Album cover of ABRACADABARA, BUCK-TICK

2019.05.22 | Victor Entertainment
獣たちの夜 / RONDO

2020.09.21 | Victor Entertainment
ABRACADABRA

Night of the Beasts

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

さあ幕を切り裂けよ
夜を始めよう
そう俺は震えている
悪く無い気分だ
さあ さあ

愛と死を生を歌え
命よ踊れ
あの子が笑っている
悪く無い世界だ

感じているか Adam & Eve
愛という名の獣(ケモノ)たちよ
禁断の実¹をアアンアン
We love you

踊れ悪魔 腰を振っておくれ
狂え悪魔 可愛い可愛い悪魔

身体中沸騰している²
今夜は眠れない
あの子が笑っている
俺は生きている

感じているわ My Darling
愛を貪(むさぼ)る獣(ケダモノ)なの
禁断の実をアアンアン
We love you

踊れ道化(ピエロ) 今夜演じ切るんだ
狂え道化(ピエロ) それがそれがお前だ

感じているか Adam & Eve
愛という名の獣(ケモノ)たちよ
禁断の実¹をアアンアン
We love you

踊れ悪魔 腰を振っておくれ
狂え悪魔 可愛い可愛い悪魔

踊れ道化(ピエロ) 今夜演じ切るんだ
狂え道化(ピエロ) それがそれがお前だ

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Saa maku wo kiri sake yo
Yoru wo hajime you
Sou ore wa furuete iru
Warukunai kibun da
Saa Saa

Ai to shi wo sei wo utae
Inochi yo odore
Ano ko ga waratte iru
Warukunai sekai da

Kanjite iru ka Adam & Eve
Ai to iu na no kemonotachi yo
Kindan no mi wo a an an
We love you

Odore akuma Koshi wo futte okure
Kurue akuma Kawaii kawaii akuma

Karada juu futto shite iru
Konya wa nemurenai
Ano ko ga waratte iru
Ore wa ikite iru

Kanjitei ru wa My Darling
Ai wo musaboru kedamono nano
Kindan no mi wo a an an
We love you

Odore piero Konya enji kirun da
Kurue piero Sore ga sore ga omae da

Kanjite iru ka Adam & Eve
Ai to iu na no kemonotachi yo
Kindan no mi wo a an an
We love you

Odore akuma Koshi wo futte okure
Kurue akuma Kawaii kawaii akuma

Odore piero Konya enji kirun da
Kurue piero Sore ga sore ga omae da

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Now, it’s time to tear the curtains away
And let the night commence
That’s right, I’m trembling
This doesn’t feel too bad
Come, come

Sing of love and death, and of living
Dance with all your life
That child is laughing away
This world isn’t too bad

Do you feel it? Adam & Eve
We’re the beasts which go by the name of love
Say “ah” and take a bite of the forbidden fruit¹
We love you

Dance, you devil Shake your hips for me
Go crazy, you devil Cute, adorable devil

It’s all rushing² through my body
I won’t be able to sleep tonight
That child is laughing away
And I am living

Do you feel it? My Darling
I am a beast hungering for love
Say “ah” and take a bite of the forbidden fruit¹
We love you

Dance, pierrot You will perform to the very end tonight
Go crazy, pierrot That is all, that is all on you

Do you feel it? Adam & Eve
We’re the beasts which go by the name of love
Say “ah” and take a bite of the forbidden fruit¹
We love you

Dance, you devil Shake your hips for me
Go crazy, you devil Cute, adorable devil

Dance, pierrot You will perform to the very end tonight
Go crazy, pierrot That is all, that is all on you

 

Notes:

¹ The Forbidden Fruit of the Garden of Eden is known as 禁断の果実 (kindan no kajitsu) in Japanese. Here, the lack of 果 in the phrase doesn’t change the translation into “Forbidden Fruit” because Sakurai pronounces 実 as “mi” rather than “jitsu”. When pronounced as “mi”, 実 refers to fruit, or seed, or pieces of meat/vegetables/ingredients in broth, or content/substances. When pronounced as “jitsu”, 実 refers to truth or reality.

² The direct translation of 沸騰している (futoushite iru) is “to be on the boil”. In other words, it typically refers to liquids boiling, simmering, or frothing because of the heat. Rather than go with a direct translation of the word, I used “rushing through” to create a similar image.

 

 

Album cover of ABRACADABARA, BUCK-TICK

2020.09.21 | Victor Entertainment
ABRACADABRA

Dance Heaven

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Hoshino Hidehiko

Japanese

 

太陽踊ろう
ギラギラ踊ろう
燃え尽きてやろう
命の限り

汗が飛び散るキラめく
Ah ha Majority
生きている証だろう
Ah ha Minority

どうしようも無い
ギラギラね
腰を振ればそう
世界中ダンス天国
さあ踊ろう 禁断の実¹を
ほうら 頬張って

刹那的 衝動的
Ah ha 悪魔的
諸行無常² 色即是空³
Ah ha 有象無象

女でも 男でも
どっちでもいいのさ
世界中ダンス天国
アッハ?
あの子はどう? ギラギラね
腰を振ればそう
世界中ダンス天国
さあ踊ろう 禁断の実を
ほうら 口いっぱい

その調子 Shake It Shake Hip
踊りましょう
唇に マッシュポテト⁴
それ頂戴

いい感じ Shake It Shake Hip
続けましょう
指先に マッシュポテト
しゃぶりつけ

アッハ!
女でも 男でも
どっちでもいいのさ
世界中ダンス天国
プッフィ!
あの子はどう? ギラギラね
腰を振ればそう
世界中ダンス天国
さあ踊ろう 禁断の実を
ほうら 頬張って

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Taiyou odorou
Giragira odorou
Moetsukite yarou
Inochi no kagiri

Ase ga tobichiru kirameku
Ah ha Majority
Ikiteiru shou darou
Ah ha Minority

Doushou mo nai
Gira gira ne
Koshi wo fureba sou
sekaijyuu dansu tengoku
Saa odorou Kindan no mi wo
Houra houbatte

Setsuna teki shoudou teki
Ah ha akuma teki
Shougyoumujou Sekisokuzekuu
Ah ha Uzoumuzou

Onna demo Otoko demo
Docchi demo ii no sa
Sekaijuu dansu tengoku
Ahha?
Ano ko wa dou? Giragira ne
Koshi wo fureba sou
sekaijyuu dansu tengoku
Saa odorou Kindan no mi wo
Houra kuchi ippai

Sono choushi Shake It Shake Hip
Odorimashou
Kuchibiru ni masshu poteto
Sore wo choudai

Ii kanji Shake It Shake Hip
Tsudzukemashou
Yubisaki ni masshu poteto
Shaburi tsuke

Ahha!
Onna demo Otoko demo
Docchi demo ii no sa
Sekaijuu dansu tengoku
Puffi!
Ano ko wa dou? Giragira ne
Koshi wo fureba sou
sekaijyuu dansu tengoku
Saa odorou Kindan no mi wo
Houra Houbatte

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Let’s dance, Sun
Let’s dance, dazzling
Let’s keep going till we burn out
Until our lives run out

Sweat dripping and flying, sparkling
Ah ha Majority
This is proof that we’re living
Ah ha Minority

It can’t be helped
We’re dazzling
When you swing your hips, that’s right
It’s Dance Heaven the world over
C’mon, let’s dance Here, stuff your cheeks
 with The Forbidden Fruit¹

Living in the moment Impulsively
Ah ha Devilishly
All is vanity² Form is emptiness³
Ah ha It’s a rabble

Whether woman Or man
It doesn’t really matter
It’s Dance Heaven the world over
Ahha?
How about that kid? They’re dazzling
When you swing your hips, that’s right
It’s Dance Heaven the world over
C’mon, let’s dance Here, take a mouthful
of The Forbidden Fruit

Just like that Shake It Shake Hip
Let’s dance
Mashed potatoes⁴ on these lips
Oh, give it to me, please

Feels so good Shake It Shake Hip
Let’s keep it up
Mashed potatoes on these fingers
Suck on them

Ahha!
Whether woman Or man
It doesn’t really matter
It’s Dance Heaven the world over
Poofy!
How about that kid? They’re dazzling
When you swing your hips, that’s right
It’s Dance Heaven the world over
C’mon, let’s dance Here, stuff your cheeks
with The Forbidden Fruit¹

 

Notes:

¹ The Forbidden Fruit of the Garden of Eden is known as 禁断の果実 (kindan no kajitsu) in Japanese. Here, the lack of 果 in the phrase doesn’t change the translation into “Forbidden Fruit” because Sakurai pronounces 実 as “mi” rather than “jitsu”. When pronounced as “mi”, 実 refers to fruit, or seed, or pieces of meat/vegetables/ingredients in broth, or content/substances. When pronounced as “jitsu”, 実 refers to truth or reality.

² 諸行無常 is actually a Buddhist concept that say all things must pass. Buddhism teaches that the world and everything in it is illusory. In other words, all worldly things are impermanent, ephemeral, transient.

³ Another Buddhist concept, 色即是空 comes from the Heart Sutra which is the distillation of all teachings on Emptiness. 色即是空 means that all things in this world do not have a permanent substance, but they exist by virtue of their origin. Emptiness in Buddhism refers not to nothingness, but to the opposite: the interdependence of all phenomena, both mental and physical.

⁴ Aside from the obvious food item, mashed potato is also a dance move that was popular during the early-1960s. It sounds a lot like obvious innuendo here though.

 

Album cover of ABRACADABARA, BUCK-TICK

2020.09.21 | Victor Entertainment
ABRACADABRA

Dream Dancing Mime

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

知っていたんだね
まさか おまえまで

愛なんて幻想
お伽話と

瞳潤ませて
仔猫のふりして

あんな事をして
知っていたんだね

存じ上げ¹ていたわ²
周知の事実よ

まさか本気だと
思っていらして
背中のジッパを
指で弾いたら

お代³を頂戴⁴
時間が無いのよ

時計の針⁵が
針が 針が

あなたを刺す
悩殺⁶ 秒殺⁷

さようなら

愛しているんだ
やめて馬鹿馬鹿しい
この世は地獄さ
ちょっと付いていけない
瞳潤ませて
仔猫のふりして

お代を頂戴
時間が無いのよ

真っ赤なヒールが
ヒールが ヒールが
あなたを刺す
悩殺⁶ 秒殺⁷
時計の針⁵が
針が 針が
あなたを刺す
悩殺⁶ 秒殺⁷

さようなら

朝が来るぜ
こんな世界に

ちょっと眩しい
カーテン閉めて

死んでみるか

真っ赤なヒールが
ヒールが ヒールが

コツコツと

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Shitteitan dane
Masaka omae made
Ai nante gensou
Otogibanashi to
Hitomi urumasete
Koneko no furishite
Anna koto wo shite
Shitteitan dane

Zonji agete ita wa
Shuuchi no jijitsu yo
Masaka honki da to
omotte irashite
Senaka no jippa wo
yubi wo hiitara
Odai wo choudai
Jikan ga nai no yo

Tokei no hari ga
Hari ga Hari ga
Anata wo sasu
Nousatsu Byousatsu
Sayonara

Aishite irun da
Yamete bakabakashii
Kono yo wa jigoku sa
Chotto tsuite ikenai
Hitomi urumasete
Koneko no furi shite
Odai wo choudai
Jikan ga nai no yo

Makka na hiiru ga
Hiiru ga Hiiru ga
Anata wo sasu
Nousatsu Byousatsu
Tokei no hari ga
Hari ga Hari ga
Anata wo sasu
Nousatsu Byousatsu
Sayonara

Asa ga kuru ze
Konna sekai ni
Chotto mabushii
Kaaten shimete
Shinde miru ka

Makka na hiiru ga
Hiiru ga Hiiru ga
Kotsukotsu to

English

By: Yoshiyuki

You know it, don’t you
You, of all people
What an illusion love is
A mere fairy tale
Get misty eyed for me
Be my kitten
You do all those things
Despite knowing this, right?

Of course, I’m aware, my dear
It’s just common sense
You sound as if
you truly thought I was serious
If your finger plays with
the zipper on my back
Please make sure you pay up
I don’t have time for this

These hands⁵ on the clock
These hands These hands
Pierces into you
Seducing⁶ you Killing⁷ you
Goodbye

I’m in love with you
Stop it, you’re being ridiculous
This world is hell
I’m sorry, I can’t follow
Get misty eyed for me
Be my kitten
Please pay up
I don’t have time for this

These bright red heels of mine
Heels of mine Heels of mine
Pierces into you
Seducing⁶ you Killing⁷ you
These hands⁵ on the clock
These hands These hands
Pierces into you
Seducing⁶ you Killing⁷ you
Goodbye

Morning is coming
Coming to this world of ours
It’s a little glaring
Close the curtains?
Want to try dying?

These bright red heels of mine
Heels of mine Heels of mine
Tap-tapping on⁸

 

Notes:

¹ 存じ上げる (zonji ageru) is a humble way of saying 分かる (wakaru) or 知る (shiru), i.e. I know. The more common humble phrase merely uses 存じ (zonji), e.g. ご存知ですか (go zonji desuka – roughly “do you know”).
All of this belongs to formal speak, but the humble form is used when the speaker is talking to someone of a higher rank/trying to convey respect for the other party. Adding 上げる (ageru) to 存じ (zonji) actually increases the amount of respect conveyed. So if we’re ranking these phrases, 存じ上げる is a more respectful/humble version of 存じ, but less commonly used.

² The ending of a sentence/statement with わ (wa) is typical for women, most times, older women like your mom or something. In general, when a person ends their sentences with わ, it adds a feminine flavour to their speech and implies an air of softness.

³ Adding an お a noun as seen in お代 (odai) is used to add a formal/respectful tone to one’s speech. Note that this is not a one-fits-all rule.

⁴ 頂戴 (choudai) is a humble verb for receiving something from someone of a higher status than your own. But it’s not used exclusively for formal occasions, as seen in this song. It can be used as a word that encourages others to give you things or do something in a friendly way by throwing in a little formality with the tease/joke. 

⁵ The hands of a clock are referred to as 針 (hari) in Japanese which literally translates to “needle”. Which makes more sense in the next line which has 刺す(sasu) i.e. to pierce, stab, jab, basically stick something into someone.

⁶ 悩殺 (nousatsu) is used specifically with regards to seduction. It can be translated as anything in that regard from glamour and hex, to bewitch and entrance, to mere fascination. Generally, an irresistible charm. 

⁷ 秒殺 (byousatsu) literally means, “instantaneous kill”. Normally used to describe winning/losing in the blink of an eye, like a one-hit-KO.

⁸ コツコツ is an onomatopoeia of sorts which is also an adjective which means “steadily” or “working/doing something with effort”, like working hard or tirelessly. This translation choice combines both definitions. (Clicking steadily? Life goes on style?)

 

Comments:

You might’ve guessed from watching live performances of this song that it has 2 characters in it, one male and one female. The formatting of the lyrics in the album’s booklet used a black ♠ to denote the male character’s part and a red ♥ to denote the female character’s part. Instead of using these symbols here, which would make the page look messy, I used colours instead.
Blue text refer to the male character, while maroon text refer to the female character. Bold text refer to lyrics that are for both characters.
Yoshiyuki

 

Album cover of ABRACADABARA, BUCK-TICK

2020.08.26 | Victor Entertainment
MOONLIGHT ESCAPE

2020.09.21 | Victor Entertainment
ABRACADABRA

Frozen²

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Hoshino Hidehiko

Japanese

 

死んでいる 生きてもいるか
うんざりする
もううんざり
外は闇 闇は宵闇
窓に映る
おまえは誰

凍える月が触れる
この手首にそっと
青白く震えている
泣き出す月が ああ

堕ちてゆく 夢現(ゆめうつつ)
沈みたい ただそれだけ
子守唄を聴かせて
良い子だと
罪だとは言わないで
眠りたい ただそれだけ
遠い 遠い夢の中
ねんねしな

凍える月が触れる
この手首にそっと
青白く震えている
泣き出す月が ああ

堕ちてゆく 夢現(ゆめうつつ)
沈みたい ただそれだけ
子守唄を聴かせて
良い子だと
罪だとは言わないで
眠りたい ただそれだけ
遠い 遠い夢の中
ねんねしな

さあ ララ ラララ
ねんねん ころりよ
さあ ララ ラララ
ねんねん おころりよ
さあ ララ ラララ
ねんねん ころりよ
さあ ララ ラララ
ねんねん おころりよ

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Shindeiru Ikite mo iru ka
Unzarisuru
Mou unzari
Soto wa yami Yami wa yoiyami
Mado ni utsuru
Omae wa dare

Kogoeru tsuki ga fureru
kono tekubi ni sotto
Aojiroku furueteiru
Nakidasu tsuki ga aa

Ochite yuku yume utsutsu
Shizumitai tada sore dake
Komori uta wo kikasete
yoiko da to
Tsumi da to wa iwanai de
Nemuritai tada sore dake
Tooi tooi yume no naka
nenneshi na

Kogoeru tsuki ga fureru
kono tekubi ni sotto
Aojiroku furueteiru
Nakidasu tsuki ga aa

Ochite yuku yume utsutsu
Shizumitai tada sore dake
Komori uta wo kikasete
yoiko da to
Tsumi da to wa iwanai de
Nemuritai tada sore dake
Tooi tooi yume no naka
nenneshi na

Saa rara rarara
nennen korori yo
Saa rara rarara
nennen okorori yo
Saa rara rarara
nennen korori yo
Saa rara rarara
nennen okorori yo

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Am I dead Or am I still alive
I’m sick of this
Just so sick of this
It’s dark out there A darkness like dusk You in the window
Who are you

The chilling moon touches
my wrist so slightly
Pale blue and shaking
the crying moon is… Ah

Falling between dreams and reality
I wish to sink That’s all I want
Sing me a lullaby
Tell me I’ve been good
Don’t tell me it’s wrong
I wish to sleep That’s all I want
Far away In a distant dream
Hush, now, go to sleep

The numbing moon touches
my wrist so slightly
Pale blue and shaking
the crying moon is… Ah

Falling between dreams and reality
I wish to sink That’s all I want
Sing me a lullaby
Tell me I’ve been good
Don’t tell me it’s wrong
I wish to sleep That’s all I want
Far away In a distant dream
Hush, now, go to sleep

Sha lala lalala
Sleep, my dear, sleep¹
Sha lala lalala
Oh, my dear, sleep¹
Sha lala lalala
Sleep, my dear, sleep¹
Sha lala lalala
Oh, my dear, sleep¹

 

Notes:

¹ A reference to the first line of Edo Lullaby (江戸子守唄 / Edo komoriuta).

² I’ve used various words as a translation for 凍える (kogoeru). Its nuance can’t actually be entirely described with just any one word, like “frozen” or “chilled” since it’s actual definition includes “to be numbed by cold”, “to be chilled to the bone”, or “to freeze/chill”.

 

 

Album cover of ABRACADABARA, BUCK-TICK

2020.09.21 | Victor Entertainment
ABRACADABRA

Villain

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

生まれながらのアンチ
稀に見るレベル
軽々と まさに惡の華¹
恐れを知らぬ
諸悪の根源
ただひたすらに 狂気の沙汰²
ハロー タブー
チャオ スマイル
ハロー タブー
チャオ

おまえを知っている!
そう! おまえだ!
俺を犯したおまえだ!
醜い³!
そう! 糜爛(びらん)⁴が!
俺の胸にある糜爛(びらん)⁴が!
おまえを! 知っている!
気味悪い! 名無しの!
おまえを!

理不尽な世界
不条理を殺す
囚われぬ魂 逸脱せよ
あまりにも華麗
稀代のハイレベル
軽々と それは惡の華¹
ハロー タブー
チャオ スマイル
ハロー タブー
チャオ

おまえを知っている!
そう! おまえだ!
俺を殺したおまえだ!
血が滲む!
そう! 糜爛(びらん)⁴が!
努努(ゆめゆめ) 疼く糜爛(びらん)⁴が!
おまえを! 知っている!
気味悪い! 顔の無い!
おまえを!

おまえを知っている
そう おまえだ
俺を犯した おまえだ
醜い
そう 糜爛(びらん)⁴が
俺の胸にある糜爛(びらん)⁴が

気味悪い!
そう! おまえだ!
俺を殺した おまえだ!
血が滲む!
そう! 糜爛(びらん)⁴が!
努努(ゆめゆめ) 疼く糜爛(びらん)⁴が!
おまえを! 知っている!
気味悪い! 気味悪い!

おまえだ!

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Umare nagara no anchi
Mare ni miru reberu
Karugaru to masa ni aku no hana
Osore wo shiranu
Shoaku no kongen
Tada hitasura ni kyouki no sata
Haroo Tabuu
Chao Sumairu
Haroo Tabuu
Chao

Omae wo shitteiru!
Sou! Omae da!
Ore wo okashita omae da!
Minikui!
Sou! Biran ga!
Ore no mune ni aru biran ga!
Omae wo! Shitteiru!
Kimiwarui! Nanashi no!
Omae wo!

Rifujin na sekai
Fujouri wo korosu
Towarenu tamashii itsudatsu se yo
Amari ni mo karen
Kidai no hai reberu
Karugaru to Sore wa aku no hana
Haroo Tabuu
Chao Sumairu
Haroo Tabuu
Chao

Omae wo shitteiru!
Sou! Omae da!
Ore wo koroshita omae da!
Chi ga nijimu!
Sou! Biran ga!
Yume yume Itaku biran ga!
Omae wo! Shitteiru!
Kimiwarui! Kao no nai!
Omae wo!

Omae wo shitteiru
Sou Omae da
Ore wo okashita Omae da
Minikui
Sou Biran ga
Ore no mune ni aru biran ga

Kimiwarui!
Sou! Omae da!
Ore wo koroshita Omae da!
Chi ga nijimu!
Sou! Biran ga!
Yume yume uzuku biran ga!
Omae wo! Shitteiru!
Kimiwarui! Kimiwarui!

Omae da!

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Born to be an anti
A level rarely seen
Effortlessly embodying a flower of evil¹
Knowing no fear
The root of all evil
Hell bent on acts of sheer madness²
Hello Taboo
Ciao Smile
Hello Taboo
Ciao

I know you!
Yes! It’s you!
The one who persecuted me was you!
You’re mean³!
Yes! These ulcers⁴!
These ulcers⁴ in my heart!
You! I know you!
Creepy! Nameless⁵!
You!

Unreasonable world
Killing the absurd
Unfettered souls Depart
Beyond resplendent
A level unparalleled
Effortlessly attracting flowers of evil¹
Hello Taboo
Ciao Smile
Hello Taboo
Ciao

I know you!
Yes! It’s you!
The one who killed me was you!
Stained in blood!
Yes! These sores⁴!
These incessantly painful sores⁴!
You! I know you!
Creepy! Faceless!
You!

I know you
Yes You
The one who persecuted It’s you
You’re mean³
Yes These ulcers⁴
These ulcers⁴ in my chest

Creepy!
Yes! It’s you!
The one who killed me It’s you!
Stained in blood!
Yes! These sores⁴!
These incessantly painful sores⁴!
You! I know you!
Creepy! Creepy!

It’s you!

 

Notes:

¹ 惡の華 (Aku no Hana), a throwback to BUCK-TICK’s album and song of the same name and also their reference to Charles Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du mal. In this instance, though, rather than saying that there is beauty in evil, there appears to be an implication that there is evil in beauty.

² 狂気の沙汰 (Kyouki no sata) can also be translated as the “loss of one’s sanity”. Generally used to describe a person or an act that is illogical or simply, insane.

³ 醜い (minikui) is typically used to say that the appearance of a person or a thing is unsightly, or just plain ugly. When referring to actions, though, it then means anything from “dishonourable” to “mean”. Basically to say that particular act is shameful, unsightly to the eyes of general society.

⁴ 糜爛 (biran) refer to a “sore”, “erosion”, “ulcer”, generally something at eats at you. This is also a wordplay on Villain, pronounced in Japanese as “biran”, implying that the villain is a sore that corrupts their victims.

⁵ Or anonymous.

 

Comments:

A note from Imai’s interview in FT097:
Imai’s lyrics are from POV of antagonist. When he wrote it, he felt that it wasn’t necessary to tie them in with Sakurai’s lyrics
— Yoshiyuki

 

Album cover of ABRACADABARA, BUCK-TICK

2020.09.21 | Victor Entertainment
ABRACADABRA

Moon Desert

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Hoshino Hidehiko

Japanese

 

遥か遥か遠く
名も亡き孤独の王は
駱駝(らくだ)の背に揺られ
蜃気楼追いかけてゆく

俺は一粒の砂
ギラギラと熱に焼かれている
濡らしてくれ
燃える陽炎

月の砂漠を
遥々とゆくよ
骨になるまで
灰になるまで

金や銀の財宝
麗しい褐色の姫
焼けた肌に蠍(さそり)
季節は地獄だろう

おまえは一粒の砂
キラキラと風に舞い踊る
溶かしてくれ
揺れる陽炎

月の砂漠を
遥々とゆくよ
骨になるまで
灰になるまで

月の砂漠を
遥々とゆくよ
月の砂漠を
駱駝(らくだ)に揺られ

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Haruka haruka tooku
Na mo naki kodoku no ou wa
Rakuda no se ni yurare
Shinkirou oikakete yuku

Ore wa hitotsubu no suna
Giragira to netsu ni yakarete iru
Nurashite kure
Moeru kagerou

Tsuki no sabaku wo
harubaru to yuku yo
Hone ni naru made
Hai ni naru made

Kin ya gin no zaihou
Uruwashii kasshoku no hime
Yaketa hada ni sasori
Kisetsu wa jigoku darou

Omae wa hitotsubu no suna
Kirakira to kaze ni mai odoru
Tokashite kure
Yureru kagerou

Tsuki no sabaku wo
harubaru to yuku yo
Hone ni naru made
Hai ni naru made

Tsuki no sabaku wo
harubaru to yuku yo
Tsuki no sabaku wo
rakuda ni yurare

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Somewhere far, far away
A nameless, solitary king
Sways on the back of a camel
as he chases after mirages

Oh, I’m but a mere grain of sand
Burning under the glare and the heat
Douse me
Blazing heat haze

Further and deeper we stray
into the Moon Desert
Until we turn to bones
Until we turn to ashes

Treasure of gold and silver
A beautiful brown-skinned princess
Scorpions on my burnt skin
This must be a season in hell

Oh, you’re but a mere grain of sand
Glittering as you dance in the wind
Melt me
Shimmering heat haze

Further and deeper we stray
into the Moon Desert
Until we turn to bones
Until we turn to ashes

Further and deeper we stray
into the Moon Desert
On camels we sway
into the Moon Desert

 

Comments:

Masao Kato was a leading lyrical artist from the Taisho era to the early Showa era who often interacted with his many female fans and was well versed in schoolgirl customs, such as hairstyles and clothing. In 1923, he published the nursery rhyme “月の沙漠 (Moon Desert)” which was inspired by the sandy shores of Onjuku beach in Chiba. Interestingly enough, to commemorate this, the Moon Desert Museum was established in the same location.
The lyrics of 月の沙漠 are very similar to that of Sakurai’s version, featuring camels, gold and silver, a princess, but rather than a king, like in Sakurai’s version, a prince.
https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1110967601
— Yoshiyuki

 

 

Album cover of ABRACADABARA, BUCK-TICK

2020.09.21 | Victor Entertainment
ABRACADABRA

SOPHIA DREAM

Words by Imai Hisashi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

ラララ 愛し合う¹エレメント
あなたは本能
ラララ 嵐に舞うエレメント
あなたは抵抗

SOPHIA DREAM 空の上²
ルーシーと二人 ダイヤモンド
SOPHIA DREAM 群青色
ルーシーと二人 眺める世界

ラララ 闇をゆく³エレメント
あなたは孤高
ラララ 紡ぎ出すエレメント
あなたは不動

SOPHIA DREAM 空の上²
ルーシーと二人 ダイヤモンド
SOPHIA DREAM 群青色
ルーシーと二人 眺める世界

ラララ 始まりのエレメント
あなたは希望
ラララ お仕舞のエレメント
あなたは希望

SOPHIA DREAM 空の上²
ルーシーと二人 ダイヤモンド
SOPHIA DREAM 空の上
ルーシーと二人 ほら飛んでいる

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Rarara Aishi au eremento
Anata wa honnou
Rarara Arashi ni mau eremento
Anata wa teikou

SOPHIA DREAM Sora no ue
Ruushii to futari daiyamondo
SOPHIA DREAM Gunjou iro
Ruushii to futari Nirameru sekai

Rarara Yami wo yuku eremento
Anata wa koudou
Rarara  sumugi dasu eremento
Anara wa fudou

SOPHIA DREAM Sora no ue
Ruushii to futari daiyamondo
SOPHIA DREAM Gunjou iro
Ruushii to futari Nirameru sekai

Rarara Hajimari no eremento
Anata wa kibou
Rarara Oshimai no eremento
Anata wa kibou

SOPHIA DREAM Sora no ue
Ruushii to futari daiyamondo
SOPHIA DREAM Sora no ue
Ruushii to futari Hora tonde iru

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Lalala An element of love¹
You are instinctual
Lalala An element dancing in the storm
You are resistance

SOPHIA DREAM In the sky²
Lucy and I Diamonds
SOPHIA DREAM Ultramarine
Lucy and I Watching the world

Lalala An element falling dark³
You are aloof
Lalala An element coming to life
You are unyielding

SOPHIA DREAM In the sky²
Lucy and I Diamonds
SOPHIA DREAM Ultramarine
Lucy and I Watching the world

Lalala An element of beginnings
You are hope
Lalala An element of endings
You are hope

SOPHIA DREAM In the sky²
Lucy and I Diamonds
SOPHIA DREAM In the sky
Lucy and I Look, we’re flying

 

Notes:

¹ 愛し合う (aishi au) is actually defined as “to love one another” or “to be affectionate towards each other”. The other definition is “to make love”.

² 空の上 (sora no ue) is supposed to mean “above the sky”, i.e. stratosphere or something. But I kept the line as “In the sky” with reference to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

³ 闇をゆく (yami o yuku) literally means “to go into the darkness”.

 

Comments:

Based on Imai’s interview in FT097:
This song actually relates to Julia Dream by Pink Floyd.
During post-DIQ2019 drinks, someone who once looked after the band suggested that Imai should do a song like that with Sakurai and feature both their voices as a duet.
He also said that Lucy doesn’t actually refer to anything or anyone in particular. The name just happened to pop up in his head.
— Yoshiyuki

Album cover of ABRACADABARA, BUCK-TICK

2020.09.21 | Victor Entertainment
ABRACADABRA

URAHARA-JUKU

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

夢見がちだね Hey Girl?
アスファルトには IDOL
何を売っているの? Hey Girl?
そっちの水甘いか? そっちの水やばいぜ!¹

邪魔すんなよ! どけよ!
冷やかしは消えな!
純度はイイニ キマッテイル!
何が欲しい!? お嬢ちゃん!?

銀色雨降る車道
鳴り響くサイレン赤色灯が滲む
おまえはもう お家(うち)にお帰り
今日の事なんて忘れるがいいさ

URAHARA-JUKU Oh! Baby!
雨に濡れた IDOL
何を打っているの? Baby!?
そっちの水甘いか? そっちの水やばいぜ!

邪魔はしないぜ! Buy or Die?!
天国で死ぬかい?!
純度は Maybe 腐っている!
何が欲しい?! What Do You Want!?

銀色雨降る車道
鳴り響くサイレン赤色灯が滲む
今夜はベッドで眠りな
夢の中で夢見ればいいさ

邪魔すんなよ! どけよ!
冷やかしは消えな!
純度はイイニ キマッテイル!
何が欲しい!? お嬢ちゃん!?

邪魔はしないぜ! Buy or Die?!
天国で死ぬかい?!
純度は Maybe 腐っている!
何が欲しい?! What Do You Want!?

銀色雨降る車道
鳴り響くサイレン赤色灯が滲む
おまえはもう お家(うち)にお帰り
今日の事なんて忘れるがいいさ
今夜はベッドで眠りな
夢の中で夢見ればいいさ

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Yume mi gachi da ne Hey Girl?
Asufaruto ni wa IDOL
Nani wo utte iru no? Hey Girl?
Socchi no mizu amai ka? Socchi no mizu yabai ze!¹

Jama sunna yo! Doke yo!
Hiyakashi wa kie na!
Jundo wa ii ni kimatte iru!
Nani ga hoshii!? Ojouchan!?

Gin iro ame furu shadou
Narihibiku sairen sekishokutou ga nijimu
Omae wa mou ouchi ni okaeri
Kyou no koto nante wasureru ga ii sa

URAHARA-JUKU Oh! Baby!
Ame ni nureta IDOL
Nan wo utte iru no? Baby!?
Socchi no mizu amai ka? Socchi no mizu yabai ze!

Jama wa shinai ze! Buy or Die?!
Tengoku de shinu kai?!
Jundo wa Maybe kusatteiru!
Nani ga hoshii?! What Do You Want!?

Gin iro ame furu shadou
Narihibiku sairen sekishokutou ga nijimu
Konya wa beddo de nemuri na
Yume no naka de yume mireba ii sa

Jama sunna yo! Doke yo!
Hiyakashi wa kie na!
Jundo wa ii ni kimatte iru!
Nani ga hoshii!? Ojouchan!?

Jama wa shinai ze! Buy or Die?!
Tengoku de shinu kai?!
Jundo wa Maybe kusatteiru!
Nani ga hoshii?! What Do You Want!?

Gin iro ame furu shadou
Narihibiku sairen sekishokutou ga nijimu
Omae wa mou ouchi ni okaeri
Kyou no koto nante wasureru ga ii sa
Konya wa beddo de nemuri na
Yume no naka de yume mireba ii sa

English

By: Yoshiyuki

You got your head in the clouds, don’t you Hey Girl?
IDOL of the asphalt
What are you selling? Hey Girl?
Is the water over there sweet? That water’s trouble!¹

Don’t bother me! Get out of my way!
Window shoppers, get lost!
You’ve decided that purity is good for sure!
So what do you desire!? Sweetheart!?

Silver rain falling on the road
bleeding from the blaring red-light sirens
It’s time for you to go home
Just forget about what happened today

URAHARA-JUKU Oh! Baby!
Rain-drenched IDOL
What are you hitting on? Baby!?
Is the water over there sweet? That water’s trouble!¹

Don’t you bother me! Buy or Die?!
Wanna die in heaven?!
Maybe purity is getting corrupted!
What do you desire?! What Do You Want!?

Silver rain falling on the road
bleeding from the blaring red-light sirens
Don’t sleep in beds tonight
Just dream your dreams in your sleep

Don’t bother me! Get out of my way!
Window shoppers, get lost!
You’ve decided that purity is good for sure!
So what do you desire!? Sweetheart!?

Don’t you bother me! Buy or Die?!
Wanna die in heaven?!
Maybe purity is getting corrupted!
What do you desire?! What Do You Want!?

Silver rain falling on the road
bleeding from the blaring red-light sirens
It’s time for you to go home
Just forget about what happened today
Don’t sleep in beds tonight
Just dream your dreams in your sleep

 

Notes:

¹ A reference to the Hotaru, Koi (Ho, Firefly), a popular Japanese children’s folk song from Akita prefecture. The original lines of the song are “あっちの みずは にがいぞ、こっちの みずは あまいぞ” (acchi no mizu wa nigai zo, kocchi no mizu wa amai zo). Translated, it reads, “Over there the water bitter, over here the water is sweet”. “Bitter” implies “impure” while “sweet” implies “pure”.
This particular folk song was also referenced in Kuchizuke.

 

Comments:

Harajuku, a street famous for its fashion driven mostly by youths and teenagers from the nearby art and design schools. It is a staple of Japan’s fashion culture and sites like Tokyo Fashion have made it even more popular with street-snaps of pedestrians with eye-popping dressing and fashion sense.
Youths often flock there in a bid to become a part of the culture itself and Sakurai has mentioned that this song is a warning against being too blinded by the desire to be a part of the glitz and glam. The title suggests exactly that with “URA” added before “HARA-JUKU”.
“URA” means the “back” or the “underside” of something. Often used in phrases like 裏話 (ura banashi) to talk about behind-the-scenes, the addition of “URA” here is a clear sign that the song talks about the underbelly of Harajuku, of what happens under the sparkly surface.
At the same time, “URAHARA” (裏腹) also refers to the “contrary”, “reverse” or “opposite” of something. This also serves to reinforce Sakurai’s narrative in this song.
Do note that there’s also a district in Omotesando called 裏原宿 (uraharajuku), close to the main Harajuku are that’s a pretty nice shopping belt. Although in recent years, it’s been overrun by shops reselling streetwear.
— Yoshiyuki

 

Album cover of ABRACADABARA, BUCK-TICK

2020.09.21 | Victor Entertainment
ABRACADABRA

Que Sera Sera Elegy

Words by Imai Hisashi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

幻想の始まりだ 運命共同体
君と繋がって (ファファファファ)
妄想も暴走も狂騒も合法も
本能で喰っちゃって (ララララ)

(woo!) ギラギラの (ha!) 太陽だ
(woo!) あの熱い (ha!) 太陽だ
(woo!) ギラギラの (ha!) 太陽だ
(woo!) 太陽だ

漂流のサーファー 荒波乗り越えて
がんばってやっちゃって (ファファファファ)
Psycho のカリスマも 最高のポップスターも
神もモンスターも (ララララ)

(woo!) ギラギラの (ha!) 太陽だ
(woo!) あの熱い (ha!) 太陽だ
(woo!) ギラギラの (ha!) 太陽だ
(woo!) 太陽だ

ほら 世界が回る 世界が狂う狂う
ねえ 止まんないだろう
ほら お前は嗤う お前はケラケラ
ねえ 止まんない どうしよう

哀愁のパラダイス 進め未来へ
I love you forever ケセラセラ エレジー

幻想の始まりだ 運命共同体
君と繋がって (ファファファファ)
妄想も暴走も狂騒も合法も
本能で喰っちゃって (ララララ)

(woo!) ギラギラの (ha!) 太陽だ
(woo!) あの熱い (ha!) 太陽だ
(woo!) ギラギラの (ha!) 太陽だ
(woo!) 太陽だ

ほら 未来が揺れる 未来がユラユラ
さあ 視えるか?¹ 解るか?²
ほら お前は揺れる お前はフラフラ
さあ 迷うか? 走るか?

哀愁のパラダイス 進め未来へ
I love you forever ケセラセラ エレジー

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Gensou no hajimari da   unmei kyoudoutai
Kimi to tsunagatte (Fa fa fa fa)
Mousou mo bousou mo kyousou mo gouhou mo
Honnou de kucchatte (La la la la)

(woo!) Giragira no (ha!) taiyou da
(woo!) Ano atsui (ha!) taiyou da
(woo!) Giragira no (ha!) taiyou da
(woo!) Taiyou da

Hyouryuu no saafaa aranami nori koete
Ganbatte yacchatte (Fa fa fa fa)
Psycho no karisuma mo Saikou no poppusutaa mo
Kami mo monsutaa mo (La la la la)

(woo!) Giragira no (ha!) taiyou da
(woo!) Ano atsui (ha!) taiyou da
(woo!) Giragira no (ha!) taiyou da
(woo!) Taiyou da

Hora Sekai ga mawaru Sekai ga kuruu kuruu
Nee Tomannai darou
Hora Omae wa warau Omae wa kerakera
Nee Tomannai Doushiyou

Aishuu no paradaisu Susume mirai e
I love you forever Ke sera sera erejii

Gensou no hajimari da Unmei kyoudoutai
Kimi to tsunagatte (Fa fa fa fa)
Mousou mo bousou mo kyousou mo gouhou mo
Honnou de kucchatte (La la la la)

(woo!) Giragira no (ha!) taiyou da
(woo!) Ano atsui (ha!) taiyou da
(woo!) Giragira no (ha!) taiyou da
(woo!) Taiyou da

Hora Mirai ga yureru Mirai ga yurayura
Saa Mieru ka?¹ Wakaru ka?²
Hora Omae wa yureru Omae wa furafura
Saa Mayou ka? Hashiru ka?

