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.
Choo Choo Gatagoto
細野晴臣 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
起きるのはやだね
もちろん外はどしゃぶり
駅までずぶぬれ
シカゴあたりで乗りかえ
知らない街へ
チューチューガタゴト
チューチューガタゴト
ブラックジャック コバック
始めりゃきりがない
パシフィック アムトラック
動けばとまらない
やめるさ humm
つかれたよ oh
やめるさ
僕はやだねこんなの
つかれるばかり
スターになれりゃいいね
あれはいいね
楽隊稼業はあきあき
線路の上じゃ かけごとばかり
チューチューチューガタゴト
チューチューチュー
ブラックジャック コバック
始めりゃきりがない
パシフィック アムトラック
動けばとまらない
やめるさ humm
つかれたよ oh
やめるさ
やつがやってるリズム and ブルース
あれはいいね
ちょっと真似するファンキー・ビート
レールのリズム
聞いてもらうさリズム and ブルース
知らない街で
チューチューガタゴト
チューチューガタゴト
ブラックジャック コバック
始めりゃきりがない
Twilight moonlight
動けばとまらない
やめるさ humm
つかれたよ aha, ha
やめるさ
The lyrics of "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Haruomi Hosono paint a vivid picture of an arduous journey by train. The singer is weary and tired of the constant travel and longs to be a star rather than a traveling musician, yet the rhythm of the train is alluring and he can't help but tap his feet along to the "rhythm and blues" being played by another performer on the train. The lyrics demonstrate how the endlessness of the train journey is accentuated by the constant din of the tracks and the sound of the wheels on the rails, which bring both discomfort and a certain kind of comfort. The song evokes feelings of melancholy and frustration, but also a sense of adventure and optimism in the face of long odds.
The song's title refers to the passenger train that runs between Cincinnati, Ohio and Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has been a popular subject in a number of songs, films, and television shows throughout the years. The song was written by Mack Gordon and composed by Harry Warren in 1941 for the film "Sun Valley Serenade," which starred bandleader Glenn Miller and his orchestra. Miller's recording of the song became a huge hit, spending nine weeks at number one on the Billboard charts in 1941, with vocals by Tex Beneke and Paula Kelly. The song's popularity during World War II was due in part to its upbeat melody and its focus on the joys of travel and the excitement of visiting new places.
Line by Line Meaning
一夜明ければ旅立ち
If the night passes, it's time to journey on.
起きるのはやだね
I hate waking up in the morning.
もちろん外はどしゃぶり
Of course, it's pouring outside.
駅までずぶぬれ
I'm soaked by the time I get to the station.
シカゴあたりで乗りかえ
I transfer around Chicago to get to an unknown city.
知らない街へ
Going to an unfamiliar place.
チューチューガタゴト
It's the sound of the train.
ブラックジャック コバック
Playing blackjack is never-ending.
始めりゃきりがない
Once you start, there's no end.
パシフィック アムトラック
Taking Pacific Amtrak to keep moving forward.
動けばとまらない
If we keep moving, we won't stop.
やめるさ humm
I'll stop, humm.
つかれたよ oh
I'm tired, oh.
やめるさ
I'll stop.
僕はやだねこんなの
I hate this kind of life.
つかれるばかり
I'm always tired.
スターになれりゃいいね
It'd be great if I could become a star.
あれはいいね
That would be great.
楽隊稼業はあきあき
Being part of a band gets tedious.
線路の上じゃ かけごとばかり
On the railway tracks, there are only troubles.
チューチューチューガタゴト
The train goes "Choo Choo" like this.
やつがやってるリズム and ブルース
That's the rhythm and blues he's playing.
あれはいいね
That's really good.
ちょっと真似するファンキー・ビート
I'll try to imitate the funky beat.
レールのリズム
The rhythm of the tracks.
聞いてもらうさリズム and ブルース
Listen to this rhythm and blues.
知らない街で
In an unknown city.
チューチューガタゴト
The sound of the train."
Twilight moonlight
It's a beautiful time of day.
やめるさ humm
I'll stop, humm.
つかれたよ aha, ha
I'm really tired, aha, ha.
やめるさ
I'm done now.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Haruomi Hosono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@borntolose_livetowin
Hi everyone - here is the translation of the lyrics. Two remarks: "Kodama" is a slow train-line (it stops at all stations) and "Kobac" is actually a car garage service chain so I think it is probably a gambling slang word I can't find in a dictionary. The translation is not perfect, but it gives you a feeling what Mr. Hosono is singing about. Have fun!
--
ichiya akereba tabidachi / when the night dawns, the trip begins
okiru no wa yada ne / getting up is not likely
mochiron soto wa doshaburi / of course, it is heavy rain outside
eki made zubunure / until the train station, I’m soaked
oosaka atari de norikae / change in Osaka
shiranai gai he / going to a street I don’t know
chou chou gatagoto / cho cho, rattling
--
burakkujakku, kobakku / blackjack, kobac
hajimeriya kiri ga nai / when I go it doesn’t end
kodama hikari / kodama lights up
ugokeba tomaranai / if it goes, I don’t have to stay
yameru sa, tsukareta yo, yameru sa / I quit!, I tell you I’m worn-out, I quit!
--
boku wa yada ne konna no / For me, no chance, doing like this
tsukareru bakari / it only worns me out
sutaa ni narerya ii ne / if celebrities become used to it is ok
are wa ii ne / this is good, you know
gakutai kagyou wa akiaki / being in a band, I’m getting tired of
senro no ue ja kakegoto bakari / I only want to gamble on top of the rails
--
burakkujakku, kobakku / blackjack, kobac
hajimeriya kiri ga nai / When I go it doesn’t end
kodama hikari / kodama lights up
ugokeba tomaranai / if it goes, I don’t have to stay
yameru sa, tsukareta yo, yameru sa / I quit!, I tell you I’m worn-out, I quit!
