Frontman Mukai Shutoku founded what would later be called Zazen Boys shortl… Read Full Bio ↴Frontman Mukai Shutoku founded what would later be called Zazen Boys shortly after the demise of his previous band Number Girl. He initially recruited former Number Girl drummer Ahito Inazawa. Mukai's original idea for Zazen Boys centered around himself and Inazawa playing together with guest talent. This changed after Mukai brought in Hinata Hidekazu (ex-ART-SCHOOL) on bass and Yoshikane Sou (Kicking the Lion) to fill out the band's lineup. He named the group Zazen Boys after an old project with 54-71 and pop singer hal. The band's self-titled album was released in January of 2004 to considerable underground success.

The band's debut continued the steady evolution apparent in Number Girl's final albums, but taken several steps further. The precise rhythms and minor-key melodies of Mukai's former band were still part of the equation, though a heavy dose of experimentation moved the sound even farther left-of-center.

Mukai started working on a new album the same year, released in September 2004. Zazen Boys II smoothed out the rough edges of the band's debut and featured another hometown friend, Shiina Ringo, on backup vocals.

Inazawa announced his sudden departure the next year. Mukai quickly brought in Matsushita Atsushi as the new drummer, then released the five-track single Himitsu Girl's Top Secret in July followed by Zazen Boys III in January 2006. The new album looked to be a push towards free jazz, with a clear focus on improvisation and ambient experimentation.

Source: Keikaku.net

Idiot Funk
ZAZEN BOYS Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Idiot 10年前から
Idiot 100年前から
Idiot 千年前から
Idiot 生まれたときから

はじめてそれを知ったときあなたはなにを思い出した
はじめてあれに勝ったときあなたはなにを感じた
はじめてそれを言ったときあなたはなにを失くした

はじめてあれになったときあなたは一体なにを見た

Oh Idiot
Idiot ha
Idiot
Ldiot 小5のときから
Idiot 生まれたときから
Idiot ah
Idiot
Idiot

Idiot
Idiot

Overall Meaning

In Zazen Boys's song Idiot Funk, the repeated use of the word "idiot" is less about insulting stupidity and instead deals with the idea of innocence and naivety. The song suggests that everyone is an "idiot" in some way, as they have been naïve and inexperienced their entire lives. The song suggests that the way we face and handle our own naïve experiences reveals a lot about our character. The opening lines of the song repeat the word "idiot" through different time periods, suggesting that this sense of innocence has always been a part of human experience. As the song progresses, it poses questions to the listener about their own memories and experiences.

The lyrics suggest that the first time we experience something new, it reveals something about us, whether it be joy, pain or loss. There is a sense of introspection throughout the song, as it questions what we remember or feel from those experiences. The chorus of the song repeats "idiot" in a playful but pointed manner, driving home the idea that we are all fumbling through life, making mistakes and learning along the way.

Overall, Idiot Funk is a reflective song that encourages the listener to embrace their naïve experiences and to use them as opportunities for self-discovery.

Line by Line Meaning

Idiot 10年前から
Being an idiot wasn't something that started recently, but has been going on for 10 years now.

Idiot 100年前から
Being an idiot wasn't something that started just a century ago but has been going on for a long time now.

Idiot 千年前から
Being an idiot wasn't something that started a millennium ago, but has been a part of human nature for hundreds of years.

Idiot 生まれたときから
Being an idiot, unfortunately, is something one is born with and cannot help.

はじめてそれを知ったときあなたはなにを思い出した
When did you first realize that you're an idiot? What did that make you recall or remember?

はじめてあれに勝ったときあなたはなにを感じた
When did you finally overcome your stupidity? What did you feel at that moment, and did it make a difference to your life?

はじめてそれを言ったときあなたはなにを失くした
When did you first express, or put into words, that you're an idiot? What did you lose or give up as a result?

はじめてあれになったときあなたは一体なにを見た
When was the moment when you finally became a fool? What did you witness, exactly?

Oh Idiot
Oh, the never-ending condition of idiocy.

Idiot ha
Yes, you ARE an idiot.

Idiot Ldiot 小5のときから
Being an idiot seems to have started since you were in elementary school.