They are widely credited to have spearheaded the "Shibuya-kei" movement of Tokyo in the 90s, along with Flipper's Guitar.
They are known for their eclectic and energetic compositions, which often sound like "new" releases from the late 1960s hipster scene. Their catchphrase--"A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular"--captured the group's ironic stance but eager attitude. The group broke up in March 2001.
A hugely prolific group, Pizzicato Five would release at least an album-per-year along with various EPs and remix albums during their 16 year-career.
Both Nomiya Maki (野宮真貴) and Konishi Yasuharu(小西康陽) currently enjoy solo careers - with Konishi Yasuharu(小西康陽) producing other artists ranging from Puffy and SMAP to Cornelius and kahimi karie(カヒミ・カリィ) - alongside collaborative remix compilations - from Ella Fitzgerald and The Supremes to classic Disney and Thunderbirds (as in Super-Marionated) music on his Shibuya-based Readymade Records label.
On Thursday March 31st, 2011, exactly 10 years after Pizzicato Five disbanded, Konishi Yasuharu announced a new solo project called Pizzicato One. The first release, titled One and Ten Very Sad Songs, consists of covers of English songs, each featuring vocals by various internationally-known artists from around the world.
華麗なる招待
Pizzicato Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
本当になるのならぼくは
たぶんもうすぐ死ぬのかもね
悲しくなんてないよ
ひとりきりできょうはなつかしい
遊園地のゴンドラを眺めてる
そして長距離電話できみと
話せたらぼくはきっと
悲しいわけじゃないよ
きみに出会えたぼくはあのときから
ずっときょうまで幸せだったから
人は生まれてそしてきっと
誰かを愛してそして
いつか死んでいく
とても あっけない
飛行機の中で観た短い映画みたいに
もしもゆうべ観た夢に
続きがあるのならきみが悲しむ顔は
見たくないな
あの日からずっと持ってた
写真に写ってるなつかしいきみの
笑顔が忘れられないから
人は生まれてそして人は誰かを
愛してそしていつか死んでいく
すべてはくりかえす
飛行機の中で観た短い映画みたいに
もしもゆうべ観た夢が
本当になるのなら
そしてゆうべ観た夢に
続きがあるのなら
人は生まれてそしてきっと
誰かを愛してそして
いつか死んでいく
そんなに悪くない
飛行機の中で観た短い映画みたいに
The lyrics of Pizzicato Five's song "華麗なる招待" delve into themes of dreams, love, and the transient nature of life. The song opens with a contemplation on the possibility of dreams coming true and the acceptance of mortality. The singer muses that if the dream they had last night were to come true, they might soon die, but they express a sense of calm and lack of sadness. The imagery of being alone and nostalgically gazing at a Ferris wheel in an amusement park sets a wistful tone for the song.
The lyrics then shift to a reflection on the happiness found in meeting the person they love and how that encounter has brought joy throughout their life. The idea that people are born, fall in love, and eventually pass away is presented as a natural cycle, with the singer acknowledging the fleeting and delicate nature of life. The mention of a short film seen on an airplane, echoing the brevity of life's moments, adds a poignant touch to the contemplation of mortality.
The recurring motif of dreams continues as the singer expresses a desire not to see their loved one saddened in any continuation of a dream from the past. The bittersweet memories captured in a cherished photograph of the beloved's smiling face underline the enduring impact of moments shared with a loved one throughout life. The cyclical nature of existence, with its inherent cycles of birth, love, and death, is likened to the repetitive nature of watching short films on airplanes, emphasizing the fleeting nature of experiences.
The song concludes with a repetition of the contemplation on dreams coming true and the inevitability of love, loss, and mortality in the human experience. Despite the acknowledgment of the transient nature of life, there is a hint of acceptance and even peace in the recognition that this cycle is not inherently negative. The final comparison to a short film seen on an airplane brings the theme full circle, encapsulating the brevity and fragility of life's moments, yet suggesting a certain beauty and grace in the ephemeral nature of existence.
Line by Line Meaning
もしもゆうべ観た夢が
If the dream I had last night
本当になるのならぼくは
Were to actually come true
たぶんもうすぐ死ぬのかもね
I might die soon
悲しくなんてないよ
But I wouldn't be sad
ひとりきりできょうはなつかしい
Alone today, feeling nostalgic
遊園地のゴンドラを眺めてる
Looking at the gondola at the amusement park
そして長距離電話できみと
And talking to you on the long-distance call
話せたらぼくはきっと
If I could talk to you,
それだけで泣き出すかもね
I might cry just from that
悲しいわけじゃないよ
It's not that I'm sad
きみに出会えたぼくはあのときから
Since I met you back then,
ずっときょうまで幸せだったから
I've been happy all this time
人は生まれてそしてきっと
People are born and surely
誰かを愛してそして
Love someone and
いつか死んでいく
Eventually die
とても あっけない
It's so fleeting
飛行機の中で観た短い映画みたいに
Like a short film seen on an airplane
もしもゆうべ観た夢に
If in the dream I had last night
続きがあるのならきみが悲しむ顔は
There is a continuation, I don't want to see your sad face
見たくないな
From that day onward
あの日からずっと持ってた
I always had
写真に写ってるなつかしいきみの
Your nostalgic image in the photo
笑顔が忘れられないから
Because I can't forget your smile
人は生まれてそして人は誰かを
People are born and they love someone
愛してそしていつか死んでいく
And eventually die
すべてはくりかえす
Everything repeats
もしもゆうべ観た夢が
If the dream I had last night
本当になるのなら
Were to actually come true
そしてゆうべ観た夢に
And if there is a continuation in the dream I had last night
続きがあるのなら
If there is a continuation,
人は生まれてそしてきっと
People are born and surely
誰かを愛してそして
Love someone and
いつか死んでいく
Eventually die
そんなに悪くない
That's not so bad
飛行機の中で観た短い映画みたいに
Like a short film seen on an airplane
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 康陽 小西
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johannes Pong
on ポプリ
Holy $#it what a masterpiece. It might even be my favourite P5 album (so hard to choose)! Wow sounds even better than 1996. Konishi sensei is a genius. Timeless. No. It sounds like the future as well as disarmingly nostalgic. All Feelz.
03461827594
on xxxxxxxxxman
Jutt