SMAP was first formed in 1988, though their debut single came in 1991. SMAP officially stands for the English words "Sports and Music Assemble People". SMAP originally consisted of the current five members plus 森且行 (Mori Katsuyuki) who left in May 1996 to pursue a career in auto racing.
SMAP was started as an idol group by the famous "Johnny & Associates", a conglomerate known for its "cute boys only" policy. The SMAP members met each other in 1987 and were called "Skate Boys." They were backup dancers for 光GENJI (Hikaru GENJI), which was a popular idol group at the time. In 1988, they formed SMAP. Nakai, the oldest, became the group's leader. Their debut in 1991, in a time when there weren't many music programs, was not immediately successful. Of all of Johnny's groups, SMAP was the least popular. Since SMAP was so unsuccessful, Nakai asked Johnny's office to let SMAP have a variety program to make people laugh with their unique personalities.
The program was called "I Love SMAP." Through this program, SMAP slowly gained popularity. 1993 was a year of opportunities for SMAP. They had a hit single, and SMAP member Takuya Kimura was in a dorama called 'Asunaro Hakusho," in which he played Osamu Toride, a shy cute boy. Asunaro was a big hit and Kimura's popularity soared. At the same time, SMAP also provided the opening ("Egao no GENKI") and ending songs for the anime Hime-chan's Ribbon, and Tsuyoshi Kusanagi appeared in multiple episodes both as himself as the voice of a regular character.
After that SMAP members starred in movies both individually and as a group, and SMAP continued to release new hit singles. Their song "Yozora no Mukou" is now in some Japanese textbooks.
In 1996, SMAP started their own variety program called SMAP X SMAP (also called S x S or SmaSma). On S x S, they cook, perform in comedy sketches, play games, sing, dance, and so on. S x S has been one of the most well-known TV programs in Japan since it started. The members of SMAP did things on the show that Japanese celebrities had never done on television before, steering Japanese television in new creative ways and creating even more publicity and popularity for the group. As "the super idol group that does anything", they began starring in a wide variety of programs ranging from live stage to music, dancing, hosting other programs, acting in movies, commercials, etc.
In 2001, Inagaki was involved in a traffic altercation. There were allegations of wrongdoing on his part, and he briefly retreated from the public spotlight. However, the ultimate result of the incident was to put SMAP in the public eye once more, which only increased their popularity. Inagaki has since made a comeback, and starred in a 2004 drama about a fictional Japanese investment banker killed in the events of September 11.
SMAP members are said to be the most famous stars in Japan. Though a comparison to American groups like The Backstreet Boys is not entirely musically inaccurate, even at the peak of their popularity, no American boy band has come close to the pervasiveness of SMAP. To give a sense of the popularity (and ubiquity) of SMAP, note that in 2003, SMAP leader Nakai was identified as the highest tax payer of any entertainer in Japan by the Japanese National Tax Bureau. That same year, he was involved in at least four television shows simultaneously, in addition to commercials.
There were speculations that SMAP would disband following Takuya Kimura's announcement of his marriage and Goro Inagaki's traffic altercation in 2001. Although they did not release even a single in 2004, the popularity of SMAP is still strong. This is reflected in the charts, where both their latest album and a recent single (017 SAMPLE BANG! and BANG BANG! バカンス!) topped the respective daily charts just moments after their release.
These releases were followed by the album "Pop Up! SMAP!" in 2006, which included the popular single "Dear Woman" used in a commercial for Tsubaki face care.
In 2007 musical activities seemed to have quieted down, with all members busy with other projects like TV dramas and movie, but the two singles of that year, "Arigatou" for Tsuyoshi's drama "Boku no aruku michi" and "Dangan Fighter" used a a theme for the TBS baseball coverage, again were major hits.
Besides more hit dramas in 2008, the singles "Sonomama/White Message" and "Sono toki, kitto yumejanai" were release, followed by a short surprise tour and a new album called "super.modern.artistic.performance" with it's release in September 2008.
MAJOR
SMAP Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
迷い込んだ夜もいつか
朝日見える場所へ
きっとまたたどり着くさ
Run to tomorrow
たとえどんなに傷ついても
もう君を離さないから Oh...
弱音吐かず 独りじゃないさ
Woo, Woo, Say! My lady "yeah!"
メジャーな気持にさせて
いつも僕の側で...
キャッシュ積んだだけじゃ
買えやしない夢もあった
汗も流さないで
楽ばかりしようとしてた
Come up! Tomorrow
甘ったれになったココロ
そう 殴り飛ばせばいいから Oh...
