Niji (L'Arc-en-Ciel song)

"Niji" (虹, "Rainbow") is the eighth single by L'Arc-en-Ciel, released on October 17, 1997. It reached number 3 on the Oricon chart.[1] It was their first release after Sakura's arrest and Yukihiro joining as the band's support drummer (he officially joined on January 1, 1998). The title track was used as the opening theme of the Rurouni Kenshin movie Requiem for the Ishin Patriots, making them the only artist to contribute more than one song for the franchise. The single was re-released on August 30, 2006.[1] The song is one of the band's signature songs, often played at the end of concerts.

"Niji"
Single by L'Arc-en-Ciel
from the album Heart
Released	October 17, 1997
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	5:07
Label	Ki/oon Sony Records
Songwriter(s)	hyde, ken
Producer(s)	L'Arc-en-Ciel
L'Arc-en-Ciel singles chronology
"Lies and Truth" (1997) "Niji" (1997) "Winter Fall" (1998)

Cover versions

The American R&B group TLC recorded an English-language cover, titled "Rainbow", for L'Arc-en-Ciel's 2012 tribute album.[2] The female heavy metal band Show-Ya released a version of the song on their 2014 cover album Glamorous Show - Japanese Legendary Rock Covers.[3]

Track listing

#	Title	Lyrics	Music
1	"Niji"	Hyde	Ken
2	"The Ghost in My Room"	Hyde	Hyde

Chart positions

Chart (1997)	Peak position
Japan Oricon	#3

References

1. L'Arc〜en〜Cielのアルバム売り上げランキング Retrieved May 18, 2011
2. "L'Arc-en-Ciel Tribute". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
3. "Glamorous Show - Japanese Legendary Rock". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved January 10, 2015.