Last time, I uploaded a ballad by X Japan. This time, I thought I'd upload something a bit more up-beat. I really like listening to rock ballads, but sometimes powerful speed metal really attracts me. The speed, energy, passion, thrill, and indescribable chemistry of guitar, bass, drums, and vocals coming together (keyboards too) to create such a powerful sound simply blows me away. Loud and crazy, but beautiful and with its own charm. Unfortunately, many people around me do not share my passion for rock so I am spilling it out here. We are X!!!
This is X Japan's "Kurenai" (Crimson), from their album, Blue Blood. An earlier version of "Kurenai" is also available in their 1988 debut album, Vanishing Vision.
This is the live performance of X Japan's Kurenai during their December 1, 1997 "The Last Live" concert. The concert was called "The Last Live" because it was going to be their last concert before their breakup. Although X Japan grouped up again, this concert really was a "last live" with their guitarist hide. Hideto Matsumoto, or "hide" as he was called, passed away an year later in May of 1998. Leaving that aside, isn't the energy of the concert just amazing? If I wasn't two years old in 1997 and in Hong Kong, I would have wanted to go to this concert.
If I were to talk about the history and legacy of X Japan, it would be endless so I'll leave it for another time. Enjoy!
Kurenai - Music Video
Lyrics
I could not look back, you'd gone away from me I felt my heart ache I was afraid of following you When I had looked at the shadows on the wall I started running into the night to find the truth in me 嵐吹くこの街がお前を抱く 吹き拔ける風にさえ目を閉じる お前は走りだす何かに追われるよう 俺が見えないのかすぐそばにいるのに
人波に消えて行く記億の吐息 愛のない一人舞台もう耐えきれない All of you in my memory is still shining in my heart
すれ違う心は溢れる淚に濡れ
紅に染まったこの俺を 慰める奴はもういない もう二度と屆かないこの思い 閉ざされた愛に向かい 叫びつづける Crying in deep red
Lyrics (Romanized)
I could not look back, you'd gone away from me I felt my heart ache I was afraid of following you When I had looked at the shadows on the wall I started running into the night to find the truth in me
arashi fuku kono machi ga omae wo daku fukinukeru kaze ni sae me wo tojiru
omae wa hashiridasu nanika ni owareru you ore ga mienai no ka sugu soba ni iru no ni
hitonami ni kiete yuku kioku no toiki ai no nai hitori butai mou taekirenai All of you in my memory is still shining in my heart sure chigau kokoro wa afureru namida nure
kurenai ni somatta kono ore wo nagusameru yatsu wa mou inai
mou nido to todokanai kono omoi tozasareta ai ni mukai sakebi tsuzukeru
omae wa hashiridasu nanika ni owareru you ore ga mienai no ka sugu soba ni iru no ni
kurenai ni somatta kono ore wo nagusameru yatsu wa mou inai
mou nido to todokanai kono omoi tozasareta ai ni mukai sakebi tsuzukeru
kurenai ni somatta kono ore wo nagusameru yatsu wa mou inai
Crying in deep red
from lyricsdepot.com
Translation
I couldn't look back, you'd gone away from me. I felt my heartaches, I was afraid of following you. When I had looked at, the shadows on the wall ... I started running into the night, to find the truth in me.
A storm is blowing through the streets as I hold you in my arms. A violent wind begins to blow, blinding me. You're running from something that has been stalking you. But can't you see that I'm alone? You're a common, disappearing memory. Unloved, alone on the stage I can't hold back.
As of you in my memory is still shining in my heart. Passing by me, soaking me with flowing tears. I'm lying here in deep red to comfort my pain. I will never again give out these memories that keep love away from me. As I continue to shout, you're running from something that has been stalking you, but can't you see that I'm alone?
I'm lying here in deep red to comfort my pain. I will never again give out these memories that ... keep love away from me. As I continue to shout ... I'm lying here in deep red to comfort my pain.
Although the Korean music industry appears to be dominated by commercial K-pop idol singers, there is a lot more beneath the surface. Independent and underground, the Korean rock industry is quite interesting too. Of these rock bands, one of them is called "Boohwal." They were first formed in the 80's when a heavy metal boom around Korea started producing major rock bands. After their 2nd album, their popularity rocketed. "Boohwal" means resurrection in Korea and is one of the few rock bands to have lasting popularity until today. They went through many ups and downs and had quite a few change of vocals, but their signature rock ballads have never ceased to soothe the audience with both great music and showmanship.
Recently, for their 25th anniversary, they released their 12th album, titled Retrospect and it came out in two parts. The first part came out late 2009 and recently, their released the second part of the album. Before going deeply into this rock band, I wanted to introduce to you the title songs for Retrospect I and II.
X Japan is one of my favorite rock bands.I would like to dedicate a few posts to their music.
Endless Rain Single (released December 1989)
Composed and Written by X Japan leader/pianist/drummer Yoshiki.
Track Listings
1.“Endless Rain”
2.“X” (Live version)
Although I like the song “X”, “Endless Rain” really caught my attention in this single.I am currently obsessed with this sentimental, yet powerful ballad.The vocalist’s powerful voice to a moving melody captivated me.However, it would be a disgrace to a song to ignore its lyrics.Because I am not a native Japanese speaker, I cannot understand or feel the lyrics perfectly.I could understand the meaning of the lyrics, but I would never be able to see the beauty in and fully appreciate the Japanese language itself.However, I can be moved.I can be moved because that is what music does- move people who cannot fully understand, appreciate, or analyze its power.
This is the music video for “Endless Rain.”The recording is great, but I also suggest that you listen to some of their live versions too.
Hello! This is Clare's blog. I will upload a variety of posts relating to events and activities that add joy to my life. I hope you enjoy my blog and I would also love to know what you think about my blog. Please comment on my posts!