In the late 1980s, Tanaka played as the bassist in a rock band called Margarine Strikes Back. Then in the early 1990s, Tanaka became a regular club DJ in the Kansai area, working as part of a DJ team known as Sound Impossible. While playing with Sound Impossible, fellow artist and friend Towa Tei convinced Tanaka to go back to recording music, and in 1997 Tanaka created his solo project Fantastic Plastic Machine under the Readymade Records label in Japan. His first two albums, The Fantastic Plastic Machine (1997) and Luxury (1998), were critically acclaimed and gained him international recognition. The albums were distributed in the United States under the Emperor Norton label, and in Europe on the Bungalow label. In Japan, he is currently under the cutting edge label.
At one point, Tanaka hosted a pop culture show on national radio, and in 2004 he hosted another radio show called "Sound Concierge." He also once served as the editor for the Japanese fashion magazine Brutus.
He made music for the awesome Uniqlock http://www.uniqlo.jp/uniqlock/
Steppin' Out
Fantastic Plastic Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The mist across the window hides the lines
But nothing hides the colour of the lights that shine
Electricity so fine
Look and dry your eyes
We
So tired of all the darkness in our lives
Can come alive
Get into a car and drive
To the other side
Me babe, steppin' out
Into the night
Into the light
You babe, steppin' out
Into the night
Into the light
We
Are young but getting old before our time
We'll leave the T.V. and the radio behind
Don't you wonder what we'll find
Steppin' out tonight
You
Can dress in pink and blue just like a child
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
We'll be there in just a while
If you follow me
Me babe, steppin' out
Into the night
Into the light
You babe, steppin' out
Into the night
Into the light
The song Steppin' Out by Fantastic Plastic Machine is a joyful and upbeat tune about escaping from the dullness of everyday life and embracing the excitement of the night. The lyrics describe the misty window hiding the lines and the darkness that surrounds the singer's life, but nothing conceals the electric-colored lights that shine through. The song encourages the listener to dry their eyes and leave the negativity behind, as they get into a car and drive towards the other side, into the night and the light.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of youth fading away too quickly, leaving the singer feeling old before their time. The song shows a desire to break free from the mundane and dull routine, as they leave the TV and radio behind, wondering what lies ahead.
Overall, Steppin' Out is a song about embracing the excitement of the unknown, leaving the past behind, and stepping into a brighter and more colorful future.
Line by Line Meaning
Now
At this moment in time
The mist across the window hides the lines
Fog obscures everything outside the window
But nothing hides the colour of the lights that shine
Despite the fog, colorful street lights can still be seen
Electricity so fine
The street lights emit a vibrant and electric energy
Look and dry your eyes
Stop being upset and dry your tears
We
Us, referring to the singer and the listener
So tired of all the darkness in our lives
We are exhausted with the negativity in our lives
With no more angry words to say
We have nothing left to argue or fight about
Can come alive
We can feel alive and energized
Get into a car and drive
Let's get in a car and go somewhere
To the other side
To a different place or state of being
Me babe, steppin' out
I am stepping out of my comfort zone
Into the night
Venturing out into the darkness of the night
Into the light
Entering the brightness or excitement of a new experience
You babe, steppin' out
You are joining me in stepping out of our comfort zones
We
Us, referring to the singer and the listener
Are young but getting old before our time
We feel young but life is moving too quickly
We'll leave the T.V. and the radio behind
Let's disconnect from technology and the news
Don't you wonder what we'll find
Aren't you curious about what we might discover
Steppin' out tonight
Tonight, we are exploring something new
You
The listener
Can dress in pink and blue just like a child
Wear whatever makes you happy, colors that remind you of childhood
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
In a taxi ride, turn to me and express your happiness
We'll be there in just a while
We'll arrive at our destination soon
If you follow me
Trust me and come on this adventure with me
Me babe, steppin' out
I am stepping out of my comfort zone
Into the night
Venturing out into the darkness of the night
Into the light
Entering the brightness or excitement of a new experience
You babe, steppin' out
You are joining me in stepping out of our comfort zones
Into the night
Venturing out into the darkness of the night
Into the light
Entering the brightness or excitement of a new experience
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Ian Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@offtan
Now -
The mist across the window hides the lines
But nothing hides the colour of the lights that shine
Electricity so fine
Look and dry your eyes
Me babe - steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
You babe - steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
We -
So tired of all the darkness in our lives
With no more angry words to say
Can come alive
Get into a car and drive
To the other side
Me babe - steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
We -
Are young but getting old before our time
We'll leave the T.V. and the radio behind
Don't you wonder what we'll find
Steppin out tonight
Me babe - steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
You -
Can dress in pink and blue just like a child
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
We'll be there in just a while
If you follow me
Me babe - steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
You babe - steppin out
Into the night
Into the light
@zombiezareus
Listening to this with headphones and high is a trip!!! “Tun tun papá pa tu tú” going from my left ear to the right. The xylophone playing lightly in my right ear, the flute on my left! Amazing!!!
@NevTheDeranged
Heard this on the PA at Target and thought I was losing my mind.
@QRPalmSprings
NevTheDeranged why?
@NevTheDeranged
@@QRPalmSprings Well I really like the original version of this song, so I recognized the tune, but the arrangement and delivery are so different in this version, and it was noisy in the store, so I couldn't quite tell what I was hearing. Took me several minutes to realize it was a cover version.
@JoopieSoCute
LOL I heard it at Target too. I was like what is this song!? I love it.
@dechonwilliams531
Same
@magicknight13
Wow, Target has good taste!
@Radiance_
Not only is there a serious lack of FPM songs on Spotify, but the version of this song on there doesn't have the samba sounding part at 3:38. That's my favorite part aggghhhhh
@carrmx0
thats criminal
@dagoz1386
I use to listen this song when I studied in Vancouver, such a good memories 😃