DJ Krush (Hideaki Ishi) was born in 1962 in Tokyo. Gifted producer & DJ wit… Read Full Bio ↴DJ Krush (Hideaki Ishi) was born in 1962 in Tokyo. Gifted producer & DJ with a superb sense in mixing and composing his sound who's been greatly received in the international club scene. At an early age, Ishii dropped out of school, and joined a local gang, and a few years later, Yakuza. It was the movie "Wild Style" that got him into hip hop in the early 80's, and in 1987, he formed Krush Posse which made numerous appearances in various media as the best hip hop act in Japan.

Krush began pursuing his solo career after the break-up of the group in late 1991, and soon grabbed people's attention as the first DJ to use turntables as live instruments, doing free sessions with live musicians on stage. He released his 1st album "Krush" in January 1994, and since then released countless records in Japan, Europe, US and around the globe. All his solo releases have ranked high in various charts in & out of Japan, and his 6th album "Zen" had been highly acclaimed and awarded the Best Electronica Album in 2002 AIFM Awards (US). His 8th album "Jaku" released in late 2004 has topped the RPM chart of CMJ for 3 weeks in the US. In March 2006, he released his first best albums in self-remixed style, "Stepping Stones", making another huge buzz around the globe. In March 2007, a historical collection of the 12 years of his career " Suimou Tsunenimasu" was released in Japan in a special DVD box.

Aside from his outer national activities as producer, remixer and DJ, he constantly expands his field from soundtracks for films, TV dramas & commercials to live sessions with various musicians that transcends music genre. In '98 spring, he formed a production unit with DJ Hide & DJ Sak named Ryu (流), collaborating with Nigerian percussionists and releasing a single & album from Polydor Japan. From the end of the year 2000, he also got involved in project which will be launching various projects to question worldwide issues in the 21st Century.

An internationally acclaimed producer, remixer and a DJ, producing music in vast variety of fields such as films, TV dramas and commercials. He has done countless collaborations with artists transcending genres, such as Grammy winning artist, from Black Thought (of The Roots) －provided a track for his solo album, to Herbie Hancock and k.d. lang －provided remixes. In 2009, he scored an animation film entitled "FIRST SQUAD," which was shown in theaters throughout Russia, and won the Kommersant Award in Moscow Film Festival.

At the end of the year 2000, he joined which was established to aim for the 21st Century, and provided a track for its first benefit compilation album "African JAG vol.1" released in 2005. And from 2009, he joined Bill Laswell’s latest project along with artists such as Bernie Worrell and Toshinori Kondo. Following a show in Montreaux Jazz Festival, he also took part on its album "Incunabula" released in 2010. That Herbie Hancock also took part on this album.

And in 2011, he celebratted the 20th year of his solo career. Kicking off with the commemorative 20th anniversary showcase in Tokyo as performed 7 hours long set, released Monthly Single Series (total 10 singles) and world tour at 16 countries. For this constantly evolving artist, DJ Krush, now making a step into his next stage.

As of now, he has performed in front of over 5 million audiences in 313 cities of 50 countries. And he still continues to renew this record, transcending all barriers, and leaving some distinctive footsteps of his own, achieving ever-increasing acclamation as an international artist.

Skin Against Skin
DJ Krush Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(feat. Deborah Anderson)

The sun moves high above
Watching below all that moves so fast
Plus taking on a different game
A future that was built to last
I see your face light up my screen
You say hello but I can't

Hold you
Does this all feel somewhat for real with what no limits to us
We can do

We're making such big steps
It's got me in a spin
Are we aiming too high
Of wanting to feel your skin against my skin, my skin, my skin

Neon lights are everywhere
Lighting up the crowded streets
It brightens up my floating bed
Where I lay myself to sleep
Did you receive the kiss I sent today
Up on the box in Time Square?
How I love the once and yesterday before it vanished into thin air

We're making such big steps
It's got me in a spin
Are we aiming too high
Of wanting to feel your skin against my skin, my skin, my skin

You're never really here
This is all a big mistake

My heart is feeling cold
I don't want to bake it

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of DJ Krush's "Skin Against Skin" can be interpreted as a contemplation of a long-distance relationship, especially when it is mediated by technology. The first verse introduces the theme of distance and speed, juxtaposing the slowness of the sun's movement with the quickness of modern life. The singer then mentions a "different game" that implies a new era, full of possibilities and uncertainties. In this context, the encounter with a loved one through a screen feels both real and surreal, as if the limits of time and space were blurred. The refrain emphasizes the desire to touch and be touched by the other person, to feel their skin against one's own, despite the obstacles.

The second verse reinforces the theme of communication mediated by technology and the loneliness it can create. The neon lights and the busy streets of a city are a contrast to the singer's own state of mind, as he or she lies alone in bed, sending a virtual kiss to the other person. The reference to Time Square and its box suggests the idea of a public display of affection that can only be symbolic, as it disappears in the crowd. The refrain is repeated, with a sense of doubt and longing, as the singer wonders if the distance is too great, if the desire is too intense, if the heart is too vulnerable.

Overall, "Skin Against Skin" expresses the complexities of modern relationships, where distance and intimacy, virtuality and reality, longing and anxiety coexist. DJ Krush's music, with its hypnotic beats and haunting samples, creates a dreamy and contemplative mood, enhancing the poetic quality of the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

The sun moves high above
The sun rises high in the sky

Watching below all that moves so fast
Observing everything that passes below

Plus taking on a different game
Also engaging in a new venture

A future that was built to last
A future that was designed to endure

I see your face light up my screen
I can see your face glow on my screen

You say hello but I can't Hold you
You say hello, but I cannot embrace you

Does this all feel somewhat for real with what no limits to us We can do
Does this whole experience seem genuine with no restrictions on us, we can do anything

We're making such big steps It's got me in a spin
We're taking such significant strides, it has me feeling dizzy

Are we aiming too high Of wanting to feel your skin against my skin, my skin, my skin
Are our aspirations too lofty by wishing to feel the sensation of our skin touching

Neon lights are everywhere
Flashing lights accentuate surroundings

Lighting up the crowded streets
Brightening up the bustling street scenes

It brightens up my floating bed Where I lay myself to sleep
The neon lights illuminate my hovering bed, where I rest

Did you receive the kiss I sent today Up on the box in Time Square?
Did you receive the kiss I blew your way today at Times Square?

How I love the once and yesterday before it vanished into thin air
How fondly I cherish the bygone era that disappeared into the ether

You're never really here This is all a big mistake
You're never here in person, this is all a big illusion

My heart is feeling cold I don't want to bake it
My heart is frigid, and I don't want to make it worse

Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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