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.
two of us
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
夜のゲームに 乾杯をした
一瞬だから 嘘がつけない
綺麗な夢を 探そうとした
街中の涙を 拾い集め
怪我した 指にキスしたね
泣かないで...
おまえに 今でも恋してる
はかなく燃える 流星を観た
裸になって 約束したね
もう哀しみに 甘えない事
絶望に塗れた 言葉を消す
魔法さ 唇のピアス
泣かないで...
おまえは 未来に生きていた
初めて愛した女が
自由を教えてくれたら
みんな少年のまま
時を越えてゆける
泣かないで...
おまえに 今でも恋してる
泣かないで...
二人は 永遠に
夢の街を 愛の日々を
駆け回る Two of us
The song "Two of Us" by 布袋寅泰 tells the story of two people who share a special connection and love for each other. The lyrics paint a picture of a couple who have been through hard times but have remained strong and committed to each other. They've played games, toasted with a broken glass, searched for beautiful dreams, collected tears from the city, kissed injured fingers, and promised not to succumb to sadness anymore.
The reference to a "decayed building" in the second verse suggests that the couple may be outcasts or outsiders in society, but their love brings meaning and purpose to their lives. As the song progresses, the lyrics indicate that the two have been through rough times but have overcome them with their love. The chorus is about endless love - they will continue living, running around in the streets of their dreams, and enjoying the days of love.
Overall, the lyrics of the song convey a feeling of hope, togetherness, and unwavering love that can overcome all of life's challenges. The song is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and the deep connections that can exist between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
二人はいつも 割れたグラスで
We always clinked glasses in the night's game, but our glasses were always broken.
夜のゲームに 乾杯をした
We used to cheers to the night's game with our broken glasses.
一瞬だから 嘘がつけない
We couldn't lie to each other because it was only a moment.
綺麗な夢を 探そうとした
We tried to find beautiful dreams.
街中の涙を 拾い集め
We gathered tears from the town.
怪我した 指にキスしたね
I kissed your injured finger.
泣かないで...
Don't cry.
おまえに 今でも恋してる
I still love you.
二人はいつも 廃墟のビルで
We were always in an abandoned building.
はかなく燃える 流星を観た
We watched a fleeting, burning meteor.
裸になって 約束したね
We made a promise while being naked.
もう哀しみに 甘えない事
We don't rely on sadness anymore.
絶望に塗れた 言葉を消す
We erase the words painted with despair.
魔法さ 唇のピアス
It's like magic, your lip piercing.
泣かないで...
Don't cry.
おまえは 未来に生きていた
You were living in the future.
初めて愛した女が
The first woman I loved.
自由を教えてくれたら
If she could teach me freedom.
みんな少年のまま
We all remain boys in our hearts.
時を越えてゆける
We can cross over time.
二人は永遠に
We will be forever together.
夢の街を 愛の日々を
We will run around in the city of dreams and days of love.
駆け回る Two of us
Two of us will run free.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: moriyukinojou
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind