Ryutaro and Tadashi wanted to combine two words to form the band name; something artificial and something natural. After trying a few combinations, they decided on ‘Plastic Tree’. Formerly, there were rumours floating around the web about the band’s name coming from Fake Plastic Trees but this was always disputed due to timing inconsistencies.
In the beginning, Plastic Tree were influenced greatly by The Cure. There was also a large britrock influence. Plastic Tree played a mix of indie rock, punk, and heavier grunge, characterized by Ryutaro’s generic Visual Kei voice and gloomy lyrics. They went through a period where they played more pop-rock and radio-style rock music, although they have recently returned from lighter music to their original roots.
In July 2006, Plastic Tree embarked on their first world tour that took them to Germany, France and Finland.
On the 23rd of February 2009, Sasabuchi Hiroshi left the band and was later replaced by Satou Kenken..
Shiroi Ashiato
Plastic Tree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hinyari to jikan dake heya ni nagarete
Sumashi kao fuyu no yoru shiroku yasashii yuki wa furu
Kanashimi wa utsukushiku kokoro ni tsumotta
Sawai da mune no imi sae wasurete iku kara
Sabishiku warau yokogao bonyari mitsumeta
Fukai mori mayoikomu ashimoto terasu yo
Sumashi kao fuyu no yoru shiroku yasashii yuki wa furu
Shirisugita boku-tachi wo yurushiteku you ni
Furimuite mo ashiato wa mou mienai kara
Kaerimichi ga wakaranai kono mama kie sou de
[POKETTO] ni suberikomu kimi no te wa atatakakute
Nani hitotsu kawarazu ni ite hoshii kigashita
Sawai da mune no imi sae wasurete iku kara
Sabishiku warau yokogao mitsumeta
Furimuite mo ashiato wa mou mienai kara
Modorenakunaru bokura wa kono mama kie sou de
The lyrics for Plastic Tree's song "Shiroi Ashiato" describe a feeling of hopelessness and sadness, felt by the singer who is reflecting on a past relationship. The first verse describes the singer's partner's presence in the room, but despite this, there is a sense of a void between them, which is illustrated by the use of the word "glass" (garasu) in the second line. They feel isolated and time seems to move slowly, leading to a melancholic atmosphere. The singer's face is pale, and outside, the snow falls gently. Although beautiful, the snow mirrors the singer's sadness, which is "gathered" in their heart.
The second verse conveys the singer's sense of disconnection from the present. They have forgotten the meaning of the beating of their heart (sawai da mune no imi sae wasurete iku kara), and they stare at the face of someone who smiles but still looks lonely. They note that the night is dark, but the light will not completely disappear. The chorus repeats, with additional imagery portraying the light illuminating the singer's steps in the deep forest, and the snow falls just as it has been earlier.
Overall, the song is a contemplation of loss and the desire to cling to the past. The snow and the footprints left on it are an excellent metaphor for regret and the reverberation of one's past actions. The singer is powerless, unable to stop time, and all they can do is reflect on what is already gone.
Line by Line Meaning
Madobe ni wa tameiki de [GARASU] wo kumoraseta kimi
You, sitting by the window, sighed and fogged up the glass
Hinyari to jikan dake heya ni nagarete
Time passes slowly in this cold, isolated room
Sumashi kao fuyu no yoru shiroku yasashii yuki wa furu
On this winter night, pure white snow falls gently on your solemn face
Kanashimi wa utsukushiku kokoro ni tsumotta
Your sadness gathers beautifully in your heart
Sawai da mune no imi sae wasurete iku kara
You're forgetting even the meaning of a simple heart
Sabishiku warau yokogao bonyari mitsumeta
You stared absentmindedly at your lonely laughing face in the mirror
Tsuki mo nai yoru dakedo hikari wa kietari shinai ne
Though the moon may not be out tonight, the light will never completely disappear
Fukai mori mayoikomu ashimoto terasu yo
Emerging from this deep forest, I'll light your path
Shirisugita boku-tachi wo yurushiteku you ni
Forgive us for who we've become, for who we've forgotten
Furimuite mo ashiato wa mou mienai kara
Turning back, your footprints are no longer visible
Kaerimichi ga wakaranai kono mama kie sou de
Not knowing the way back, we may disappear in this state
[POKETTO] ni suberikomu kimi no te wa atatakakute
Slipping your warm hand into my pocket, it was as if nothing had changed
Nani hitotsu kawarazu ni ite hoshii kigashita
I hoped for nothing to change, to remain as it was
Modorenakunaru bokura wa kono mama kie sou de
We, unable to go back, may disappear just like this
Contributed by Jayce C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Emil Sinclair
Finally! I love this song <3 thank you for uploading it