The BoDeans worked with T-Bone Burnett on their debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, which appeared in 1986 to warm reviews. They recruited another big-name producer, Talking Head Jerry Harrison, to helm 1987's Outside Looking In, which found the band reduced to a trio after the departure of Hoffman. Outside Looking In broke into the Billboard Top 100, and the BoDeans grew their audience by touring alongside U2, appearing on Robbie Robertson's self-titled solo album, and receiving the honor of Best New Band by Rolling Stone magazine. By the time they released their third album, Home, in 1989, keyboardist Michael Ramos and drummer Danny Gayol had joined. This lineup stayed intact for the release of 1991's Black and White, but the BoDeans went without a drummer once again on their next recording, Go Slow Down.
Following the release of a double-disc live album, Joe Dirt Car, the band returned in 1996 with Blend. Around the time of Blend's release, "Closer to Free" -- a song that had originally appeared on 1993's Go Slow Down -- became a hit, due in large part to its exposure as the theme song for the TV show Party of Five. "Closer to Free" eventually cracked the Top 20, becoming the most successful single of the band's career. The BoDeans were arguably more popular than ever, but the band took a break during the late '90s, with both frontmen devoting time to their solo careers.
By 2004, the band had reconvened and signed with a new label, Zoe. Resolution was released that year, followed in 2005 by Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. Griffin left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Eric Holden, who appeared on 2008's Still. By this point, the bandmates had found a new home on 429 Records, and they remained with that label for the release of Mr. Sad Clown in 2010 and Indigo Dreams in 2011. That same year saw the departure of Llanas, citing "differences of opinion." The band's 11th studio album, American Made, arrived the following year on the band's own Free & Alive label, and was the first with Neumann as sole leader. The BoDeans toured extensively in support of the release, and in 2014 began work on their next studio project. Released in 2015, I Cant Stop featured a new BoDeans lineup anchored by Neumann, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Sam Hawksley, bassist Eric Holden, and drummer Kenny Aronoff, the latter a well-respected journeyman musician who had played on several BoDeans recording sessions in the '90s. In June 2016, the BoDeans brought out a single, "My Hometown," with the release benefiting the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The single was a preview of the group's next album; titled Thirteen, the 11-song set was released in April 2017.
Rickshaw Riding
BoDeans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rickshaw riding, oh with you
Rickshaw riding, oh with you
Lookin' at the word see it all rumblin' down
People in the street, they're runnin' all around
I wonder, but who can say?
I just want to be
Tokyo Rose, she's right above me
We'll see the rising sun
Will you be my mama-san?
[Chorus]
I'm takin' what I need
And I'm giving what I can
How much more can you ask of a man?
Take my hand and come with me
I just wanna be
Holdin' you close, near me touch me
Tokyo Rose, right above me
We'll see the risin' sun
Will you be my mama-san?
[Chorus: x2]
In "Rickshaw Riding," the BoDeans sing about their desire to be with someone they love while experiencing the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. The lyrics describe the chaos of the city, with people running around in the streets, but the singer only cares about being near their lover. They want to hold them close and be touched by them, while feeling the warmth of the rising sun. The song also references "Tokyo Rose," a nickname given to any of the various English-speaking female broadcasters of Japanese propaganda during World War II. The singer imagines Tokyo Rose being right above them, amplifying the sense of being in the midst of something overwhelming.
The lyrics also touch upon ideas of giving and taking in a relationship. The singer claims to be giving what they can but asks how much more can be asked of them. They want their lover to take their hand and come with them on this journey. The term "mama-san" is a reference to a term used in the Japanese sex trade, where it describes a woman who runs a brothel or bar and takes care of the workers. In the context of the song, it seems to be used as a term of affection.
Overall, "Rickshaw Riding" is a love song that uses the imagery of Tokyo to create a sense of excitement and urgency. The singer wants to be with their lover during this chaotic experience, and they are willing to give everything they can to make it happen.
Line by Line Meaning
Lookin' at the world see it all rumblin' down
Observing the world in chaos and turmoil
People in the street, they're runnin' all around
Witnessing people in panic and chaos
I wonder, but who can say?
Pondering on the uncertain nature of events
I just want to be
Desiring a simple and fulfilling life
Holding you close, near me touch me
Being physically close and intimate with the person they love
Tokyo Rose, she's right above me
Referencing the historical figure of Tokyo Rose as a symbol of Japanese culture
We'll see the rising sun
Expecting a new beginning or hope
Will you be my mama-san?
Asking the person they love to be their caretaker or companion
I'm takin' what I need
Prioritizing personal needs and desires
And I'm giving what I can
Trying to be generous within their limitations
How much more can you ask of a man?
Expressing a struggle to meet expectations
Take my hand and come with me
Inviting the person they love on their journey
Chorus
Expressing the desire to enjoy rickshaw riding with the person they love
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KURT R. NEUMANN, SAMUEL J. LLANAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind