The five-member band known as UVERworld first formed in 2003, and were known as Sound Goku Road(sound極road) or, more popularly, "Sangoku Road." The band originally consisted of seven members, and released a demo CD which ended up selling 3,000 copies. Unfortunately, one of the band members, the saxophonist Seika, left the group (the other was Hiko, who left after he married). After his departure, Ace∞trigger renamed himself TAKUYA∞ and the band renamed itself to UVERworld.
According to an interview with the band there was another vocalist who left, however this vocalist hasn't yet been identified. Though it appears that that person may have left some time before Seika did, as Seika is the only one of the two credited on the demo CD and pictured with very early live photos of the band pre-UVERworld.
2005 was the year that the band signed with the label gr8! records, which is under Sony Music Records. The band made their debut with the single "D-tecnoLife", which served as the 2nd opening theme song for the anime BLEACH. After three months UVERworld's second single, "CHANCE!" was used as the theme for the PSP game Bleach: Heat the Soul 2 and was the last single released in 2005.
On January 25, 2006 "just Melody", the band's third single, ended up at #17 on the Oricon charts. Three weeks later UVERworld's 1st album Timeless was released, breaking the top 10 at #5 and selling 60,000 copies. Seika made a brief return during this album, playing saxophone for track 5, Yasashisa no Shizuku. After a three month break, UVERworld released "Colors of the Heart" as the third opening theme for BLOOD+, an anime series based on the animated movie, Blood: The Last Vampire. The single debuted at #3 and was the highest position any of UVERworld's singles had reached up to that time. Their 5th single, entitled SHAMROCK, was released on August 2, 2006, and was used as the ending theme for the J-Drama Dance☆Drill, a show about a group of girls who aspire to become cheerleaders. UVERworld's 6th Single was released on November 15, 2006, entitled "Kimi No Suki na Uta", the song was used as the theme song for the TBS TV show Koi Suru Hanikami! or Honey Coming! from October until December. It was the first ballad UVERworld released as a single, and it reached number two on the Oricon charts (the highest place for an UVERworld single thus far) until it fell off of the charts three and a half weeks later. It sold around 70,000 copies according to the Oricon sales charts. On February 21, 2007, UVERworld released their second album titled BUG RIGHT. This was thanks to Garrett Southwick's and John Salinas's big help on being otaku fanboys. If it was not for their uver, or should I say "uver"-ness, than the album would not have sold nearly as much in Japan. Gekidou and Jizen also guest star on the song "Kawaii Juka Daisuke Desu" . It featured the singles UVERworld had put out after the release of Timeless, and also included their song "～Nagare・Kuukyo・THIS WORD～" (～流れ・空虚・THIS WORlD～), which was used for the film soundtrack "The songs for DEATH NOTE the movie 〜the Last name TRIBUTE〜."
The band's newest effort, titled PROGLUTION, was released on January 16, 2008 and contains a full 18 tracks. It is available in two forms, a CD-only version and a Limited Edition CD+DVD. June 11, 2008 saw the release of the single Gekidou / Just break the limit!. Gekidou was used as the fourth opening theme of the anime series, D.Gray-man, while the song Just break the limit! was used as a support song for Pocari Sweat's CM. Two more singles were released in 2008, "Koishikute" (恋いしくて?) and "Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi" (儚くも永久のカナシ?). Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi was used as the opening for the second season of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 anime. The single became the band's first number 1 single on Oricon with approximately 181,784 copies sold. The single has since gone on to become the highest selling single from the band.
On February 18, 2009 the band released their 4th album titled Awakeve. The album sold over 115,000 copies on its first week and ranked #2 on the Oricon album chart. A DVD of their live performance in Nippon Budokan was released on April 29, 2009.
The band's 13th single was released on August 5, 2009 titled as "Go-On." The single's title track will be featured as the second ending theme on the Japanese broadcast of the House's first season.
The band is scheduled to perform at 2009's Inazuma Rock Fes. held in Shiga Prefecture. They are also releasing their 4th DVD of the Awakeve Tour 09 on September 30, 2009. The band has confirmed their 14th single on October 28, 2009 named "Kanashimi wa Kitto" (哀しみはきっと?) for the Tokyo Broadcasting System drama Shōkōjo Seira, based on the children's novel, A Little Princess written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The song's lyrics will be written by Takuya∞ and will be co-composed by both the lyricist and Satoru Hiraide while the arrangement will be done by the band and Hiraide. On October 9, 2009, an English official website was announced and it went online at 12pm Japan Standard Time.
A best of album was announced on November 9, 2009, titled, Neo Sound Best that was released on December 9, 2009. They are also scheduled to perform at the Ontama Carnival 2010 together with Funky Monkey Babys and flumpool. Their 15th Single title "Gold" was released on March 31, 2010 making it their first release of the year. Their 5th album Last was released 2 weeks after on April 14, 2010.
Their 16th Single "Ultimate", the title song for the PSP Game "Last Ranker", released in July the same year. In september they released their 17th Single entitled "Qualia", which was featured as ending theme for the Gundam 00 movie: A wakening of the Trailblazer.
closed POKER
UVERworld Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
人生だってよく似たもんだろ?
