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.
Running High
Mr.Children Lyrics
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「分かってる 仕方ないだろう 他に打つ手立て無くて」
「威勢がいいわりにちっとも 前に進めてないぜっ」
「黙ってろ! この荷物の重さ 知らないくせして」
向こう側にいる内面とドッチボール
威嚇して 逃げ回り 受け止めて 弾き返す
そんな合図出したって 誰も観ていない
ましてタイムを告げる笛は鳴らねぇ
なら 息絶えるまで駆けてみよう
恥をまき散らして
胸に纏う玉虫色の衣装を
はためかせていこう
苛々して仕方ない日は
疲れた体を 都合のいい恋にあずけて
終われば 寝た振りして
あれっ 俺ッ 何してんだろう?
忘れた 分からねぇ
太陽が照りつけると やけに後ろめたくて
前倣え 右へ倣えの欲望
気付けば要らんもんばかり
まだ間に合うかなクーリングオフ
亡霊が出るというお屋敷を
キャタピラが踏みつぶして
来春ごろにマンションに変わると 代理人が告げる
また僕を育ててくれた景色が 呆気なく金になった
少しだけ感傷に浸った後
「まぁ それもそうだなぁ」「まぁ それもそうだなぁ」「それもそうだなぁ」
時代とか 社会とか 無理にでも敵に仕立てないと
味方を探せない 愉快に暮らせないよ
仕組んだのは他の誰でもない
俺だって 自首したって 誰も聞いてない
まして罪が軽くなんかならねぇ
なら 息絶えるまで駆けてみよう
恥をまき散らして
退きどきだと言うなかれ素人!
まだ走れるんだ
息絶えるまで駆けてみよう
恥をまき散らして
胸に纏う玉虫色の衣装を
見せびらかしていこう
The lyrics of Mr.Children's song "Running High" convey a sense of frustration and a longing for change. The opening lines criticize someone who claims to have won through logical arguments, calling them foolish and ignorant for not understanding the weight of the singer's burdens. The song then discusses the internal struggle and the game of dodgeball being played with one's inner self, constantly attacking and dodging, trying to find a way forward.
The chorus expresses a cry for help, a desire to be rescued from exhaustion and the feeling of being invisible. The singer yearns for someone to notice their struggles and sounds a metaphorical signal for assistance, but no one seems to see or respond. The lyrics then suggest a determination to keep running until the very end, embracing the shame and wearing it proudly like a robe. The mention of a vividly colored costume symbolizes a defiant display of vulnerability and a refusal to hide behind a façade.
Line by Line Meaning
「理論武装で攻め勝ったと 思うな バカタレ!」
Don't think you've won with your logical arguments, you idiot!
「分かってる 仕方ないだろう 他に打つ手立て無くて」
I know, there's no other choice, I have no other strategy
「威勢がいいわりにちっとも 前に進めてないぜっ」
Despite sounding confident, I'm not making any progress at all
「黙ってろ! この荷物の重さ 知らないくせして」
Shut up! You have no idea how heavy this burden is
向こう側にいる内面とドッチボール
I'm playing dodgeball with my inner self on the other side
威嚇して 逃げ回り 受け止めて 弾き返す
Threatening, running away, catching and bouncing back
「もう疲れた誰か助けてよ!」
I'm tired, someone please help me!
そんな合図出したって 誰も観ていない
Even if I give such a signal, no one is watching
ましてタイムを告げる笛は鳴らねぇ
Moreover, the whistle announcing the time doesn't blow
なら 息絶えるまで駆けてみよう
Then, let's keep running until we're out of breath
恥をまき散らして
Scattering shame
胸に纏う玉虫色の衣装を
Wearing a clothes of iridescent color on my chest
はためかせていこう
Let it flutter
苛々して仕方ない日は
On days when I can't help but feel frustrated
疲れた体を 都合のいい恋にあずけて
I entrust my tired body to a convenient love
終われば 寝た振りして
When it's over, pretend to be asleep
あれっ 俺ッ 何してんだろう?
Huh? What am I doing?
忘れた 分からねぇ
I forgot, I don't understand
太陽が照りつけると やけに後ろめたくて
When the sun shines, I feel strangely guilty
前倣え 右へ倣えの欲望
Desires to follow blindly, to conform
気付けば要らんもんばかり
Before I realize it, I have nothing but unnecessary things
まだ間に合うかなクーリングオフ
I wonder if it's still in time for a cooling-off period
亡霊が出るというお屋敷を
The mansion rumored to have ghosts
キャタピラが踏みつぶして
I crush it with my caterpillar (tank tracks)
来春ごろにマンションに変わると 代理人が告げる
The representative tells me it will turn into an apartment next spring
また僕を育ててくれた景色が 呆気なく金になった
Once again, the scenery that raised me has become a pathetic source of money
少しだけ感傷に浸った後
After soaking in a little sentimentality
「まぁ それもそうだなぁ」「まぁ それもそうだなぁ」「それもそうだなぁ」
Well, yeah, that's true
時代とか 社会とか 無理にでも敵に仕立てないと
In order to find allies, I have to forcibly turn the times and society into enemies
味方を探せない 愉快に暮らせないよ
I can't find allies, I can't live joyfully
仕組んだのは他の誰でもない
No one else but me devised this plan
俺だって 自首したって 誰も聞いてない
Even if I surrender, no one is listening
まして罪が軽くなんかならねぇ
Moreover, my sins won't become lighter
なら 息絶えるまで駆けてみよう
Then, let's keep running until we're out of breath
退きどきだと言うなかれ素人!
Don't say it's time to retreat, amateur!
まだ走れるんだ
I can still run
息絶えるまで駆けてみよう
Let's keep running until we're out of breath
恥をまき散らして
Scattering shame
胸に纏う玉虫色の衣装を
Wearing a clothes of iridescent color on my chest
見せびらかしていこう
Let's show it off
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind