I'm from America, and I must say, it's a shame more people don't know about X Japan, and this masterful piece of art. Without a doubt, this is one of the most moving, exciting, soulful, and complete songs I've ever heard. Everything you could ever want in good music is present, and masterfully done. I especially love this song live, I find the piano solo to be quite a bit better in this performance. Epic artistry. Visual shock. Brutally beautiful. We are X.
i fully agrred with you. for 10 years hiatus, Toshi still get back his voice match X style within short period. I really hope they will continue to work together as X Japan all the time. They are just GREAT and fantastic..
I love air-drumming to this song! You can feel the emotion and energy Yoshiki exerts in his songs, particularly this one - drumming AND piano. You can't help but feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins!
少なくともメジャーシーンでは、これだけのパフォーマンスを果たしたバンドも稀でしょう。技術以上にパフォーマンスとしての技量です。そして何よりクラシカルなバックヤードに裏打ちされたヨシキの曲作り、その結晶となったのがart of life..ロックとクラシックどちらかを極めた人は星の数ほどあれど、両方の真髄を知り尽くしそれを表現できたからこそ。 There will be rarely bands that played such tremendous performance except of X Japan on major music scene. the charms will be their performance more than the techniques. needless to say about Yoshiki's ability made by his classical backyard, the outcome will be just Art Of Life. he know both charms of Rock and Classics!
Art of life is a milestone for X, and Yoshiki, drums. He have studied and played many instruments, sax, piano , violin etc, and have deep classical knowledge, too. A song made by be combined the rock spirits with classical tech is this, ART OF LIFE. Concert that they performed this song is this only. The complex and sophisticated song as if image Sonata is over our Rock image.
How about a positive comment :D! X Japan is one of the greatest bands ever to exist. They were amazing back in their heyday and I'm sure are still rocking since they've re-formed. Music like this is simply beautiful, talented, and almost magical. If I had to compare them to any band, ever, it may be Queen, but that's simply because of the symphonic rock and beauty of everything the band members touch *musically*
No matter how the time flies, this song is ALWAYS a legend in my heart. Everytime I listen it, there is a sudden chill running in my spine. THIS IS X JAPAN!!
This is a really amazing song. I am actually in awe as it took them over 20 times to record it fully. Its very good quality for a you tube vid, you should be proud. :)
Every minute of this is ecstasy for my ears. I discovered X (X Japan) a few years back, and this song is still fresh to me, every single time I listen to it. Yoshiki & hideto (Who I admire greatly, r.i.p.
man... yoshiki is really a musician, look at how he perform, his body language.... it's the highest level of a true musician, i heard that he even got neck and wraist injuries during his performance, i think he'd really dissolved in the melody
Yeah, I could help you. This was composed by Yoshiki, the drummer/pianist. It was his life work, the lyrics are written about growing up alone, and battling against depression. this took him several years to complete, however, as you can see, it was well worth the wait
Art of Life is an insanely amazing song just anyway. To have the ability and talent to create something close to 30 minutes long is amazing. Then, you decide to play it live, and you nail it? If you play any instrument, you can fathom just how insanely amazing that is. But even if you don't play anything, you can still enjoy it. X are amazing. My favourite band of all time.
With the amazing pink rhombus coming out of hide's head and how glammed out him and Pata are it's sometimes easy to overlook how incredibly proficient these guys were at guitar, to pull off these constant galloping rhythm parts and harmonized solos. Incredible band.
Oh man, Toshi used to be extremely attractive. He's grown old, but he aged nicely. This song, is just amazing. It's epic on so many levels. Just look at how Yoshiki is pounding on the drums. And Pata concentrating on his playing (even though hide gets more of the camera). n_n
+Matzscha I want to say it's prog, but its pretty much just theatrical speed metal, badass and iconic, but there's no crazy genesis/yes-esque instrumental sessions, they keep the writing fairly tight for it being one long song :D
Well said! I agree that even if you don't enjoy this kind of music, you should not disrespect X and their performances. Even if you are not a fan or musician, as a listener you should give them credit for playing such a complex song perfectly. Not many bands can musically tackle a song of this caliber.
I love Iron Maiden, and Dickenson is my favorite singer of all time. Art of Life once, you get past the singing, is the best song ever made. I think that if Iron Maiden were to cover it, the universe would implode from the two best thing in music being put together.
I agree Yoshiki rocks like hell. For me though, it is because he is an absolute beast on the drums, and obviously put all of his heart and feeling into this music.
X JAPAN are untouchable!!!!!!!! Don't let me laugh with unnecessary comparisons with other bands. Art Of Life explain exactly the human's feelings and the emotions of an entire life. X JAPAN are the best band I ever heard, and believe me only who are worthy understand this song, know the great lesson of life. Much respect for this band. hide rest in peace friend. Stop the commercial-metal.
Yoshiki alone has more talent than most of the so called "great bands of history". Art Of Life and Rose Of Pain are masterpieces. X Japan is simply one of the greatest bands ever to exist, such a shame that people would rather listen to shitty music just because it's "the new wave". We are X!
Omg... I... I'm just... I have no words to discribe this!... I'm just sitting stoned... It's really beautiful.... and it's masterpiece... And hide solo is just perfect...
Yeah, I know now. I didn't realize they were playing it now. I know they never used to, just when they first released it, and then stopped playing it. I would love to see them perform this song live, it's definately one of my favorite X Japan songs.
@BlashyrkhPwns thats totally true.....people now can listen to rock songs from 1960 over and over again and never get tired of them....but some of the artists today, 40 years from now no one will ever have heard of them.
verry verry great song i play this song so much i know xjapan art of life best song evver for me :) and hi to all that loves this song greetings daniel from the netherlands
This song has always has been the pinnacle of music, art or any type of human expression. This should be seen by everyone as the greatest song anyone has ever written and the most powerful piece of art ever seen or heard by a human. Seriously fuck genres 'cause if anyone called themselfs a fan of music, the own it to themselfs to here this. All hail X Japan ^_^
It's a composite actually; the sound is a mix of December 30th and 31st, with some minor edits. The video is from the 31st, with the exception of piano solo segment, which is the audio from the 30th (so the video is as well, to match sync)
Actually, the reunion took place at their very own Tokyo Dome where Yoshiki fainted and so on... i guess that makes it 3 times they've only played Art Of Life, twice when hide was still around... I have some of the performances uploaded on my account. feel free to check em out :)
You haven't seen the easier songs. Hell they don't move or do anything other than play BECAUSE this just so hard and complicated song. And the drummer is not only a drummer, he's pianist, composer, producer and much more. If you don't know nothing keep you mouth shut. Thank you. Oh, and I happen to love this song.
やはり技術とは別のカッコよさというのがXの魅力です。YOSHIKIのドラミングは確かに無駄な動きが多いかもしれませんが、それがカッコいいんです。他のドラマーがArt of lifeを叩いてる動画もありますが、YOSHIKIのような大きな動きがあってこそカッコよさが引き立つんだと思います。体力の消耗だとか合理的じゃないとかは二の次なんですよ
this song not only touched mai heart but mai SOUL...the lyrics are so beautiful im still trying to find a worthy opponent for such lyrics and emotions oput into this song....this song was made by god for us to enjoy =]
well of course it was the original live just look at the video. However, this is edited footage of BOTH nights released in 2001 or 2003 as an Art of life dvd separately. The audio was edited with some studio stuff too because Toshi screwed up alot. The original unedited footage of both nights is featured on the X JAPAN RETURNS 5 disc set.
@Pinkspiderable: Comparison is part of what makes art art. I know how good X-Japan is by comparing them to other bands-even if there are things other bands do better!
@Pinkspiderable Ya agree with you! They did not see the history of x-japan. You can see how many supporter or fans are out there when this band was there. The fans can block out few towns streets. They make the best music and now x-japan is still da best.
私は韓国人ですが、中学生のごろからxjapanが大好きです。今は日本で留学しているし、平成２０年のコンサトも行ってきました。私にとって最高のartistはxjapanです。
xjapanの音楽の中でもart of lifeは本当に特別な魅力を持っていると思っています。
one of the greatest live performances ever!
im chinese and a huge fun of X-japan. i really love japan and japanese. no more wars between japan and sino . world peace~~we are X!
中日必须和解，否则东亚没有未来。
Joseph Chiang your language is incredibly complex, it fascinating.
