと
悲しい顔して 哀れんでくれてるんですね
でも 分かります そのうち分かります あなたにも
大丈夫 大丈夫 痛くもないし 怖くもないです
大丈夫 大丈夫 僕と一緒 あなたもモンスター
Knock, knock, knock, knock
誰かいますか? 開けてくれますか?
Knock, knock, knock, knock
ご存知ですか? 僕はモンスター
Knock, knock, knock, knock
お気付きですか? あなたもモンスター
さぁ どんな叫び声をあげよう?
The lyrics to Mr.Children's song "Monster" explore the idea of feeling like an outcast or a "monster" in society. The singer expresses their dislike for the sun and their nickname "Tobiuo," which means flying fish, suggesting their desire to escape the surface world and dive into their own world. They view the building across the street as the enemy's hideout, symbolizing their resentment towards civilization and societal norms. The increasing security measures represent the feeling of being constantly monitored and judged by society.
Despite being tasked with spreading love and peace, the singer feels a sense of purposelessness and lack of direction. The chorus "Knock, knock, knock, knock" serves as a plea for someone to acknowledge their existence and let them in, emphasizing their longing for connection and understanding. The second verse introduces a female character who prefers to remain invisible to others, existing only in the singer's notebook. Although they have never heard her story, they imagine her singing with a beautiful voice like a rainbow.
The song suggests that even without engaging in physical relationships, one can still create new life metaphorically. The singer's choice to be naked is explained as a religious reason to save the world through compassion. The bridge expresses the longing to find someone they can truly understand and connect with, acknowledging that although they may currently appear sad and pitiful, they believe that understanding will eventually come. The repetition of "Knock, knock, knock, knock" reinforces their desire for someone to let them in and acknowledge their existence.
Overall, "Monster" conveys feelings of isolation, longing for connection, and the search for empathy and understanding in a society that may label them as different or monstrous.
Line by Line Meaning
あだ名は「トビウオ」でもお日様が嫌いで この街を潜水して泳いでいく
My nickname is 'Flying Fish', but I hate the sun and prefer to swim through this town as if diving underwater.
真向かいのビルを 敵のアジトに見立てて 文明やなんかを憎んでみる
I imagine the building opposite me as the enemy's base and try to hate civilization and everything associated with it.
セキュリティーがイヤモニして 警戒を強化しだした
The security system starts to monitor and intensify its vigilance.
ラブ & ピースが与えられた使命だ だけど特に何をするでもない
I have been given the mission of Love & Peace, but I don't really do anything in particular.
Knock, knock, knock, knock
誰かいますか? 開けてくれますか?
Knock, knock, knock, knock
Is there anyone there? Will you open the door for me?
Knock, knock, knock, knock
ご存知ですか? 僕はモンスター
Knock, knock, knock, knock
Do you know? I am a monster.
彼女は「カナリヤ」人目に触れたがらない メモ帳の中にだけ存在している
She is like a 'Canary' who doesn't want to be seen by anyone and only exists in my notebook.
聞かせてくれたことはまだ無いが きれいな虹色の声で歌うよ
She hasn't told me anything yet, but she sings with a beautiful rainbow-colored voice.
誰ともsexしなくても 子供だって身籠もれる
Even without having sex with anyone, you can still conceive a child.
全裸でいるのは宗教上の理由だ 慈悲の御心で世界を救う
Being naked is for religious reasons, to save the world with a compassionate heart.
さぁ どんな叫び声をあげようか?
Now, what kind of shout should I let out?
探していました 分かり合える人を ずっと
I've been searching all along for someone I can understand.
悲しい顔して 哀れんでくれてるんですね
You look sad and pitying towards me, don't you?
でも 分かります そのうち分かります あなたにも
But I understand, eventually I will understand you too.
大丈夫 大丈夫 痛くもないし 怖くもないです
It's okay, it's okay, I don't feel pain or fear.
大丈夫 大丈夫 僕と一緒 あなたもモンスター
It's okay, it's okay, you're with me, you're also a monster.
Knock, knock, knock, knock
誰かいますか? 開けてくれますか?
Knock, knock, knock, knock
Is there anyone there? Will you open the door for me?
Knock, knock, knock, knock
ご存知ですか? 僕はモンスター
Knock, knock, knock, knock
Do you know? I am a monster.
Knock, knock, knock, knock
お気付きですか? あなたもモンスター
Knock, knock, knock, knock
Have you noticed? You're also a monster.
さぁ どんな叫び声をあげよう?
Now, what kind of shout should I let out?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind