Before their debut, Tackey and Tsubasa were the top "Juniors" in the Johnny & Associates, a company which specializes in male teen idols led by Johnny Kitagawa. Typical of a junior, they started out as backdancers for better known teen idols in their label such as KinKi Kids (who also had not yet debuted at the time) in 1995, when both were 13-years-old. Through the years, the two have hosted the Japanese variety shows, Gakibara Teikoku 2000 and Music Enta. Besides hosting, the two have starred together in dramas such as, Kaiki Club Ghost Stories and Genroku Ryoran. During the filming of the NHK series Genroku Ryoran, which aired in 1999, the friendship of the two grew closer and they became best friends.
Before their official debut, the two performed together many times. In 1999, Tackey asked Tsubasa to join him in their first duet during the "Johnny's Juniors FIRST concert" in Tokyo, Japan. And in April 2000, at the "Johnny's Juniors Spring 2002 concert", the two performed their second duet together on stage. For this duet, the two designed their outfits, choreography and even their unit symbol (a tarantula). It was after this time that they hosted the two variety shows, Gakibara Teikoku 2000 and Music Enta, from 2000 to the beginning of 2001.
In February 2001, it was announced that the two would be headlining their first tour, called "Takki and Tsubasa 21st-century Showdown with all Johnny's Juniors". Tsubasa designed the customs and Tackey designed the setting for this very successful tour, and for the first time in JE history, two Johnnys were distinguished in the title of a Junior tour. This led to many people believing that the two would debut as a duo like the KinKi Kids. Instead, at the end of this tour, Johnny Kitagawa announced the two would debut as solo artists in 2002. They were planned to officially debut when they reach 20-years-old due to their popularity.
For the 2002 "Johnny's Junior concert" the two were again announced to be the headliners of the tour, and it was during this tour that Tackey mentioned he wanted to debut as a duo with Tsubasa. The fans then launched a campaign asking people who wanted them to debut together to send postcards and letters to Johnny & Associates, imploring Kitagawa to debut the two boys as a duo instead of as solo artists. The campaign has lasted for about a year, but then on August 1, 2002, Johnny announced that they would debut solo. Their debut solo songs would be entitled "Get Down" (Tsubasa's) and "Kiseki" (Tackey's). Yet, as a surprise instead, where the official announcement of their debut was to take place, the two announced they would be debuting as a duet after all. The two solo songs of theirs along with the duet song "True Heart" were the first releases from their debut mini-album, Hatachi (meaning 20-years-old in Japanese), which was released on September 11, 2002.
To date, Tackey & Tsubasa have released 7 singles, 2 albums and 3 DVDs: a significantly smaller number compared to their counterparts in the company. They have been relatively successful; their most recent CD releases have reach the top position on the Japanese music charts, yet still lacking the selling power that is characteristic of a JE group. The two also share a very close friendship, being best friends; this aspect of their relationship is obvious through their interactions and interviews and is a very important part of the dynamic between them. Each has incredible strengths and skills, and as a result they complement each other very well.
Their song "Crazy Rainbow" is the theme song of popular Japanese anime cartoon One Piece. They were also featured in the opening animation of One Piece episode 303, added into the opening segment to their song that was used since episode 284. Also, their song "One Day, One Dream" was on the soundtrack of the Japanese anime Inuyasha.
Samurai
Tackey & Tsubasa タッキー&翼 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
素敵な眼差しで
ちっぽけだけど 輝き満ちた
夢も胸にあります
星の数ほど悔いあれど
生まれ変われる明日がある
何故に聞こえる 流行り歌
涙照らして消えた
"I" をつらぬきひたむき
"I" を疑うことなき
響き合う愛の剣
Samurai, samurai
諦めたくない感情!
奏でる誓いで参上!
つかみとれ 夢の戦場
Samurai, samurai
紅の衣まとい 誰が為"侍"
迷っているなら 始めませんか?
一途に追いかけて
終わらせるのは いつだって出来る
それが勇気の呪文
空の色ほど 夢あらば
過去にあがなう明日を知る
眠れる牙の 子守歌
目覚めの歌に 変えて
"I" に燃え尽ききらめき
後ろ振り向くことなき
舞い落ちる愛で吹雪
Samurai, samurai
"I" されたいのが衝動!
"I" することが感動!
