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.

天国と白いピエロ
EGO-WRAPPIN' Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

紙吹雪　黒いチュチュ
足元は銀ラメのシューズ
息を呑み酔わされて
解き放つ　すべてのライン
暗がりを真っ逆さま
拡がるよ　オーガンジーのスカート
息を呑み酔わされて
解き放つ　すべてのライン

正統派　前衛派　西洋風
なんて伝える? Just Style
虚と実　2つの世界を　トランスポート
向こう岸　白いピエロが飛んだ
ah 無限になる　私の中に
あなたのSpace imageをimageをつなぐ
メーキャップ　キャンバスの顔
引き出すナンバーレスナンバー The Fool
信頼と無垢がガイド
夢そのものに持って行こうか?
舞台は My Life
流れ　静止　間とテクニック
虚と実　2つの世界を　トランスポート
向こう岸　白いピエロが飛んだ
ah 無限になる　私の中に
あなたのSpace imageをimageをつなぐ

ah 呼吸が合う　ハートがブーンと鳴り
それはまるで　天国につながったみたい

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to EGO-WRAPPIN's song 天国と白いピエロ (Tengoku to Shiroi Piero, "Heaven and White Clown"), describe a surreal atmosphere of a world where everything seems to be upside-down, and the line between fantasy and reality is blurred. The singer describes herself in a dream-like state, her senses overwhelmed by the surroundings. She wears a black tutu and silver glitter shoes, while confetti rains around her. She frees herself from all restraints and lets go of all boundaries, embracing different styles from orthodox to experimental, from Western to Eastern.

The singer crosses over to two different worlds of reality and imagination, with the help of the "white clown" who flies across to the other side. The lyrics suggest that the singer is trying to find her own place on the stage of life, and not conform to any strict definitions or categories. The song encourages the listener to embrace one's own unique style and identity, rather than adhere to any societal expectations or norms. The song ends with the singer suggesting that the journey to one's own individual nirvana is already within us, and maybe it's just a matter of connecting with others.

Overall, the lyrics of 天国と白いピエロ are a beautifully surreal description of a place between reality and imagination where one can break free of the constraints of society and find their own way.

Line by Line Meaning

紙吹雪　黒いチュチュ
Black tutus and bits of paper floating in the air

足元は銀ラメのシューズ
Feet adorned with shiny silver shoes

息を呑み酔わされて
Breathless and intoxicated

解き放つ　すべてのライン
Letting go of all boundaries

暗がりを真っ逆さま
Falling upside down in the darkness

拡がるよ　オーガンジーのスカート
Spreading out like an organza skirt

正統派　前衛派　西洋風
Traditional, avant-garde or western-style

なんて伝える? Just Style
What to convey? Just style

虚と実　2つの世界を　トランスポート
Transporting between the two worlds of reality and fiction

向こう岸　白いピエロが飛んだ
A white clown flew across to the other shore

ah 無限になる　私の中に
Ah, becoming infinite within me