For 11 years, Clive almost never left his room in his family’s home outside of Sapporo on Hokkaido, Japan’s huge northern island. “I was hikikomori,” Clive explains, one of almost a million boys and young men in Japan who shut themselves away and withdraw from society. In Clive’s case, he stopped going to school and retreated to his room after sustained episodes of vicious hazing and harassment by older students, a chronic problem in Japanese public schools.
But even before his own withdrawal when he was 14, Clive had first-hand experience of what silence and isolation was like. “My grandfather was a Soviet prisoner of war until 1949. He was a very young soldier in the [Japanese] army in Manchuria towards the end of the Pacific War [World War II] and was a POW many years longer than he was a soldier.” He married when he returned and seemed OK. But while watching the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, he saw the Soviet Union flag carried by Russian athletes, and something snapped. He did not speak another word for 20 years.
When Clive became hikikomori in 1991, he had no computer or Internet for amusement, only books and magazines that his parents would leave by his door, on a tray with his meals, and television. One day, his older sister put in front of his door a big box of her cast-off magnetic tape cassettes of 70’s and 80’s disco music. At night, Clive’s family heard him dancing and singing along. Which gave his mother an idea. One New Year’s Day, his mother left a Yamaha DX7 keyboard outside his room. As a young boy, Clive had learned to play the violin and recorder through the Suzuki method. Alone, he taught himself how to play the piano keyboard, using only the instruction manual. And Clive started writing his own music. He credits the music with helping him gradually emerge from isolation in 2002, although he remains painfully shy.
Some listeners describe Clive’s music as retro, reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder, Cerrone, ABBA, Andy Gibb, Paradise Frame, Zapp & Roger, Toto, Grandmaster Flash, Fatback, and Kool & The Gang. One reason may be because of the influence of his sister’s tape cassettes. “I played them over and over and over, and it started to bother my sister and my parents. Japanese houses have thin walls so even when I turned the volume down, it annoyed them. My sister slipped a note under the door that said, ‘I will buy you some current popular rock music if you will just please stop playing my old cassettes! I didn’t mind hearing those songs the first thousand times but I don’t like them anymore.’ The next day, there was a pair of headphones outside my door!”
Neu Chicago
Clive Tanaka y su orquesta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you′re looking for someone new
Don't you, don′t you try to lie
I've seen the longing glimmer in your eyes
So you're digging a shallow grave
For your heart because it won′t behave
I′ll grab a shovel, you grab a spade
And we'll dig that shallow grave
Someone to hold you tight
My darling, can′t you see
That someone is me?
So your old love is through
And you're looking for someone new
Don′t you, don't you try to lie
I′ve seen the longing in your eyes
So you're digging a shallow grave
For your heart because it won't behave
I′ll grab a shovel, you grab a spade
And we′ll dig that shallow grave
You need someone tonight
Someone to hold you tight
My darling, can't you see
That someone is me?
The song "Neu Chicago" by Clive Tanaka y su orquesta is about someone who has just ended a relationship and is looking for a new partner. The singer is trying to convince the person that they are the one they need to be with. The lyrics suggest that the person is not being entirely truthful about their feelings, as the singer has "seen the longing glimmer in your eyes" and they know that the person is "digging a shallow grave" for their heart because it won't behave. The lines "I'll grab a shovel, you grab a spade, and we'll dig that shallow grave" are a metaphor for the singer's willingness to help the person move on from their past relationship.
The chorus repeats the message that the person needs someone tonight and that someone is the singer. The lyrics are straightforward, but they convey a sense of urgency and passion. The singer is confident that they can provide the comfort and love that the person needs, and they are not afraid to let their feelings be known.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a plea for a new love. The singer is trying to convince the person that they are the one they need and that they can help them move on from their past relationship. The lyrics are simple but effective in conveying the message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
So your old love is through
It seems like you have ended your previous relationship.
And you're looking for someone new
You are currently searching for a new romantic partner.
Don′t you, don′t you try to lie
You should not attempt to deceive anyone, including yourself.
I've seen the longing glimmer in your eyes
I have noticed the desire or yearning in your gaze.
So you're digging a shallow grave
It seems like you are intentionally harming or sabotaging your heart.
For your heart because it won′t behave
You are disappointed or aggravated by your emotions, as they are not meeting your expectations.
I′ll grab a shovel, you grab a spade
Let's work together to address your emotional struggles.
And we'll dig that shallow grave
We will try to identify and address the issues causing your emotional pain.
You need someone tonight
You are in need of emotional support or comfort as soon as possible.
Someone to hold you tight
You desire physical intimacy or closeness with someone.
My darling, can′t you see
I am hoping that you will understand what I am about to say.
That someone is me?
I am willing to be the person who will offer you emotional and physical support.
Writer(s): G Kenny
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Pedro Victor Placides
So your old love is through
And you're looking for someone new
Don't you, don't you try to lie
I've seen the longing glimmer in your eyes
So you're digging a shallow grave
For your heart because it won't behave
I'll grab a shovel, you grab a spade
And we'll dig that shallow grave
You need someone tonight
Someone to hold you tight
My darling, can't you see
That someone is me?
So your old love is through
And you're looking for someone new
Don't you, don't you try to lie
I've seen the longing in your eyes
So you're digging a shallow grave
For your heart because it won't behave
I'll grab a shovel, you grab a spade
And we'll dig that shallow grave
You need someone tonight
Someone to hold you tight
My darling, can't you see
That someone is me?
FLAPPER FROM 1921
This is an amazing example by default of how a good song can go huge when remixed and marketed with huge amounts of money to see the process through. Look how many names are on the label of Nicki's remix? I'm happy. He reached millions because he had a great song that they knew could be remixed into the stratosphere. It's a blessing in disguise. I hope everyone involved can come to an agreement. Clive is clearly just about the music. That's why he's so creative.
reifsneider
The lawsuit hitting the media headlines was awesome. because i discovered this awesome song and i get to listen to it all the time. This song has a direct impact on the human need to be at a beach, someone get me a beer.
Robee Nero
Actually, it is in the same "key" as Starships, you can quite easily blend both songs together, they have they same 3 to 4 chords used in the same way too. Nicki's version has much more production quality,(beats, samples) and other added instruments that make it more pop radio friendly, however, the essence of the song is the same. Most likely some people in her camp heard Clive's song, liked it and simply made a version for Nicki to sing oveer knowing that she would make it popular.
Infinitefreefall
This music video and song are absolutely perfect. Amazing work, Clive (and orchestra)
tallboy86
even though his music is something to be heard in a club, clive tanaka was actually a reclusive shut-in in japan. his sister brought over a keyboardone day and thus began his love of music as well as the start of ending his shut-in life.
pretty inspiring what music can do!!
Artgagnemince
Just came across this song today. It was ages since I listened to it. Brings back good memories. Such a good song!!!
Digisplice101
I love Clive's music. So chill to listen to! Has anyone seen his new music video for "All Night, All right"?
FLAPPER FROM 1921
Well, I think Clive Tanaka has a great future producing hits for others now. This issue w/copyright problems is a blessing in disguise. Finding a producer who creates unique music that is all their own isn't as easy as it seems anymore. Who knows? Maybe Nicki will embrace his music and ask him to write her some more. There's always a silver lining under every cloud. He's unique. I hope artists will embrace his lyrics because they are clean and bright like his music. He's real good.
Adanice
Od my God me habían comentado de una tal canción llamada Starships jamás pense que fuese tan buena, mis felicitaciones a Clive Tanaka
jaydude25
Awesome music and video, Great job Clive :)