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.

YOU
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Do you wanna dance?
踊ろう dance with me
Do you wanna dance?
そうさ don't be shy
Do you wanna dance?
スーツの裾を
Do you wanna dance?
風に翻し

踵鳴らして
地球蹴飛ばせ

Do you wanna dance?
恥ずかしがらないで
Do you wanna dance?
好きなステップで
Do you wanna dance?
腰を揺らして
Do you wanna dance?
感じ合おう

今夜世界は beatのオアシス
身体は宇宙跳べば無重力

心臓から魂まで break down
感じるまま遺伝子ごと燃やせ
限界という概念など destroy
躊躇するな風になれ be free

Do you wanna dance?
Do you wanna dance?
Do you wanna dance?
Do you wanna dance?

Oh, oh, oh, oh

心臓から魂まで break down
感じるまま遺伝子ごと燃やせ
限界という概念など destroy
躊躇するな風になれ be free

Dance to be free

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 布袋寅泰's song "YOU" talk about the liberating and joyous power of dance. The song starts by asking repeatedly, "Do you wanna dance?," inviting the listener to join in and let loose. It encourages them not to be shy or hesitant but rather to embrace the freedom that comes from moving to their own rhythm. The lyrics mention the visual imagery of a suit's hem being blown by the wind, symbolizing breaking free from societal expectations and constraints.

The song emphasizes the physical and emotional release that dancing provides. It suggests that by dancing, one can kick the Earth with their heels, indicating a sense of empowerment and defiance. The lyrics also highlight the transformative effect of dance, describing it as an oasis of beats that can transport one's body and soul to a weightless, gravitational-free universe.

The chorus reinforces the message of breaking down barriers and embracing freedom. It emphasizes the importance of fully experiencing life, from the heart to the soul, without holding back. The lyrics encourage the listener to let their emotions guide them, igniting their genes to burn with passion and authenticity. The idea of destroying the concept of limits and hesitation is stressed, urging the listener to become like the wind and be free.

In conclusion, "YOU" by 布袋寅泰 celebrates the liberating and transformative power of dance. It encourages listeners to let go of inhibitions, embrace their own rhythm, and break free from societal expectations to live a fully expressive and authentic life.

Line by Line Meaning

Do you wanna dance?
Are you willing to engage in the act of dancing?

踊ろう dance with me
Let us dance together

そうさ don't be shy
Indeed, do not feel timid

スーツの裾を
The hem of your suit

風に翻し
Flips in the wind

踵鳴らして
Stomp your heels

地球蹴飛ばせ
Kick the Earth away

恥ずかしがらないで
Do not feel embarrassed

好きなステップで
With your favorite steps

腰を揺らして
Shake your hips

感じ合おう
Let's feel it together