Frontman Mukai Shutoku founded what would later be called Zazen Boys shortl… Read Full Bio ↴Frontman Mukai Shutoku founded what would later be called Zazen Boys shortly after the demise of his previous band Number Girl. He initially recruited former Number Girl drummer Ahito Inazawa. Mukai's original idea for Zazen Boys centered around himself and Inazawa playing together with guest talent. This changed after Mukai brought in Hinata Hidekazu (ex-ART-SCHOOL) on bass and Yoshikane Sou (Kicking the Lion) to fill out the band's lineup. He named the group Zazen Boys after an old project with 54-71 and pop singer hal. The band's self-titled album was released in January of 2004 to considerable underground success.

The band's debut continued the steady evolution apparent in Number Girl's final albums, but taken several steps further. The precise rhythms and minor-key melodies of Mukai's former band were still part of the equation, though a heavy dose of experimentation moved the sound even farther left-of-center.

Mukai started working on a new album the same year, released in September 2004. Zazen Boys II smoothed out the rough edges of the band's debut and featured another hometown friend, Shiina Ringo, on backup vocals.

Inazawa announced his sudden departure the next year. Mukai quickly brought in Matsushita Atsushi as the new drummer, then released the five-track single Himitsu Girl's Top Secret in July followed by Zazen Boys III in January 2006. The new album looked to be a push towards free jazz, with a clear focus on improvisation and ambient experimentation.

Source: Keikaku.net

Ikasama Love
ZAZEN BOYS Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

戒厳令の街
狂ってる人達

落下傘部隊と戦う女子高生
戦い戦い戦い戦い

合体して戦い
親御さんはしゃべらない

破錠した愛想笑い
さまよっている MACHI街

IKASAMAで恋愛
IKASAMAで恋愛

IKASAMAで恋愛
IKASAMAで恋愛

戒厳令を無視
なってる無常節
うそっぽく笑っている

イカサマで最後に勝つ
勝つ勝つ勝つ勝つ
勝つ勝つ勝つ勝つ

勝つ勝つ勝つ
勝つ勝つ勝つ

勝つ勝つ勝つ
勝つ勝つ勝つ・・・あっ!!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Zazen Boys' song "Ikasama Love" depict a chaotic city under martial law, where people are going crazy. In the midst of this turmoil, a high school girl fights against a parachute battalion, and she fights and fights until she finally combines with someone to fight together. However, parents are silent, and the city is still wandering aimlessly with a forced smile. The repeated lyrics of "ikasama de renai" ("fake love") suggest a theme of deception and insincerity in relationships.

The narrative of the song portrays a sense of confusion and desperation in a society where people are struggling to survive under a strict regime. The lyrics also reflect the feeling of being trapped in a hopeless situation, and how people use deception and fake emotions to navigate through this difficult terrain. The repeated phrase "勝つ" ("win") may signify the desire to overcome the harsh reality and emerge victorious.

Line by Line Meaning

戒厳令の街
The city under martial law

狂ってる人達
Crazy people

落下傘部隊と戦う女子高生
High school girl fighting against paratroopers

戦い戦い戦い戦い
Fight, fight, fight, fight

合体して戦い
Fighting together as one

親御さんはしゃべらない
Parents are not talking

破錠した愛想笑い
Forced smile with lost key

さまよっている MACHI街
Wandering around the city

IKASAMAで恋愛
Fake love

戒厳令を無視
Ignoring martial law

なってる無常節
Inevitable despair