Hosono first came to attention in Japan as the bass player of the psychedelic rock band Apryl Fool, who released the album "The Apryl Fool" in 1969. Members from this band (including Hosono) then formed the influential folk-rock group Happy End, which led to Hosono's first collaboration with Van Dyke Parks. After Happy End disbanded, Hosono worked with a loose association of artists making "exotica"-style music under the title Tin Pan Alley and also released four solo albums with increasingly eclectic instrumentation. Additionally, he made an innovative electronic soundtrack for the film "Cochin Moon", together with artist Tadanori Yokoo.
In 1978, Hosono formed the Yellow Magic Orchestra with Yukihiro Takahashi and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The Yellow Magic Orchestra (a.k.a. YMO) released a number of albums in the late 70s and early 80s to considerable acclaim both inside and outside Japan. After YMO disbanded in 1984, Hosono released a number of solo albums covering a variety of styles, including film soundtracks, and a variety of electronic ambient albums.
He was one of the first producers to recognize the appeal of video game sounds and music. YMO's self titled debut in 1978 continued substantial game sounds and after YMO disbanded an early project was an album simply titled "Video Game Music" containing mixed and edited Namco game music and sounds. In the late 80s and early 90s the influence of world music on his music deepened, and he worked with international singers and musicians such as Amina Annabi.
As well as recording his own music, Haruomi has done considerable production work for other artists such as Miharu Koshi, Sheena and the Roketts, Sandii and the Sunsetz, Chisato Moritaka and Seiko Matsuda.
He's produced a number of short term band projects as a band member. His first post-YMO band was Friends of Earth. As with most of his projects he combines musical styles he's interested in. F.O.E. seemed to be a combination of Funk and Techno and included a collaboration with James Brown and Maceo Parker for a remake of the song "Sex Machine". Another notable band project was 1995's Love, Peace & Trance. Members were Mimori Yusa ("Love"), Miyako Koda ("Peace"), Haruomi Hosono ("&") and Mishio Ogawa ("Trance").
In the 1990s he started the Daisyworld label to release a wide range of experimental artists from Japan and the rest of the world. Hosono collorated on many of the releases, such as World Standard, a trip into Americana; HAT, a supergroup (the acronym stands for Hosono, Atom Heart, Tetsu Inoue),and "Quiet Logic", by Mixmaster Morris and Jonah Sharp. The Orb also paid tribute with a series of remixes including the notorious "Hope You Choke On Your Whalemeat".
In 2002 Haruomi formed the duo Sketch Show with his YMO band-mate Yukihiro Takahashi. They have released two albums, one of which, Loophole, has received a UK release. When the third former YMO member, Ryuichi Sakamoto deepened his involvement it was decided to bill those collaborations as Human Audio Sponge.
In 2007, his fellow YMO members and other artist paid tribute to Haruomi with a 2-disc album titled "Tribute to Haruomi" in Spring of 2007. Also, that same year, the animated film "EX MACHINA" (Appleseed) which will be released worldwide will feature a soundtrack performed and supervised by Haruomi Hosono.
ローズマリー、ティートゥリー
細野晴臣 Lyrics
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花が咲き 風が薫る
花も風も 夢のよう
Rosemary, Teatree
君が去り ぼくも消える
なにもかもが 幻
目覚めの雫 生きるあかし
It's a good day to die,
It's a good day to die
この香り 愛しい日 窓辺に花
Rosemary, Teatree
部屋に残る 面影も
消えていく 夢のよう
Rosemary, Teatree
花が咲き 風が薫る
なにもかもが 幻
命の後に 残る香り
涙の雫 生きるあかし
It's a good day to die,
It's a good day to die
憶えてる 愛しい日 空には雲
The song "Rosemary, Teatree" by Haruomi Hosono is a melancholic ballad that speaks about the transient nature of life and love, and how everything is but a fleeting dream that eventually fades away like a fragrance. The opening verses present a vivid image of a blooming flower and a gentle breeze, both of which are ephemeral like a dream. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this notion, suggesting that nothing in life is permanent, and even when loved ones depart, they too will eventually disappear.
The lyrics seem to take a more contemplative turn in the second verse, where the singer reflects on his own mortality and the inevitability of death. The lines "It's a good day to die, it's a good day to die" can be interpreted as a stoic acknowledgement of the transience of life, and the need to accept it without fear or regret. The ending lines of the verse, "this scent, this beloved day, this flower by the window" further emphasize the beauty and fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moment.
The final verse brings the song full circle, repeating the refrain "Rosemary, Teatree" and echoing the idea that life is like a dream that fades away. The lines "the fragrance that remains after life, the tears that bear witness to living" evoke a bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and longing for something that has passed. The final image of a cloudy sky suggests that even nature is but a fleeting dream that will eventually disappear, leaving behind only a memory.
Line by Line Meaning
Rosemary, Teatree
Referring to the fragrances of rosemary and tea tree
花が咲き 風が薫る
Flowers blossom and the wind carries their fragrance
花も風も 夢のよう
Both the flowers and the wind seem like a dream
君が去り ぼくも消える
As you leave, I also fade away
なにもかもが 幻
Everything is an illusion
静かに尽きる 燃える思い
Passionate feelings that quietly come to an end
目覚めの雫 生きるあかし
Drops of dew at dawn are proof of life
It's a good day to die,
This is a fitting day to die
この香り 愛しい日 窓辺に花
The beloved scent of flowers by the window on this lovely day
部屋に残る 面影も
Even the lingering memories in the room
消えていく 夢のよう
Fade away like a dream
命の後に 残る香り
The fragrance that remains after life
涙の雫 生きるあかし
Tears are proof of life
憶えてる 愛しい日 空には雲
Remembering that beloved day, there are clouds in the sky
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Hosono Haruomi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind