The origins of the group's name remain obscure, but according to some it is a mispronunciation of an in-joke among the band members.
The group first started as a Tokyo-based folk trio in 1966 when leader Kiyoshiro Imawano was still in junior high school and playing in a Ventures copy band.
The group is hard to classify, but in early years their sound was mostly R&B fashioned music played acoustically. Imawano, however, has quite a distinctive high warbling voice that is not typical of soul singers, and which frankly some people find annoying.
More than a singer, he is known as a lyricist for his clever and timely lyrics.
RC Succession developed a reputation early on as a strong live band, but did not have a hit record until 1972, and then not again for a long time after that.
In the late 70s the group took on a more electric sound, as well as an odd glam influenced look, with Imawano in particular often appearing in loud clothing and heavy makeup.
The group became part of a hot late 70s scene which included Yellow Magic Orchestra, The Plastics, and Sandii & The Sunsetz, created when these groups began interacting with foreign bands and releasing internationally.
RC Succession did not catch on internationally as much as some of the others, but they did take part in a famous concert in 1982 called "The Day of R&B", which took place at a packed baseball stadium and included as headliners Chuck Berry and Sam Moore of Sam & Dave.
The event was filmed and released as a video. Another thing in 1982 that helped establish them as a major act was a collaboration with Ryucihi Sakamoto called "Ikenai Rouge Magic".
The single's jacket and promotional picture featured Imawano and Sakamoto kissing - quite a shocker at the time.
The song was also used in a popular TV commercial. Among the best-known RC Succession songs are "Ameagari No Yozora Ni" and "Toranjitsu Rajio".
RC Succession have often collaborated with other artists, and Imawano marks among the highlights of his career working with his heroes Booker T. & The MG's.
RC Succession are also unusual in that for a Japanese pop band they are fairly political and outspoken. They are one of the few Japanese bands that regularly play benefits, and Imawano has spoken out against war, nuclear power and in favor of Tibetan freedom.
In 1988 the group recorded an album of cover versions of famous songs re-worked with Japanese lyrics, called Covers.
Among them was a version of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues" with anti-nuclear power lyrics. Their record label at the time, however, was Toshiba-EMI, and given that Toshiba had nuclear related business they refused to release the album, which eventually came out on Kitty Records.
Johnny Thunders of the New York Dolls also appeared on this album on a re-make of "Eve of Destruction".
Imawano also stirred up controversy when he formed the side project Timers (slang for marijuana), and did a rock version of the national anthem "Kimigayo".
Imawano seems to have many interests and hobbies. He has written children's books and is widely known as a big bicycling enthusiast.
He has also dabbled in acting, appearing in the movies Otakus in Love in 2004, and in Takashi Miike's film The Great Yokai War in 2005. He has been one of the most frequent performers in the history of the Fuji Rock Festival. Since the festival began in 1997 he has appeared in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, and is booked for 2006. He famously rides his bike to the festival's mountain setting.
イマジン
RCサクセション Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
国境も無い ただ地球があるだけ
みんながそう思えば
簡単なことさ
社会主義も 資本主義も
偉い人も 貧しい人も
みんなが同じならば
夢かもしれない
でも その夢を見てるのは
一人だけじゃない
世界中にいるのさ
誰かを憎んでも 派閥を作っても
頭の上には ただ空があるだけ
みんながそう思うさ
簡単なこと言う
夢かもしれない
でも その夢を見てるのは
きみ一人じゃない
仲間がいるのさ
夢かもしれない
でも その夢を見てるのは
きみ一人じゃない
夢かもしれない
でも一人じゃない
夢かもしれない
Ah ah (笑っちゃう)
夢かもしれない 夢かもしれない (僕らは薄着で笑っちゃう)
だけど一人じゃない
Ah ah (笑っちゃう)
夢かもしれない 夢かもしれない (僕らは薄着で笑っちゃう)
だけど一人じゃない
Ah ah (笑っちゃう)
夢かもしれない 夢かもしれない (僕らは薄着で笑っちゃう)
日々一人じゃない
Ah ah (笑っちゃう)
一人ぼっちじゃない (僕らは薄着で笑っちゃう)
夢かもしれない ないかもしれない
Ah ah (笑っちゃう)
だけど一人じゃない (僕らは薄着で笑っちゃう)
夢かもしれない ないかもしれない (ないかもしれない)
Ah ah (笑っちゃう)
(僕らは薄着で笑っちゃう)
Ah ah hey (笑っちゃう)
夢かもしれない ないかもしれない
(僕らは薄着で笑っちゃう)
The lyrics to RCサクセション's song イマジン call for unity and the recognition that all human beings are equal. The first verse emphasizes that there is no heaven or borders; there is only the sky and the Earth. And if everyone thinks this way, it is a straightforward thing to understand. The second verse talks about how socialism and capitalism don't matter, and rich and poor people are the same if everyone thinks they are equal. The song encourages people to stop creating divisions and hatred, as above our heads, there is only the sky. The chorus repeats that dreaming of unity may seem like a dream, but it is a dream shared globally, and one is not alone in that dream. The song also mentions one not being alone in daily life.
