[BOØWY’s Masterpieces] A comprehensive showcase from hidden fan favorites to signature hits!
The songs of BOØWY, the legendary band that blazed across Japan’s 80s rock scene, still carry an undying sense of innovation and beauty.
Many of you may find your hearts seized by Kyosuke Himuro’s sensuous vocals and Tomoyasu Hotei’s inventive guitar sound—hearing them even now can send a thrill through you.
In this article, we introduce the gems they left behind, along with the stories behind them.
Longtime fans can relive the excitement of their first listen, while those new to BOØWY can immerse themselves in the band’s richly layered world and enjoy the journey.
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[BOØWY’s Masterpieces] A Comprehensive Showcase from Hidden Favorites to Signature Hits! (41–50)
JUST A HEROBOØWY
It’s a song included on their fourth album, which shares the title “JUST A HERO,” and it is said to have been inspired by David Bowie.
The choral work that appears in the song quotes David Bowie’s track “Changes.”
[BOØWY’s Masterpieces] A Comprehensive Showcase from Hidden Favorites to Signature Hits! (51–60)
Honky-Tonky CrazyBOØWY
Honky Tonky Crazy is BOØWY’s first single, released on June 1, 1985.
It features a catchy, pop sound and offers a glimpse into the early roots of Kyosuke Himuro and Tomoyasu Hotei.
It was used as the ending theme for the TV drama BE-BOP-HIGHSCHOOL.
The seasons change only youBOØWY
The stylish sound is really cool.
It’s a song by BOØWY, the legendary rock band that was active in the 1980s.
It was released in 1987 as their seventh single, and it was their last single before they broke up.
Its cool vibe suits the crisp, chilly air of autumn.
MARIONETTEBOØWY
Among BOOWY’s songs, this is their most popular signature track.
The lyrics depict the real self coolly observing—and condemning—the version of oneself in the mirror, a mere puppet of a frivolous boom.
From this, we can see that even at the height of their popularity, they never lost sight of who they really were.
BABY ACTIONBOØWY
With its offbeat guitar reminiscent of ska and an arrangement that shifts to a two-beat feel in the chorus, the song anticipates later ska-core and ska-punk, showcasing a different side of BOØWY.
The lyrics are based on a summer romance Himuro experienced in his second year of high school, and Hotei himself has said that the guitar solo was inspired by Tom and Jerry.
RATSBOØWY
A song from the era when they were still writing their name as “Bōi” in kanji for “Bowie.” It kicks off with a sprightly rhythm and riff, but the lyrics sung there are thorny—like spitting in disgust after suffering and agonizing over heartless human relationships.
The gimmick where they deliberately drop into silence midway is brilliant, too.
PLASTIC OCEANBOØWY
This is a track from the fourth album, JUST A HERO, which was included only on the cassette and CD versions and not on the vinyl record.
It’s an upbeat, catchy song with a bright shuffle rhythm.
It’s also very rare for BOØWY in that the lyrics are entirely in English.