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.
Shounen
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
中から漏れる声に耳を澄ましたら
驚かさないように そっとノックをしなくちゃな
ねぇそこにいるんだろう? もう入ってもいいかなぁ?
君のその内側へと 僕は手を伸ばしているよ
日焼けしたみたいに 心に焼き付いて
君の姿をした跡になった
まだ消えずにいるよ
瞼の内側で君を抱きしめると
心臓の鼓動が僕に襲い掛かってくる
そいつをなだめて 優しく手なずけるまで
まだ時間がかかりそうなんだ
できるだけリアルに 君を描写したいと思う
そのための時間を 僕にくれないかなぁ?
どんな名画よりも美しく描くから
じっとしてなくてもいいんだよ 笑ってなくてもいいんだよ
ただ君のまんまで こっちを向いてておくれよ
「幸せ」はいつだって 抱きしめたとたんに
ピントがぼやけてしまうから
そうなる少し前で しっかり見続けよう
なんて できるのかなぁ?
僕の中の少年は無防備な笑顔で
自転車を飛ばして 君に会いたいと急ぐ
甘えもわがままも すべてをさらけ出してくれていいよ
僕がちゃんと受け止めるよ
君のその内側へと 僕は手を伸ばしているよ
日焼けしたみたいに心に焼き付いた
君の姿をした跡になった
蝉が死んでいったって 熱りがとれなくて
まだ消えずにいるよ
僕の中の少年は汗まみれになって
自転車を飛ばして 君に会いたいと急ぐ
迷いも悲しみも すべてをぶちまけてくれたっていいよ
僕が全部受け止めるよ 受け止めるよ
The lyrics of Mr.Children's song "Shounen" talk about holding onto memories and love, and the pain that comes with it. The singer is at the door of the person they love, hesitant to disturb them but yearning to be close to them. The imagery of sunflowers and cicadas dying but still lingering is used to represent the lingering feelings of love that the singer is holding onto. Despite the pain and uncertainty, the singer wants to continue holding onto the memories because they are beautiful and worth cherishing.
The chorus of the song talks about the difficulty of holding onto happiness. The singer wants to savor the happiness they have with this person, but knows that it is fleeting and can slip away at any moment. They lament that they cannot always be happy, and that they must try to hold onto it as tightly as possible before it fades away completely. The singer acknowledges that they are still a child at heart, full of vulnerability and fear, but they are willing to expose all of their feelings to the person they love and hope for acceptance and understanding.
Overall, the lyrics of "Shounen" are bittersweet and contemplative, exploring the challenges of holding onto love and happiness. The singer's vulnerability and fear are juxtaposed with their desire to be understood and accepted, even if it means experiencing pain and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
足音を忍ばせ 君の扉の前に立ち
I stand silently at your door, trying not to startle you as I approach
中から漏れる声に耳を澄ましたら
I listen closely, trying to hear your voice from inside
驚かさないように そっとノックをしなくちゃな
I must knock gently, so as not to startle you
ねぇそこにいるんだろう? もう入ってもいいかなぁ?
Are you there? Can I come in?
君のその内側へと 僕は手を伸ばしているよ
I reach out to touch your innermost self
日焼けしたみたいに 心に焼き付いて
Burned into my heart like a sun tan
君の姿をした跡になった
It's become a mark that looks like you
ひまわりが枯れたって 熱りがとれなくて まだ消えずにいるよ
Even if the sunflowers die, the warmth won't fade away, and it's still here
瞼の内側で君を抱きしめると 心臓の鼓動が僕に襲い掛かってくる そいつをなだめて 優しく手なずけるまで まだ時間がかかりそうなんだ
When I embrace you in my mind, my heart beats wildly. It might take some time to calm it and gently soothe it until it is at peace.
できるだけリアルに 君を描写したいと思う そのための時間を 僕にくれないかなぁ?
I want to write about you as realistically as possible. Can you give me your time for that?
どんな名画よりも美しく描くから じっとしてなくてもいいんだよ 笑ってなくてもいいんだよ ただ君のまんまで こっちを向いてておくれよ
I'll paint you more beautifully than any masterpiece. You don't have to sit still or smile, just be yourself and look this way.
「幸せ」はいつだって 抱きしめたとたんに ピントがぼやけてしまうから そうなる少し前で しっかり見続けよう なんて できるのかなぁ?
Happiness always blurs the moment I embrace it, so I wonder if I can keep looking at it a little before that happens.
僕の中の少年は無防備な笑顔で 自転車を飛ばして 君に会いたいと急ぐ 甘えもわがままも すべてをさらけ出してくれていいよ 僕がちゃんと受け止めるよ
The boy inside me rides a bike to meet you with an innocent smile. It's okay to be spoiled or selfish, I'll accept everything properly.
蝉が死んでいったって 熱りがとれなくて まだ消えずにいるよ
Even if the cicadas die, the heat won't fade away, and it's still here
僕の中の少年は汗まみれになって 自転車を飛ばして 君に会いたいと急ぐ 迷いも悲しみも すべてをぶちまけてくれたっていいよ 僕が全部受け止めるよ 受け止めるよ
The boy inside me rushes to meet you on a bike, covered in sweat. It's okay to pour out all your hesitations and sorrows, I'll embrace them all properly.
君のその内側へと 僕は手を伸ばしているよ
I reach out to touch your innermost self
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind