Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋寅泰 , born February 1, 1962 in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture… Read Full Bio ↴Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋寅泰 , born February 1, 1962 in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture) is a Japanese musician, guitarist and actor. Hotei rose to prominence in the 1980s as the guitarist for BOØWY, one of Japan's most popular rock bands, before starting a solo career. In 2003, he was ranked number 70 on HMV Japan's list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts. He ranked second in a 2011 poll on who the Japanese people thought was the best guitarist to represent Japan after Tak Matsumoto.

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.

Barbarella
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You are the party girl,
You're the
one who makes me happy
Why don't you shake your body,
You're the super super girl
I am a funky boy,
Mega funky beat junky
What ever we are Hunky Panky,

It's a destiny!!!
Wo oh oh oh oh oh oh!
I'm Barbarella,
Do you wanna dance with me?
How do you feel, Alright?
Do you feel alright? お元気?
Say "Happy", Say "Lucky",
and GO! GO! GO!

おやまプリティー・ガール!
ニンジャ?空中飛んでフリーキー
アイドンノーワイ浮遊する君は
フー・アー・ユー?
まるでドラゴンフライ
奇跡のロケットベイビー
例えばブッダ、ヴィーナス、
ジーザス、メイビー
ユーアーマイゴット!!!
Wo oh oh oh oh oh oh!
I'm Barbarella,
Do you wanna dance with me?
How do you feel, Alright?
Do you feel alright? お元気?
Say "Happy", Say "Lucky",
and GO! GO! GO!
Shine on me Barbarella,
Give it to me now
You are the Venus in my eyes
愛のテンプテーション
Come to me Barbarella,
Take me to the future
誰も届かない夢の世界へ

You are the party girl,
You're the
one who makes me happy
Why don't you shake your body,
You're the super super girl
I am a funky boy,
Mega funky beat junky
What ever we are Hunky Panky,
It's a destiny!!!
Wo oh oh oh oh oh oh!
I'm Barbarella,
Do you wanna dance with me?
How do you feel, Alright?
Do you feel alright? お元気?
Say "Happy", Say "Lucky",
and GO! GO! GO!
Shine on me Barbarella,
Give it to me now
You are the Angel in my heart
愛のインビテーション
Come to me Barbarella,

Take me to the future
誰も届かない夢の世界へ

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 布袋寅泰's song "Barbarella" express the joy and excitement of being in the presence of a party girl. The singer describes this girl as the one who brings happiness, and encourages her to let loose and shake her body. The singer identifies himself as a funky boy, a lover of mega funky beats, and suggests that together, they create a hunky panky destiny. The repeated refrain of "I'm Barbarella" emphasizes the singer's desire to connect with this party girl and invites her to dance.

The second verse introduces more fantastical and symbolic elements. The lyrics mention a "Ninja" who can fly in the air and asks who the girl is. The reference to a "dragonfly" and "rocket baby" suggests that she is a unique and extraordinary being. The mention of Buddha, Venus, Jesus, and other figures adds a sense of universal significance to her presence. The lyrics continue to express the singer's awe and admiration for this amazing girl, as he declares "You are my god."

The chorus repeats the invitation to dance and asks how the girl feels, suggesting that he wants her to be happy and lucky. The lyrics also present Barbarella as a source of light and inspiration, shining on the singer and being the Venus in his eyes. She is described as the "Angel in my heart" and is invited to take the singer to a dream world that no one else can reach.

Overall, the lyrics of "Barbarella" celebrate the energy, allure, and transformative power of a party girl named Barbarella, expressing the singer's desire to dance with her and be transported to a world of dreams and happiness.

Line by Line Meaning

You are the party girl
You are the girl who loves to party

You're the one who makes me happy
You are the one who brings me joy

Why don't you shake your body
Why don't you dance and move your body

You're the super super girl
You are an amazing girl

I am a funky boy
I am a cool and stylish guy

Mega funky beat junky
I have a strong passion for funky beats

What ever we are Hunky Panky
No matter what, we bring excitement

It's a destiny!!!
It is fate!

Wo oh oh oh oh oh oh!
Expressing excitement and energy

I'm Barbarella
I am a character named Barbarella

Do you wanna dance with me?
Would you like to dance with me?