What started with a girl humming and singing on a tape recorder quickly turned into one of the most prominent bands in the Japanese underground scene. The original members of Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her were Aiha Higurashi (Vocal and Guitar) and Sachiko Ito (Bass). They had no past musical experience, and didn't know much about playing their instruments, but they went on playing some shows anyway.
Shortly afterward the band finally got their name. The name Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her was taken from the title of a song by the band XTC, from the album The Big Express. The name was suggested by a friend of Aiha's. In interviews Aiha explains that she chose the name because it was really long and hard to remember. The band released their first EP, Seagull to Hell, in 1993. Shortly afterwards, Sachiko left. Aiha then recruited two more members, Nao Koyama (bass) and Takaharu Karashima "Takape" (drums). Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her was born.
The newly reborn band released their second EP, Swallow Up, in 1994. The EP met with great success, and sold out almost immediately. The band released another EP in 1994 before finally putting out heir first full-length album, Give Them Back To Me, in 1996. The album saw collaboration with members of Buffalo Daughter, D.M.B.Q., Museum of Photo, The Evil Hoodoo, and Violent Onsen Geisha, all big names in the Japanese underground scene. The band released two more albums and EPs before releasing the EP, Pretty in Pink in 1999. This EP marks their last work with their drummer Takape, who left after its release. From each release on, the drumming was split between Aiha's husband, Yoshiki Watanabe, and former manager of the band, Yasunobu Arakawa.
The band continued to tour and released two more albums. In 2001, their work saw commercial release. The songs Sentimental Journey and Lullaby, from the album Future or No Future, were both released as two separate singles. In 2002 they released their first compilation album before finally breaking up. After their break up, they released another compilation album in the UK.
During their career, the band showed a lot of creativity and originality. With each release, their sound expanded and evolved. Aiha Higurashi, the driving force behind Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her, was obviously influenced by punk rock, but her music shows a lot of other influences as well. From hip-hop, house, pop, to garage, sometimes all in the same song.
Aiha still works today as a solo artist. She continues to expand upon what she started with Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her, but doesn't confine herself to just a band sound, allowing her to try things she couldn't do while in a band. She has also dabbled in producing. She's produced songs for former Judy and Mary vocalist, Yuki. Nao Koyama, bass player of the band, is active as well, and is currently playing in a new band.
Down to Mexico
Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the middle of the west of the east and everywhere
You can't tell me what I like
I got anywhere I like, you know
Honey don't tell me how to go
Baby honey I don't care what you like to be
But I care, I care 'bout myself
You are tellin' me a bunch of crap
You lier, honey you lied to me
You can't tell me what to do, I'll do anythin' I want
You know, baby don't tell me how
Baby honey, I don't care what you like to be
But I care I care 'bout myself
Down to Mexico
Let's go down there, baby
The lyrics to Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her's song "Down to Mexico" are rebellious and assertive, centering around the idea of not being controlled or limited by others. The song begins with the singer walking down the street, feeling free to explore and do whatever they want. They reject anyone who tries to tell them what to do or how to behave, stating "honey don't tell me how to go" and "you can't tell me what to do, I'll do anything I want."
As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly frustrated with someone who has lied to them, calling them a "liar." Despite this, however, they remain confident in their own ability to make decisions for themselves, declaring "honey, I don't care what you like to be, but I care about myself."
The final lines of the song offer a solution: "down to Mexico, let's go down there, baby." Mexico is often seen as a place of freedom and escape, so this lyric could be interpreted as suggesting that the singer and their partner should run away from their problems and constraints and start anew in a place where they can be themselves.
Overall, "Down to Mexico" is a song about asserting one's independence and seeking out freedom from societal expectations and others' control. It's a defiant anthem for anyone who wants to break free from the status quo and forge their own path.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking down the street
I was roaming around the streets
In the middle of the west of the east and everywhere
I was wandering in all directions
You can't tell me what I like
You cannot dictate my preferences
I got anywhere I like, you know
I can go anywhere I want
Honey don't tell me how to go
Don't instruct me on how to proceed
Baby honey I don't care what you like to be
I'm not bothered about your choices
But I care, I care 'bout myself
But I do care about my own well-being
I was walkin' up to the hill
I was climbing the hill
You are tellin' me a bunch of crap
You are lying to me
You lier, honey you lied to me
You are a liar and you deceived me
You can't tell me what to do, I'll do anythin' I want
You cannot impose your will on me, I'll act as I please
Baby honey, I don't care what you like to be
I'm not concerned about your preferences
But I care I care 'bout myself
But I care about myself
Down to Mexico
Let's go to Mexico
Let's go down there, baby
I invite you to accompany me there
Contributed by Julia N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
はまじん
20年前に知っていまだに聴いても飽きないって自分の中で凄いことなんだけど。
MegaJetJaguar
This band is so damned good! How is it that I have never heard of them before?
Zed Dravot
Cream of the garage punk bands in Japan at the time.
寒山と拾得
このバンドのボーカル兼guitarの人は今は画家もやっておられます、バンドも継続中です！！
Viktorija S.
I love you so so much! I've been listening to Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her since I was a teenager in Latvia in 00's and you shaped my taste in music and me as a person! Absolute badasses! THANK YOU!
湖雪
高校の時先輩に勧められてめっちゃ好きだった一曲！急に聴きたいなーと思って探したらココにあって嬉しくなりました！ありがとうございます(*´∀人)
ringo happy
ただただカッコイイな⚡️🇲🇽
中澤竜一
好き
工藤俊介
いいな〜
Fasika Biruk
This is so cool.