The band was originally conceived as a one-off studio project by Hosono, the other two members being recruited session musicians - the idea was to produce an album fusing orientalist exotica (cf their cover version of Martin Denny's Firecracker) with modern electronics. However , the first album (with its cutting-edge production) was very popular, and the studio project grew into a fully fledged touring band and career for its three members.
Making abundant use of new synthesizers, samplers, digital and computer recording technology as it became available, their popularity and influence extended beyond Japan. Generally, the band was highly regarded as electronic pioneer and continues to be remixed and sampled by modern artists. The members have also worked with European synth/new romantic artists, such as David Sylvian of the band Japan. The single Bamboo Houses is one such example (Sylvian/Sakamoto).
The band stopped working together by 1984, the three members returning to their solo careers. They released a one-off reuinion album, Technodon, in 1993.
The early 2000s saw Hosono & Takahashi reunited in a project called Sketch Show. On the occasions when Sakamoto joined them in concerts, they called themselves Human Audio Sponge (HAS). The band played Rydeen at the 2007 Live Earth concert in Kyoto, Japan. They released two new singles that summer under the band name of HASYMO, an updated version of Rydeen and the new song Rescue.
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Gradated Grey
Yellow Magic Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That makes me feel very strange
It's taken so long
Through the gradation of the grey scale
A landscape like I've never seen
As far as my eyes can see
Out on the road
I've seen so many shades, shades of grey
Every minute, every second
I can feel it getting closer
Speeding ahead
To where grey meets white
Yellow Magic Orchestra's song Gradated Grey is a melancholic yet hopeful masterpiece that explores the complexities of human emotions and the concept of change. The song starts with a description of the singer's current state of mind while driving and listening to a song that makes him feel uneasy and unsure. As the song progresses, the lyrics talk about how the singer has been through many experiences that have made him see many shades of grey. He has seen sadness, despair, and hopelessness but has also seen beauty and hope.
The landscape that the singer drives through is described as unique and unfamiliar, with shades of grey that he has never seen before. This suggests that the singer is in a transitional phase of life, experiencing new and unfamiliar emotions and situations. However, the song also hints at a sense of hope and anticipation for what is to come. The last line of the song talks about racing towards a point where grey meets white, which could symbolize a new beginning or a fresh start.
Overall, Gradated Grey can be interpreted as a reflection on the complexities of human emotions and the constant evolution of our lives. The song acknowledges the inevitability of change and the importance of embracing the unknown, even if it makes us feel uneasy.
Line by Line Meaning
My car radio's playing a song
I'm currently listening to music in my car
That makes me feel very strange
The music I'm hearing is having an unusual effect on me
It's taken so long
It's been a long journey to get to where I am now
Through the gradation of the grey scale
Throughout the gradual shift from dark to light colors
A landscape like I've never seen
I'm seeing a view that's completely new to me
As far as my eyes can see
As far as my vision extends
Out on the road
While driving
I've seen so many shades, shades of grey
I've observed many different variations of the color grey
Now I'm back in the tunnel again
I've returned to a confined, dark space
Every minute, every second
All the time
I can feel it getting closer
I'm noticing that something is approaching me
Speeding ahead
Moving forward rapidly
To where grey meets white
To the point where the color grey transitions into white
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@flyingshrimpgd5791
My car radio's playing a song
That makes me feel very strange
It's taking so long for the gradation
Of the gray-scale
A landscape like I've never seen
As far as my eyes can see
Out on the road, I've seen so many shades
Shades of gray
Now I'm back in the tunnel again
Every minute, every second
I can feel it getting closer...
@oneheaven9245
私のカーラジオは曲を演奏しています
それは私が非常に奇妙に感じさせる
グラデーションには長時間かかる
グレースケール
私が 見たことのない風景
私の目が見る限り
道路の外に、私は非常に多くの色合いを見た
灰色の陰影
今私は再びトンネルに戻ります
毎分、毎秒
私はそれが近づくと感じることができます...
@dikraneg
Probably one of the greatest pieces of music ever made.
@deanst.souver7502
Couldn't agree more.
@user-nv7ec9cw6p
いつ聞いてもいいな～ファンが安心できる。YMOの良さをもっと上へ、みんなで応援しようね
@flyingshrimpgd5791
My car radio's playing a song
That makes me feel very strange
It's taking so long for the gradation
Of the gray-scale
A landscape like I've never seen
As far as my eyes can see
Out on the road, I've seen so many shades
Shades of gray
Now I'm back in the tunnel again
Every minute, every second
I can feel it getting closer...
@_wormlet
Still my favourite song of theirs.
@Endzeitstille
mine too
@kojiadachi2905
細野さんの声に魅了されます。
とても懐かしくて、とても素敵な曲です。
@mozartian100
YMOテクノのヤバい２部作の中で一番好きな曲。細野さんの世界観が前面に出てるね。
いちいちベースの入れ方とかスネアの入れ方とか工夫してる。大好きだ。
@blixaland
triad with yukihiro was also a blessing. rest in peace to my acquaintance friend.
@RabiyeSaid
本当にいい・・・
最近の音楽を聴く人には理解されないと思う。
わたしの音楽観はYMOによってとっても広げられた気がする。
だからいつの時代になっても、どんな音楽が流行っても、いつでもYMOを聞き続けると思う。