Originally named X (エックス, Ekkusu), they released their debut album Vanishing Vision (1988) on Yoshiki's own Extasy Records one year after finalizing their line-up including bassist Taiji, lead guitarist Hide and rhythm guitarist Pata. They achieved breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second and major debut album Blue Blood. Following 1991's Jealousy, Taiji left the band in early 1992. He was replaced by Heath and the group changed their name to X Japan before producing the mini album Art of Life (1993), which is composed solely of the 29-minute title track. In 1995 the group dropped most of its original visual kei aesthetics in favor of a more casual look and released Dahlia (1996), which like their two previous albums debuted at number one. X Japan performed their last concert at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, 1997, making it the last of five consecutive sold-out New Year's Eve concerts the group held at the stadium.
After ten years, X Japan reunited in 2007 and recorded the new song "I.V.". Over the next two years they performed several concerts, including their first overseas show in Hong Kong, and formally added Sugizo as lead guitarist in place of Hide, who died in 1998, before holding a North American tour in 2010. In 2011, the band went on their first world tour throughout Europe, South America and Asia. Shortly after reuniting, work began on their sixth studio album. During its ten years of production, several release dates were announced, but it remains unreleased despite Yoshiki's claim of its completion in September 2018.
X Japan has released five studio albums, six live albums, and 21 singles. In 2003, HMV Japan ranked the band at number 40 on their list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts. In 2007, Rolling Stone Japan ranked Blue Blood number 15 on its list of the 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time.[1] In 2017, Loudwire named X Japan the Best Metal Band from Japan. It has been reported that X Japan has sold over 30 million records.[2][3]
Born To Be Free
X Japan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seize the light and don't let the falcon find you
Close your eyes and see the sight
Where the sun be free to shine
Born to be free (free forever)
Born to be free (now and forever)
Nobody can steal (steal the freedom)
Born to be free (free forever)
Born to be free (we won't surrender)
We'll be forever free to love
Cut the leash fulfilling death
Try to hide and try not to die!
Into the shadow the butterfly
Where your heart will fill to fly
Born to be free (free forever)
Born to be free (now and forever)
Nobody can steal (steal the freedom)
Our life away (they will not sever)
Born to be free (free forever)
Born to be free (we won't surrender)
We'll be forever free to love
Just believe in love, breathe in life
You'll seize the world of difference
You'll cross the line, it's endless
As if destiny has it's own mind
It's love covers mine with blindness
It's hatred cuts through the skin of shallowness
But I wont run, I will rule
Born to be free, born to be free
Nobody can steal our life away
Born to be free, born to be free
We'll be forever, be free to love
Born to be free (free forever)
Born to be free (now and forever)
Nobody can steal (steal the freedom)
Our life away(they will not sever)
Born to be free (free forever)
Born to be free (we won't surrender)
We'll be forever free to love
The lyrics to X Japan's song, "Born to Be Free," speak to the universal desire for freedom and the struggle to attain it. The opening lines suggest a spiritual call to action, encouraging the listener to "touch the stream" and "seize the light," while avoiding the falcon of oppression. The song reinforces the idea that freedom is a birthright and that we are all "born to be free." The chorus repeats this phrase, reiterating the idea that no one can steal our freedom, and we will "forever be free to love."
The second verse plays with the idea of life and death, suggesting that true freedom can only be achieved by "cutting the leash" and fulfilling one's destiny, even if it means risking one's life in the process. The butterfly metaphor speaks to the transformative power of freedom, as it allows our hearts to fill and soar. The lyrics also suggest that love is the key to unlocking freedom, as it "covers mine with blindness," protecting us from the hatred and shallowness of the world around us.
Ultimately, the message of the song is one of hope and resilience. Despite the challenges and obstacles we may face in the pursuit of freedom, we are reminded that we have the power to rule our own destiny and to be forever free.
Line by Line Meaning
Touch the stream an ember ray
Embrace the fleeting moments of life and capture the essence of its beauty
Seize the light and don't let the falcon find you
Hold on to hope and don't let the pressures of life bring you down
Close your eyes and see the sight
Look inward to find your true purpose
Where the sun be free to shine
Where there's no hindrance to one's potential
Cut the leash fulfilling death
Break away from the chains of conformity or expectations and live life on your own terms
Try to hide and try not to die!
Avoid negativity and strive to survive
Into the shadow the butterfly
In darkness, one has the potential to transform into something beautiful
Where your heart will fill to fly
Where one's passions can take flight
Just believe in love, breathe in life
Embrace love and live life to the fullest
You'll seize the world of difference
You can make a significant impact on the world
You'll cross the line, it's endless
The possibilities are limitless
As if destiny has it's own mind
Sometimes, fate can intervene in one's life
It's love covers mine with blindness
Love can blind one from seeing certain things
It's hatred cuts through the skin of shallowness
Hatred can reveal the true nature of people and their beliefs
But I wont run, I will rule
I won't be afraid to stand up for what I believe in
Born to be free, born to be free
We were all meant to live a life of freedom
Nobody can steal our life away
No one has the right to take away our freedom or happiness
We'll be forever, be free to love
Our love and our hearts will always be free
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Yoshiki Hayashi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ry3qo3np2x
わっし今47歳やけど16の時にXが地元でライブしてくれて友達とホテルまで追っかけ行ったな～
アンコールでYOSHIKIがブルーの衣装でワッフルヘアーでスケボーに乗って来たなー
タイジもヒデもオリジナルメンバーで当たり前の様に居て
パタも革ジャンに赤い鶏冠で、ヒデはインドに嵌まってた頃かな？
インディーズから少し経った頃
あの思い出はたからもの‼️
@user-ju8rr6bn7d
XJAPANは色褪せないね。
最高にカッコイイ。
そしてメンバー全員の心の中には
hide とTAIJIはずっと生き続けてるよ
@user-jj6qj3cl2r
７人のＸ
@KeN-ys4ty
Yoshikiだけが色んな意味で別な世界にいってしまったな（笑）もう共感できないわ（泣）
@piccolagru1520
Toshiさんの声は魂にグッとくる。
@user-db7ld8ml8t
全盛期と同じじゃなくていいから
Xを待ってるんだよ
俺達は
@ss-zd1hh
やっぱりToshiは凄い 全然違う 別格一人だな
@user-fu3wx5hh4p
ロックバンドはX JAPANがいつまでも頂点だと俺は思ってる
@kamenrider4270
朝、会社へ出勤する時に車の中で必ずこの曲かけて気合い入れてます。YOSHIKIのおかげで最近は出勤するのが楽しくなりました。
@arigatou.angel.
がんばりましょうね🧡
@user-ht9uk1st4j
ですね！！👍