CocoRosie began as a duo, with Sierra singing, playing the guitar, piano and harp, and Bianca singing and manipulating various children's toys, electronic and percussion instruments, as well as other exotic noisemakers. They subsequently added various backing musicians, usually a bassist, keyboardist, and beatboxer. They have been a very active touring group, playing across Europe, the United States, and elsewhere.
They have released seven full-length albums: La maison de mon rêve (2004), Noah's Ark (2005), The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (2007), Grey Oceans (2010), Tales of a GrassWidow (2013), Heartache City (2015) and Put the Shine On (2020).
In 2003, Bianca was growing restless and decided it was time for a change. Leaving her apartment in Brooklyn to travel the world, she ended up at Sierra's apartment in Paris. Over the course of the next two months, the women spent nearly every waking hour in Sierra's bathroom, chosen as the most acoustic and isolated room in the apartment. Soon, they had completed both a hip-hop recording (never released) called "word to the crow" and their proper debut album La Maison de Mon Rêve.
Originally, La Maison de Mon Rêve was only intended to be distributed within a close circle of friends. However, by 2004 the lo-fi album had been released on independent label Touch and Go Records, who had obtained a copy of the CD and had uncharacteristically pursued signing the artists. Since the creation of their first album, the Casady sisters have been virtually inseparable.
Stylistically they may be assigned to the indie rock, psychedelic folk, folktronica genres, and are sometimes associated with the New Weird America movement. Sierra, who studied operatic vocal techniques, takes the lead vocals and also plays guitar, harp and flute. Bianca is a percussionist and also beatboxes. The group also uses various objects such as toys to construct their unique sound. Popular indie bands such as The xx name them as a major influence.
They were actively touring during most of 2004, playing across the U.S. and throughout Europe with artists such as TV on the Radio, Bright Eyes, Battles, Devendra Banhart, and Busdriver among others.
Official website: http://www.cocorosiemusic.com
Japan
CocoRosie Lyrics
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It does flips and throws you over
Board your ship that's going nowhere
If you stop, you'll end up somewhere
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody wants to go to californ-I-a
To live their life on a sunny day
Dreaming of someone else's wife and kids (kids and wife)
But they'll be bringing you the same old shit (strife)
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody, just hold hands
Everybody wants to go to Jamaica
Queens in drag will surely fake you
Take you home, and then they'll rape you
But you like it, so say 'thank you'
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody, just hold hands
Now, everybody wants to go to Iraq
But once they go, they don't come back
Bringing peanut butter jelly and other snacks
We might have our freedom, but we're still on crack.
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Everybody, just hold hands
The lyrics to CocoRosie's song "Japan" explore the theme of escape and yearning for something different through various locations. The opening lines, "Life is like a rollercoaster, it does flips and throws you over," set the tone for the song's message that life is unpredictable and sometimes we want to escape from it. The lyrics then reference locations such as Japan, California, and Jamaica, and Iraq to depict different places people might want to escape to. However, the lyrics also hint at the idea that the grass is not always greener on the other side as each place comes with its own set of problems.
The chorus is repeated throughout the song, "Everybody wants to go to Japan, everybody, just hold hands," offering a sense of unity and shared desire. While the lyrics can be interpreted as playful and whimsical, they also hint at a deeper yearning for human connection and understanding.
Overall, "Japan" is a commentary on the human condition and our innate desire for escapism and connection. Through the use of different locations, the song illustrates the complexity of these desires and the potential consequences that come with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Life is like a rollercoaster
Life is a bumpy ride that takes unexpected turns
It does flips and throws you over
Life can be exhilarating and scary at the same time
Board your ship that's going nowhere
Choose your own path, even if it is uncertain
If you stop, you'll end up somewhere
In life, you have to keep moving to avoid being stuck in one place
Everybody wants to go to Japan
Japan represents a desired destination for many people
Everybody, just hold hands
We are all in this together and should support each other
Everybody wants to go to californ-I-a
Like Japan, California is seen as an attractive place to live
To live their life on a sunny day
People want to live in a place with good weather and a positive atmosphere
Dreaming of someone else's wife and kids (kids and wife)
People may fantasize about living a different life than their own
But they'll be bringing you the same old shit (strife)
No matter where you go, life will have its hardships and challenges
Everybody wants to go to Jamaica
Jamaica is also a desired destination for some people
Queens in drag will surely fake you
Stereotypes about Jamaica and its culture can be misleading or untrue
Take you home, and then they'll rape you
Violence can be a real danger in some places
But you like it, so say 'thank you'
Some people may be willing to accept bad treatment for the sake of experiencing something new or exciting
Now, everybody wants to go to Iraq
Iraq may be seen as an interesting or exotic place to some people
But once they go, they don't come back
Visiting Iraq can be dangerous or life-changing
Bringing peanut butter jelly and other snacks
Even in faraway places, people may crave familiar foods from home
We might have our freedom, but we're still on crack.
Even in places with relative safety and stability, problems like addiction can still exist
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PETER JACKSON, DP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind