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.
Monster Drive
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunset Highway
アクセル吹かせばハートが
震えて Big Bang
スリルがなきゃ生きていけない
悪魔とランデヴー
魂宿った火の玉みたいな Booster
風より速く光より眩しく
天使は俺たちの味方
怖いものなどないさ
暮れなずむ空はパープル
心も染めあげる
二人の夢をのせて
どこまでもこのまま
Monster Drive MonsterDrive
Monster Drive Let's Boogie!!!
Monster Drive Monster Drive
Monster Drive Let's Boogie!!!
爆裂寸前火を噴くエンジン
Screaming 風が火傷するくらいの
威力で Burnin'
このまま大気圏突き抜けて
字宙まで行こうか
獣のように叫び狂う俺は Monster
夢を喰らって
生きてゆく運命の Creature
走り出したら最後もう
誰にも止められない
暗闇が降りてダークネス
野性をかき立てる
自由の味を知ったら
二度とは戻れない
Monster Drive Monster Drive
Monster Drive Sha-Na-Na
Let's Boogie!!!
Monster Drive Monster Drive
Monster Drive Sha-Na-Na
Let's Boogie!!!
見上げれば銀のムーンライト
夜空に輝いて二人の行方をそっと
優しく照らしてる
Monster Drive Monster Drive
Monster Drive Sha-Na-Na
Let's Boogie!!!
Monster Drive Monster Drive
Monster Drive Sha-Na-Na
Let's Boogie!!!
Monster Drive Monster Drive
Monster Drive Sha-Na-Na
Let's Boogie!!!
Monster Drive Monster Drive
Monster Drive Sha-Na-Na
Let's Boogie!!!
The lyrics to "Monster Drive" by 布袋寅泰 depict a thrilling and exhilarating experience of driving at high speeds. The opening lines, "お前を乗せて駆け抜ける" (Omae wo nosete kakenukeru), which translates to "I race with you on board," set the tone for the rest of the song. The Sunset Highway symbolizes a scenic and fast-paced journey.
The song expresses the excitement and adrenaline rush that comes with pushing the accelerator, causing the heart to tremble like the Big Bang. The thrill of life and the need for a devilish rendezvous are mentioned, symbolizing a desire for adventure and living on the edge.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of angels being on their side, suggesting a sense of protection and fearlessness. The purple dusk sky and the intensity of feelings that dye the heart reflect the dream-like state that the two protagonists find themselves in during their drive.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Monster Drive Let's Boogie!!!," emphasizing the joy and energy of the experience. The roaring engine and the burning wind further illustrate the dynamic and powerful nature of the ride. The image of breaking through the atmosphere and reaching for the stars represents an unrestricted pursuit of dreams.
Overall, "Monster Drive" portrays the thrill of speed, the yearning for excitement, and the freedom of living life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
お前を乗せて駆け抜ける
I will race through, carrying you
Sunset Highway
On the Sunset Highway
アクセル吹かせばハートが 震えて Big Bang
When I step on the accelerator, my heart trembles like a Big Bang
スリルがなきゃ生きていけない
I cannot live without thrill
悪魔とランデヴー
Rendezvous with the devil
魂宿った火の玉みたいな Booster
A booster like a fireball with a soul
風より速く光より眩しく
Faster than the wind, brighter than light
Flash Back
Flashback
天使は俺たちの味方
Angels are on our side
怖いものなどないさ
There is nothing to be afraid of
暮れなずむ空はパープル 心も染めあげる
The twilight sky is purple, coloring our hearts
二人の夢をのせて どこまでもこのまま
Carrying our dreams, we will go anywhere like this
Monster Drive MonsterDrive
Monster Drive, MonsterDrive
Monster Drive Let's Boogie!!!
Monster Drive, let's boogie!!!
爆裂寸前火を噴くエンジン
An engine that spews fire on the verge of explosion
Screaming 風が火傷するくらいの 威力で Burnin'
Screaming, burning with power enough to give wind burns
このまま大気圏突き抜けて 字宙まで行こうか
Shall we break through the atmosphere and go to outer space like this?
獣のように叫び狂う俺は Monster
I, who howl like a beast, am a monster
夢を喰らって
Devouring dreams
生きてゆく運命の Creature
A creature destined to live
走り出したら最後もう 誰にも止められない
Once I start running, no one can stop me anymore
暗闇が降りてダークネス 野性をかき立てる
As darkness falls, it stirs up the wildness
自由の味を知ったら 二度とは戻れない
Once you taste freedom, you can never go back
Monster Drive Monster Drive
Monster Drive, Monster Drive
Monster Drive Sha-Na-Na Let's Boogie!!!
Monster Drive, Sha-Na-Na, let's boogie!!!
見上げれば銀のムーンライト 夜空に輝いて二人の行方をそっと 優しく照らしてる
When I look up, the silver moonlight gently illuminates the path for us in the night sky
Monster Drive Monster Drive
Monster Drive, Monster Drive
Monster Drive Sha-Na-Na Let's Boogie!!!
Monster Drive, Sha-Na-Na, let's boogie!!!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: hotei tomoyasu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind