After quitting school to enter a musical contest, Shiina was quickly signed to EMI, then promptly left Japan to avoid the trappings of contract work. After returning, she quickly released a series of singles and albums, all self-penned (a relative rarity for Japanese pop artists), and all meeting with great success on the Japanese charts. A hiatus to start a family followed, itself followed (after a divorce) by both a new album and a new side project, the band 東京事変. (Tokyo Jihen - or Tokyo Incidents)
After more success with the band, Shiina returned to a solo career in 2006 as the Music Director for the film 「さくらん」(Sakuran), quickly taking the number one slot on the Oricon charts with the album Heisei Fuuzoku released in tandem with a major soundtrack project. Following was a B-sides album which peaked quickly at the number one Oricon slot. In the years proceeding this, she spent most of her time dedicated to Tokyo Jihen occasionally revisiting her solo work.
Despite being involved in the main Japanese pop scene, Shiina has created a niche for herself based on a much wider musical range than most artists. Where most pop singers develop a basic sound based on contemporary pop aesthetics and throwaway lyrical matter, Shiina builds on a base of jazz, rock, Motown, and even French chanson equally well (the chanson works especially well with her trademark nasal delivery), infusing her projects with a very different aesthetic, and gaining a fan base separate from the core constituents of the Japanese pop apparatus.
Despite the release of album 三毒史 (trivisa-itihasa) in 2019, released after a myriad of singles being majorly included in aforementioned work. In 2020, Ringo and band Tokyo Jihen turned their backs to their past, doing a major reunion, with the drop of a few projects, such as sixth studio album 音楽.
Discography
Singles
幸福論 (Koufukuron)（1998）
歌舞伎町の女王 （1998）
ここでキスして。 (Koko de kisu shite)（1999）
本能 （1999）
幸福論（1999）
ギブス (Gibs)（2000）
罪と罰 （2000）
真夜中は純潔 （2001）
絶頂集 （2000）
茎（STEM）～大名遊ビ編～ （2003）
りんごのうた (Ringo no Uta)（2003）
この世の限り (Kono Yo no Kagiri) (2007） (With Saitou Neko and her brother Shiina Junpei)
ありあまる富 (Ariamaru Tomi)（2009）
カーネーション (Carnation)（2011）
自由へ道連 (Traveling Companion to Freedom) (2012)
いろはにほへと (Les Couleurs Chantent) (2013)
孤独のあかつき (The Solitude of Dawn) (2013)
NIPPON (2014)
至上の人生 (A Life Supreme) (2015)
最果てが見たい (2015)
長く短い祭 (2015)
神様、仏様 (2015)
ジユーダム (2016)
目抜き通り (2017)
獣ゆく細道 (2018)
Albums
無罪モラトリアム (Muzai Moratorium) (1999)
勝訴ストリップ (Shouso Strip)（2000)
加爾基 精液 栗ノ花（Karuki Za-men Kuri no Hana）(2003)
平成風俗 (Heisei Fuuzoku) (2007) (with Neiko Sato)
三文ゴシップ (Sanmon Gossip) (2009)
日出処 (Hi Izuru Tokoro) (2014)
三毒史 (trivisa-itihasa) (2019)
Covers Album
唄ひ手冥利～其ノ壱～ (Utaitemyori Sonoichi)（2002）
逆輸入 ～港湾局～ (Reimports Vol.1) (2014)
逆輸入 〜航空局〜 (Reimport Vol.2 -Civil Bureau Aviation) (2017)
Compilations
私と放電 (Me & Electric Discharge) (2008) - (B-Sides)
ニュートンの林檎 (Apple of Universal Gravity) (2019) - (Overview)
密偵物語
椎名林檎 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A poison-dart eye and some quicksilver jive
Make all men weak in the knees
Havana, Caracas, Monaco nights
Istanbul, Rio and Nice
When the night has been won
No one knows till the sun is rising on you in greece
Gong gong
Dr. Bow Tie quits on an ace
A briefcase changes hands
Why do these cats think that they're safe
I'm clandestine by my microphone
「Oh 009, do try to be more careful this time」
When 009 takes his own sweet time
And botches all of our plans
The agency chimes I'm called in to find
Who took the briefcase and ran
Old souse seas, Canberra, Marrakech nights
Blue skies from Dakar to Nice
All diabolic schemes unravel with ease
When you can scat your commands
Bomb bomb
Dr. Bow Tie makes for the door
I light a short fuse on my sign
She's a landmine draped in Dior
A fine disguise, this live microphone
「マイクを前にして わたしは眼を光らせる
誰も気付かぬ間に多くを知りたいの
だって 人生は一度きり
わたしなら 狙った獲物は逃がさない」
Bye bye
Dr. Bow Tie sullies his pants
Foiled by my switcheroo
Unsuspecting of quicksilver jazz
Mesmerized by my microphone
Grecian sun is simply divine
With a briefcase at my side
Go fetch me a cocktail, dear
What shall we do with you, 009!
「You're insufferable, 009
I will not allow such sloppy execution next time」
The lyrics to 椎名林檎's 密偵物語 tell the story of a spy, referred to as 009, who is tasked with stealing a briefcase from a group of liars, fat cats, and thieves. The singer, who is also a spy, offers advice to fellow female spies on how to outsmart these men, using their charm and quick wit. The song takes place in various cities around the world, including Havana, Istanbul, and Rio, where the spy is successful in her mission. However, she goes on to reveal that when 009 fails to complete a mission, she is called in to pick up the pieces and find the culprit.
The lyrics paint a picture of a suave and sophisticated spy who is able to use their expertise and charm to outsmart their opponents. There is a sense of danger and mystery throughout the song, as the singer navigates high-stakes situations and plots her next move. The use of poetic language and references to different cities and cultures adds to the sense of adventure and intrigue.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll tell you gals how to hoodwink a crowd of liars, fat cats and thieves
I'm going to teach you ladies how to deceive a group full of dishonest, wealthy and corrupt people
A poison-dart eye and some quicksilver jive
Use your seductive looks and charming words to make them weak in the knees
Make all men weak in the knees
Use your allure to gain power and control over them
Havana, Caracas, Monaco nights
Experience the exciting nightlife in different cities around the world
Istanbul, Rio and Nice
Explore and have fun in more cities with vibrant nightlife
When the night has been won
After a successful night of scheming and manipulation
No one knows till the sun is rising on you in greece
Nobody will realize your true intentions until it's too late and you're already long gone
Gong gong
A sound effect that sets the mood of the action
Dr. Bow Tie quits on an ace
A clever move by Dr. Bow Tie, but it's not enough to escape
A briefcase changes hands
An important item is the object of the scheming
Why do these cats think that they're safe
The targets are oblivious to the danger around them
I'm clandestine by my microphone
I'm concealing my true identity while communicating through a live audio device
「Oh 009, do try to be more careful this time」
A warning to the reckless and impulsive 009 to be more cautious next time
When 009 takes his own sweet time
When the reckless and impulsive 009 takes his own pace and disregards the plan
And botches all of our plans
And ruins every carefully laid-out aspect of our scheme
The agency chimes I'm called in to find
The agency reaches out to me to fix the situation and locate the missing item
Who took the briefcase and ran
Identify the perpetrator who stole and fled with the important item
Old souse seas, Canberra, Marrakech nights
Experience the nightlife and culture in more diverse cities and countries around the world
Blue skies from Dakar to Nice
Enjoy the beautiful outdoor scenery and clear skies while travelling
All diabolic schemes unravel with ease
All wicked and cunning plans fall apart effortlessly
When you can scat your commands
When you can deliver orders through charming and rhythmic improvisational singing
Bomb bomb
Sound effect that signifies action and excitement
Dr. Bow Tie makes for the door
Dr. Bow Tie attempts to escape from the situation
I light a short fuse on my sign
I initiate a plan or trap to impede Dr. Bow Tie's escape
She's a landmine draped in Dior
My device is a dangerous trap disguised in an elegant appearance
A fine disguise, this live microphone
A perfect cover-up for my secret identity and true intentions
「マイクを前にして わたしは眼を光らせる
In front of the microphone, my eyes light up
誰も気付かぬ間に多くを知りたいの
I want to know more things without anyone noticing
だって 人生は一度きり
After all, life only happens once
わたしなら 狙った獲物は逃がさない」
If it's me, I won't let go of my target
Bye bye
Sarcastic expression of farewell
Dr. Bow Tie sullies his pants
Dr. Bow Tie is frightened and acts cowardly
Foiled by my switcheroo
Dr. Bow Tie's attempt at escape is prevented by my deception
Unsuspecting of quicksilver jazz
The targets are unaware of the charm and seductive powers of jazz music
Mesmerized by my microphone
The targets are attracted and controlled by my live audio device
Grecian sun is simply divine
The sunlight in Greece is exquisite and perfect for relaxation
With a briefcase at my side
The item that we fought for is now mine and safely by my side
Go fetch me a cocktail, dear
Ask someone politely to get me a drink
What shall we do with you, 009!
What punishment shall we give you for ruining our plans, 009?
「You're insufferable, 009
You're intolerable and annoying, 009
I will not allow such sloppy execution next time」
I won't tolerate such carelessness and failures in the next mission
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brown Jack, Ringo Shiina
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@walendxweg
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