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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Perspective
Yellow Magic Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every day I brush my teeth
Every day I read the paper
Every day I see your face
In the gleam of a brilliant twilight
I see people torn apart from each other
Every day I ride in cars
Every day I watch TV
Every day I write my diary
Every day I go to sleep
In the gleam of a brilliant twilight
I see people torn apart from each other
Maybe that's their way of life
Every day I open the window
Every day I brush my teeth
Every day I read the paper
Every day I see your face
Every day I ride in cars
Every day I watch TV
Every day I write my diary
Every day I go to sleep
The lyrics to Yellow Magic Orchestra's song Perspective speak to the monotony of daily life and the stark contrasts that can exist between people. The repetition of various everyday activities such as opening a window and brushing teeth highlights the mundane nature of life. However, the stark contrast arises when the lyrics describe seeing people torn apart from each other in the gleam of a brilliant twilight. This line presents a powerful image of people being separated from each other, possibly due to conflicts, and suggests that this is a regular occurrence in the world.
The repeating theme of everyday life, from opening windows to watching TV, emphasizes the continuity of routine that exists despite these conflicts. However, the final repetition of the chorus with the added line, "Every day I see your face," suggests that the singer finds comfort and perhaps even escape from the monotony of life in the presence of this individual. Overall, Perspective is a reflective song on the routines and contrasts of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day I open the window
The singer starts his day by opening the window.
Every day I brush my teeth
The singer has a routine of maintaining dental hygiene every day.
Every day I read the paper
The singer starts his day by catching up on the daily news.
Every day I see your face
The singer sees the face of someone special every day.
In the gleam of a brilliant twilight
The singer observes his surroundings during twilight and the effect it has.
I see people torn apart from each other
The singer observes that people are disconnected and separated from one another.
Maybe that's their way of life
The singer questions whether this disconnection is a part of their way of life.
Every day I ride in cars
The singer has a routine of commuting every day.
Every day I watch TV
The singer watches television as a part of his daily routine.
Every day I write my diary
The singer keeps a journal or diary and writes in it every day.
Every day I go to sleep
The singer ends his day by going to sleep.
Writer(s): 坂本 龍一, 坂本 龍一
Contributed by Tyler I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.