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.
tooriame
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
その理由すら自分でわからない
目に見えている事
その向こう側にある命の息吹 聞こえる
叶わない夢なら 捨てちゃえば身軽だよ
知ってる 分かってるんだけども
もう少し抱きしめていたいや
通り雨 ほらまた降り出した
物思いにふけっているよ
通り雨 この胸を濡らして
水溜まり いくつも作っていく
いつか光が射して それが乱反射し合って
キラキラ輝くといいのに
甘えるのが嫌で 寂しいのが苦手
あまのじゃくだと 君は笑うけれど
恨み続けながら とっくに許してる
そんな毎日 繰り返す
生まれた瞬間から ゆっくりと死んでゆく
そこからは もう逃れようがないなら
笑っていたいんだけどな...
通り雨 まだ降り続いてる
新聞をめくってる間に
また陽は照りつけるだろう
通り雨 この胸を濡らして
水溜まり いくつも作っていく
いつしか夜になって そこに星空が映って
キラキラ輝くといいのに
雨上がりの街にある特有の匂い
透き通った空気が好きだった
何かをリセットしたみたいな気配が
新しい僕を運んでくる気がして...
通り雨 ほらまた降り出した
鼻歌を歌ってる間に
また陽は照りつけるだろう
通り雨 この胸を濡らして
水溜まり いくつも作っていく
いつか光が射して それが乱反射し合って
キラキラ輝くといいのに
通り雨 この胸を濡らして
水溜まり いくつも作っていく
いつしか夜になって そこに星空が映って
キラキラ輝くといいのに
キラキラ輝くといいのに
The lyrics of Mr.Children's song "Tooriame" delve into the struggles of acceptance and self-awareness. The singer admits to having accepted something, but nonetheless finds themselves rejecting it inwardly, without fully understanding why. The visible world is contrasted with the mysterious breath of life beyond it, which can be heard if one listens closely enough. The song advises that if there's a dream that can't be realized, it's best to just let it go and be unencumbered. But even though the singer understands and knows this, they still wish to hold onto it a little longer. The imagery of a passing storm is employed to represent the ebb and flow of life, the ups and downs we experience, all while we try to come to terms with who we are.
The second verse delves into the singer's personality - they dislike being coddled, yet have a hard time with loneliness. They hold onto grudges while also forgiving, and the unfulfilling days keep repeating themselves. Throughout life, we are slowly dying from the moment we are born, and there's no escape from this. The singer wants to laugh off their worries but doesn't know how. The song then shifts back to the passing storm, which continues incessantly while the singer flips through a newspaper, waiting for the sun to come out again. They muse about the idea of having multiple puddles created from the rain, and how they hope one day light will shine and reflect off all of them, creating a twinkling glow.
As for the song's meaning itself, it's somewhat open to interpretation. It could deal with acceptance, self-doubt, or the passage of time. The imagery of rain serves as a metaphor for life, with its ups and downs and its consistent flow. It's a reflection of how we're all constantly trying to ride through the hard times to get to the good ones. Ultimately, it's a song about hope - hoping for a better future, for self-discovery, and for a brighter tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
受け入れたつもりが どこかで拒んでる
Even though I thought I had accepted it, there is still a part of me that is rejecting it, and I don't understand why.
その理由すら自分でわからない
I don't even know the reason why I am rejecting it myself.
目に見えている事 その向こう側にある命の息吹 聞こえる
I can hear the breath of life that exists beyond what I can see.
叶わない夢なら 捨てちゃえば身軽だよ
If it's an unfulfilled dream, it's better to let it go and be free.
知ってる 分かってるんだけども もう少し抱きしめていたいや
I know, I understand, but I still want to hold on for a little longer.
通り雨 ほらまた降り出した
Look, it's started raining again.
木の下で雨宿りしながら 物思いにふけっているよ
I am under a tree, taking shelter from the rain, lost in thought.
通り雨 この胸を濡らして
The passing rain wets my heart.
水溜まり いくつも作っていく
I keep making puddles.
いつか光が射して それが乱反射し合って キラキラ輝くといいのに
I hope that one day the light will shine, and it will reflect and sparkle beautifully.
甘えるのが嫌で 寂しいのが苦手
I don't like to depend on others, and I'm not good at being alone.
あまのじゃくだと 君は笑うけれど
You laugh and call me picky.
恨み続けながら とっくに許してる
I continue to hold a grudge, but I have already forgiven.
そんな毎日 繰り返す
I live this kind of everyday, repeating.
生まれた瞬間から ゆっくりと死んでゆく そこからは もう逃れようがないなら
Ever since I was born, I have been slowly dying, and there is no escape from that.
笑っていたいんだけどな...
But I still want to laugh...
新聞をめくってる間に また陽は照りつけるだろう
While I'm reading, the sun will start shining again.
いつしか夜になって そこに星空が映って キラキラ輝くといいのに
I hope that one day it will become night, and there will be a starry sky that shimmers and sparkles.
雨上がりの街にある特有の匂い
The unique smell in the town after the rain.
透き通った空気が好きだった
I used to like the clear air.
何かをリセットしたみたいな気配が 新しい僕を運んでくる気がして...
I feel like something has been reset, and it brings a new me.
鼻歌を歌ってる間に また陽は照りつけるだろう
While I'm humming, the sun will start shining again.
Writer(s): 桜井 和寿
Contributed by Bentley J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.