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.
Read more here.
Yellow Magic
Yellow Magic Orchestra Lyrics
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Miscellaneous
Midnight Magic
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38 Special - Midnight Magic
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Out of the setting sun
You can see the red sky rising
Cutting through the blue still water
I hear our voices dancing on the wind
All the words that we said would never end
As I hold you in my arms
There suddenly appears the brightest star
Well come here closer baby
Chorus:
Didn't I tell you
Midnight Magic
Would come someday, we'd sail away
If for the moment
We let our dreams take over
Midnight Magic
Is waiting for us
We can sail forever in our hearts
Heaven's not too far away
Remember Monterey
We'd sit and count the waves for hours
The ships would pass our way
In our hearts we could feel the power
I could see forever in your eyes
If you'd only let me stay tonight
Can't you see we could have it all
Can't you hear the north wind call
Well come here closer baby
Chorus
As I hold you in my arms
There suddenly appears the brightest star
Well come here closer baby
Chorus
Didn't I tell you, Didn't I tell you
Oh, baby
Didn't I tell you didn't I tell you
Oh. baby, heaven's not to far away
The song "Midnight Magic" by 38 Special talks about a love that can overcome anything and take the couple to a place where they can be happy forever. The opening lines describe a beautiful sunset, and the next lines suggest the presence of a woman who is possibly the one the singer has been searching for. The lyrics then describe a romantic moment by the water, where the couple's voices can be heard as they talk, and they dance to words they said would never end. The song goes on to say that the singer sees a bright star, and he wants to hold his love closer to him.
The chorus of the song refers to "Midnight Magic," which is the idea of letting go of fears and giving in to dreams. The singer believes that if they let their dreams take over, they can sail away forever in their hearts. The lyrics refer to a time the couple spent together in Monterey where they would count the waves for hours, watch the ships pass by, and feel the power in their hearts. The singer wishes to stay with his love and see forever in her eyes, but the lyrics also suggest that they can have it all if they just listen to the north wind's call. In the end, the song says, "Heaven's not too far away," leading listeners to believe that the couple will go to paradise if they let their love guide them.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of the setting sun
From the sunset, a deep red sky is visible
You can see the red sky rising
The appearance of the red sky creates an ambiance
Could she be the one
The singer is hopeful in finding the right person
Cutting through the blue still water
Someone or something is moving across the calm waters
I hear our voices dancing on the wind
The sound of the artist's voice and their companion is reminiscent of dancing
All the words that we said would never end
Conversations between the singer and their companion seemed infinite
As I hold you in my arms
The singer is embracing their companion
There suddenly appears the brightest star
The appearance of a bright star signifies a positive occurrence
Well come here closer baby
The artist requests for their companion to be closer to them
Chorus:
Refrain of the song
Didn't I tell you
The singer is asking if they had already said something
Midnight Magic
Referring to a positive occurrence in the night
Would come someday, we'd sail away
The singer anticipated that an event or feeling would come in the future
If for the moment
Referring to a brief time period
We let our dreams take over
The singer suggests letting their dreams be the focus
Is waiting for us
Referring to the positive occurrence that was previously mentioned
We can sail forever in our hearts
The artist is romantically describing a positive feeling
Heaven's not too far away
Referring to a desirable event or outcome that is within reach
Remember Monterey
The singer reflects on a past experience or memory
We'd sit and count the waves for hours
Describing the relaxed activity the artist and their companion often did
The ships would pass our way
Other objects of significance would come close to the artist and their companion
In our hearts we could feel the power
The artist and their companion both shared a strong feeling
I could see forever in your eyes
The singer uses a metaphor to convey a feeling of depth and connection
If you'd only let me stay tonight
The artist is asking for permission to stay overnight
Can't you see we could have it all
The singer believes everything is possible
Can't you hear the north wind call
The singer describes the sound of the wind like it is a voice
Oh, baby
Affectionate address to their companion
Contributed by Colton M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kotane (こたね)
This version with Minako's vocals is by far the best one, her voice is a real pleasure to listen to.
wannaeatpizza
@Deepak Gurung I came to comment the same, lol
Deepak Gurung
Whut? Theres someone singing?
analog trauma
That piano-duo Sakamoto/ Yano is superb too :)
Valentina Lara
A masterpiece. What a pleasure!
my way
Late 70s Japanese music is fantastic!! Sounds 30 yrs ahead of it's time.
Gabriel Zárate
Esta melodía se escucha espectacular como que me transporta al futuro, a una ciudad muy civilizada con grandes adelantos en electrónica y robótica en fin me transporta al mundo de futuro gracias
Seppo Mindset
Fond memories of listening to this in 1995 when I was working at a tuna processing plant in Okinawa
Geeeee8
Man's gotta explain this meme
Naleek 1st
Who would dislike a beautiful song like this?