There are at least two different artists using the name Boris.

1. a … Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two different artists using the name Boris.

1. a Japanese experimental metal band
2. a Dutch pop/soul singer

1. Boris are a Japanese experimental metal band formed in Tokyo in 1992. The band's original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Atsuo, bassist/rhythm guitarist Takeshi, lead guitarist Wata, and drummer Nagata. After Nagata's departure in 1996, Atsuo took over drums and the lineup has remained consistent to this day. Boris draw influence from a huge variety of styles including, but not limited to, psychedelic rock, punk rock, sludge metal, doom metal, drone metal, pop, noise, shoegaze, and ambient. The band's name is taken from a song on Melvins' album, Bullhead. They released their debut full-length album, Absolutego, on their own label, Fangs Anal Satan, in 1996. They've since gone on to release over 20 studio albums, as well as a number of EPs, singles, and collaborations on various labels around the world. They have an especially close collaborative relationship with Merzbow, having released three studio albums, a 12" EP, and two live albums with the noise artist as of 2016.

Boris saw a huge increase in popularity between 2003 and 2006 when Southern Lord reissued some of their works in North America, garnering them critical acclaim and recognition in Western music press. Pink, originally released in 2005 in Japan via Diwphalanx, was reissued in 2006 by Southern Lord and met with a very positive reception in the US. Blender magazine and SPIN magazine both named it one of the year's best albums. The album also made the top of the metal section in Canadian magazine Exclaim's reader's poll of that year, and was in the top 10 of Pitchfork Media's top 50 records of the year.

https://borisheavyrocks.com/

2. Boris (full name: Boris Titulaer, born in Venlo, The Netherlands, 3 October 1980) is a Dutch male soul/pop singer. He was the winner of the second season of the 'Idols' talents contest (2004) on Dutch TV. His first single, 'When You Think of Me', was a #1 hit in The Netherlands, selling over 80,000 copies and receiving platinum status. Boris' début album, Rely on Me (2004), was certified gold in The Netherlands (40,000+ copies) within one week.

Two more albums as Boris followed: Holy Pleasure (2006) and Live My Life (2009), but Boris' glory days seemed over. He resurfaced in later years using monikers such as Bo-Rush, I Am Boris and - most notably - Bo Saris. His only album under the latter name, entitled Gold (2014), seemed to re-ignite his career, but not much has been heard of him since.

Window Shopping
Boris Lyrics

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Hold me my sweet
Hold me love
Hold me god
And I shout
The sound for the soul
A portal
I travel through time
All my senses burn

The portal can learn
The portal can burn
Hold me
Hold me
Hold...

All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (And the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (On a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (If I was in L.A.)

California dreaming (California dreaming)
On such a winter's day...

All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (And the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (On a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (If I was in L.A.)

California dreaming (California dreaming)
On such a winter's day...

Hold me my sweet
Hold me love
Hold me god

Hold me
Hold...

Overall Meaning

The song "Window Shopping" by Boris is an interesting juxtaposition of two seemingly unrelated parts. The first part of the song is a lyrical expression of being lost in time, journeying through a portal that holds the power to burn and to learn. The singer calls to be held by his love, his god, and weaves in and out of vocalizations and utterances that evoke emotion and a sense of mystical longing. The second part of the song is a cover of The Mamas & The Papas' classic hit "California Dreamin'." The choice to splice in lyrics from a completely different song seems to provide a commentary on the nature of time, memory, and the experience of longing that is universal.

The connecting thread between the two parts is the use of stasis/persistence. While the first part of the song is constantly in motion, searching and exploring, the lyrics of "California Dreamin'" feel repetitive, highlighting the sense of being stuck or trapped. The singer's desire to be in L.A. to escape the cold and be "safe and warm" feels like a futile desire. These juxtapositions create a sense of longing, a feeling of being lost in time, in space, or in one's own thoughts.

Overall, this song is an example of Boris's willingness to experiment with different sounds, genres, and lyrics. Whether through cryptic, mystical lyrical conjuring or through covering a classic hit song and twisting it into something new, Boris has demonstrated a willingness to push boundaries in pursuit of new ideas.

Line by Line Meaning

Hold me my sweet
I want you to hug me, my love

Hold me love
I crave for your embrace, my love

Hold me god
I need someone to hold me, maybe even God

And I shout
I scream out

The sound for the soul
The noise resonates with my inner being

A portal
A doorway

I travel through time
I journey across the ages

All my senses burn
Every sensation within me feels intense

The portal can learn
The door is capable of gaining knowledge

The portal can burn
The doorway can also harm

Hold me
Wrap your arms around me