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.
Theme
Cibo Matto Lyrics
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Ba ba ba ba ya, ba ya oh wa wa
Ba ba ba ba ya, ba ya
Ba ba ba ba ya, ba ya oh wa wa wa wa
It was such lovely weather, mmm yeah
The third day in Milano
I was sitting in a chair
The scent of his cappuccino was carried on the wind of Milano
He stared me up and downÂ
As if I was a restaurant menu
The accidental meetingÂ
Made my blood red like Chianti
Mio, ah mio, ah mio
Mio bambino
Mio, ah mio, ah mio
Mio bambino
Blindfold me, only feeling
Blindfold me, only feeling
Blindfold me, only feeling
When you touch me on the knee
I can feel your vibration
When you capture my secret key
I can hear your pulsation
Hit me!Â
In the night I can't sleep
In the night I can't sleep
You sweep me off my feet
My feet, my feet, my feet
Make my body burn
The song Theme by Cibo Matto is a compelling story of a woman who finds herself in the city of Milan. She is taking in the lovely weather when she is interrupted by a man who is staring her up and down. She feels like she is on a restaurant menu and this accidental meeting makes her feel red like Chianti. The scents of the city are intoxicating: the man's cappuccino, the city's wind, and the entire atmosphere of the city become a metaphor for the way this woman feels.
In the chorus of this song, she sings "Mio, ah mio, ah mio, Mio bambino" which means "My, oh my, my child." This line following her feelings of being on display and consumed leave the listener with the sense that she is yearning for something more than just being noticed: she wants a deeper connection that is safe and nurturing. The lyrics, "blindfold me, only feeling," suggest that the singer is willing to take risks and explore new sensations to find what she is looking for.
The repetition of "ba ya" in the opening lines and throughout the song bring a sense of playfulness and energy to the song. It almost feels like a child singing a catchy tune. The song is a rich tapestry of sound with catchy rhythms and enchanting melodies. The eclectic style of the song incorporates elements of rock, pop, and electronica, making it a unique work of art.
Line by Line Meaning
Ba ba ba ba ya, ba ya
Repetitive sounds that signify excitement or eagerness
Ba ba ba ba ya, ba ya oh wa wa
Continuation of the repetitive sounds with added excitement
It was such lovely weather, mmm yeah
The weather was very nice
The third day in Milano
Referring to a specific day in Milan, Italy
I was sitting in a chair
The artist was seated
The point of my high heel was stepping on a man's shadow
The singer's high heel was casting a shadow on a man, perhaps accidentally
The scent of his cappuccino was carried on the wind of Milano
The smell of the man's cappuccino was noticeable due to the wind in Milan
He stared me up and down
The man looked at the artist from head to toe
As if I was a restaurant menu
The man looked at the artist as if she were a list of options
The accidental meeting
The encounter with the man was unintended
Made my blood red like Chianti
The encounter made the singer flustered or embarrassed
Mio, ah mio, ah mio
Italian for 'mine' or 'my'
Mio bambino
Italian for 'my child' or could be used as an affectionate term for a lover
Blindfold me, only feeling
The singer wants to be aroused without seeing what is happening
When you touch me on the knee
Physical sensation caused by someone touching their knee
I can feel your vibration
The artist can sense the other person's energy or excitement
When you capture my secret key
The other person has the ability to unlock or arouse the artist
I can hear your pulsation
The singer can sense the other person's heartbeat
Hit me!
The singer wants to be physically dominated or aroused
In the night I can't sleep
The artist has trouble falling asleep
You sweep me off my feet
The other person is romantically captivating or exciting
My feet, my feet, my feet
Repetitive emphasis on the artist's feet, possibly due to dancing or movement
Make my body burn
The other person is arousing the singer both physically and emotionally
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MIHO HATORI, YUKA HONDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind