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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SIMOON
Yellow Magic Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreams on the sheikh and she steals a night kiss
Baby's a belly dance
Mirage romance in Casablanca
Frankincense in the tresses of her hair
They ride the night on white mare
Her perfume drifts
He carries her off down to palm-breeze oasis
Behind a sand dune croons
She with her Eastern promise
Secrets in the sand
Oh, she's only a desert song
He carries her off down to palm-breeze oasis
Behind a sand dune croons
She with her Eastern promise
Secrets in the sand
Oh, she's only a desert song
The lyrics of Yellow Magic Orchestra's Simoon cradle a surreal tale of two lovers, lost in the scorching sand dunes of Arabia. The song resounds with the imagery of a magical world where hot starlight casts a blue moon, transporting the sheikh's dream, where his love and he share a night kiss. The baby is belly dancing, and the romance is nothing short of a mirage in Casablanca. The warm and earthy scent of Frankincense in her hair threads the lovers' night as they ride on a white mare, with her perfume drifting on the arms of the Arabian air.
The story of Simoon reaches a crescendo at the palm-breeze oasis, where the lovers are lost in each other's touch, singing secrets in the sand. However, as the song's intricate lyrics suggest, "she's only a desert song." The words conjure the idea that this romance was transient, like a mirage, a dream within a dream that fades away when its pristine beauty is touched or held.
Yellow Magic Orchestra's Simoon is a masterpiece of musical storytelling, weaving a surreal and poetic tale of a love that blooms as quickly as it fades. The song's worldly imagery, soft melodies, and intricate instrumentation create an evocative atmosphere, inviting the listener to take part in this fantastical journey across the Arabian desert.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot starlight where a blue moon
Under the bright and intense starlight, a rare and extraordinary blue moon shines in the sky.
Dreams on the sheikh and she steals a night kiss
The sheikh dreams of his lover, who steals a kiss from him in the quiet of the night.
Baby's a belly dance
The woman dances sensually, moving her belly to the rhythm of the music.
Mirage romance in Casablanca
The love story that is taking place is like a mirage, and it is happening in the city of Casablanca.
Frankincense in the tresses of her hair
The woman's hair is infused with the sweet scent of frankincense.
They ride the night on white mare
The couple rides through the night on a beautiful and majestic white horse.
Her perfume drifts
The scent of her perfume lingers in the air long after she has passed.
On the Arabian air from the heart of the harem
The fragrance of her perfume is carried by the Arabian air from the heart of the harem.
He carries her off down to palm-breeze oasis
He takes her away with him to an oasis filled with palm trees and gentle breezes.
Behind a sand dune croons
They find a secluded spot behind a sand dune where they can be alone together.
She with her Eastern promise
She embodies the alluring and mysterious promise of the East.
Secrets in the sand
There are secrets hidden in the sands of the desert that only they know.
Oh, she's only a desert song
The woman is like a beautiful and enchanting song that can only be heard in the desert.
Contributed by Ruby P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@morningcoffeecat2271
[Verse 1]
Hot starlight where a blue moon
Dreams on the sheikh and she steals you a night kiss
Baby's a belly dance
Mirage romance in Casablanca
[Verse 2]
Frankincense in the tresses of her hair
They ride the night on white mare
Her perfume drifts
On the Arabian air from the heart of the harem
[Chorus]
He carries her off down to palm-breeze oasis
Behind a sand dune croons
She with her Eastern promise
Secrets in the sand
Oh, she's only a desert song
[Chorus]
He carries her off down to palm-breeze oasis
Behind a sand dune croons
She with her Eastern promise
Secrets in the sand
Oh, she's only a desert song
@Kaons
Today I got into a bad car accident while this song was playing on Spotify. I was in an exit and started to lose control once I hit a patch of ice. I hit the left barrier, bounced off that and flew off the right barrier and my car ended up at a 45° angle being supported by the trees and snow. I couldn't open the door so I had to wait in that position until emergency services arrived. The car's a goner. But miraculously, nothing happened to me apart from a small hand injury. Even the phone that was playing this song toppled everywhere but is seemingly undamaged. I think this song is blessed, thank you Hosono for saving my life.
@ersatzvitamin1
Lucky You!
@aokigaharakomorebi
Glad you are ok!
@zeropr0ductions631
hosonos great grandfather was the only japanese man to survive the titanic, i think disaster mitigation runs in the family :)
@lick3227
Glad you're okay man. I'm picturing an intense slow motion car crash sequence with this music playing in the background and it's absolutely hilarious.
@Aiaea
猛者で草
@wilosaur
The fact that my dad was 8 when this came out is astonishing to me, it sounds so modern.
@XxFsa10xX
I hope your dad will never come across this comment lmao.
@luviana_
I really wonder what people used to make music like this that long ago...
@hazelnotxyz
@Luxy Synthesisers lmao