FusRoDah2 yeah,my language is very complicated and I am a chinese teacher.i can teach u if you want to.
+Joseph Chiang Most diffucult language to learn, right?
I'm from America, and I must say, it's a shame more people don't know about X Japan, and this masterful piece of art. Without a doubt, this is one of the most moving, exciting, soulful, and complete songs I've ever heard. Everything you could ever want in good music is present, and masterfully done. I especially love this song live, I find the piano solo to be quite a bit better in this performance.
Epic artistry. Visual shock. Brutally beautiful.
We are X.
This is the BEST X Japan song ever!
Thanks for this great upload!
I can't go a day without listening to this song. You hear something new each time.
i fully agrred with you. for 10 years hiatus, Toshi still get back his voice match X style within short period. I really hope they will continue to work together as X Japan all the time. They are just GREAT and fantastic..
The lyrics, the music - Toshis voice. Everything just.. takes me away
I love air-drumming to this song! You can feel the emotion and energy Yoshiki exerts in his songs, particularly this one - drumming AND piano. You can't help but feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins!
少なくともメジャーシーンでは、これだけのパフォーマンスを果たしたバンドも稀でしょう。技術以上にパフォーマンスとしての技量です。そして何よりクラシカルなバックヤードに裏打ちされたヨシキの曲作り、その結晶となったのがart of life..ロックとクラシックどちらかを極めた人は星の数ほどあれど、両方の真髄を知り尽くしそれを表現できたからこそ。
There will be rarely bands that played such tremendous performance except of X Japan on major music scene. the charms will be their performance more than the techniques. needless to say about Yoshiki's ability made by his classical backyard, the outcome will be just Art Of Life. he know both charms of Rock and Classics!
can't stop to listen to this ... best song ever? The live version in particular is amazing, to listen to fans reception is priceless
This is my favorite song of all time. no other band can reach the level of X JAPAN
Words cannot describe this.
This is my favorite song of all time from any band
Art of life is a milestone for X, and Yoshiki, drums. He have studied and played many instruments, sax, piano , violin etc, and have deep classical knowledge, too. A song made by be combined the rock spirits with classical tech is this, ART OF LIFE. Concert that they performed this song is this only. The complex and sophisticated song as if image Sonata is over our Rock image.
Undoubtedly, THE absolute best song ever created.
How about a positive comment :D! X Japan is one of the greatest bands ever to exist. They were amazing back in their heyday and I'm sure are still rocking since they've re-formed. Music like this is simply beautiful, talented, and almost magical. If I had to compare them to any band, ever, it may be Queen, but that's simply because of the symphonic rock and beauty of everything the band members touch *musically*
This song is amazing, one of the best bands I've ever heard.
SERIOUS GOOSEBUMPS EVERYTIME HEARING THIS MASTERPIECE!!
No matter how the time flies, this song is ALWAYS a legend in my heart. Everytime I listen it, there is a sudden chill running in my spine. THIS IS X JAPAN!!
This entire song is bloody AWESOME and the beginning alone is stirring enough to give me goosebumps.
yoshiki is absolutely amazing on both the piano and drums.
This is a really amazing song. I am actually in awe as it took them over 20 times to record it fully. Its very good quality for a you tube vid, you should be proud. :)
Every minute of this is ecstasy for my ears. I discovered X (X Japan) a few years back, and this song is still fresh to me, every single time I listen to it. Yoshiki & hideto (Who I admire greatly, r.i.p.
一つのストーリーみたいな感じで、物凄く感動しました。長い曲ですけれど、私は満足出来ました。９０年代のライブで歌ったのは後にも先にも９３年東京ドームだけ！！
this is not just a song, this is poetry. I LOVEEE IT!
I just want to say, Art of Life is the most amazing musical masterpiece that has ever been created.
man... yoshiki is really a musician, look at how he perform, his body language.... it's the highest level of a true musician, i heard that he even got neck and wraist injuries during his performance, i think he'd really dissolved in the melody
Yeah, I could help you.
This was composed by Yoshiki, the drummer/pianist. It was his life work, the lyrics are written about growing up alone, and battling against depression.
this took him several years to complete, however, as you can see, it was well worth the wait
Art of Life is an insanely amazing song just anyway.