RCサクセション's song イマジン was introduced to the world in 1980 as a part of their album called "FANTASIA." The song has remained popular in Japan over the years and resonates with people of all ages. The album "FANTASIA" was their most popular album, and it has been re-released multiple times. The song's lyrics are still relevant today and highlight issues like inequality and division. The song was originally inspired by John Lennon's song "Imagine." It was written after the assassination of Lennon by their lead singer, Kiyoshiro Imawano. The song is written to be a response to Lennon's song with a Japanese twist.
Line by Line Meaning
天国は無い ただ空があるだけ
There's no heaven, just the sky
国境も無い ただ地球があるだけ
There are no borders, just the earth
みんながそう思えば 簡単なことさ
If we all think that way, it's simple
社会主義も 資本主義も
Socialism or capitalism,
偉い人も 貧しい人も
Rich or poor,
みんなが同じならば 簡単なことさ
If we're all the same, it's simple
夢かもしれない
It may be a dream
でも その夢を見てるのは
But you're not the only one who dreams it
一人だけじゃない 世界中にいるのさ
You're not alone, others dream it too all over the world
誰かを憎んでも 派閥を作っても
Even if you hate someone or stick with a faction,
頭の上には ただ空があるだけ
Above your head, there's just the sky
みんながそう思うさ 簡単なこと言う
When we all think that way, it's easy to say
きみ一人じゃない 仲間がいるのさ
You're not alone, you have comrades
Ah ah (笑っちゃう)
Ah ah (I laugh)
僕らは薄着で笑っちゃう
We laugh while dressed in light clothes
日々一人じゃない
Every day you're not alone
一人ぼっちじゃない
You're not alone
夢かもしれない ないかもしれない
It may be a dream, it may not be
Ah ah hey (笑っちゃう)
Ah ah hey (I laugh)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Winston Lennon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
deathtrip23
自分用
0:00 imagine
07:49 雨上がりの夜空に
12:30 君が代
18:32 mother
23:31 デイドリームビリーバー
26:43 傘がない
33:07 復活祈願
35:20 main ichi ga brand new day
38:27 エンジェル
43:21 激しい雨
47:44 meltdown
52:09 JUMP
01:01:00 雨上がりの夜空に
01:07:57 ニコニコセクション
01:12:23 よォーこそ
01:18:25 Love me Tender
Yuu Kachi
0:00 imagine
07:49 雨上がりの夜空に
12:30 君が代
18:32 mother
23:31 デイドリームビリーバー
26:43 傘がない
33:07 復活祈願
35:20 main ichi ga brand new day
38:27 エンジェル
43:21 激しい雨
47:44 meltdown
52:09 JUMP
01:01:00 雨上がりの夜空に
01:07:57 ニコニコセクション
01:12:23 よォーこそ
01:18:25 Love me Tender
deathtrip23
自分用
0:00 imagine
07:49 雨上がりの夜空に
12:30 君が代
18:32 mother
23:31 デイドリームビリーバー
26:43 傘がない
33:07 復活祈願
35:20 main ichi ga brand new day
38:27 エンジェル
43:21 激しい雨
47:44 meltdown
52:09 JUMP
01:01:00 雨上がりの夜空に
01:07:57 ニコニコセクション
01:12:23 よォーこそ
01:18:25 Love me Tender
KEN S
なんという感受性！数少ない本物の芸術家だよね
道太
真面目も不真面目も歌えるのが好き
/BLUE SKY 青空
清志郎がいない世界は何処か寂しく思える
佐々木な
名曲は 死なない!!!!
K H
高校生の時にRCのライブに行きました。
大好きだった。本当に懐かしい！
Yuu Kachi
0:00 imagine
07:49 雨上がりの夜空に
12:30 君が代
18:32 mother
23:31 デイドリームビリーバー
26:43 傘がない
33:07 復活祈願
35:20 main ichi ga brand new day
38:27 エンジェル
43:21 激しい雨
47:44 meltdown
52:09 JUMP
01:01:00 雨上がりの夜空に
01:07:57 ニコニコセクション
01:12:23 よォーこそ
01:18:25 Love me Tender
O Nuckie
ありがとう
たかたにまさゆき
間違いなく心にしみる声人間味感謝しまーすありがとう🎵
しんなか
中学生の頃から聴いています。
あなたのおかげでバンドも組みました。
人生を大きく変えて頂きました。
今も毎日トラックの中で口ずさんでます。