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.

NO.1 IN THE UNIVERSE
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm just a lucky guy
No.1 in the Universe
'Cause I met you
in this empty world
Like two flowers
Morning glory
Don't you think it's a miracle
Life is one way

But there is no way
Even we have sun shine over us
So won't you stay with me
Till the sunset ends the day
Oh,yeah
I'm just a lucky guy
No.1 in the Unjverse
'Cause I met you
in this cruel world
Like two dolphins
Midnight ocean
Don't you think it's a miracle
Life is a long way
No way to hide away
To escape from
the world of sadness
But when you smile for me
I'll get over anything
Oh.yeah
Nothing's gonna change
My love for you
Nothing's gonna take
My love away
You are the meaning of my life
Forever days

Nothing's gonna change
My love for you
Nothing's gonna take
My love away
You are the meaning of my life
Forever days
I'm just a lucky guy
No.1 in the Universe
'Cause I met you
in this empty world
Endless journey

Just me and you
Don't you think it's a miracle?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "NO.1 IN THE UNIVERSE" by 布袋寅泰 (Hotei Tomoyasu) speak of the singer's profound love and gratitude for someone who has brought happiness and meaning into their life. The opening line, "I'm just a lucky guy, No.1 in the Universe" suggests that the singer feels incredibly fortunate to have found this person. Despite the emptiness and cruelty of the world they inhabit, meeting this individual is like witnessing a miracle, represented by the comparison to flowers and dolphins.

The lyrics further express the idea that life is a one-way journey with no possible escape from sadness. However, the presence and love of this person brings joy and the strength to overcome any hardships. The line "So won't you stay with me, Till the sunset ends the day" signifies a desire for their love to last until the end of time, emphasizing the eternal nature of their connection.

The repeated lines "Nothing's gonna change, My love for you" and "You are the meaning of my life, Forever days" reinforce the singer's unwavering devotion. They believe that nothing can alter their love, and the person they love holds great significance in their existence.

Overall, the lyrics of "NO.1 IN THE UNIVERSE" convey a deep appreciation for a special relationship that brings light and purpose to the singer's life, even in the face of a challenging world.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm just a lucky guy
I consider myself fortunate

No.1 in the Universe
I feel like the best in the whole universe

'Cause I met you
Because I had the privilege of meeting you

in this empty world
in a world that often feels devoid of meaning

Like two flowers
Similar to two blossoming flowers

Morning glory
Bright and beautiful like a morning glory flower

Don't you think it's a miracle
Do you not believe it is a miraculous occurrence?

Life is one way
Life follows a singular path

But there is no way
Yet there is no clear solution

Even we have sunshine over us
Despite having the sun's rays shining upon us

So won't you stay with me
Will you not remain by my side?