Aishuu no paradaisu Susume mirai e
I love you forever Ke sera sera erejii

English

By: Yoshiyuki

It’s the start of a fantasy Bound by a common destiny
I am connected to you (Fa fa fa fa)
Delusions, rampages, mania, legitimacy
All swallowed up by instinct (La la la la)

(woo!) It’s the (ha!) dazzling sun
(woo!) That hot (ha!) blazing sun
(woo!) It’s the (ha!) dazzling sun
(woo!) The sun

Drifting surfer crossing the rough stormy seas
Good luck with that (Fa fa fa fa)
To psychotic charisma and the best popstar
And God and monsters too (La la la la)

(woo!) It’s the (ha!) dazzling sun
(woo!) That hot (ha!) blazing sun
(woo!) It’s the (ha!) dazzling sun
(woo!) The sun

Hey now The world is turning The world is crazy, crazy
Hey It won’t stop, will it
Hey now You’re smirking You’re cackling away
Hey It won’t stop What do I do

Poignant paradise Moving into the future
I love you forever Que Sera Sera Elegy

It’s the start of a fantasy Bound by a common destiny
I am connected to you (Fa fa fa fa)
Delusions, rampages, mania, legitimacy
All swallowed up by instinct (La la la la)

(woo!) It’s the (ha!) dazzling sun
(woo!) That hot (ha!) blazing sun
(woo!) It’s the (ha!) dazzling sun
(woo!) The sun

Hey look The future is swaying The future is flickering
Come now Can you look close?¹ Do you understand?²
Hey look You’re swaying You’re flickering
Come now Do you feel lost? Are you going to run?

Poignant paradise Moving into the future
I love you forever Que Sera Sera Elegy

 

Notes:

¹ While read the same as 見える(mieru – to be able to see), 視える (mieru) basically does mean “to be able to see” as well, but with the added impled meaning that it is with close attention.

² Wakaru (to understand) is typically written as 分かる. In this case, it was written as 解る instead. Like in #1 above, there’s a very slight difference in nuance between these two. 分かる is used in cases regarding the understanding of the way a particular situation is going, while 解る is used in cases regarding the understanding of the content, meaning, or value of a thing.

 

Comments:

Deciphering the title itself requires breaking it into two parts.
1, Que Sera Sera, i.e. whatever will be, will be.
While it is the name of a song sung by Doris Day and written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, this song doesn’t reference that but instead throws towards it’s meaning; a fatalistic recognition that future events are out of the speaker’s control. Considering that the lyrics were written by Imai during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be inferred that the chaos in the lyrics (Drifting surfer crossing the rough stormy seas) and uncertainty (The future is swaying The future is flickering) in this song is a reflection of the times (Poignant paradise), along with a clear statement hoping that we will get to move on from it (Moving into the future).
2, Elegy.
An elegy in modern literature is a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead. I think the link here is pretty self-explanatory.
— Yoshiyuki

 

 

1999.12.08 | Danger Crue Records
NAKED

Lyrics by ISSAY
Music By HAL

Japanese

 

俺は夜光虫、暗闇這いずる
日の光の中じゃあグロテスクなだけさ
夜ともなれば派手に動きだし
嘘でかためた歌踊りながら唄う

Call me Mr. Bad Trip Living your daydream

瞳を閉じていると、何でも見えはじめる
夢も現も全てがありありと

銀のペーパームーンが浮かれ騒ぎ出したら
もう誰にも止める事は出来やしない
原色の波でおまえ飲み込んでやる
決して醒めない夢になりたいのさ

ギターのノイズが俺の相棒さ
息を殺しながら日没をまっている
満足なんてできた事もない
完全なドラッグをいつも探してる

Call me Mr. Bad Trip Living your daydream

不思議な風に乗って、魔法の時間がはじまる
俺もおまえもとろけてしまうのさ

銀のペーパームーンが俺たちを誘い出す
もう誰にも止める事は出来やしない
原色の波に乗って旅立ってゆこう
決して醒めない夢になりたいのさ

銀のペーパームーンが浮かれ騒ぎ出したら
もう誰にも止める事は出来やしない
原色の波でおまえ飲み込んでやる
決して醒めない夢になりたい
決して醒めない夢になりたいのさ

Romaji

By: Andy

Ore wa yakouchuu, kurayami haizuru
Hi no hikari no naka jaa gurotesuku na dake sa
Yoru to mo nareba hade ni ugokidashi
Uso de katameta uta odori nagara utau

Call me Mr. Bad Trip Living your daydream

Hitomi wo tojite iru to, nandemo mie hajimeru
Yume mo utsutsu mo subete ga ariari to

Gin no peepaa muun ga ukare sawagidashitara
Mou darenimo tomeru koto wa dekiyashinai
Genshoku no nami de omae nomikonde yaru
Keshite samenai yume ni naritai no sa

Gitaa no noizu ga ore no aibou sa
Iki wo koroshi nagara nichibotsu wo matte iru
Manzoku nante dekita koto mo nai
Kanzen na doraggu wo itsumo sagashiteru

Call me Mr. Bad Trip Living your daydream

Fushigi na kaze ni notte, mahou no toki ga hajimaru
Ore mo omae mo torokete shimau no sa

Gin no peepaa muun ga oretachi wo sasoidasu
Mou darenimo tomeru koto wa dekiyashinai
Genshoku no nami ni notte tabidatte yukou
Keshite samenai yume ni naritai no sa

Gin no peepaa muun ga ukare sawagidashitara
Mou darenimo tomeru koto wa deki yashinai
Genshoku no nami de omae nomikonde yaru
Keshite samenai yume ni naritai
Keshite samenai yume ni naritai no sa

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