ずっともっとつよく生きよう
Sharara... 大声で
Woo, Woo, Say! My lady "yeah!"
メジャーな気持にさせて
胸の中に熱く...
Run to tomorrow
たとえどんなに傷ついても
もう君を離さないから Oh...
弱音吐かず 独りじゃないさ
Sharara... 抱きしめて
Woo, Woo, Say! My lady "yeah!"
メジャーな気持にさせて
いつも僕の側で...
Sharara... 大声で
Woo, Woo, Say! My lady "yeah!"
メジャーな気持にさせて
胸の中に熱く...
The lyrics of "Major" by SMAP speak to the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity. The singer talks about times when he felt lost and alone, but also expresses his faith that he will eventually reach his destination. He encourages his listener to do the same, promising to always be there for them.
The first verse talks about being lost in the darkness, but reassures the listener that they will eventually see the light of day. The chorus repeats the phrase "run to tomorrow," which serves as a reminder to keep moving forward no matter what challenges they may encounter. It also emphasizes the idea that the singer will remain loyal to the listener and support them even in difficult times.
The second verse discusses the importance of hard work and determination in achieving one's dreams, and not taking shortcuts. The singer recognizes that it's easy to become complacent and seek comfort, but urges the listener to push themselves to be their best selves. The final repetition of the chorus reinforces the message of hope and faith in the future.
Overall, "Major" is a motivational song about staying strong and committed to one's goals, even in the face of obstacles. Its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it a popular song to sing along to, and its uplifting message resonates with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
遠く闇の彼方
Beyond the darkness, far away
迷い込んだ夜もいつか
Even the lost nights, one day...
朝日見える場所へ
Will arrive to the place where morning sun is seen
きっとまたたどり着くさ
Surely will reach there again
Run to tomorrow
Run towards tomorrow
たとえどんなに傷ついても
Even if hurt by anything...
もう君を離さないから Oh...
Won't leave you anymore, oh...
弱音吐かず 独りじゃないさ
Without complaining, because you're not alone
Sharara... 抱きしめて
Sharara... embrace it
Woo, Woo, Say! My lady "yeah!"
Woo, woo, say! My lady "yeah!"
メジャーな気持にさせて
Make me feel like I'm on top of the world
いつも僕の側で...
Always by my side...
キャッシュ積んだだけじゃ
Just accumulating cash...
買えやしない夢もあった
There are dreams that can't be bought with just money
汗も流さないで
Without shedding sweat
楽ばかりしようとしてた
Trying to seek only pleasure
Come up! Tomorrow
Come up! Tomorrow
甘ったれになったココロ
Became a spoiled heart
そう 殴り飛ばせばいいから Oh...
Yes, just need to punch it away, oh...
ずっともっとつよく生きよう
Always, live with more strength
Sharara... 大声で
Sharara... with a loud voice
Woo, Woo, Say! My lady "yeah!"
Woo, woo, say! My lady "yeah!"
メジャーな気持にさせて
Make me feel like I'm on top of the world
胸の中に熱く...
Inside my heart, hot...
Run to tomorrow
Run towards tomorrow
たとえどんなに傷ついても
Even if hurt by anything...
もう君を離さないから Oh...
Won't leave you anymore, oh...
弱音吐かず 独りじゃないさ
Without complaining, because you're not alone
Sharara... 抱きしめて
Sharara... embrace it
Woo, Woo, Say! My lady "yeah!"
Woo, woo, say! My lady "yeah!"
メジャーな気持にさせて
Make me feel like I'm on top of the world
いつも僕の側で...
Always by my side...
Sharara... 大声で
Sharara... with a loud voice
Woo, Woo, Say! My lady "yeah!"
Woo, woo, say! My lady "yeah!"
メジャーな気持にさせて
Make me feel like I'm on top of the world
胸の中に熱く...
Inside my heart, hot...
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 浩美 森
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@two_shrine
オリジナルでも2001でもなくこのアレンジが1番好き。
@SHUN_370z
このアレンジで収録して欲しかった
@yamachannel4705
スマスマバージョンのMajorを越える曲はない！ 2023/2/20
@user-ge5um3io5i
この曲大好きです🤍
@user-mz2tv4du7d
ずっともっと強く生きよう。
このフレーズに今でも救われてる。
@user-rs2rl2si9v
メジャー2001ばーぢょんやだほんとうがいい
@juncoxxxxx
ほんとうのほうも大好きだけどこれも夏っぽくてすき。
@two_shrine
残念ながら2001versionでもないんですけどね。