The Fateful Song

"When You sweep them away, people fall asleep just as grass withers in the morning”
Unlike JPOP lyrics, the song “To the Place Before i was Born" begins with foretelling lyrics, which prominently stand out in HEAVENESE's repertoire.

This song is similar in form to HEAVENSE’s earlier work and popular song, "Silk Road” which even though it’s a ballad, it got the people at black churches in the U.S. to stand up in excitement. However it is different in that it has a distinct purpose.

"Silk Road” depicts a story of an ethnic group traveling on the Silk Road in ancient times. It is a song of encouragement for modern day people who are wandering through life and facing uncertainties in the future. However, this song, "To the Place Before I was Born”, is not just a story but a special song that speaks directly into the deep part of one’s heart.
This song also played a role in guiding HEAVENESE’s own steps at the same time.

This song was created in 2010, and was tried out at private talk events regularly held by HEAVENESE's leader Marre. This is where they usually try out their new songs.

Actually, this approach is similar to that of Gospel music and folk songs in the sense that they have been brought to completion through singing them in their daily lives over time.
The form of this song went through a transformation process as it was sung every Wednesday night at a live music cafe in Sengawa, Chofu City, Tokyo.


Then came the fateful day, March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami that was a national crisis, and Japan and HEAVENESE were forever changed.

HEAVENESE started centering its activities on the reconstruction and relief efforts, through which it came up with the concept of “a dedication music performance" which cannot be found in any other band. This is when the song “To the Place Before You Were Born” became HEAVENESE’s theme and signature song.

"When You sweep them away, people fall asleep just as grass withers in the morning”
October 2011, was when this song was "dedicated" at the annual Kurosaki Shrine festival in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate prefecture, located in the affected area.

Not only Marre, but all the people who had been involved with this song were taken back as they came to realize the reason behind this song’s existence.
This song, with its powerful newfound purpose, is now the theme song of the popular event "BRIDGE”, and its long-awaited single was released in the fall of 2014.

This song was promoted by Tokyo FM and MX TV, reaching more and more people.
In addition, when HEAVENESE appeared at a talk event with the mayor of Shizuoka City at the end of 2014, the Mayor's Association requested that everyone sing this song at the end of the event.

As this song was sung by a “choir” made up of the 3000 first-time spectators, the theory that "people in Shizuoka will not sing along even to famous songs” was reversed, revealing the mysterious power of this song.