To have the ability and talent to create something close to 30 minutes long is amazing.
Then, you decide to play it live, and you nail it?
If you play any instrument, you can fathom just how insanely amazing that is.
But even if you don't play anything, you can still enjoy it.
X are amazing. My favourite band of all time.
His singing is great IMHO. He has a unique voice. Love it.
i have never heard such an amazing song in my entire life, im jus speechless
Yoshiki is a devil with the drums, and an angel with the piano.
CDと違ってこのピアノの入りもいいよね。あと、トシの擦れた声（修正済みだから？）も、曲に一層の雰囲気を持たせてるみたいで凄くいいです。確かに、トシの英語の発音はいまいちかもしれないけど、僕はCDの音源よりか、こっちのほうが好きです。
Toshi's voice sound so much better in this than the 2008 live version. Still they are the best and best song ever!!
This song makes me cry... is totally amazing his voice...
With the amazing pink rhombus coming out of hide's head and how glammed out him and Pata are it's sometimes easy to overlook how incredibly proficient these guys were at guitar, to pull off these constant galloping rhythm parts and harmonized solos. Incredible band.
this is a really nice song .. im frm india and hearing this band for the 1st time .. I salute Japan for such wonderful music
I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be crying or headbanging.
Such an awesome song
RIP Hide.
Great performance, great song, great band.
Oh man, Toshi used to be extremely attractive. He's grown old, but he aged nicely.
This song, is just amazing. It's epic on so many levels. Just look at how Yoshiki is pounding on the drums. And Pata concentrating on his playing (even though hide gets more of the camera). n_n
Earlier I actually loved this song but didn't knew the performers of it. Now I know and still appreciate them. This is a great composition overall.
The name of this song perfectly reflects X JAPAN.
Perfection exists. You can watch/listen to it just above this message.
The most epic piece of prog rock I know.
+Matzscha I want to say it's prog, but its pretty much just theatrical speed metal, badass and iconic, but there's no crazy genesis/yes-esque instrumental sessions, they keep the writing fairly tight for it being one long song :D
his voice is just magical , i was crying when i heard this song i was hypnotised for a moment ...
The best song must be here!!
Well said! I agree that even if you don't enjoy this kind of music, you should not disrespect X and their performances. Even if you are not a fan or musician, as a listener you should give them credit for playing such a complex song perfectly. Not many bands can musically tackle a song of this caliber.
I love Iron Maiden, and Dickenson is my favorite singer of all time. Art of Life once, you get past the singing, is the best song ever made.
I think that if Iron Maiden were to cover it, the universe would implode from the two best thing in music being put together.
how the hell does he keep that drumming pace up for this long!!! truly amazing
Yoshiki is incredible....look at how fast he played his drums for so long O___O
This is the best song of X Japan!
Amazing!
I love them!
I agree Yoshiki rocks like hell. For me though, it is because he is an absolute beast on the drums, and obviously put all of his heart and feeling into this music.
the great rock ballads from japan....
respect.
X JAPAN are untouchable!!!!!!!! Don't let me laugh with unnecessary comparisons with other bands. Art Of Life explain exactly the human's feelings and the emotions of an entire life.
X JAPAN are the best band I ever heard, and believe me only who are worthy understand this song, know the great lesson of life.
Much respect for this band. hide rest in peace friend.
Stop the commercial-metal.
Yoshiki alone has more talent than most of the so called "great bands of history". Art Of Life and Rose Of Pain are masterpieces. X Japan is simply one of the greatest bands ever to exist, such a shame that people would rather listen to shitty music just because it's "the new wave". We are X!
No words to describe this...
the best song!!!!
Omg... I... I'm just... I have no words to discribe this!... I'm just sitting stoned... It's really beautiful.... and it's masterpiece... And hide solo is just perfect...
This song has been in my mp3 for almost a year... I listen to it at least 10 times a week
This is Rockkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk, i never seen the best of the best before, for me this is the best....... X Japan. Ur song will never end.
Yeah, I know now. I didn't realize they were playing it now. I know they never used to, just when they first released it, and then stopped playing it. I would love to see them perform this song live, it's definately one of my favorite X Japan songs.
