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.
RUNAWAY! JOHNNY!!
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
仲間は皆逃げて敵の中にひとり
マヌケなJOHNNY...早く逃げろ！
腰ばっかり使ってないでたまにゃ
頭使え！
使い方も知らない
くせにジャックナイフ
右手に握りしめて
マヌケなJOHNNY...早く逃げろ！
腰ばっかり使ってないでたまにゃ
頭使え！
WOOー懲りもせず
WOOーいつもそうサ
ドジばっかり踏んで足引っ張って
イライラさせるけど
なぜか憎めない正直者のJOHNNY...
笑ってないで早く逃げろ！
開き直って「どうにでもしろ！」と
言ったとたんにマジなストレート
マヌケなJOHNNY...早く逃げろ！
ない頭使わないで足を使え！
WOOー懲りもせず
WOOーいつもそうサ
ドジばっかり踏んで足引っ張って
イライラさせるけど
なぜか憎めない正直者のJOHNNY...
泣いてないで早く逃げろ！
なぜか憎めない正直者のJOHNNY...
振り向かずに早く逃げろ！
誰も責めたりしないサ...
明日になりゃ忘れちまう
HEY BOY! RUNAWAY,
RUNAWAY! JOHNNY!!!
The lyrics of 布袋寅泰's song RUNAWAY! JOHNNY!! are about a character named Johnny, who appears to be in a dangerous situation, facing enemies all alone. Johnny is portrayed as foolish and not smart enough to use his head, relying only on his physical abilities. The lyrics suggest that Johnny needs to run away quickly and use his legs instead of just his waist. The chorus emphasizes this message, urging Johnny to use his legs and run away. It also suggests that Johnny is a likable character who is honest, even though he tends to make mistakes and frustrate those around him.
The second verse suggests that Johnny may have accepted his situation and suddenly becomes serious, saying "bring it on" to his enemies. However, the lyrics once again advise him to use his legs and run away quickly. The song ends with the message that nobody will blame Johnny for his situation and that he should forget about it tomorrow. This suggests that the song is not meant to be taken too seriously, but rather as a lighthearted and fun tune.
Overall, the song's lyrics promote the message of using one's intelligence to avoid danger and not relying solely on physical strength. It also suggests that likable personalities can make up for some lack of abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
トボケた顔してふと気づいたら
Wearing a foolish expression, I suddenly realize that all my companions have fled, leaving me alone among the enemies.
仲間は皆逃げて敵の中にひとり
My friends have all run away, and I am left alone in the midst of my foes.
マヌケなJOHNNY...早く逃げろ！
Stupid Johnny, hurry up and run away!
腰ばっかり使ってないでたまにゃ頭使え！
Stop relying only on your physical strength; use your brain occasionally!
使い方も知らないくせにジャックナイフ右手に握りしめてどうするつもりさ？
You don't even know how to use it properly, but you hold onto the jackknife in your right hand. What are you planning to do with it?
WOOー懲りもせずWOOーいつもそうサ
Woo! Despite never learning your lesson, you always act like this.
ドジばっかり踏んで足引っ張ってイライラさせるけどなぜか憎めない正直者のJOHNNY...
You keep messing up and getting in the way, which is frustrating, but for some reason, you're still a likable and honest person, Johnny.
笑ってないで早く逃げろ！
Stop laughing and quickly run away!
開き直って「どうにでもしろ！」と言ったとたんにマジなストレート
As soon as you stubbornly said, 'I'll do anything!', you were hit with a serious straight punch.
ない頭使わないで足を使え！
Stop relying on your empty head and use your legs to run away!
泣いてないで早く逃げろ！
Stop crying and quickly run away!
振り向かずに早く逃げろ！誰も責めたりしないサ...明日になりゃ忘れちまう
Don't look back, just run away quickly! No one will blame you, and by tomorrow, everyone will have forgotten this.
HEY BOY! RUNAWAY,RUNAWAY! JOHNNY!!!
Hey boy! Run away, run away! Johnny!!!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: hotei tomoyasu
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind