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.
Apple
Cibo Matto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You may feel something in your mind's eye
When the earth drinks in squall
You may plan to escape on the sly
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I heard her sobbing
I heard her singing
Her voice was gray beat
Oh, oh, oh, oh
When apple leaves fall
We will have to say good bye
When the earth drinks in squall
Your mind will be dry
I heard her sobbing
Her tears tasted so sweet
I heard her singing
Her voice was gray beatÂ
Oh, oh, oh, oh
The lyrics to Cibo Matto's song Apple are open to interpretation, as they are abstract and poetic. At first glance, it seems to be discussing the changing of seasons, as apple leaves falling and the earth drinking in squall suggest autumn weather. The first two lines suggest that this change may affect one's mind or emotions. Perhaps the colder weather and shorter days make people feel more introspective or down, causing them to want to escape.
The next set of lyrics repeat the same lines with slight variations, suggesting that with the changing of seasons comes an ending or saying goodbye to something, though it is not clear what that might be. It could represent changes or endings in relationships, jobs, or life in general. The final set of lyrics repeats the same lines again, suggesting that as the earth absorbs the rain and the leaves fall, the mind becomes dry or empty.
Throughout the song, there is a focus on sound and taste, as the singer describes hearing someone sobbing and singing, and tasting someone's tears. This adds an ethereal, almost supernatural element to the lyrics.
Overall, Apple is a melancholic and dreamlike song that invites the listener to reflect on the passage of time and the inevitability of change.
Line by Line Meaning
When apple leaves fall
As the leaves on the apple tree begin to drop, it may signal a change of season or the passing of time. This event can make one feel something emotionally or spiritually.
You may feel something in your mind's eye
The sight of falling apple leaves may create a feeling or image in one's mind that has a deeper meaning or significance.
When the earth drinks in squall
During a heavy rainfall, the earth absorbs the water to nourish plants and living organisms. However, this may also cause some people to feel trapped or want to leave the situation.
You may plan to escape on the sly
When faced with an uncomfortable situation, one may secretly plot a way to escape without drawing attention or causing conflict.
I heard her sobbing
The artist recalls hearing someone crying in distress or sadness.
Her tears tasted so sweet
Despite the negative emotions expressed through tears, there may be a bittersweet feeling of finding beauty or something positive in the situation.
I heard her singing
The singer recalls hearing a person expressing themselves musically, which can often be a form of emotional release or upliftment.
Her voice was gray beat
The sound of the person's voice had a melancholic or somber tone, like a monotonous beat.
We will have to say goodbye
Just as the apple leaves fall and the earth changes with the seasons, everything eventually comes to an end, including relationships and experiences.
Your mind will be dry
In the midst of a storm or difficult situation, one may feel drained or emotionally desensitized to further hardship.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MIHO HATORI, YUKA HONDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind