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.

QUEEN OF THE ROCK
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

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Get up ＆ ready
Get up ＆ ready
Oh, I'm ready for leave
this fuckin' town
Get up ＆ ready
Get up ＆ ready
Run to where you'll not need
to shield your eyes

I'm getting sick of
this ordinary day
Get up your courage
Get up your courage
It's time to remove the fear
from your eyes

Get a bad review
Get a bad review
Oh, everybody is
envious of your luck
Get a bad review
Get a bad review
Hello no!! I'm just doing
what I want
I'm getting sick of
arcane realty
Get up ＆ ready
Get up ＆ ready
Oh, I'm ready to be
Queen of the rock.
So baby, tell me
what am I supposed to be
Tortured by a guilty conscience
What is wrong
What is wrong
What is wrong
You can't control me
HEY! I'm just doing what I want
Put on your make up ＆
Break your mirror
Die your hair pink ＆
Shake your head
Let's get psycho
Rock on with me
Nasty girl, crazy girl,
I'm queen of the rock
Get some cool tattoo ＆
Show your skin
Let's get drunk ＆
Beat them up
Lay your hands ＆
Fight for free
Nasty girl, crazy girl,
I'm queen of the rock

Why don't you like me
Why don't you like me
Tell me!
Am I so different from you?
Why don't you like me
Why don't you like me
Please! Don't judge what
you don't understand
In this living lie
I don't believe anything
Liberate your mind
Liberate your mind
Feel the light from your eyes
＆ find the truth
So baby, tell me
what am I supposed to be
Tortured by a guilty conscience
What is wrong
What is wrong
What is wrong
You can't control me
HEY! I'm just doing what I want
Put on your dukes ＆
Bang your fist on
Die your hair pink ＆
Shake your head
Let's get psycho
Rock on with me
Nasty girl, crazy girl,
I'm queen of the rock
Get some cool tattoo ＆
Show your skin
Let's get drunk ＆
Beat them up
Lay your hands ＆
Fight for free
Nasty girl, crazy girl,
I'm queen of the rock
Put on your make up ＆
Break your mirror
Die your hair pink ＆
Shake your head
Let's get psycho
Rock on with me
Nasty girl, crazy girl,
I'm queen of the rock
Get some cool tattoo ＆
Show your skin
Let's get drunk ＆
Beat them up
Lay your hands ＆
Fight for free

Nasty girl, crazy girl,
I'm queen of the rock

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "QUEEN OF THE ROCK" by 布袋寅泰 (Tomoyasu Hotei) express a strong sense of rebellion and a desire to break free from societal norms. The song encourages listeners to have the courage to step out of their comfort zones and be true to themselves. The opening lines of the song, "Get up & ready, I'm ready to leave this fuckin' town," indicate a desire for change and a disdain for the mundane aspects of everyday life.

The lyrics also touch on themes of envy and judgment. The lines "Get a bad review, everybody is envious of your luck" suggest that the singer may be facing criticism and jealousy from others due to their unconventional choices or lifestyle. The song serves as a defiant response to societal expectations, asserting that the singer will continue doing what they want regardless of others' opinions.

The chorus emphasizes the importance of self-expression and individuality. Lines such as "Put on your makeup & break your mirror," "Get some cool tattoos & show your skin," and "Let's get drunk & beat them up" highlight a rebellious and fearless attitude. The singer embraces their identity as a "queen of the rock" and urges others to do the same, encouraging them to liberate their minds and find their own truth.

QUEEN OF THE ROCK布袋寅泰 Lyrics

QUEEN OF THE ROCK
布袋寅泰 Lyrics