EGO-WRAPPIN’ is a unit formed in 1996 in Osaka. Members include Yoshie Naka… Read Full Bio ↴EGO-WRAPPIN’ is a unit formed in 1996 in Osaka. Members include Yoshie Nakano (21/04/74 vocals, writes lyrics and music) and Masaki Mori (28/02/74 guitar, writes music).
They established the project in their hometown of Osaka and later relocated to Tokyo.
Persistent sales of their exceptional debut “Blues of Colors” (2000) built nationwide recognition, representing their unique artistry through cabaret music and Showa popular songs, which was inspired by Jazz of the pre-war years.
EGO-WRAPPIN’ is a unique and rare artist. Each work constructed with novel and fascinating musicianship, draws the attention of the Japanese music scene. The EGO-sound reflects free atmosphere and hot emotion, which Jazz and Rock music had prior to becoming just titles of genres, and draws from the spirit of our living world.
Facing music sincerely, jumping the walls of genres easily, they will tell you how to enjoy music with their pop sense. You feel their song vibrations directly. EGO-WRAPPIN’s thrilling performances of their exciting material have become romantic miracles of today.

Biography

1996
Ego-Wrappin’ was formed in Osaka in 1996.

1998
They released their first full album “Blue Speaker” in June 1998, propelling them to the forefront of the Osaka indies charts.

1998
At the end of 1998 one of their songs was selected for use on the TV drama series “Kirakira Hikaru”. The song was also included on the soundtrack CD of the same series.

1999
In February 1999, they released mini album “His Choice of Shoes Is Ill”, which for the first time included lyrics penned by Yoshie in Japanese.

1999
They released the mini album “Swing for Joy” in November 1999.
“A Love Song” featured DETERMINATIONS gained popularity amongst many local radio stations.

1999
In December 1999 they made their live debut in Tokyo with an acoustic set at Aoyama CAY.

2000
In January 2000, they held a release party for “Swing for Joy” at Shibuya’s Club Quattro, of the most famous live venues in Tokyo, following which they conducted a tour of many of Japan’s major cities.

2000
In February 2000, Yoshie launched her solo project JuJu Kneipp with a number of prominent Japanese famous musicians, releasing the mini album “Algolagnia”.

2000
In August 2000 Ego-Wrappin’ released the mini album “Shikisai no Blues”, which went on to become one of their most successful albums, following which they conducted a national tour. More than 800 fans flocked to a small nightclub in Tokyo to see Ego-Wrappin’s gig.

2000
In November 2000 they joined a number of prominent bands such as Kazufumi Kodama, The Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Dry & Heavy and Little Tempo in contributing to “Ska Stock”, a tribute album for The Skatalites.

2000
Their 7 inch analogue release “Flowers” from the mini album “Shikisai no Blues” sold out almost immediately.

2001
In January 2001, Yoshie took part in “Beautiful Days” by Fantastic Plastic Machine.
At the same time, “Shikisai no Blues” was chosen as the theme song for the film “Sadistic & Masochistic” by director Hideo Nakano.

2001
In addition to establishing their own label “Minor Swing” in May 2001, they also released their full length major label debut “Michishio no Romance” through Universal Music, which featured contributions from a range of other musicians.
“Psychoanalysis” from this album was selected as a recommended track by a number of TV and radio stations including MTV Japan, Space Shower and Viewsic, earning its video considerable airtime.

2001
In July 2001 they conducted another national tour from Hokkaido to Okinawa, during which they were joined on stage by a range of musical collaborators. The same month they also made their debut appearance at the FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL (Japan’s biggest and the most famous live music festival).

2001
In August 2001 they took part in the SUNSET LIVE 2001 music festival in Fukuoka.
The festival was held on the beach and its atmosphere was incredible.

2001
In October 2001, “Noraneko no theme”, a collaboration with Kazuhumi Kodama, one of the greatest trumpet players in Japan, was chosen as the theme song for the film “Pistol Opera”.
Masaki also appeared on the Mama! Milk CD album “Lamb and Mutton”.

2001
In November 2001, “Teennesee Waltz”, a collaboration between Yoshie and the guitar duo Gontiti was included on a TV drama.
Aremixed and re-mastered version of “Shikisai no Blues” was also released as “Midnight Dejavu - Shikisai no Blues”.

2001
In December 2002 Yoshie took part in “So Much To Learn, So Little We Know”, a charity album for Afghan refugees.

2002
In January 2002 Ego-Wrappin’ staged an audacious live show at IMP Hall.

2002
In March 2002 they again defied convention by conducting a special concert at an historic shrine in Kyoto.

2002
Their 3rd full-length album “Night Food” was released in July 2002. “Kuchibashi ni Cherry” from that album was chosen as the theme song for a popular TV drama. “Night Food” has gone on to become their most successful album to date.

2002
In the summer of 2002 they took part in a number of music festivals including the RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL.

2002
In September they launched another national tour with a show at the Liquid Room in Shinjuku.

2002
On New Years Eve in December 2002 they held a count down show at the Ebisu Garden Hal in Tokyo in front of more than 2,000 fans.

2003
In May, Masaki selected songs for the CD “Rock a shake vol.3 ~Move! Baby Move~”.
The band also held their first gig after a half year break.

2003
In the summer of 2003 they again took part in various summer music festivals including FUJI ROCK、LIVE STOCK 2003、the RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL、and the KOIWAI ROCK FESTIVAL.

2003
In August 2003 Yoshie’s solo project JuJu KNEIPP made a guest performance at the final show of CLAM’s tour, their first time on stage together for 2 years.

2003
After again hosting a New Year’s countdown gig in Ebisu, Tokyo, they conducted their first live show of 2004.

ニュースタイム
EGO-WRAPPIN' Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

向かい風にシグナル
赤の信号突破して
飛びこむ先待ち合わせ
お待ちかねハニーパイ
あの人のいる場所へ
ちょいとおめかしして
さざ波時を止めた
貝殻のブローチ黒髪にお似合い

マネキン裸のショーウィンドウ
おかわりなくいてほしい
願ったなんてね
争いのない町二人は愛をちぎり合う
彷徨うカモメが飛んでる飛んでる
どこかで紫陽花は咲き
どこかで水たまり跳ねた
おはよういつものニュースタイム
ほっかほっかご飯を食べる
ほらほらかくれんぼしてる
こっちだよここにいるよ
暗くなる前に帰ろうよ
争いのない町二人は愛をちぎり合う
彷徨うカモメが飛んでる飛んでる
どこかのビルの夕焼け二人の別れを誘う
様変わり同じ夕日は見れない

空模様移り気な私あの空に似てる
おはよういつものニュースタイム

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to EGO-WRAPPIN''s song ニュースタイム, which translates to "Newstime," describe a scene of two people meeting up after breaking through a red signal against the wind. The destination is where a person eagerly awaits, and the singer has dressed up and adorned themselves with a seashell brooch to impress this person. They look through shop windows and see nude mannequins and hope that they can eat without needing a refill. The two revel in their love without any conflict in a town, while seagulls fly around them aimlessly. The song ends with a sunset that prompts their separation, and the singer compares the ever-changing sky to their own fickle nature.

The lyrics highlight the triumph of love over tradition as the two people break a red signal to meet each other. They enjoy their time together as they cherish their love, seen as they take their time on the way to the meeting place. The lyrics also depict a simple life without any conflict, and the symbol of seagulls' aimless flight reinforces that idea. The sunset at the end indicates a farewell that cannot be ignored, resembling the unpredictable nature of life.

Line by Line Meaning

向かい風にシグナル
Facing the headwind, signal.

赤の信号突破して
Breaking through the red signal.

飛びこむ先待ち合わせ
Jumping into the meeting place.

お待ちかねハニーパイ
Honey pie, who was waiting impatiently.

あの人のいる場所へ
To the place where that person is.

ちょいとおめかしして
Dressing up a little.

さざ波時を止めた
The ripples stopped time.

貝殻のブローチ黒髪にお似合い
A seashell brooch suits black hair.

マネキン裸のショーウィンドウ
A display window with a naked mannequin.

おかわりなくいてほしい
I hope to not have seconds.

願ったなんてね
I didn't really wish for anything.