(1) Cornel… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three bands/musicians using this name:
(1) Cornelius (born Keigo Oyamada (小山田圭吾 Oyamada Keigo) 27 January 1969 in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese recording artist and producer. His name is a reference to the Planet of the Apes chimpanzee character of the same name played by Roddy MacDowall. Oyamada's first claim to fame was as a member of the pop duo, Flipper's Guitar, one of the key groups of the Tokyo Shibuya-kei scene. Following the disbandment of Flipper's Guitar in 1991, Oyamada donned the "Cornelius" moniker and embarked on a successful solo career, while also producing for Pizzicato Five.
Cornelius's musical style is often described as being similar to Beck's, whom he acknowledges influenced him along with The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Primal Scream, among others.
The music of Cornelius could be described as experimental and exploratory, and often incorporates dissonant elements alongside more familiar harmonically "pleasing" sounds. This tension, plus his practice of bringing in sounds and samples from mass culture, pure electronic tones, and sounds from nature (see his Point album) lead him to being sometimes categorized as an "acquired taste."
He chose his pseudonym in tribute to the character of the same name from the movie Planet of the Apes. He commissioned a song, about himself, on Momus's 1999 album Stars Forever.
Oyamada married fellow musician and collaborator Takako Minekawa in 2000. The couple later divorced in 2012.
(2) Cornelius is also an emotional/blackmetal/hardcore band from Mainz, Germany.
(3) Cornelius was also a mid-90's hardcore / emo band from North Carolina. They released a Discography, "Sounds Like Summer," on Assorted Porkchops. Recorded 1994-1996, .
Omstart
Cornelius Lyrics
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C'mon, say yeaaaaaaaaaah ("yeeeeaaaah")
Lemme hear you say yeaaaaaaaah, it goes a-one, two, three and
[beat switches to Billy Squire's "The Big Beat" a/k/a "Here We Go"]
Here we go, here we go
Here we go, here we go, here-we-here-we-here we go
These are the dollars and the drug's gonna flow
Mo' money-money-money-money-money mo'
Taxin' your dollars, takin' all their dough
Mo' money-money-money-money-money mo'
Numbers runnin' money, funny money go
Mo' money-money-money-money-money mo'
Stop by the cop, 5-0, HERE WO GO!
Mo' money-money-money-money-money mo'
[beat switches to "Beats To The Rhyme"]
Hello everybody, look a-how do you do
The matter wit the? fatter? is the matter with with you
We never been soft, til' the? comin' true
Until the sucka-sucka-sucka yo, this is for you!
[Jam Master Jay cuts]
Beats To The Rhyme, Beats To The Rhyme, Beats-Beats-Beats-Beats
[Run]
Beats To The Rhyme of the rhyme I just made
Party at the jam and tonight the lights fade
Trooping for the loot so we all get paid
So let's go.
("That... was... good... huh?")
[D.M.C.]
Yo! D that's me, the King, the MC
Rhyme get mine on the t-o-p
Can another MC ever [fuck] with ME?! ("HELL NO!")
[Run-D.M.C.]
It's like the A the B to the C
It's easier than ("1, 2, 3")
("He's Jam Master Jay", "I'm D.M.C.")
So Hit It, Run! [Run beatboxes]
("That... was... good... huh?")
It's time for we to cease (So what?)
So rhymers speak your peace
Why? Cause you can't touch ("Jam Master Jay")
Cause he's number ("1, 2, 3, 4, HIT IT!")
Dance to the rhythm, the rhyme, the cold flow
Chance to give 'em is done I told yo
For these routines like 1983.
It's just a little reminder, so those suckas is kinder
A little message from...("Ru-Ru-Run-Run-Run-D.M.C.")
[Run]
Cuts for days will amaze and maze
But will make you sad to tan all the dance a-ways
Got the mic, the man, the master plan
'Bout to ram the jam, ("Know I am?") GOD.
Spins he wins, clocking endless ends
To his friends he lends, lotta joy he sends
Jay lose today, this is what I say
("[UGH] IN YOUR MOUTH ALL DAY!")
[Run-DMC (Jam Master Jay)]
Just pump your fist like this, everybody
Just pump your fist like this (yeah, yeah)
Just pump your fist like this (one mo' time)
Pump your fist like this (UGH!)
[D.M.C.]
My beats were played and laid rhymes made
Jay DJ'ed and I got paid
Made something out of nuttin, (Yo D, that's true)
Yes my brother I would do it for you
I roam in the zone of the microphone
And I'm on the throne but I'm not alone
Got bones of steel and not of stone
I'm known to be prone and make your momma... moan
(OHHHHHHH!)
[Run]
Time for the rhyme so let the stars shine
Shame for the fame and the name combined
Run for the fun but you can gimme your ring
Show, I gotta go, so now a word from the King
[D.M.C.]
Hardcore! Rhymes galore! Giving you more!
And like I said BEFOOOOOOOORE.
"Beats To The Rhyme" the name of this jam
D, that's me and that's who I am
Rocking on the mic cause you know I can
You gotta understand I don't give a... DAMN!
[Run]
Jay hit a play today I must say
Hooray to the way that is A-OK
As we wax the tracks all the DJ's play
With... ("[UGH] IN YOUR MOUTH...")
A lil'... ("[UGH] IN YOUR MOUTH...")
A BIG... ("[UGH] IN YOUR MOUTH ALL DAY!")
[crowd cheers]
C'mon, say yeaaaaaaaaaah ("yeeeeaaaah")
Encouragement to the audience to respond with enthusiasm
Lemme hear you say yeaaaaaaaah, it goes a-one, two, three and
Encouragement to the audience to respond with enthusiasm and anticipation of a performance
Here we go, here we go
A signal that a performance is starting or about to start
Here we go, here we go, here-we-here-we-here we go
A repetition of the signal that a performance is starting or about to start
These are the dollars and the drug's gonna flow
A statement about the relationship between money and drugs
Mo' money-money-money-money-money mo'
A reference to the desire to acquire more money
Taxin' your dollars, takin' all their dough
A statement about government taking money from citizens through taxes
Numbers runnin' money, funny money go
A reference to illegal gambling and the circulation of counterfeit money
Stop by the cop, 5-0, HERE WO GO!
A reference to police intervention in illegal activities and a return to the previous theme of money and drugs
Hello everybody, look a-how do you do
A friendly greeting to the audience
The matter wit the? fatter? is the matter with with you
An insult directed at someone who is overweight
We never been soft, til' the? comin' true
A statement of authenticity and credibility for the performers
Until the sucka-sucka-sucka yo, this is for you!
An insult directed at someone who is foolish or easily deceived
Beats To The Rhyme, Beats To The Rhyme, Beats-Beats-Beats-Beats
A repetition of the title of the song and a reference to the musical sound of the performance
Beats To The Rhyme of the rhyme I just made
A reference to the musical sound of the performance and a repetition of the title of the song
Party at the jam and tonight the lights fade
A reference to a concert or live music event
Trooping for the loot so we all get paid
A reference to making money from the performance
So let's go.
A call to action for the audience to enjoy the performance
Yo! D that's me, the King, the MC
Introduction of the performer D.M.C. as a skilled rapper
Rhyme get mine on the t-o-p
A reference to D.M.C.'s rhyming skills and dominance in the industry
Can another MC ever [fuck] with ME?! ("HELL NO!")
A challenge to other rappers to compete with D.M.C.'s skill and a confident response
It's like the A the B to the C
A comparison between the simplicity of alphabet letters and the easy flow of the musical performance
It's easier than ("1, 2, 3")
A reference to the simplicity of the performance and an encouragement to the audience to participate
("He's Jam Master Jay", "I'm D.M.C.")
A repetition of the performers' names and their roles in the performance
So Hit It, Run! [Run beatboxes]
A call to action for the performer Run to make a musical contribution and participation in a rap battle or an exchange in verses between the performers
It's time for we to cease (So what?)
A statement about the end of a performance or the completion of a task
So rhymers speak your peace
Encouragement for other rappers to showcase their skills
Cause you can't touch ("Jam Master Jay")
A reference to Jam Master Jay's skills as a disc jockey
Cause he's number ("1, 2, 3, 4, HIT IT!")
A repetition of the performer's name and their respective skills and roles in the performance
Dance to the rhythm, the rhyme, the cold flow
A reference to the musical elements that make the performance unique and enjoyable
Chance to give 'em is done I told yo
A statement about the ending of the performance and the experience gained through the performance
For these routines like 1983.
A reference to an earlier time period in music and the popularity of certain musical routines
It's just a little reminder, so those suckas is kinder
An encouragement to be kind and respectful, even in competitive situations
A little message from...("Ru-Ru-Run-Run-Run-D.M.C.")
A playful reference to the performers and their names
Cuts for days will amaze and maze
A reference to the skills of the disc jockey and the complexity of the musical arrangements
But will make you sad to tan all the dance a-ways
A reference to the exhaustion that can come from dancing or performing
Got the mic, the man, the master plan
A reference to the performer's equipment, individual talent, and preparation for the performance
'Bout to ram the jam, ("Know I am?") GOD.
