UPSIDE DOWN – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: EXILE ATSUSHI
• Album: 24karats GOLD SOUL

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the emotional depths of EXILE ATSUSHI's "UPSIDE DOWN," a song rich with the Japanese values of camaraderie and unwavering loyalty. Through its expressive lyrics and soulful delivery, you can explore common Japanese phrases used to describe profound friendships and overcoming adversity. The song's unique blend of 80s-90s funk and black music also offers a captivating entry point into Japanese contemporary music, making it a perfect track to enhance your language learning experience while appreciating its special tribute to enduring bonds.

[English]

Always admired JSB The First, with spicy sweet vibes, we got it goin’ on!

Evolving into EX TRIBE, spinning off into COLOR, crazy players, friends forever!

UPSIDE DOWN, WE GO INSIDE OUT

That’s the key to life!

It’s okay to be mistaken, confused, struggling—you’re alright, EI!

UPSIDE DOWN, THE GAME IS ON!

In that strangely subdued, raspy voice

Ignoring words, I took you out with me

Sign of OK with fingers, shouldn't mind with shoulders!

What we should imagine is the future in our minds

While hesitating and wandering, on an endless road

Keep moving straight without retreat, breathe hard and run

As long as you dream, that’s infinity. Oh... So on we go!

UPSIDE DOWN, WE GO INSIDE OUT

That’s the key to life!

It’s okay to be mistaken, confused, struggling—you’re right, EI!

UPSIDE DOWN, THE GAME IS ON!

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE...

Don’t pretend you know everything—feel the wonder and awe

Chasing sights you’ve never seen before

With more things to protect—good and bad

My way, your way

Bounce up, brother, and be bold... We won’t be sold!

While hesitating and wandering, in times of frustration

Without retreat, hold your fist to your chest

As long as you dream, that’s infinity. Oh... So on we go!

UPSIDE DOWN, WE GO INSIDE OUT

That’s the key to life!

It’s okay to be mistaken, confused, struggling—you’re alright, EI!

UPSIDE DOWN, THE GAME IS ON!

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE...

With the city fading into dusk, streetlights dye the streets

Laughter so carefree, reflecting our silly days

Always admired JSB The First, with spicy sweet vibes, we got it goin’ on!

Evolving into EX TRIBE, spinning off into COLOR, crazy players, friends forever!

Always admired JSB The First, with spicy sweet vibes, we got it goin’ on!

Evolving into EX TRIBE, spinning off into COLOR, crazy players, friends forever!

UPSIDE DOWN, WE GO INSIDE OUT

That’s the key to life!

It’s okay to be mistaken, confused, struggling—you’re alright, EI!

UPSIDE DOWN, THE GAME IS ON!

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE...

[Japanese]

ずっと憧れて JSB The First, 甘辛い Vibesで We got it goin’ on !

EX TRIBE に進化 Spin off to COLOR, Crazy な Player, 仲間 Forever

UPSIDE DOWN WE GO INSIDE OUT

それこそが THE KEY OF LIFE

間違えて　戸惑って　悩んでるお前でいいぜ EI!

UPSIDE DOWN THE GAME IS ON!

妙に塞ぎこんだような　かすれた声に

言葉なんかおきざりにして　連れだしたのさ

指でオッケーサイン　肩で We don’t mind!

思い馳せるべきは　Imagined future

迷いながら流離いながら　終わりのない道を

退くことなく真っ直ぐに　息切らし走ろう

夢見る限り　それは無限大　 Oh... So on we go!

UPSIDE DOWN WE GO INSIDE OUT

それこそが THE KEY OF LIFE

間違えて　戸惑って　悩んでるお前でいいぜ EI!

UPSIDE DOWN THE GAME IS ON!

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE...

知ったかぶらないで 感じてたい Wonder and awe

見たこともない景色　追い求めてく

Good and the Bad 守らなきゃいけないものも増え

My way, Your way

Bounce up Braddah and just be bold... We won’t be sold!

迷いながら流離いながら　悔しい時にこそ

退くことなく真っ直ぐに　拳　胸にあてろ

夢見る限り　それは無限大　Oh... So on we go!

UPSIDE DOWN WE GO INSIDE OUT

それこそが THE KEY OF LIFE

間違えて　戸惑って　悩んでるお前でいいぜ EI!

UPSIDE DOWN THE GAME IS ON!

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE...

暮れなずむ街に灯(うつ)る　街路樹が街を染める

屈託のない笑い声 ふざけあったあの頃の俺たちを映しだす

ずっと憧れて JSB The First, 甘辛い Vibesで We got it goin’ on !

EX TRIBE に進化 Spin off to COLOR, Crazy な Player, 仲間 Forever

ずっと憧れて JSB The First, 甘辛い Vibesで We got it goin’ on !

EX TRIBE に進化 Spin off to COLOR, Crazy な Player, 仲間 Forever

UPSIDE DOWN WE GO INSIDE OUT

それこそが THE KEY OF LIFE

間違えて　戸惑って　悩んでるお前でいいぜ EI!

UPSIDE DOWN THE GAME IS ON!

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR

WAVE IT LIKE YOU JUST DON’T CARE...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
progress /prəˈɡres/ B1	noun - the process of improving or developing verb - to move forward or advance
evolution /ˌɛvəˈluːʃən/ B2	noun - the gradual development of something
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ B2	noun - the power or right to act, speak, or think freely
inner /ˈɪnər/ B1	adjective - located inside or inward
power /ˈpaʊər/ A2	noun - the ability to do something or act in a particular way
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, or feelings while sleeping verb - to imagine or hope for something
hope /hoʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
shine /ʃaɪn/ B1	verb - to emit light or glow noun - the brightness of a reflected or emitted light
journey /ˈdʒɜːrni/ B2	noun - an act of traveling from one place to another
believe /bɪˈliːv/ B1	verb - to accept as true or real

Key Grammar Structures

• We got it goin’ on!

  ➔ Use of the present simple with 'got' for possession and the colloquial phrase 'goin’ on' meaning 'happening' or 'being current'.

  ➔ 'Got' is used here as an auxiliary to express possession or emphasis, often in informal speech.

• Inside out

  ➔ Prepositional phrase indicating a state of being turned or reversed, used idiomatically to express complete involvement or confusion.

  ➔ An idiomatic expression meaning completely reversed or thoroughly involved, often used metaphorically.

• The key of life

  ➔ Noun phrase using 'of' to indicate possession or relation, here metaphorically representing an essential element or secret to living fully.

  ➔ A possessive construction indicating something fundamental or crucial to the concept of life, often used metaphorically.

• The game is on!

  ➔ Use of the phrase 'is on' in present tense to indicate that an event, challenge, or activity has started and is ongoing.

  ➔ An idiomatic expression meaning that a challenge or activity has commenced and is proceeding.

• Wave it like you just don’t care

  ➔ Imperative sentence using the base verb 'wave' with a simile 'like you just don’t care' to encourage spontaneous action with indifference.

  ➔ A command form encouraging expressive movement, with a simile suggesting doing so without concern.

• Feel the wonder and awe

  ➔ Imperative sentence with the verb 'feel' and the nouns 'wonder' and 'awe' to encourage experiencing awe and fascination.

  ➔ An instruction to actively experience a sense of amazement and reverence.

• Just be bold

  ➔ Imperative sentence with the base adjective 'bold' used as a predicate, urging someone to be courageous and confident.

  ➔ A direct command telling someone to act with courage and confidence.