Champion
Tanimura Shinji Lyrics

The lyrics of Tanimura Shinji's song Champion tell the story of a boxer who has just won a fight but is now faced with the reality of his injuries and the weight of his accomplishments. The first verse describes how the boxer's coach or manager tries to help him disengage his fiery arms and leave the ring, but he hesitates and glances back at the singer, flashing a lonely smile as if realizing the heavy burden of being a champion. The second verse continues with the descent of the crowd's applause and spotlight, as the boxer tries to rise again from the bloody mat, but he is soon defeated by a young challenger's raw strength. The singer wonders aloud if the boxer, in his fading consciousness, regrets the cost of his victory and the sacrifices of his body.

The chorus of the song, repeated twice, encourages the boxer to stand up again, to rekindle the flame of life within him, but also acknowledges the fragility and mortality of his existence. The final verse shows the boxer alone on a bench in the locker room, muttering to himself that he can now return to being a mere mortal, relieved of the transitory glory of being a champion. The song ends with a chant of "Ra-i la-ra-i," perhaps a nod to the victor's anthem "We Are the Champions" by Queen. Overall, the lyrics of Champion embrace both the excitement and the tragedy of boxing as a metaphor for the human condition, where one's triumphs and defeats are etched in blood and sweat.