木霊する胸の鼓動
Samurai, samurai
夜明けの星まとい 誰が為"侍"
"I" をつらぬきひたむき
"I" を疑うことなき
響き合う愛の剣
Samurai, samurai
"I" に燃え尽ききらめき
後ろ振り向くことなき
舞い落ちる愛で吹雪
Samurai, samurai
"I" されたいのが衝動!
"I" することが感動!
木霊する胸の鼓動
Samurai, samurai
夜明けの星まとい 誰が為"侍"
The lyrics to Tackey & Tsubasa's song "Samurai" speak to the idea of pursuing one's dreams with determination and courage. The opening verse asks whether the listener is willing to take hold of their aspirations with boldness and a wonderful gaze, despite feeling small. The chorus calls on the listener to be like a samurai, whose love and determination are like a sword that resonates with itself and others. The lyrics suggest that even if one has regrets, there is always a chance to be reborn and pursue their dreams again. The song urges the listener to not give up on their emotions and use their vows to take hold of the battlefield of their dreams.
The second verse encourages the listener to start pursuing their dreams without hesitation and to pursue them with single-minded dedication. The lyrics compare taking action to a spell of courage. The verse also references knowing tomorrow's redemption by paying for past mistakes through pursuing dreams. The last two lines speak of transforming a lullaby into a morning song, suggesting that if one makes the brave decision to pursue their dreams, they will awaken to a new reality.
Overall, the lyrics of "Samurai" inspire listeners to pursue their dreams with courage and determination, never giving up on their emotions or their desires. The song emphasizes the importance of being dedicated to one's dreams and using one's vows to take hold of the battlefield of one's aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
大胆な汗で つかみませんか?
Will you take hold of your dreams with bold sweat?
素敵な眼差しで
With lovely eyes
ちっぽけだけど 輝き満ちた
Although small, it's full of radiance
夢も胸にあります
There are dreams in our hearts too
星の数ほど悔いあれど
Even if there are regrets as countless as the stars
生まれ変われる明日がある
There's always a tomorrow for a rebirth
何故に聞こえる 流行り歌
Why can we hear this popular song
涙照らして消えた
Radiating and disappearing with tears
"I"をつらぬきひたむき
Devoted to following "I"
"I"を疑うことなき
Never doubting "I"
響き合う愛の剣
The sword of echoing love
Samurai, samurai
Samurai, samurai
諦めたくない感情!
Emotions that don't want to give up!
奏でる誓いで参上!
Charge forward with a resounding oath!
つかみとれ 夢の戦場
Seize hold of the battlefield of dreams
Samurai, samurai
Samurai, samurai
紅の衣まとい 誰が為"侍"
Clad in crimson armor, for whom do you serve as a "samurai"?
迷っているなら 始めませんか?
If you're lost, why not begin?
一途に追いかけて
Pursue it single-mindedly
終わらせるのは いつだって出来る
You can always finish it
それが勇気の呪文
That is the spell of courage
空の色ほど 夢あらば
If there are dreams as vast as the sky
過去にあがなう明日を知る
We know the tomorrow we pay for the past
眠れる牙の 子守歌
A lullaby for sleeping fangs
目覚めの歌に 変えて
Changing it into a song of awakening
"I"に燃え尽ききらめき
Sparkling with the burning of "I"
後ろ振り向くことなき
Without turning back
舞い落ちる愛で吹雪
Blizzard of love that dances down
Samurai, samurai
Samurai, samurai
"I"されたいのが衝動!
The impulse to be made into "I"!
"I"することが感動!
Doing "I" is thrilling!
木霊する胸の鼓動
Echoing heartbeat in our chests
夜明けの星まとい 誰が為"侍"
Clad in the morning star, for whom do you serve as a "samurai"?
"I"をつらぬきひたむき
Devoted to following "I"
"I"を疑うことなき
Never doubting "I"
響き合う愛の剣
The sword of echoing love
Samurai, samurai
Samurai, samurai
"I"に燃え尽ききらめき
Sparkling with the burning of "I"
後ろ振り向くことなき
Without turning back
舞い落ちる愛で吹雪
Blizzard of love that dances down
Samurai, samurai
Samurai, samurai
"I"されたいのが衝動!
The impulse to be made into "I"!
"I"することが感動!
Doing "I" is thrilling!
木霊する胸の鼓動
Echoing heartbeat in our chests
夜明けの星まとい 誰が為"侍"
Clad in the morning star, for whom do you serve as a "samurai"?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Himi Izutsu, Hitoshi Haba
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind