In 2001, 川瀬智子 (Tomoko Kawase) launched her solo career under the name of Tommy february6, a character named from a combination of her nickname and birthdate. Vastly different from the japanese rock/japanese pop sound of The Brilliant Green for whom she is also lead singer of, Tommy february6's persona and sound are that of a generic American 1980s pop icon. Her eponymous debut album was released on the day of her 27th birthday.
川瀬智子's original intention with Tommy february6 was to create a character who was far from innocent, though she appeared that cute in both sound and appearance; Tommy february6 was designed to be someone who was true to her feelings despite the cutesy nature of her outward character, do as she wanted (and as such, Tommy february6 is seen repeatedly in music videos drinking alcohol from flasks, bars, etc.) Unfortunately, the original concept started to disappoint her, and 川瀬智子 began to feel that the character could no longer maintain its purity.
After a performance as Tommy february6 in 2003, 川瀬智子 took off her glasses and donned a much more alternative look to create Tommy heavenly6, a brand new character with a modern rock sound. 川瀬智子 would later explain that Tommy heavenly6 was born from a dream that Tommy february6 had, in which she extrovertly embraces all the elements of her personality she had previously been repressing. This is reflected in the promotional video for Tommy heavenly6's first single, Wait Till I Can Dream, wherein Tommy february6 drinks from a hip flask and falls asleep, only to be woken by Tommy heavenly6. Musically, she's the polar opposite of Tommy february6, and possesses an image most people would consider more dangerous, but 川瀬智子 claims that Tommy heavenly6 is far more pure and true to her heart than Tommy february6 is.
川瀬智子 claims that the invention of Tommy heavenly6 occurred due of her disappointment in Tommy february6's character, but far from being a replacement, 川瀬智子 chose to keep the two characters' careers separate. During 2003 and 2004, Tommy heavenly6 released only two singles, whilst Tommy february6 went on to release her second full album, Tommy Airline. It would be in August 2005 (nearly exactly two years after her first single) that Tommy heavenly6 would finally release her third single, which was shortly followed by her own long awaited eponymous debut album.
In 2006/2007 Kawase has had a very busy period, releasing five new singles and a new album, Heavy Starry Heavenly as Tommy heavenly6. She finished this productive phase with the Heavy Starry Tour, four live performances as Tommy heavenly6 during March 2007. She incorporated most of her songs into this live format, pleasing her army of fans with an hour and a half show, complete with her now regular backing band.
Tommy heavenly6 created a new single for the SOUL EATER anime entitled PAPERMOON which was released December 10th, 2008 and was used as the opening for the show this fall as well as a new song entitled 'Unlimited Sky' which was used as an insert song for the GUNDAM 00 anime, this song was included on the soon to follow 'best of' release "Gothic Melting Ice Cream Gothic Nightmare" which was a collection of all her singles to date, plus some album tracks and b-sides.
Soon to follow was the controversial release of a new concept album, "I KILL MY HEART" on April 29th 2009. This saw Tommy move away from the Pop/Rock sound to a more Grunge/Alternative Rock sound. The album was to include no singles, but did include two promotional videos. This album split Tommy fans right down the middle, with some condeming it as boring and stale, while others raved about it being brilliant and a work of genius.
At the moment Tommy's future is uncertain after she ended her relationship with Sony Music Japan and DefSTAR , along with the other members of The Brilliant Green.
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In addition to her own solo singing career, Kawase has produced and written songs for the idol group Tommy☆angels, as well as making a protege of former soloist Asuka Hinoi.
Kawase has also made an appearance as the voice of Pikki in the anime series Piroppo, briefly modelled for Italian fashion house Fiorucci and for a period of time hosted Break Down, an MTV show.
She also worked as a producer on the Takashi Fujii single, entitled OH MY JULIET.
Tommy heavenly6's official website is http://www.tommyheavenly6.jp.
Roller coaster ride→
Tommy heavenly6 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah you are
My day dream believer
You are my dear
It can be so real
Roller coaster
加速してゆく ah
満ちた夢からこぼれたスリル
悲しみをあつめて
Oh yeah
Baby, baby, hey baby
Honey bee baby
Yeah, somethin' nice
You know, my dear it is so real
近づけない空の彼方よ
決して追えない明日のように遠い
Roller coaster
加速してゆく ah
触れた指からこぼれた嘘も
受け取めてその悲しみに似合う
夢を見てもいいあなたとなら
The lyrics to Tommy heavenly6's song "Roller coaster ride" are about a person asking their partner to follow them on an exciting journey that they will take together. The singer tells their partner that they are their day dream believer, and that the experience they will have together can feel very real like a roller coaster ride. The lyrics use a lot of imagery, with the roller coaster being a metaphor for the ups and downs of a relationship, and the thrill of the ride representing the thrill of being in love.
The chorus of the song talks about the roller coaster ride accelerating and the thrill spilling out from the singer's overflowing dreams. They encourage their partner to take the sadness and gather it in their hand, as they proceed to ride the roller coaster. In the second verse, they reiterate that they want their partner close to them on this journey, and liken the future to be as far away as the unreachable sky. They also convey that sometimes, lies spill out just like the thrill from their dreams, and ask their partner to take hold of the sadness and find a suitable dream to dream together.
The song seems to be about the ups and downs of a relationship and the excitement that comes with it, but also the difficulties that may arise. The roller coaster ride is a symbol of the unpredictability and the thrill of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on baby follow me
Inviting the listener to follow along on the journey being described in the song
Yeah you are
Acknowledging the listener's presence and importance to the singer
My day dream believer
The listener is the object of the singer's affection, and they are someone who seems almost too good to be true
You are my dear
The listener is someone who is very important and loved by the singer
It can be so real
The singer believes that the experiences they are describing can feel very tangible and emotional, despite being imaginary
Roller coaster
Metaphorically describes the ups and downs of the emotional journey being described
加速してゆく ah
The roller coaster journey is accelerating, going faster and faster
満ちた夢からこぼれたスリル
Thrills and excitement pour out of the singer's full dreams and imagination
受け取めてそのてのひらに
The listener is asked to take in all of these emotions and sensations in the palm of their hand
悲しみをあつめて
Emotions of sadness and hurt are also included in the roller coaster experience
Oh yeah
An exclamation of excitement and anticipation for what is to come
Baby, baby, hey baby
Addressing the listener affectionately
Honey bee baby
Further emphasizing their endearment to the listener
Yeah, somethin' nice
Promising the listener that it will be a good experience overall
You know, my dear it is so real
Reiterating the point that the experience may be imaginary, but it can feel very real and powerful
近づけない空の彼方よ
Describing the distance and inaccessibility of their imagined goals and dreams, like the unreachable sky
決して追えない明日のように遠い
The listener's imaginary future is far away and impossible to catch, much like tomorrow
触れた指からこぼれた嘘も
Even the lies that come from touching fingers are included in this emotional journey
受け取めてその悲しみに似合う
Once again asking the listener to take all of these emotions and make them work with their own sadness and pain
夢を見てもいいあなたとなら
Concludes by saying that even if it's all a dream, it's still okay as long as the listener is there
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mark And John, Tommy Heavenly6
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind