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.
Rock n' Roll
Pizzicato Five Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Translators: Sound of Music LN, Ted Mills
nagai vacances ga
moshimo toreta nara
saa, sugu ni dekakemasho
trunk hitotsu de
kuruma wo tobashite
watashi no koto nante
daremo shiranai tokoro e
furui record ya
fuku wa zenbu sutete
saa, sugu ni dekakeru no
tatta hitori de
umibe no machi made
kuruma wo tobashite
onboro radio de
rock n' roll wo narashite
anata no shiranai
dokoka de sugosu no
saa, sugu ni dekakeru no
trunk hitotsu de
futsuka futaban
kuruma wo tobashite
ohiru gohan wa
sandwich dake de sumasusete
anata no shiranai
dokoka de sugosu no
nagai vacances ga
honto ni toretara
saa, sugu ni dekakemasho
tatta hitori de
tonikaku dokoka e
kuruma wo tobashite
onboro radio de
rock n' roll mitai ni
anata no shiranai
dareka to kurasu no
------------------------------
If I can get
a long vacation
let me leave right away
with just a trunk
anyhow, i'd drive fast
to the south
to a place where nobody
knows me
throwing out all the
old records and clothes
let me leave right away,
just by myself
driving fast to a
beachside town
playing rock n' roll
on the old radio
I'm gonna live somewhere
you don't know
I'm gonna leave right away,
with just one trunk
driving fast for
two days and two nights
having just a sandwich
for lunch
I'm gonna live somewhere
you don't know
If I can really
get a long vacation
let me leave right away,
all by myself
anyway, driving fast
somewhere
just like rock n' roll
on the old radio
I'm gonna live with
someone you don't know
The lyrics to Pizzicato Five's song "Rock n' Roll" speak to a sense of wanderlust and desire for adventure. The singer longs for an escape from their current life, which they plan to achieve through a lengthy vacation. The idea of leaving everything behind is emphasized through the line "throwing out all the old records and clothes." The singer seems determined to shake off any remnants of their current existence and make a clean break, driving to a place where they are a complete stranger. The mention of playing "rock n' roll on the old radio" suggests a desire for something lively and exciting, a break from the monotony of their routine.
Line by Line Meaning
If I can get a long vacation
The singer wants to take a long vacation.
let me leave right away
The singer wants to leave immediately.
with just a trunk
The singer only needs one piece of luggage.
anyhow, i'd drive fast
The artist wants to drive quickly regardless of anything else.
to the south
The artist wants to go to a southern location.
to a place where nobody knows me
The singer wants to go somewhere where they are anonymous.
throwing out all the old records and clothes
The singer is getting rid of their old things.
let me leave right away, just by myself
The artist wants to depart alone and quickly.
driving fast to a beachside town
The artist is heading quickly to a town by the sea.
playing rock n' roll on the old radio
The artist is listening to rock n' roll on an old radio.
I'm gonna live somewhere you don't know
The singer plans to live in a place unfamiliar to someone else.
with just one trunk
The artist only needs one piece of luggage.
driving fast for two days and two nights
The singer will be driving quickly for two full days/nights.
having just a sandwich for lunch
The singer will only eat a sandwich for lunch.
If I can really get a long vacation
The singer wants to take a long vacation.
let me leave right away, all by myself
The artist wants to leave quickly and alone.
just like rock n' roll on the old radio
The artist wants to live somewhere with the same energy as rock n' roll music.
I'm gonna live with someone you don't know
The singer will live with a new, unknown person.
Contributed by Joseph P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lucas Marándola
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