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.
tabibito
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
分かってながら僕らは猥褻
情報過多で簡略化だぜ 文明の利器は
僕らをどうして何処へ運んでく
誰だってしんどい
集団で牛丼食べて孤独な想いを消してんだ
忘れ去られた人情味を探して彷徨っている僕らって 愛に舞う旅人
うつむかないで天上を見よ 転ばぬ先の杖なんていらない
でも心配 そんで今日もまた神頼み
愛情の表現なんてのは十人十色です
僕に構わず先に行ってくんさい
裸で抱き合って
隣人と将来などを不安な想いで見つめんだ
悩みは尽きないや 切ないがぐれるな
恋に身を投げるロミオ 美談にならない時代だよって 僕もまた旅人
言い訳せずに実行せよ 正当化せず答えを探そう
ありがとう こんな僕に付き合ってくれて
どうせ駄目ならやってみよう
数え切れぬ絶望を味わった 夢を追う旅人
この人生をまっとうせよ
誰のものでもないと図に乗って しくじって
そんで今日もまた神頼み 神頼み
The lyrics to Mr.Children's song "Tabibito" speak about the struggles of navigating the complexities of modern society. The song acknowledges the overwhelming amount of information and the ease of oversimplifying things in this day and age, which often leaves people feeling lost and alone. Despite this, the lyrics urge listeners to persevere and to not give in to despair. The song speaks to the human condition and our endless pursuit of love, happiness, and meaning.
The lyrics touch on themes of isolation, anxiety, and the challenges of communication. The song recognizes that people can often find solace in groups or eating together but acknowledges the underlying feelings of loneliness and fear that exist beneath the surface. At the same time, the song encourages listeners to keep moving forward, to not give up on their dreams and to embrace life even in the face of hardships.
In many ways, "Tabibito" is a deeply personal and introspective song. It speaks to the transition from childhood to adulthood and the realization that life is not as simple or straightforward as we once thought. Yet, even as the lyrics acknowledge the difficulties of life, they also foster an optimistic outlook that emphasizes the importance of perseverance, compassion, and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
安直だけど純粋さが胸を打つのです
Although it may be cliche, it's the purity that strikes a chord in our hearts.
分かってながら僕らは猥褻
We may be aware, but we still succumb to obscenity.
情報過多で簡略化だぜ文明の利器は
Amidst information overload, civilization's tools have led us to oversimplify.
僕らをどうして何処へ運んでく
Where is all this taking us?
誰だってしんどい
Everyone goes through tough times.
集団で牛丼食べて
We eat Gyudon in groups
孤独な想いを消してんだ
To mask our lonely thoughts.
ほらもう少しの辛抱
Just hold on a little longer.
あわてん坊よ焦るな
Don't be impatient, restless one.
忘れ去られた人情味を探して
Searching for lost kindness.
彷徨っている僕らって
Lost souls.
愛に舞う旅人
The wanderer dancing with love.
うつむかないで天上を見よ
Look up to the sky instead of down at your feet.
転ばぬ先の杖なんていらない
We don't need a stick to avoid falling, just pay attention.
でも心配 そんで今日もまた神頼み
But still, worry persists and we pray to the gods once again today.
愛情の表現なんてのは十人十色です
Expression of love varies from person to person.
僕に構わず先に行ってくんさい
Ignore me and move ahead.
裸で抱き合って
Embrace while naked.
隣人と将来などを
Contemplating the future with neighbors.
不安な想いで見つめんだ
Looking at it through the lens of worry.
悩みは尽きないや
Troubles never end.
切ないがぐれるな
Don't fall into despair, despite the sorrow.
恋に身を投げるロミオ
Romeo throws himself into love.
美談にならない時代だ
This is not a time for romantic tales.
よって僕もまた旅人
Thus, I am also a wanderer.
言い訳せずに実行せよ
Don't make excuses, just act.
正当化せず答えを探そう
Let's seek the answer without justification.
ありがとう こんな僕に 付き合ってくれて
Thank you for sticking by someone like me.
どうせ駄目ならやってみよう
If we're doomed to fail, might as well try anyway.
数え切れぬ絶望を味わった
We have tasted countless despair.
夢を追う旅人
The wanderer chasing dreams.
この人生をまっとうせよ
Live this life to its fullest.
誰のものでもないと図に乗って
Riding high, no one can lay claim to us.
しくじって
Even if we screw up,
そんで今日もまた神頼み
We still pray to the gods once again today.
神頼み …
Prayer to the gods.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind