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.
Artichoke
Cibo Matto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I eat petals myself one by one
Until I feel enough
Until I lose to laugh
When I end to eat the last one
I will tear my drops
I will lose my lips
Though I can't stop plucking off
I can't see my core
I keep asking for you more and more
Can you peel my petals one by one?
Your hands are like a rusty knife
Are you gonna keep on peeling me?
Are you gonna keep on peeling me?
Are you gonna keep on peeling me?
What am I gonna be on the pan?
Will I be burnt black?
Can you squeeze a lemon on me?
A lemon on me?
Baby, baby, everything you want to feel
Baby, baby, everything you want to taste
Baby, baby, everything you want to feel
Baby, baby, everything you want to taste.
The lyrics of Cibo Matto's song Artichoke are a metaphor for the emotions and vulnerabilities of the singer. Like an artichoke, the singer's heart has many layers, and she is slowly peeling them away one by one, consuming them herself until she is satisfied. As she continues to do so, she is consumed by the emotions she feels, losing the ability to laugh and express joy.
The singer is aware of the risks of peeling away too much of herself, knowing that she may become vulnerable and raw, tearing drops and losing her lips. Despite this awareness, she can't stop herself from continuing to peel away the layers, and she desires someone else to help her - someone who can peel her petals, someone who can handle her emotions with care.
The last lines of the song are a plea for connection and intimacy, with the singer wanting to be everything her lover wants to feel and taste. Ultimately, Artichoke is a poignant and heartfelt exploration of the complexities and nuances of love and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is like an artichoke
The singer describes their heart as akin to an artichoke, with many layers that must be peeled away to reveal its core.
I eat petals myself one by one
The singer is peeling away the layers of their heart on their own, consuming each piece slowly and deliberately.
Until I feel enough
The singer continues to eat the petals until they feel satisfied.
Until I lose to laugh
Eating the petals eventually leads the artist to a state of sadness, where they can no longer find joy.
When I end to eat the last one
The artist recognizes that there is an end to the process of peeling away their heart.
I will tear my drops
Once the last layer has been removed, the singer will cry.
I will lose my lips
The emotional process is overwhelming and may render the singer speechless.
Though I can't stop plucking off
Despite the emotional toll, the artist continues to peel away their heart's layers.
I can't see my core
Despite their efforts, the artist is unable to fully reveal their core.
I keep asking for you more and more
The artist seeks help from another person, hoping they will be able to assist in revealing the artist's true self.
Can you peel my petals one by one?
The singer pleads with the other person to assist them in revealing their true self.
Your hands are like a rusty knife
The artist has some trepidation about allowing the other person to assist them, as they fear the process will be painful.
Are you gonna keep on peeling me?
The singer is unsure if they want the other person to continue helping them reveal their true self.
What am I gonna be on the pan?
The singer worries about what will become of them once their true self is revealed.
Will I be burnt black?
The singer fears the worst, that they will be damaged or hurt as a result of revealing their true self.
Can you squeeze a lemon on me?
The artist seeks comfort and care from the other person, hoping they will help alleviate the emotional toll.
Baby, baby, everything you want to feel
The artist acknowledges the other person's desires and needs, perhaps hoping that meeting those desires will lead to mutual comfort and support.
Baby, baby, everything you want to taste
The singer again acknowledges the other person's desires, perhaps hoping their mutual desires will lead to deeper connection and understanding.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: KUDSI ERGUNER, MIHO HATORI, YUKA HONDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind