There are at least three bands/musicians using this name:

(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, .

Smoke
Cornelius Lyrics

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It was around 5 p.m.
Lit Up, took a deep breathe
A cloud floating in sight
Smoke
Look at the eyes, look at night
Look at the eyes, deep into the eyes

Look carefully inside

Smoke
Where now? Where's that?
Just now. Where's that?

In a journey, in the smoke
Smoke

Overall Meaning

The song "Smoke" by Cornelius describes the experience of smoking and the view of smoke. The opening lines of the song set the scene, with the singer lighting up a cigarette around 5 p.m. and taking a deep breath, while observing a cloud of smoke floating in their sight. The focus then shifts to the eyes, which the singer suggests should be looked at deeply, perhaps to reflect on the meaning behind their smoking habits. The notion of looking inside is further emphasized later in the song when smoke is described as a journey, hinting at the introspective quality of smoking.

The lyrics of "Smoke" also suggest a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The repeated line "Where now? Where's that?" seems to indicate a feeling of being lost or searching for direction, perhaps within oneself. The mention of a journey through the smoke further reinforces this idea of searching, a journey that the singer and the listener are invited to undertake together.

Overall, "Smoke" can be interpreted as a reflection on the personal experience of smoking, perhaps even a metaphor for the human search for meaning and understanding. The introspective and uncertain qualities of the lyrics make the song a thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche.

Line by Line Meaning

It was around 5 p.m.
The start of an evening where something significant began.

Lit Up, took a deep breathe
Taking a cigarette and inhaling it deeply, ready to relax.

A cloud floating in sight
The visible cloud of smoke as it floats, taking on various shapes.

Smoke
Referencing the physical act of smoking and the resulting smoke.

Look at the eyes, look at night
Observing the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding environment.

Look at the eyes, deep into the eyes
Encouraging the listener to delve deeper and take a closer look.

Look carefully inside
Encouraging introspection, examining thoughts and feelings.

Smoke
Referencing the physical act of smoking and the resulting smoke.

Where now? Where's that?
Questioning one's current position and location.

Just now. Where's that?
Relating to the fleeting nature of time and the difficulty in grasping onto the present moment.

In a journey, in the smoke
The journey of life and how it can feel shrouded in confusion and uncertainty, obscured by the smoke.