back number are a pop rock band from Ōta, Japan. http://backnumber.info/ Read Full Bio ↴back number are a pop rock band from Ōta, Japan. http://backnumber.info/

In 2004, the band formed in the mind of Iyori Shimizu in Ōta, Gunma Prefecture. Though there were many member changes, it's been the same members from 2007 to now.

On February 18th 2009 the first mini album 『逃した魚』(nogashita sakana) was released.
TOWER RECORDS recommended item 「タワレコメン」(towarecomen), HMV recommended item 「HOT PICKS」for the first time, and featured in many other shops acrosss the country.
June of 2010, the first album 『あとのまつり』(atonomatsuri) was released. Among others they established their status, drawing the line with their technique for lovely melody coupled with heart wrenching lyrics.

Just before coming out with their debut, iTunes elected them rookie artist most likely to break out in their “Japan Sound of 2011”.
On April 6th sales of their major debut single 「はなびら」(hanabira) ranked 45th on the Oricon Weekly Chart. Then, afterwards on June 22nd their second single 「花束」(hanatabi) was the countrywide FM Power Play, included in 73 articles, used for an ending theme, and ranked 18 on the Oricon Weekly chart. Next, in October their 3rd single 「思い出せなくなるその日まで」(omoisasenaku naru sonohi made) and first major original album 「スーパースター」(super star) were released in quick succession. Super Star set a record ranking at number 4 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

In 2011, the Radio Airplay Chart ranked second single hanatabi 1st for the year, 5 Gold Disc Best New Artist awards, and won a CD Shop Award. They held a nationwide 11 city one-man tour (including 2 public performances), and a performance at Shibuya Public Hall too.
As well as first time appearances at 6 summer festivals such as 「ROCK IN JAPAN」「RISING SUN ROCK FES.」「MONSTER baSH」「SETSTOCK」「HIGHER GROUND」and「TREASURE05X」.

2012 brought the release of 4 more singles; 「恋」(koi), 「日曜日」(nichiyoubi), 「わたがし」(watagashi), and「青い春」(aoi haru). nichiyoubi was used for the HBC TBS Drama 「スープカレー」 (soup curry), aoi haru for the CX drama theme song 「高校入試」(koukou nyushi) and attracted a fair amount of attention. In November the singles were compiled and released on the 3rd album 「blues」. Then they embarked on a national 17 city, 19 performance tour that sold out in one day, and on September 7th 2013 a Nippon Budokan performance that also sold out the same day concluded the tour.

June of 2013 released the 8th single 「高嶺の花子さん」(takane no hanakosan), February of 2014 the 9th single 「fish」, and March of 2014 the 10th single 「繋いだ手から」(tsunaida te kara), all from the March 26th released new album 「ラブストーリ」 (love story).
In May the band carried out another nationwide tour 「love stories tour 2014」with 20 cities and 21 performances.

MOTTO
back number Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

もっともっと私を知って欲しいんだって
汚れきった奥の奥までみせてあげるそれで
もっともっと私を愛して欲しいんだって
躊躇しないでそんなんじゃ感じないわ

あぁ愛とは手に入れるもの
もしくはどこかで待っているの？
あぁ涙を流した量に応じて配られるのかしら

雨を待っても雹が降って
明日を待っても今日になって
期待はずれが多すぎてラララ
春を待てずに蝶になって
たった一人で蝶になって
馬鹿なフリが板について

もっともっと私を知って欲しいんだって
汚れきった奥の奥までみせてあげるそれで
もっともっと私を愛して欲しいんだって
遠慮しないでまだそれ私じゃないわ

女は美しい
だけどあまりに儚過ぎて

もっともっと私を知って欲しいんだって
汚れきった奥の奥までみせてあげるそれで
もっともっと私を愛して欲しいんだって
躊躇しないでそんなんじゃ感じないわ

怖じ気づいた？
なら君に用は無いわ

Overall Meaning

The song "Motto" by Japanese band back number explores the universal human desire to be understood and loved unconditionally. The lyrics express this desire through the repeated refrain of "I want you to know me more, I want you to love me more," as if the singer is pleading with someone to dig deeper and see past the surface of their being. The song contends that true love cannot be found through superficial or half-hearted efforts, and that it requires a deep understanding and acceptance of one another's flaws and innermost selves.

The lyrics also reflect on the disappointment and frustration that can come from expectations, as expressed through lines like "Expectations often lead to disappointment" and "I became a butterfly without waiting for spring." The singer seems to be saying that they have tried to be patient and wait for the right timing, but the universe has not cooperated, leading to a sense of helplessness and resignation.

Line by Line Meaning

もっともっと私を知って欲しいんだって
I want you to know more and more about me

汚れきった奥の奥までみせてあげるそれで
I will show you everything, even the deepest and dirtiest parts of me

もっともっと私を愛して欲しいんだって
I want you to love me more and more

躊躇しないでそんなんじゃ感じないわ
Don't hesitate, I won't feel anything like that

あぁ愛とは手に入れるもの
Oh, is love something you can obtain?

もしくはどこかで待っているの？
Or is it something waiting for you somewhere?

あぁ涙を流した量に応じて配られるのかしら
I wonder if love is distributed according to the amount of tears shed

雨を待っても雹が降って
Even when waiting for rain, hail may fall

明日を待っても今日になって
Even when waiting for tomorrow, it becomes today

期待はずれが多すぎてラララ
Too many expectations end up disappointing, lalala

春を待てずに蝶になって
Becoming a butterfly without waiting for spring