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.
GUITARHYTHM RETURNS
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
with a heart of golden sun
can make this metal bird fly
I could ride on a
red hot shooting star
just to have you here
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
The lyrics to 布袋寅泰's "GUITARHYTHM RETURNS" convey a strong sense of passion and desire as the singer sings about the power of love and music to help him overcome any obstacle. The opening lines evoke the image of someone with "starfilled eyes" and a "heart of golden sun," suggesting that this person is full of light and energy. The next few lines suggest that this person's energy and passion have the power to make the singer's "metal bird" fly, which is likely a metaphor for his guitar. The singer then goes on to say that he would be willing to ride on a "red hot shooting star" just to be with this person, which further emphasizes the intensity of his feelings.
The repeated refrain of "GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!" serves as a kind of rallying cry for the power of music. The all-caps emphasis suggests that the singer feels strongly about this sentiment, and that he believes that music has the power to endure and persist no matter what. Furthermore, the repetition of the refrain serves to reinforce this idea, driving home the message that music is a force to be reckoned with.
Overall, "GUITARHYTHM RETURNS" is a powerful and passionate song that celebrates the power of love, desire, and music. The lyrics make use of evocative metaphors and vivid imagery to convey a sense of emotion that is both intense and enduring.
Line by Line Meaning
Starfilled eyes
Having eyes that sparkle like stars
with a heart of golden sun
With a heart that shines as brightly as the sun
can make this metal bird fly
Can make my guitar playing soar to new heights
I could ride on a
I am willing to do anything
red hot shooting star
A fiery celestial body that streaks across the sky
just to have you here
Just to be with the one I love
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
My passion for playing guitar will never end
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
I will keep playing my guitar rhythmically forever
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
The beat of my guitar will always continue
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
My love for the sound of guitar will never fade
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
I will always have rhythm in my heart
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
My guitar playing will never come to an end
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
My soul will always be filled with guitar music
GUITARHYTHM never gonna stop!
The sound of my guitar will always echo on
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Herbie Yamaguchi/Lenny Zakatek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind