After working together in the noise rock band Leitoh Lychee, Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda formed Cibo Matto around 1994. While recording tracks for their first album, Viva! La Woman, they collaborated with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's Russell Simmons and others, on a side project called Butter 08. The album was released in 1996.
They later enlisted band members Sean Lennon, Timo Ellis and Duma Love to help record their Super Relax EP and final full-length album, Stereo Type A. While Viva! La Woman had strong hip-hop and trip-hop elements, Stereo Type A leaned more more towards their rock, pop and Latin side. The group continued to play live concerts until disbanding near the end of 2001. Yuka Honda went on to release solo albums and continued to collaborate with Sean, while Miho Hatori moved onto bossa nova, teaming up with guitarist Smokey Hormel to form Smokey & Miho, then joining Gorillaz for their self-titled first album and eventually releasing her own solo album.
In 1997, the band guest-performed on the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer's second season premiere in the fictional club The Bronze, performing "Spoon" and "Sugar Water".
Since the break-up in 2001, their songs have been played in many different places, including the video game Jet Set Radio Future. "Birthday Cake" was featured in the Kids in the Hall's feature-length film, Brain Candy.
The band announced their reunion on March 18, 2011, to perform as part of a benefit concert for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The concert, which took place on March 27 at Columbia University in New York City also included Yoko Ono, John Zorn, Sonic Youth, and Mike Patton, among others. Following on the success of this show, a second was added, this time featuring the Plastic Ono Band and Patti Smith along with Cibo Matto. They've since performed at the Hollywood Bowl on June 26 in another benefit with Yellow Magic Orchestra. Cibo Matto then went on their formal US reunion tour titled "Yeah Basically Cibo Matto." The tour's first part was from June 21 to June 26 at the Hollywood Bowl and the second part was July 12 to July 20 with stops in NYC, Chicago, Toronto, Washington, D.C. and Boston.
Cibo Matto released Hotel Valentine, their first album in 15 years, on Valentine's Day 2014 through Chimera Music, a label founded by Sean Lennon. They are touring the United States with Salt Cathedral and their current drummer Yuko Araki, as well as guest musicians on some songs.
9Mm
Cibo Matto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before I get my way
Got to feel my head
Nothing to say
Got to feel my head
All over the place
All over the place
It's too macho
I don't own a 9 millimeter
It's too macho
I don't own a 9 millimeter
It's too macho
I don't own a 9 millimeter
It's too macho
Got to see my face
Kept on floating away
Got to see my face
While you complain
Got to see my face
From this calm place
Think it's gonna break
Number 28
Room number 28
Got to feel my head
Gonna get my way
Got to feel my head
Nothing to say
Got to feel my head
Think it's gonna break
It's too macho
The lyrics of Cibo Matto's "9mm" appear to be a stream of consciousness reflection on the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The first stanza uses the repetition of "Got to feel my head" to convey a sense of needing to check in with one's own emotions before taking action. This is then followed by "Nothing to say," indicating a reluctance to speak or act without first assessing the situation. The repetition of "All over the place" underscores a sense of being overwhelmed or scattered.
The second stanza begins by directly addressing the title of the song - "I don't own a 9 millimeter / It's too macho." This may be interpreted as a rejection of violent or hyper-masculine behavior, with the singer choosing not to lean into perceived notions of toughness. The repetition of this phrase reinforces the rejection of these ideals.
The song then returns to a more abstract meditation on the self, with "Got to see my face / Kept on floating away" suggesting a struggle to define oneself or maintain a sense of self-awareness. The shift to addressing another person with "While you complain" suggests an external conflict that the singer may be trying to navigate. The final repetition of "Think it's gonna break" imbues the lyrics with a sense of inevitability and tension.
Overall, the lyrics of "9mm" are open to interpretation but seem to touch on themes of emotional awareness, conflict resolution, and societal expectations of toughness.
Line by Line Meaning
Got to feel my head
I need to think things through and clear my mind before making any decisions or taking actions.
Before I get my way
I can only proceed with something once I have a clear understanding of what I want and how to achieve it.
Nothing to say
Sometimes it's better to stay quiet and reflect rather than speak impulsively and regret it later.
All over the place
My thoughts and emotions are scattered and disorganized, making it hard for me to focus or make sense of things.
I don't own a 9 millimeter
I am not someone who feels the need to assert their masculinity or toughness through violence.
It's too macho
The idea of owning a gun and using it to solve problems or prove oneself is archaic and harmful.
Got to see my face
I need to look within myself and confront my own flaws and insecurities rather than deflecting or blaming others.
Kept on floating away
I am struggling to stay grounded and connected to reality, and feel like I am losing touch with myself and the world.
While you complain
Others may be focused on complaining or criticizing, but I am trying to work through my own issues and find solutions.
From this calm place
Despite the chaos and uncertainty around me, I am striving to find a sense of inner peace and stability.
Think it's gonna break
I am reaching a breaking point mentally and emotionally, and feel like I can't keep going like this for much longer.
Number 28
This could be a reference to a specific location or event that holds personal significance or trauma for the singer.
Room number 28
Again, this could be a specific place where something significant happened or that the singer is trying to process or escape from.
Writer(s): Rick Lee, Milke Mills, Miho Hatori, Russell Simmons, Russell Simins, Yuka Honda, Michael E. Mills
Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Levi Tate
Like an electric shock