--
yatsu ga yatteiru / chaps doing it
rokku n rouru / rock’n‘ roll
are wa ii ne / this is good, you know
chotto mane suru / a little imitating
rokku n rouru / rock’n‘ roll
dare ga kiku no ka / who listens?
kiite morau sa / listen to me!
rokku n rouru / rock’n‘ roll
shiranai ga de / in a street I don’t know
chou chou gatagoto / cho cho, rattling
--
burakkujakku, kobakku / blackjack, kobac
hajimeriya kiri ga nai / When I go it doesn’t end
kodama hikari / kodama lights up
ugokeba tomaranai / if it goes, I don’t have to stay
yameru sa,tsukareta yo, yameru sa / I quit!, I tell you I’m worn-out, I quit!
@gustavoblanco4257
Ichiya akereba tabidachi
okiru no hayada ne
mochiron soto wado shaburi eki made zubu nure
Ōsaka atari de norikae shiranaimachi
e chūchūgatagoto
burakkujakku, kobakku hajimerya kiri ga nai
Kodama Hikari ugokeba tomaranai
yameru-sa, tsuka reta yo,
yameru sa
boku hayada ne kon'na no
tsuka reru bakari
sutā ni narerya ī ne are wa ī ne
gakutai kagyō wa Aki Aki
senro no ue ja kake-goto bakari
burakkujakku, kobakku hajimerya kiri ga nai
Kodama Hikari ugokeba tomaranai
yameru-sa, tsuka reta yo, yameru sa
yatsu ga yatte iru rokkunrōru
are wa ī ne
issun mane suru rokkunrōru
dare ga kiku no ka
kiite morau sa rokkunrōru shiranaimachi de
chūchūgatagoto
burakkujakku, kobakku hajimerya kiri ga nai
Kodama Hikari ugokeba tomarana
i yameru-sa, tsuka reta yo, yameru-sa
@jah-pw5ux
一夜明ければ旅立ち
起きるのはやだね
もちろん外はどしゃぶり
駅までずぶぬれ
大阪あたりで乗りかえ
知らない街へ
チューチューガタゴト
----
ブラックジャックコバック
始めりゃきりがない
こだまひかり
動けばとまらない
やめるさつかれたよやめるさ
----
僕はやだねこんなの
つかれるばかり
スターになれりゃいいね
あれはいいね
楽隊稼業はあきあき
線路の上じゃかけごとばかり
----
ブラックジャックコバック
始めりゃきりがない
こだまひかり
動けばとまらない
やめるさつかれたよやめるさ
@borntolose_livetowin
Hi everyone - here is the translation of the lyrics. Two remarks: "Kodama" is a slow train-line (it stops at all stations) and "Kobac" is actually a car garage service chain so I think it is probably a gambling slang word I can't find in a dictionary. The translation is not perfect, but it gives you a feeling what Mr. Hosono is singing about. Have fun!
--
ichiya akereba tabidachi / when the night dawns, the trip begins
okiru no wa yada ne / getting up is not likely
mochiron soto wa doshaburi / of course, it is heavy rain outside
eki made zubunure / until the train station, I’m soaked
oosaka atari de norikae / change in Osaka
shiranai gai he / going to a street I don’t know
chou chou gatagoto / cho cho, rattling
--
burakkujakku, kobakku / blackjack, kobac
hajimeriya kiri ga nai / when I go it doesn’t end
kodama hikari / kodama lights up
ugokeba tomaranai / if it goes, I don’t have to stay
yameru sa, tsukareta yo, yameru sa / I quit!, I tell you I’m worn-out, I quit!
--
boku wa yada ne konna no / For me, no chance, doing like this
tsukareru bakari / it only worns me out
sutaa ni narerya ii ne / if celebrities become used to it is ok
are wa ii ne / this is good, you know
gakutai kagyou wa akiaki / being in a band, I’m getting tired of
senro no ue ja kakegoto bakari / I only want to gamble on top of the rails
--
burakkujakku, kobakku / blackjack, kobac
hajimeriya kiri ga nai / When I go it doesn’t end
kodama hikari / kodama lights up
ugokeba tomaranai / if it goes, I don’t have to stay
yameru sa, tsukareta yo, yameru sa / I quit!, I tell you I’m worn-out, I quit!
--
yatsu ga yatteiru / chaps doing it
rokku n rouru / rock’n‘ roll
are wa ii ne / this is good, you know
chotto mane suru / a little imitating
rokku n rouru / rock’n‘ roll
dare ga kiku no ka / who listens?
kiite morau sa / listen to me!
rokku n rouru / rock’n‘ roll
shiranai ga de / in a street I don’t know
chou chou gatagoto / cho cho, rattling
--
burakkujakku, kobakku / blackjack, kobac
hajimeriya kiri ga nai / When I go it doesn’t end
kodama hikari / kodama lights up
ugokeba tomaranai / if it goes, I don’t have to stay
yameru sa,tsukareta yo, yameru sa / I quit!, I tell you I’m worn-out, I quit!
@whozz
Thank you, man. Your comment is of great value!
@rde4017
Great stuff from the grandson of Titanic survivor Masabumi Hosono.
@tammy-0
choo choo, gatagoto
my station, i love
@TheKramerful
Demarco brought you here don't even fucking lie
@Snowking587
+TheKramerful hell yeah sure did laddie
@HMalvido
+TheKramerful of course haha
@40paschal
why?
@EenMagnetron
Now he made his own version on his latest album
@tommont
you da mang, El Manso! Haruomi Hosono swings like nobody's bidness on this tune. Thx fer postin' it up my brutha!