RC Succession are perhaps Japan's longest-running active band, although it … Read Full Bio ↴RC Succession are perhaps Japan's longest-running active band, although it has gone through many changes over the years.
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.

SHELTER OF LOVE ツル・ツル
RCサクセション Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

ツルツル
ツルツル
すべり出す REAR
君への THE LONG WAY
ハンドルとられる
降りしきる HIGH WAY
いくらぼくのマシーンが
良くてもダメさ BABY

放射能の雨降りしきる HIGH WAY
AH AH ぼくをシェルターの中に
入れて入れておくれよ
AH AH 君のシェルターの中に
入れて入れておくれよ
すべり出すテール・ライト
君への THE LONG WAY
もってかれちまうぜ
降りしきる HIGH WAY
いくらぼくが丈夫でタフでも
ダメさ BABY
激しい雨の中
降りしきる HIGH WAY
AH AH ぼくをシェルターの中に
入れて入れておくれよ
AH AH 君のシェルターの外で
ぼくは叫び続ける

すべるすべるすべるすべてがすべる
ツルっとよくすべる
すべるすべるすべる
すべって転がり落ちる
すべってよく落ちる
いくらぼくのマシーンがタフでも
ダメさ BABY
この恋だけは遠すぎる
THE LONG WAY
AH AH ぼくをシェルターの中に
入れて入れておくれよ
AH AH 君のシェルターの外で
ぼくは叫び続ける
AH AH ぼくをシェルターの中に
入れて入れておくれよ
AH AH 君のシェルターの中に
入れて入れておくれよ
AH AH ぼくをシェルターの中に
入れて入れておくれよ
AH AH 君のシェルターの外で
ぼくは叫び続ける
AH AH ぼくをシェルターの中に
入れて入れておくれよ
AH AH 君のシェルターの中に

入れて入れておくれよ
AH AH

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of RCサクセション's song "SHELTER OF LOVE ツル・ツル" depict a story of longing and desperation. The singer finds himself slipping away on a rear-wheel drive, taking the long way to reach their loved one. However, they are unable to steer and the rain pours down heavily on the highway, symbolizing the obstacles and difficulties they face in their journey. Despite having a good machine, it is not enough to overcome the challenges. The radiation rain further adds to the sense of danger and adversity.

The chorus expresses the plea of the singer to be taken into the shelter, either the shelter of their loved one or any shelter that can provide protection. They want to be safe and protected from the storm brewing outside. However, they are left outside, continuously screaming in desperation.

The repeated use of the word "ツル" (tsuru) which means "slippery" or "smooth" adds to the imagery of the singer's struggle and the unstable nature of their situation.

Overall, the lyrics reflect the desire for refuge and protection in a tumultuous journey of love, where the obstacles and distance seem insurmountable.

Line by Line Meaning

ツルツル
Smooth, slippery

すべり出す REAR
My rear wheels start sliding

君への THE LONG WAY
Taking the long route to reach you

ハンドルとられる
Losing control of the steering wheel

降りしきる HIGH WAY
Heavy rain pouring down the highway

いくらぼくのマシーンが良くてもダメさ BABY
No matter how good my machine is, it's useless, baby

放射能の雨降りしきる HIGH WAY
Radioactive rain pouring down the highway

AH AH ぼくをシェルターの中に入れて入れておくれよ
Ah ah, please put me in the shelter, keep me safe inside

AH AH 君のシェルターの中に入れて入れておくれよ
Ah ah, please put me in your shelter, keep me safe inside

すべり出すテール・ライト
My taillights start sliding

君への THE LONG WAY
Taking the long route to reach you

もってかれちまうぜ
It's gonna take me away

降りしきる HIGH WAY
Heavy rain pouring down the highway

いくらぼくが丈夫でタフでもダメさ BABY
No matter how strong and tough I am, it's no good, baby

激しい雨の中降りしきる HIGH WAY
In the midst of intense rain pouring down the highway

AH AH ぼくをシェルターの中に入れて入れておくれよ
Ah ah, please put me in the shelter, keep me safe inside

AH AH 君のシェルターの外でぼくは叫び続ける
Ah ah, outside of your shelter, I keep screaming

すべるすべるすべるすべてがすべる
Slip, slip, everything slips

ツルっとよくすべる
Smoothly and well slips

すべるすべるすべる
Slip, slip, slip

すべって転がり落ちる
Slipping and rolling down

すべってよく落ちる
Slipping and falling well

いくらぼくのマシーンがタフでもダメさ BABY
No matter how tough my machine is, it's no good, baby

この恋だけは遠すぎる THE LONG WAY
This love is just too far away, the long way