The original lineup was notable for having three guitars and no bass player, creating a distinctive, layered sound. Kimble Rendall left in 1982 before the release of their first single, Leilani, and went on to become a noted music video director. He was effectively replaced by bassist Clyde Bramley. Radalj was not happy with Rendall's departure or Faulkner's increasing influence, and left the band himself, to be replaced by one-time Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd. This line-up released the band's break-through first album, Stoneage Romeos, in 1984.
In 1998, the band officially split but reformed for occasional concerts in subsequent years. A full-fledged reunion came in 2004, when they released Mach Schau and began touring again. The band received another boost when Come Anytime (from 1989's Magnum Cum Louder) was used as the theme song to the Australian TV show Thank God You're Here.
Discography:
Stoneage Romeos (1984), Mars Needs Guitars! (1985), Blow Your Cool! (1987), Magnum Cum Louder (1989), Kinky (1991), Crank (1994), Blue Cave (1996), Mach Schau (2004), Purity of Essence (2010)
Compilations:
Electric Soup (1992), Gorilla Biscuit (1992), Electric Chair (1998), Armchair Gurus (1998), Bite The Bullet (1998), Ampology (2000)
I Was A Kamikaze Pilot
Hoodoo Gurus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They gave me a plane, I couldn't fly it home.
Taught how to take off, I don't know how to land.
They say it doesn't matter and I just cannot understand.
I was a kamikaze pilot,
They gave me a plane, I couldn't fly it home.
Left my happy homeland in a Zero,
(Do you think I care?).
Now I'll keep my two feet on the ground
Cause when you're in the clouds
Everybody tries to shoot you down
I was a kamikaze pilot,
They gave me a plane, I couldn't fly it home
On an island there ain't too much to do
Look after number one 'cause I think I can see
Lee Marvin chasin' after you.
I was a kamikaze pilot
They gave me a plane, I couldn't fly it home.
Cherry blossoms falling down.
The lyrics of "I Was A Kamikaze Pilot" by Hoodoo Gurus is a commentary on the absurdity of war and the dehumanization of soldiers. The song is narrated by a pilot who was forced to become a kamikaze pilot, a soldier who deliberately crashes their plane as a suicide attack on enemy targets. The pilot is conflicted about his role and is unable to comprehend why he was trained to take off but not land his plane. He is resigned to his fate, but also disillusioned by the idea that sacrificing oneself for a cause is noble or heroic.
The song's opening line, "I was a, was a kamikaze pilot," immediately sets the tone for the singer's sense of detachment from his identity and purpose. He was given a plane he couldn't fly back home, indicating that his mission was a one-way trip. The fact that he was "taught how to take off, [but] don't know how to land" underscores the absurdity of his training and the disregard for his life. Despite the fatalistic nature of his situation, the singer isn't completely resigned to his fate. He questions why it doesn't matter that he can't understand why he was tasked with his mission.
The rest of the song explores the singer's experience as a kamikaze pilot. He describes leaving his homeland and experiencing engine trouble, which prevented him from being a hero. He notes that being in the clouds makes you a target, emphasizing the dangers of the job. The line "Cherry blossoms falling down" is a reference to Japan's symbol of renewal, which contrasts with the idea of destruction and loss of life in wartime. The final line of the song "They gave me a plane, I couldn't fly it home" serves as a haunting reminder of the waste of life in pursuit of misguided ideals.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a, was a kamikaze pilot
I used to be a kamikaze pilot
They gave me a plane, I couldn't fly it home.
Although I was given a plane to fly, I didn't know how to fly it back.
Taught how to take off, I don't know how to land.
I was only taught how to take off but not how to land.
They say it doesn't matter and I just cannot understand.
Some say it doesn't matter whether I land or not, but I don't believe so.
I got engine trouble so I couldn't be a hero (Do you think I care?).
I had engine problems that prevented me from being a hero, but I don't regret it.
Now I'll keep my two feet on the ground, Cause when you're in the clouds, Everybody tries to shoot you down
I prefer to keep my feet on the ground and avoid getting shot down when I'm in the clouds.
On an island there ain't too much to do, Look after number one 'cause I think I can see Lee Marvin chasin' after you.
There's not much to do on the island so I prefer to focus on myself to avoid being chased by Lee Marvin.
Cherry blossoms falling down.
Cherry blossoms are falling.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE FAULKNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind