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.
Backseat
Cibo Matto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I may find love within a short block
If I turn to the left at the corner
I might find an affair in the long way
I might step on a stone and hurt myself
I might step on a stone and hurt myself
Which way should I go now?
Tell me now
'Cause I can't be in the back seat of love anymore
When I turn to the right at the corner
I may see the rough road you've been down
When I turn to the left at the corner
I might see all the stones you have thrown
I might feel alone with a silence
Does the map that you have show my home?
Which way should I go now? Should I keep on going this way
Tell me now
'Cause I can't be in the backseat of love
If I turn to the right at the corner
I may find love within a short block
If I turn to the left at the corner
I may find an affair in the long way
I might step on a stone and hurt myself
I might step on a stone and hurt myself
Which way should I go now?
Should I keep on going this way?
Tell me now
'Cause I can't be in the backseat of love anymore
The song "Backseat" by Cibo Matto is a contemplative reflection on the confusion and uncertainty that exists when it comes to choosing between love and lust. The first verse describes two options - turn right for love or left for an affair. This decision is likened to stepping on a stone and getting hurt, making it clear that either choice may result in pain. The second verse suggests that the singer is trying to understand the person they are interested in by exploring the roads they have traveled and the stones they have thrown. However, this exploration leaves them feeling alone and questioning if the other person really knows them at all.
Throughout the song, the repeated refrain of "Which way should I go now?" emphasizes the feeling of being lost and unsure about how to proceed. The use of the metaphor of a corner and directions suggests that the choice between love and lust is often presented as a binary decision, but it is not always clear which path is the right one. The final line, "Tell me now, 'Cause I can't be in the backseat of love anymore," conveys a sense of determination and agency - the singer is tired of being a passive participant in their own love life and wants to take control of their own destiny.
Overall, "Backseat" is a powerful and relatable song about the struggles and complexities of choosing between love and lust, and the need to assert oneself in matters of the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
If I turn to the right at the corner
I may find love nearby
I may find love within a short block
I could find love just a few steps away
If I turn to the left at the corner
I might find an affair that takes longer to reach
I might find an affair in the long way
It's possible for me to find romance further down the road
I might step on a stone and hurt myself
I could hurt myself along the way
I might step on a stone and hurt myself
There might be unforeseen obstacles that could cause me injury
Which way should I go now?
Which direction will lead me to happiness?
Should I keep on going this way?
Will staying on course bring me what I'm looking for?
Tell me now
Please offer guidance for my journey
'Cause I can't be in the back seat of love anymore
I need to take control of my love life and not let others dictate it for me
When I turn to the right at the corner
If I choose this way
I may see the rough road you've been down
I could discover the challenges that someone else has endured
When I turn to the left at the corner
If I choose to go that way
I might see all the stones you have thrown
I could witness the hurt someone has caused others with their actions
I might feel alone with a silence
I could be left feeling isolated and unheard
Does the map that you have show my home?
Do you truly understand where I come from and what I want in life?
'Cause I can't be in the backseat of love
I want to be in charge of my own romantic journey
If I turn to the right at the corner
There might be a chance for me to find my soulmate
If I turn to the left at the corner
There may be an opportunity for me to engage in a casual fling
Which way should I go now?
I need help deciding the best course of action for my love life
Should I keep on going this way?
Do I need to continue down my current path or switch things up?
Tell me now
Guide me towards a fulfilling romantic experience
'Cause I can't be in the backseat of love anymore
I refuse to be passive in my pursuit of love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MIHO HATORI, SEAN ONO LENNON, TIMO ELLIS, YUKA HONDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind