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.
Psychobilly & Pussycat
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
21st CENTURY′S SID & NANCY
夢を喰らうほどLOVE & HATE
炎のようにただ燃え上がる
SHAKE IT AGAIN！ SHAKE IT AGAIN！
YOU ARE THE LAST PUNK HEROES
HEARTが熱いなら
EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT...
PSYCHOBILLY & PUSSYCAT
誰とも似てない ROCK′N ROLL LOVERS
悪魔に捧げたBROKEN HEART
狂ったBEATに抱かれて踊れ
SHAKE IT AGAIN！ SHAKE IT AGAIN！
YOU ARE THE LAST PUNK HEROES
TATOOに誓うなら
EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT...
世界は二人を嫌う
妥協を知らないから
宇宙一素直で素敵に
真実を生きてても
F★CK OFF！！！
PSYCHOBILLY & PUSSYCAT
常識はずれの PRINCE & PRINCESS
何が起きようと THEY DON'T CARE
擦り切れるまで愛しあえばいい
SHAKE IT AGAIN！ SHAKE IT AGAIN！
YOU ARE THE LAST PUNK HEROES
嘘さえつかなけりゃ
EVERYTHING′S GONNA BE ALRIGHT...
二人の行き着く場所は
月も太陽もない
闇の砂漠かもしれないけど
永遠はきっとそこにある
The song "Psychobilly & Pussycat" by Japanese musician Tomoyasu Hotei is a tribute to the punk rock culture of the 1980s, particularly drawing inspiration from the iconic duo of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. The lyrics of the song speak of a passionate love affair between two outsiders, who are constantly at odds with the rest of the world. The lines "夢を喰らうほどLOVE & HATE" (Devouring our dreams with love and hate) speak to the intensity of their relationship, which is all-consuming and often destructive. The chorus urges them to keep dancing to the "狂ったBEAT" (mad beat), despite the world's disapproval.
The song presents the singers as the last punk heroes, who are unapologetic about who they are and refuse to compromise their individuality. They are portrayed as rebels who live by their own rules, even if it means alienating themselves from society. The lyrics "世界は二人を嫌う" (The world hates the two of us) and "常識はずれの PRINCE & PRINCESS" (Outlandish prince and princess) suggest that they are seen as freaks, while the lines "F★CK OFF！！！" and "嘘さえつかなけりゃ" (If we don't tell lies) speak to their defiance and integrity.
Overall, "Psychobilly & Pussycat" celebrates the punk rock ethos of rebellion and individualism, while also exploring the darker side of passion and obsession. The music, a fusion of punk rock and rockabilly, reflects the song's theme of blending different styles and subcultures to create something new.
Line by Line Meaning
PSYCHOBILLY & PUSSYCAT
This is a song about two unique individuals who are in love and devoted to psychobilly and rock and roll culture.
21st CENTURY′S SID & NANCY
This couple is reminiscent of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen, two punk icons from the 20th century.
夢を喰らうほどLOVE & HATE
Their relationship is intense and passionate, both full of love and hate.
炎のようにただ燃え上がる
Their love burns like a wildfire, intense and all-consuming.
SHAKE IT AGAIN！ SHAKE IT AGAIN！
This is a call to action, urging listeners to move to the beat and enjoy life's pleasures.
YOU ARE THE LAST PUNK HEROES
The duo is rebellious, defying society's norms and embodying the punk spirit of the past.
HEARTが熱いなら
If one's heart is full of passion and love, anything is possible.
EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT...
No matter what happens, everything will work out in the end.
誰とも似てない ROCK′N ROLL LOVERS
These two lovers are unique, not conforming to anyone else's ideas of love or life.
悪魔に捧げたBROKEN HEART
They have both been hurt in the past, but they continue to persevere and love each other fully.
狂ったBEATに抱かれて踊れ
The wild, pulsing beat of their music and their love is something to be cherished and enjoyed.
TATOOに誓うなら
If one makes a promise with a tattoo, it should be a promise to love unconditionally, like these two punk lovers.
世界は二人を嫌う
The rest of the world may not understand or approve of their relationship, but they don't care, they have each other.
妥協を知らないから
They refuse to compromise on their true selves, and they will never give up the punk spirit.
宇宙一素直で素敵に 真実を生きてても
They are true to themselves and live a beautiful, honest life, even if that means living in a cosmic desert together.
F★CK OFF！！！
An exclamation of defiance towards anyone who would try to bring them down or question their love and lifestyle.
常識はずれの PRINCE & PRINCESS
They are royalty in their own right, even if they don't fit traditional standards of what a prince and princess should be.
何が起きようと THEY DON'T CARE
No matter what happens in life, they have each other and they will be okay.
擦り切れるまで愛しあえばいい
As long as they love each other to the point of exhaustion, they will never want or need anything else.
二人の行き着く場所は
The only place these two are headed is towards each other, with no destination in mind.
月も太陽もない
Their love is so powerful, it overshadows and outshines everything around them, even celestial bodies like the moon and sun.
闇の砂漠かもしれないけど
Their love may take them to dark and empty places, but they will always be together in those moments.
永遠はきっとそこにある
Their love is eternal and will never fade away, even if they are alone in a desert or any other place.
Writer(s): 布袋 寅泰
Contributed by Colton K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.