Karate

Album: Metal Resistance (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lead single from Metal Resistance, this was released on March 25, 2016. The Japanese lyrics are about never giving up and always moving forward, no matter what happens in your life. Co-vocalist Moametal explained to Kerrang: "Karate is a martial art based on the principal of facing yourself."
  • The readers of Kerrang voted this as their best song of 2016.
  • Metal Resistance peaked at #39 on the US albums chart and #15 on the UK albums chart, in both instances the highest position reached by a Japanese band. Solo artist Kyu Sakamoto achieved a higher ranking in the US in 1963.

Comments: 1

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.legacy.com/ {01-10-2018}
    Mikio Fujioka, guitarist for Japanese metal band Babymetal, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. He had fallen off an observation deck while stargazing on Dec. 30, sustaining severe injuries, according to NME. He was 36.
    “We hope that he is now with his Guitar Master A.Holdsworth and enjoying an epic guitar session with him,” the members of Babymetal wrote in a tribute on Instagram.
    Babymetal achieved an international following with their unique theatrical blend of female Japanese-pop vocals and heavy metal instrumentation. The group calls this sound “kawaii metal,” or “cute metal.” They have opened for popular acts like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns N’ Roses and appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
    Fujioka was a member of the group’s accomplished instrumental backing band, known as the Kami Band, who perform in make-up and costumes as nature spirits. He has toured with the band since 2013 and was nicknamed “Ko-Gami,” or “The Little God,” partially because of his diminutive stature.
    Babymetal ended their Instagram tribute to Fujioka with lyrics to their song, “The One.”
    “We are the one. Together. We’re the only one. You are the one. Forever.”
    Fujioka is survived his wife and two daughters.
    May he R.I.P.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.