Yura Yura Teikoku (ゆらゆら帝国, literally "Unstable Empire") was a 3-piece band … Read Full Bio ↴Yura Yura Teikoku (ゆらゆら帝国, literally "Unstable Empire") was a 3-piece band from Tokyo's underground music scene centered around Kōenji. They have an eclectic sound usually described as psychedelic rock. Whilst renowned and highly influential within Japan, it took them 16 years since their formation in 1989 to play a show outside of Japan, performing in New York City in 2005.

Yura Yura Teikoku was formed in 1989 with vocalist/guitarist Shintaro Sakamoto as leader, bassist Chiyo Kamekawa and a succession of other members. Drummer Ichiro Shibata joined in 1997 to form the current lineup, and the trio soon signed with Midi Records. The band released five studio albums, one live recording album and two greatest hits albums on Midi.

In 2005, Yura Yura Teikoku signed with Sony Japan and released their ninth studio album, "SWEET SPOT", and a remix 12-inch,“SOFT DEATH / FRANKIE TEARDROP" (Suicide cover). “SOFT DEATH" was embraced by the dance community, and "SWEET SPOT" was elected one of the best albums of the year in various media in Japan and overseas. The band also released a live album of material from their Midi years titled "na.ma.shi.bi.re.na.ma.me.ma.i" on New York-based Mesh-Key Records.
In October of the same year, Mesh-Key Records organized two shows for the band in New York (their first shows ever outside Japan), and was welcomed with rave reviews by the local media. New and old fans alike packed into the venues to see the band's one-of-a-kind performance.

In June, 2006, the CD single “Into The Next Night” and remix 12-inch“Into The Next Night / You Can't Fight Fate”were released. In July, Mesh-Key Records released the 12-inch“SOFT DEATH / IT WAS A ROBOT" and brought the band back for a second batch of New York shows, which were even more packed than the first. The "SOFT DEATH" 12-inch has been championed by such deejays as Rub'N Tug and DJ Harvey.
In 2006, the band headlined at various major festivals in Japan and Taiwan. In May 2007, Mesh-Key Records released the US version of "SWEET SPOT." In the same year, YURA YURA TEIKOKU went on their first Australian tour.
In July 2007, they released the single “Beautiful" and in fall 2007 they released their first studio album in two and a half years, "Hollow Me." DFA Records combined Beautiful and Hollow Me for a full-length CD release in November 2009.

As of March 31, 2010, according to the band's official website, after 21 years playing together the band has amicably broken up citing a loss of excitement. Each member plans to continue playing music in other projects in the future.

Members:
Shintaro Sakamoto (坂本慎太郎) - vocals, guitar
Chiyo Kamekawa (亀川千代) - bass guitar
Ichiro Shibata (柴田一郎) - drums

Official web pages:
www.yurayurateikoku.com
http://www.myspace.com/yurayurateikoku

発光体
ゆらゆら帝国 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

搾ってぼくの真っ赤な血を全部
乾かして汗も涙も血も全部
もう一度頭搾ってにじみ出てきた緑の液体が
ぼくの全てさバカだろ?
搾ってぼくの真っ赤な血を全部
飲み干して君はうっとりしたような目で
ゆるんだ頭ゆらしてるだけどリズムを倍の倍できざめ
バカだね

耳の中では光るちっちゃな粒が増え続けてゆく
凄い速さで倍が倍になってまた倍になってまた、、、、、
搾って君の真っ赤な血を全部
乾かして汗も涙も血も全部
もう一度頭搾ってにじみ出てきた緑の液体が
君の全てさ
ぼくの全てさ
君の全てさ
悲しくなるけど
じいっと見てると

なんだか光って
すこし奇麗な気もしてきただろ?

Overall Meaning

The song "発光体" by ゆらゆら帝国 talks about the idea of extracting and using everything that makes up oneself, including one's blood, sweat, tears, and emotions. The lyrics suggest a sense of desperation in trying to understand and express oneself fully. The singer talks about squeezing out all of their red blood and drinking it, causing the listener's eyes to flutter in awe. However, the singer acknowledges the absurdity of their actions, as they question if they are foolish.

Another theme in the song is the idea of multiplication and growth. The singer refers to shining small particles in their ears that continue to multiply exponentially. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the growth of one's troubles or worries. The singer also repeats the idea of doubling rhythms and squeezing their head. This could represent the internal struggle and the pressure to find an outlet for one's emotions. The end of the song talks about the sadness of the situation but suggests that there is something beautiful in the idea of watching oneself glow brighter and brighter.

Line by Line Meaning

搾ってぼくの真っ赤な血を全部
Squeeze out all of my blood which is bright red

乾かして汗も涙も血も全部
Dry out all of my sweat, tears, and blood

もう一度頭搾ってにじみ出てきた緑の液体が
Once again, squeezing out of my head is a green liquid

ぼくの全てさバカだろ?
Is everything about me foolish?

搾ってぼくの真っ赤な血を全部
Squeeze out all of my blood which is bright red

飲み干して君はうっとりしたような目で
Drink it all up while gazing at me with a fascinated expression

ゆるんだ頭ゆらしてるだけどリズムを倍の倍できざめ
While the head is relaxed, sway to the rhythm, but wake up to double the rhythm

バカだね
How foolish

耳の中では光るちっちゃな粒が増え続けてゆく
Small glowing dots keep increasing inside my ears

凄い速さで倍が倍になってまた倍になってまた、、、、、
Doubling at an unbelievable speed, and then doubling again, and again...

搾って君の真っ赤な血を全部
Squeeze out all of your bright red blood