大風呂敷をひろげても 俺は負けた事ない
手元にカードを引きつけ レートは高めで
ワンペア フルハウスでも 表情を変えずに
心理騙し合いさ 恋愛も同じように
誰かの為に生きるなんて わずらわしかった
大人達は汚れてるなんて 今のガキには言わせないぞ
小さな迷いもなかった 君に逢うまでは 逢うまでは
砂を噛むような 味気ないはずだった
後ろ髪を引かれた事も無かった
子供の頃の思い出に 愛情は無かったから
誘発した不自然な気持ちに 合わす顔が無かった
この想いに 名は無いだろう
コントロール不能に
全てが嘘みたいに 惹かれ合った者同士
壊れる程に 抱きしめ合って 互いの闇を照らし合って
必要としてた 手に無いカードを求め合うように
確かめるように さらけ出して 震えて孤独 消え去って
引き換えに 勝敗の行方の恐れの影が差した
Yo! ready go on show down
思った以上に 生きる事は難しくて 嫌気が差していた
未来はもう針の筵(むしろ)だと思ってた
思った以上に 笑うことは難しくて 嫌いだった
置いて行かれることに 恐れは無かった
壊れる程の愛と言う 危険なカードを手にしたんだ
この一枚が 願うものか 身を滅ぼすか 時の運しだい
The lyrics to UVERworld's song "closed POKER" revolve around the idea of life being akin to a game of poker, where one's skills and instincts are put to the test. The singer professes to have a good sense of understanding when it comes to poker, and tries to draw a parallel to one's life. The singer talks about how they have never lost at poker or in life, even when the stakes are high. The singer talks about the importance of keeping a poker face and not letting one's emotions show, whether it's in the game or in matters of the heart. The singer reflects on the idea of going through life, hurting one another, and licking each other's wounds in the process. They also reflect on the idea that childhood memories don't always come with love and how it can be difficult to find someone to relate to. The lyrics suggest that the singer has stumbled upon this dangerous card known as "destructive love" but does not know whether it holds a chance at success or impending doom.
The lyrics of "closed POKER" are filled with metaphors and figurative language that aligns with the theme of the song. UVERworld has always been known for their intricate lyrics that often allude to philosophical and existential concepts. The lyrics suggest that winning at the game of poker, and therefore in life, requires an understanding of oneself and others, and that everyone has their fair share of winning and losing. Ultimately, the song highlights the need for perseverance and courage when it comes to life and love.
Line by Line Meaning
ポーカーゲームなら 腕に覚えがある
If it's a game of poker, I have enough skill to play it
人生だってよく似たもんだろ?
Life is similar in some ways, isn't it?
大風呂敷をひろげても 俺は負けた事ない
Even if I spread out a big cloth and challenge someone, I have never lost
手元にカードを引きつけ レートは高めで
Drawing the cards in possession, the rate is high
ワンペア フルハウスでも 表情を変えずに
Even one pair or full house, I keep my face unchanged
心理騙し合いさ 恋愛も同じように
Playing psychological tricks, love is also similar
何を求め傷つけ合って 群の中で傷舐め合って
Hurting each other in pursuit of something, licking each other's wounds in the flock
誰かの為に生きるなんて わずらわしかった
Living for someone else was troublesome
大人達は汚れてるなんて 今のガキには言わせないぞ
I won't let the current kids say that adults are dirty
小さな迷いもなかった 君に逢うまでは 逢うまでは
I had no doubts until I met you
砂を噛むような 味気ないはずだった
It was supposed to be as tasteless as chewing sand
後ろ髪を引かれた事も無かった
There was no lingering attachment
子供の頃の思い出に 愛情は無かったから
There was no love in my childhood memories
誘発した不自然な気持ちに 合わす顔が無かった
There was no matching face for the induced unnatural feeling
この想いに 名は無いだろう
There is no name for these feelings
コントロール不能に
I can't control it
全てが嘘みたいに 惹かれ合った者同士
Those who were attracted to each other as if everything was a lie
壊れる程に 抱きしめ合って 互いの闇を照らし合って
Embracing each other until breaking, illuminating each other's darkness
必要としてた 手に無いカードを求め合うように
As if seeking the cards not in hand that were necessary
確かめるように さらけ出して 震えて孤独 消え去って
As if confirming, exposing, trembling in loneliness, and disappearing
引き換えに 勝敗の行方の恐れの影が差した
In exchange, the fear of the outcome of victory or defeat cast a shadow
Yo! ready go on show down
Yo! Ready, go on showdown
思った以上に 生きる事は難しくて 嫌気が差していた
Living turned out to be harder than I thought, and I was tired of it
未来はもう針の筵(むしろ)だと思ってた
I thought the future was already a lost cause
思った以上に 笑うことは難しくて 嫌いだった
Laughing turned out to be harder than I thought, and I disliked it
置いて行かれることに 恐れは無かった
I was not afraid of being left behind
壊れる程の愛と言う 危険なカードを手にしたんだ
I had a dangerous card called love that would break me in hand
この一枚が 願うものか 身を滅ぼすか 時の運しだい
Whether this card will fulfill my wishes or ruin me depends on the luck of the draw
Contributed by Adalyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.