Hotei is best known internationally for his song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" , which has been used in numerous films, commercials, and video games, most notably Quentin Tarantino's feature film Kill Bill.
Born to a Korean father and a Japanese/Russian mother, Hotei first began playing the guitar in junior high school. In high school, his band Blue Film finished runners up in a school contest to Death Penalty, a band led by Kyosuke Himuro. Hotei was expelled shortly before graduation. The reason was that, when warned about his long hair he replied “Jesus had long hair!” Shortly after, he went to Tokyo where one day he received a phone call from Himuro. The two had never really known each other but hit it off and went on to hold auditions for a new band, which in 1981 became the six-member BOØWY. The band became major stars in Japan, in 1985 played the Marquee in London, and in 1986 had their first million seller, Beat Emotion.
When the band broke up in 1988, Hotei established himself as a solo star, as did Himuro. Hotei also made two albums with Koji Kikkawa as Complex, both of which went to number one in the national charts. Hotei frequently records overseas and has collaborated with many foreign musicians, including playing on The Stranglers Hugh Cornwell’s 1993 solo album, on stage with David Bowie at Nippon Budokan in 1996, and at the closing ceremony of the Atlanta 1996 Centennial Olympic Games with Michael Kamen.
He later recorded “Guitar Concerto” with Kamen. He has also worked with Andy Mackay of Roxy Music, guitarist Chris Spedding and Mike Edwards of Jesus Jones. Hotei also sometimes plays in Europe, including a number of major festivals. His regular drummer in recent years, Zachary Alford, has previously played with Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie. Hotei's 1998 album Supersonic Generation, recorded in part with Apollo 440 and Ofra Haza, was released in 14 European countries.
In addition to many bestselling solo albums, Hotei composed and performed the score for Hiroyuki Nakano’s Samurai Fiction, as well as starring in the film. He composed the score to Terry Gilliam’s feature film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas together with Ray Cooper. Hotei's song “Battle Without Honor or Humanity” was used in the Quentin Tarantino’s feature film Kill Bill, the PlayStation 2 version of Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA,and Michael Bay’s feature film Transformers. Hotei recorded a cover of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” for Merry Axemas, an instrumental guitar Christmas album featuring tracks from guitarists including Jeff Beck, Joe Perry, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai and Steve Morse.
The Nintendo DS game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan features his song "Thrill". The game's sequel, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii, features another Hotei song, "Bambina". (Both songs are cover versions.) Hotei is featured in “Grace” on the Apocalyptica album Worlds Collide. The song is featured in the game NHL 09.
やるだけやっちまえ!
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
やるだけやっちまえ！ 倒れたら起き上がれ C'MON！
失敗恐れて 最初からあきらめて
手に入れる夢など 雨が降りゃ消えちまう
エルヴィスもナポレオンも 最初は俺たちと同じただの男
WHY DON'T YOU WANNA TRY？ IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT！！！
そりゃ苦しいさ そりゃ悔しいさ だから挑むのさ
I JUST WANNA TRY I KNOW THE WAY TO GO
WHY DON'T YOU WANNA TRY？ IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT！！！
夢見ることから自由は始まる ROLL ON！
確かに世の中矛盾にまみれてる
誰もかれもがパラノイア
ブルジョアは笑いまくり 出る釘は打たれまくり
そのうちクローンに脅されて 世界にたなびく白い旗
大切にすべきものは ヤンチャに突き進もうとする馬鹿な自分
I JUST WANNA TRY I KNOW THE WAY TO GO
WHY DON'T YOU WANNA TRY？ IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT！！！
本音で生きて ハート傷だらけ たまに疼くけど
I JUST WANNA TRY I KNOW THE WAY TO GO
WHY DON'T YOU WANNA TRY？ IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT！！！
ボロボロの笑顔 つらぬけば勝ちさ C'MON！
I JUST WANNA TRY I KNOW THE WAY TO GO
WHY DON'T YOU WANNA TRY？ IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT！！！
そりゃ苦しいさ そりゃ悔しいさ だから挑むのさ
I JUST WANNA TRY I KNOW THE WAY TO GO
WHY DON'T YOU WANNA TRY？ IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT！！！
夢見ることから自由は始まる YEAH！
The lyrics to 布袋寅泰's song やるだけやっちまえ! are an anthem for perseverance in the face of failure and fear. The opening lines, "It's better to do something than nothing at all; If you fall, get back up, come on!" set the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics encourage the listener not to give up before even trying and to embrace the challenges that come with pursuing a dream.
The second verse highlights the contradictions and paranoia that exist in the world, but also emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and embracing one's own foolishness. The chorus repeats the message that it's important to try, even if it's difficult or painful, because freedom comes from pursuing one's dreams and persevering through adversity.
Overall, the song is a call to action that encourages listeners to be brave and try, even if it means risking failure or ridicule. It encourages a mindset of positivity and determination, reminding listeners that they have the power to overcome their fears and achieve their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
やるだけやっちまえ！ 何もしないよりはマシ
Do everything you can! It's better than doing nothing at all.
やるだけやっちまえ！ 倒れたら起き上がれ C'MON！
Do everything you can! If you fall, get back up and keep going! Come on!
失敗恐れて 最初からあきらめて
Don't be afraid of failure and give up from the start.
手に入れる夢など 雨が降りゃ消えちまう
Dreams that you hope to obtain can easily fade away just like rain.
エルヴィスもナポレオンも 最初は俺たちと同じただの男
Elvis and Napoleon were once just ordinary men like us.
I JUST WANNA TRY I KNOW THE WAY TO GO
I just want to try even though the path might be unclear.
WHY DON'T YOU WANNA TRY？ IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT！！！
Why don't you want to try? Everything will be okay!
そりゃ苦しいさ そりゃ悔しいさ だから挑むのさ
Sure, it might be tough and frustrating, but that's why we take on challenges.
夢見ることから自由は始まる ROLL ON！
Freedom starts with dreaming. Keep going!
確かに世の中矛盾にまみれてる
The world is definitely full of contradictions.
誰もかれもがパラノイア
Everyone is paranoid.
ブルジョアは笑いまくり 出る釘は打たれまくり
The bourgeoisie are laughing while the nails getting hammered down.
そのうちクローンに脅されて 世界にたなびく白い旗
Eventually, clones will threaten and a white flag will flutter in the world.
大切にすべきものは ヤンチャに突き進もうとする馬鹿な自分
The one thing that should be cherished is the stupid self that tries to be reckless and daring.
本音で生きて ハート傷だらけ たまに疼くけど
Live honestly with a broken heart that might occasionally ache.
ボロボロの笑顔 つらぬけば勝ちさ C'MON！
If you persist through a tattered smile, you'll come out victorious. Come on!
YEAH！
Yeah!
Writer(s): 布袋 寅泰
Contributed by Penelope J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.