An expression of confidence and dominance in the performance
Spins he wins, clocking endless ends
A reference to the success and talent of the disc jockey
To his friends he lends, lotta joy he sends
A statement about the disc jockey's positive influence on the audience
Jay lose today, this is what I say
A playful reference to a possible loss by Jam Master Jay and a continuation of the theme of competition and hip-hop culture
([UGH] IN YOUR MOUTH ALL DAY!)
A playful and vulgar phrase that continues the playful, competitive spirit of the performance
Just pump your fist like this, everybody
An invitation to the audience to participate in the performance and react with enthusiasm
Pump your fist like this (yeah, yeah)
A repetition of the invitation to the audience to participate and react with enthusiasm
Pump your fist like this (one mo' time)
A repetition and a final invitation to the audience to participate and react with enthusiasm
Pump your fist like this (UGH!)
A playful expression of enthusiasm and excitement
My beats were played and laid rhymes made
A reference to the success of the performer's rhymes in the performance and the critical role of the disc jockey
Jay DJ'ed and I got paid
A reference to the business and financial aspects of the performance
Made something out of nuttin, (Yo D, that's true)
A reference to the performer's creativity and a pride in building something original from simple raw materials
Yes my brother I would do it for you
A statement of loyalty to a friend or group member and a reference to the importance of teamwork and collaboration in the performance
I roam in the zone of the microphone
A reference to the performer's comfort and expertise in performing on the microphone
And I'm on the throne but I'm not alone
A reference to the performer's success and the support and collaboration of other performers in the industry
Got bones of steel and not of stone
A reference to the performer's strength and resilience in a competitive industry
I'm known to be prone and make your momma... moan
A playful and provocative reference to the performer's prowess with rhymes and wordplay
(OHHHHHHH!)
A playful expression of admiration or approval from the audience
Time for the rhyme so let the stars shine
A reference to the performance and a call to action for the performers
Shame for the fame and the name combined
A playful reference to the importance of reputation and recognition in the industry
Run for the fun but you can gimme your ring
A reference to the joy and excitement of performing and the possibility of winning a prize or recognition
Show, I gotta go, so now a word from the King
A playful reference to the performer's role as a central figure in the performance and a closing statement
Hardcore! Rhymes galore! Giving you more!
A playful and enthusiastic statement about the performance and a promise to deliver more talent and creativity
And like I said BEFOOOOOOOORE.
A playful repetition of a phrase from earlier in the performance
"Beats To The Rhyme" the name of this jam
A reference to the title of the song and the musical theme of the performance
D, that's me and that's who I am
A repetition of the performer's name and a reminder of their individual style and talent
Rocking on the mic cause you know I can
A reference to the performer's talent and confidence in performing
You gotta understand I don't give a... DAMN!
A confident and assertive statement about the performer's attitude towards the industry and the performance
Jay hit a play today I must say
A reference to Jam Master Jay's contribution to the performance
Hooray to the way that is A-OK
A playful and enthusiastic expression of approval and appreciation for the performance
As we wax the tracks all the DJ's play
A reference to the creative and technical role of the disc jockey in the performance
With... ("[UGH] IN YOUR MOUTH...")
A playful and provocative phrase that continues the playful, competitive spirit of the performance
A lil'... ("[UGH] IN YOUR MOUTH...")
A repetition and a continuation of the playful and provocative theme of the previous line
A BIG... ("[UGH] IN YOUR MOUTH ALL DAY!")
A final and big expression of the playful, competitive, and provocative spirit of the performance
(crowd cheers)
An enthusiastic response from the audience
Writer(s): Keigo Oyamada Copyright: Invisible Handshake
Contributed by Elijah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
michael haddan
There's no one like Cornelius. Love~~~
Nulberry Official
Cornelius is better than we deserve <3
jo t
beautiful track, mesmerising video <3
gitm61
Breath taking clay animation and then all in shades of white and grey - love it.
Mael L.
Beautiful hommage to Bi Kyo Ran, a superb japanese band from the 70s (at least I think it is)
Jimandthegringos
It 'a scandal that one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life, has only 5359 views. Shame on you, my friends! Where are you? Capolavoro assoluto. Grandissimo Cornelius!!!
Blue Navy
Listening to this song makes me feel good.
concrete_jungleshaman
wow...grateful to have discovered this
Christos Tsanakas
PERFECT!
nev barrett
The live version in the Ultimate Sensuous Synchronized Show DVD is performed even better than this studio version. Such an amazing & talented band.