Oh my God I just shivered lol , Awesome song !!! first time i hear about this band ! but im glad i looked them up ^^
No manchen!!!! está canción está buenísima a masterpiece!!!. Me encanta lo que dice...
Y me pone a reflexionar y en vivo está chidísimo...
Que composición mas buena, es genial la verdad!! X Japan son la hostia!
@BlashyrkhPwns thats totally true.....people now can listen to rock songs from 1960 over and over again and never get tired of them....but some of the artists today, 40 years from now no one will ever have heard of them.
My favorite song!!!!!
Thanks!!
hideかっけー、改めて惚れるーーー♡
This piano intro is so beautiful.
My favorite X song... maybe my favorite song ever...
No words to describe this... so epic...
i already wanted to be there, and this is the first time i listen to this band
I think this is the most intense, and beautiful song I have ever heard.
verry verry great song i play this song so much i know xjapan art of life best song evver for me :) and hi to all that loves this song greetings daniel from the netherlands
This song has always has been the pinnacle of music, art or any type of human expression. This should be seen by everyone as the greatest song anyone has ever written and the most powerful piece of art ever seen or heard by a human. Seriously fuck genres 'cause if anyone called themselfs a fan of music, the own it to themselfs to here this.
All hail X Japan ^_^
Toshi voice it's like the gift of gods
This is a masterpiece.
no importa si dura 30 minutos la cancion, pero es excelente esta cancion es una de mis favoritas de x japan
x japan is the best....
It's a composite actually; the sound is a mix of December 30th and 31st, with some minor edits. The video is from the 31st, with the exception of piano solo segment, which is the audio from the 30th (so the video is as well, to match sync)
First time listening to this band, great music!
...wow...that was bloody amazing...
...I need to go buy some X-Japan albums now
wow i like the transparent drum kit... this is a masterpiece!!
Greatest live performance of all time.
man x-japn is amazing. theyve the best composer and the best vocal..
the songs name says everything "ART OF LIFE"
simply a master peace
best song played live ever....
This is an awesome masterpiece!
I Love you X Japan, I really miss you Hide. :(
Definitely seeing them Sunday!
Awesome!!! X-Japan ROCKS!!!!!
Actually, the reunion took place at their very own Tokyo Dome where Yoshiki fainted and so on... i guess that makes it 3 times they've only played Art Of Life, twice when hide was still around...
I have some of the performances uploaded on my account. feel free to check em out :)
Beautifull in every sense of the way...
You haven't seen the easier songs. Hell they don't move or do anything other than play BECAUSE this just so hard and complicated song. And the drummer is not only a drummer, he's pianist, composer, producer and much more. If you don't know nothing keep you mouth shut. Thank you.
Oh, and I happen to love this song.
やはり技術とは別のカッコよさというのがXの魅力です。YOSHIKIのドラミングは確かに無駄な動きが多いかもしれませんが、それがカッコいいんです。他のドラマーがArt of lifeを叩いてる動画もありますが、YOSHIKIのような大きな動きがあってこそカッコよさが引き立つんだと思います。体力の消耗だとか合理的じゃないとかは二の次なんですよ
this song not only touched mai heart but mai SOUL...the lyrics are so beautiful im still trying to find a worthy opponent for such lyrics and emotions oput into this song....this song was made by god for us to enjoy =]
well of course it was the original live just look at the video. However, this is edited footage of BOTH nights released in 2001 or 2003 as an Art of life dvd separately. The audio was edited with some studio stuff too because Toshi screwed up alot. The original unedited footage of both nights is featured on the X JAPAN RETURNS 5 disc set.
@Pinkspiderable: Comparison is part of what makes art art. I know how good X-Japan is by comparing them to other bands-even if there are things other bands do better!
@Pinkspiderable Ya agree with you! They did not see the history of x-japan. You can see how many supporter or fans are out there when this band was there. The fans can block out few towns streets. They make the best music and now x-japan is still da best.
i love this song, there's so much emotion, so strong^^
Best song ever made! No other can be compared.
😢✨✨🦋✨✨😔素敵すぎる😔💕
I went the latest X live.
Art of life is the last song of the live.
LOVE THIS SONG!
that sounds AMAZING for live! an awesome song, great sound system too! xD