Pizzicato Five (often nicknamed "P5") is a legendary Japanese group that fo… Read Full Bio ↴Pizzicato Five (often nicknamed "P5") is a legendary Japanese group that formed in 1984. Arguably the first group to popularize shibuya-kei from underground circles, they also later on began experimenting with the style, with what some called an innovative genre all their own, blending traditional Japanese pop, alternative, soul, funk, jazz, ye-ye, acoustic folk, and early electronic music, among others. They are also perhaps best known to audiences in the west in their later incarnation as a duo of Nomiya Maki (野宮真貴) and Konishi Yasuharu (小西康陽).

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.

Twiggy Twiggy/Twiggy vs. James Bond
Pizzicato Five Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sanjikan mo matte ita no yo
Watashi no neko to issho ni

Sono toki denwa no beru ga
Watashi neko mitai ni shabetta
TV no volume sagete
Watashi no uso mitai na koe de

Twiggy no mini skirt de
Twiggy mitai na pose de

Twiggy no mini skirt de
Twiggy mitai ni yasseopochi no watashi

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pizzicato Five's song Twiggy Vs. James Bond refer to the conflicting ideas of femininity and masculinity as portrayed by the two titular figures. The opening lines depict a moment of waiting, as the singer is accompanied by her cat. This sense of anticipation is suddenly interrupted by the phone ringing, which the singer compares humorously to her cat's meowing. She turns down the volume of the television, creating a sense of intimacy as she begins to sing.

The chorus introduces the two characters, Twiggy and James Bond, with a focus on their individual styles. Twiggy, the famous model, is described in her iconic mini skirt, with her signature poses. This is contrasted with the other figure, James Bond, who is implied to be more masculine and rugged. The singer comments on her own appearance, describing herself as "yasseopochi", or thin and frail, in comparison to Twiggy's model-like figure. The overall theme seems to be exploring the tension between traditional ideas of femininity, as represented by Twiggy, and the more assertive and aggressive masculinity embodied by James Bond.

Line by Line Meaning

Sanjikan mo matte ita no yo
I waited three hours for you

Watashi no neko to issho ni
Together with my cat

Sono toki denwa no beru ga
At that moment, the phone rang

Watashi neko mitai ni shabetta
I meowed like a cat

TV no volume sagete
Lowering the volume on the TV

Watashi no uso mitai na koe de
Speaking in a voice that sounded like a lie

Twiggy no mini skirt de
In Twiggy's mini skirt

Twiggy mitai na pose de
Striking a pose like Twiggy

Twiggy no mini skirt de
In Twiggy's mini skirt

Twiggy mitai ni yasseopochi no watashi
Me, skinny and hunched over like Twiggy

Contributed by Colton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.