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.
Immigrant Song
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
land of the ice and snow,
from the midnight sun
where the hot springs flow.
Hammer of the gods will
drive our ships to new land.
To fight the
hordes and singing and crying.
Always sweep with threshing oar.
0ur Only goal will be the
western Shore.
We come from the
land of the ice and snow,
from the midnight sun
where the hot springs flow.
How soft your fields so green.
Can Whisper tales of gore.
Of how we calmed
the tides of war.
We are your Over･Lords.
Always sweep with threshing oar.
0ur only goal will be the
western shore.
So now you'd better stop，
and re-build all your ruins.
For peace and trust can win
the day,
despite of all your losing.
So now you'd better stop，
and re-build all your ruins.
For peace and trust can win
the day,
despite of all your losing.
So now you'd better stop，
and re-build all your ruins.
For peace and trust can win
the day,
despite of all your losing.
Ooh- Ooh- Ooh- Ooh- Ooh-
In the lyrics to "Immigrant Song," 布袋寅泰 describes a group of Vikings who have sailed from their home in the icy north, traveling through the midnight sun and hot springs to reach a new land. The "hammer of the gods" drives their ships as they prepare to fight hordes of enemies with singing and crying, while the promise of Valhalla awaits them. The Vikings describe their prowess in battle, calming the tides of war and becoming the overlords of the new land they have discovered. The song concludes with a call for peace and rebuilding, suggesting that trust and cooperation can lead to ultimate victory.
Line by Line Meaning
We come from the
land of the ice and snow,
We originate from the icy and snowy lands,
from the midnight sun
where the hot springs flow.
Where hot springs flow under the never-ending rays of the sun.
Hammer of the gods will
drive our ships to new land.
We are driven by the mighty hammer of gods to explore new lands.
To fight the
hordes and singing and crying.
Fighting against the masses shouting and crying.
Valhalla I am coming.
I am heading towards Valhalla.
Always sweep with threshing oar.
We always rush to the destination with a great force.
0ur Only goal will be the
western Shore.
Our only aim is to reach the western shore.
How soft your fields so green.
The green fields seem so tender and soft.
Can Whisper tales of gore.
The fields hide the stories of violent events.
Of how we calmed
the tides of war.
Narrating how we put an end to the chaos and war.
We are your Over･Lords.
We are the superior figures who rule over all.
So now you'd better stop，
and re-build all your ruins.
It's high time for you to take a break and reconstruct all your damaged life.
For peace and trust can win
the day,
Peace and trust can bring success.
despite of all your losing.
Even after losing, one can still strive for peace and trust.
Ooh- Ooh- Ooh- Ooh- Ooh-
Vocal sounds expressing emotions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind