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.
Yurikago no Aru Oka Kara
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
kusabanatachi ga ichinichijyuu warutsu wo odotteta
toritachi no sanbika wo mitsubachi ga hakondekite
sore ga bokura no mimimoto de tobikatteta
yurikago ga soko ni ha itsumo oiteari
koshi kaketa kimi no yureru kami wo naderu tabi
yawaraka na kaori ni tsutsumikomi
itsumo koko de machiawasete
kimi notsukutta ranchi tabetetakke....
demo boku ha senjo ni itteiru sono aida
kimi ha otona ni natteshimatteite
ano yakusoku wo tayori ni ikinobite modotta no ni
kimi ha mou chigau dareka no ude no naka
soshite boku ha hitori
sougen ha ano hi no mama no yasashisa de
kutabirete tomadou boku wo sotto tsutsumikomu
arasoi ni katta kedo daiji na mono wo ushinatte
ittai boku ha nani wo shiteita no darou
boku no kata ni atama noseta
kimi no shashin yurikago ni oite mite
ichido dake kimi ga kureta tegami wo yomikaeshitara
kizukenakatta sabishisa ga futtekite
gomen ne to tsubuyaitemo mou dou naru wake demo naku
setsunasa gyutto mune wo shimetsukeru
Ah boku ga senjo ni itteiru sono aida
kimi ha mou chigau dareka no ude no naka
soshite boku ha hitori
The lyrics of Mr.Children's Yurikago no Aru Oka Kara describe the memories of a man who used to spend his time with a loved one in a field, where the wind would blow gently on the grass he and the loved one would listen to the birds singing, and they would watch bees taking flowers' nectar for their honey. The repeated mentions of the swing that's always there also suggest a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. However, the song switches into a present tense and reveals that he is now alone, and the people he once knew have departed or moved on without him. He remembers the times he shared with someone before the future took them in separate directions and wonders what went wrong since then. He still holds on to the memories, which have become a solace for him in his present solitude, as he tries to make sense of what happened to disturb their harmony.
The song touches on the passage of time, the transience of human relationships, and the desire to rerun to the past when things seemed simpler or happier. The lyrics are written in a way that enables the listener to visualize what the singer is describing, and the use of sensory detail, such as the smell of someone's hair, or the touch of a breeze on one's face, makes the listener feel as if they are reliving their own past moments of happiness and sadness. The overall theme of the song is that despite the inevitability of change, we can remember moments of connection and peace while recognizing that life moves forward, and we must move with it.
Line by Line Meaning
sougen ni ha yasashii kaze ga fuiteite
Gentle winds are blowing in the meadow
kusabanatachi ga ichinichijyuu warutsu wo odotteta
Grasses were dancing to the tune of the day
toritachi no sanbika wo mitsubachi ga hakondekite
Bees were carrying bird songs with them
sore ga bokura no mimimoto de tobikatteta
We were listening to them closely
yurikago ga soko ni ha itsumo oiteari
The cradle was always there
koshi kaketa kimi no yureru kami wo naderu tabi
Every time I stroke your swaying hair that rests on the cradle
yawaraka na kaori ni tsutsumikomi
Wrapped in a gentle scent
omowazu boku ha sono kami ni kisu wo suru
Without thinking, I kiss your hair
itsumo koko de machiawasete
We always met right here
kimi notsukutta ranchi tabetetakke....
I wanted to eat the lunch you made
demo boku ha senjo ni itteiru sono aida
But in the meantime, I went to the battlefield
kimi ha otona ni natteshimatteite
You have become an adult
ano yakusoku wo tayori ni ikinobite modotta no ni
Although I came back relying on that promise
kimi ha mou chigau dareka no ude no naka
You are now in someone else's arms
soshite boku ha hitori
And I am alone
sougen ha ano hi no mama no yasashisa de
The meadow is still kind, like it was that day
kutabirete tomadou boku wo sotto tsutsumikomu
It softly envelops me as I feel tired and lost
arasoi ni katta kedo daiji na mono wo ushinatte
Even though I may have won battles, I have lost something precious
ittai boku ha nani wo shiteita no darou
What was I even doing?
boku no kata ni atama noseta
I rest your picture on my shoulder
kimi no shashin yurikago ni oite mite
I place your picture in the cradle
ichido dake kimi ga kureta tegami wo yomikaeshitara
When I reread the letter you gave me just once
kizukenakatta sabishisa ga futtekite
I realize the loneliness I didn't notice before
gomen ne to tsubuyaitemo mou dou naru wake demo naku
Even if I whisper 'I'm sorry', nothing will change
setsunasa gyutto mune wo shimetsukeru
The pain tightly grips my heart
Ah boku ga senjo ni itteiru sono aida
Ah, while I am on the battlefield
kimi ha mou chigau dareka no ude no naka
You are now in someone else's arms
soshite boku ha hitori
And I am alone
Contributed by Violet S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
鋼鉄の魁馬-韋駄天RIDER-
人間が争い合いをしているのを思うと
この歌が聴きたくなります
勝っても負けても争いに明け暮れている内に
好きな人愛する人は待てずにどこかへ行く
大義を掲げた勇ましい人にも好きな人はいる
本当に得たいと思うものは争いなのか？
問いかける様に草花が揺れ鳥がさえずる様は
本当の幸いを問いかけている様です
誰かに勝る事実より大切なもの
気がつけない愚かさと悲しさ
人の気持ちを動かすのは悲しみではないはずです
愛する人といる為の努力は
戦争で勝つより難しい試練と思います
雅楓Kafu
2023-7/16
ap bank fes’23行ってきました。
まさかこの曲を聴けるとは思ってませんでした…！！
調べてみたところ、最後にライブで演奏されたのが自分の生まれる前まで遡るようですね…(超激レア！！)
本当に感無量です😭
AKIHIRO
昨日行きました。
イントロ鳴った瞬間「マジか!?」と思わず言ってしまいましたw
ちなみに97年のregeess or progressツアーの東京ドーム公演以来26年ぶりの披露だそうです。
愛を込めてまだ見ぬ自分へ
素敵ですよね❤
あながちジュン
この２曲の流れと雰囲気が良いよね。
「ゆりかごのある丘から」で主人公は唯一の希望だった人を奪われて、独りになり、何で生きてるのか分からない状況。
「虜」では上のようなことがあって、人生にグレた主人公が泣きながら、酒を浴びるように呑んだくれる情景が浮かぶ。
この後に来る「花 -Memento Mori-」が新たな希望を見いだす感じがして好き。
藤田哲臣
私のナンバー1です
角煮まんじゅう
花メメントモリって希望ともとれるし、絶望や諦観ともとれるから、主人公がひたすら報われないまま深海というエンディングを迎えるていうパターンも考えられる
風をあつめて空に放つ、というのがなんとも絶妙な表現
気持ちを切り替える、とも、嘆きのため息、ともとれる
たくむ。
今日歌われたようですね。。。。生できいてみたかったな！！
SUNRISE
日曜参戦しました!
イントロ流れて え、ゆりかご!?ってビックリしましたー笑
たくむ。
@SUNRISE 羨ましい限りです…！🥹
yoshi 999
ヘリのイントロで鳥肌立ってたよ
一気に青春時代に戻った気がしましたよ。