Boys Be Ambitious
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

The song "Boys Be Ambitious" by famous Japanese musician, Tomoyasu Hotei, urges listeners to reject the pessimistic and dreary aspects of life, and to embrace hope and ambition, no matter the challenges. The repetition of the phrase "Boys Be Ambitious" throughout the song serves as a powerful exhortation to affirm one's own agency over one's fate. Hotei lyrics speak to the societal disaffection, particularly amongst young people, that are being subjected to a seemingly hopeless future, with unattainable societal standards and aspirations. The first verse asserts that one should reject the despondence and laugh away the "blue boy" with his anguish, instead of being manipulated by the media's portrayal of a bleak future. The lyrics further imply that the life for an individual is akin to a movie, but the script is non-fiction, and that the singer of the film is the listener.

The second verse presents the listener with a picture of a despondent and tired man on a train commuting to his work, consumed by negative thoughts about his future. Here, Hotei paints a contrasting image of the "weak hero," that needs to be rejected. Instead, individuals need to see themselves as the central character in their own life's story, rejecting weakness and embracing ambition. In the last verse, Hotei proposes that while love is important, it is not sufficient to make life meaningful. Instead, one should aspire to be remembered as a man or woman of great accomplishment, a figure of history.

In sum, Tomoyasu Hotei's call for listeners to be ambitious is a declaration of hope that transcends the uncertainty of a postmodern world, where many are disillusioned with the promise and rewards of life in their respective societies. The song is a call to action that demonstrates the necessity of self-affirmation, rejecting the cultural and societal traps, and envisioning oneself as the captain of one's destiny.