Original subtitles

[rock music]

♪ Bitin' and scratchin' and pullin' my hair ♪

♪ Who has a way to make me wish that I was dreamin' ♪

♪ So I could wake up from this scary nightmare? ♪

♪ - It's you - You ♪

♪ And you drive me crazy ♪

♪ I say I can't stand it, then I beg you for more ♪

♪ - You - You ♪

♪ You make my b-b-b-brain go hazy ♪

♪ You, you, you, you ♪

♪ You, you, you, you, you ♪

♪ Ah ♪

♪ Shah ♪

[groaning]

[wheezing]

♪ Oh, it's you ♪

[breathing heavily]

♪ - You - You ♪

♪ And you're drivin' me crazy ♪

♪ I say I've had enough and then I still want more ♪

♪ - You - You ♪

♪ You make my brain go hazy ♪

♪ You, you, you, you ♪

♪ You, you, you, you, you ♪

[applause]

[upbeat electronic music]

So, Mike, when do I get to do my song?

I don't know, baby.

We're talking about using some other girl.

Who?

Oh...

I don't give a shit anyway.

[spirited electronic music]

How you doin', TJ?

[door closes]

[music fades]

[traffic rumbling]

Dear Jane, got your postcard.

Must be fate 'cause I just saw this thing on TV

about American rockers becoming stars in Japan.

Figure if they can do it, so can I.

I'm tired of singing backup for creeps.

Hope you meant it when you said, "Wish you were here,"

'cause I'm comin' to Japan!

Love, Wendy.

But why Japan?

Because this entire city sucks.

Well, what‘s wrong with LA?

LA sucks too, it's just the weather's better.

Look. Look at this.

Do you know what this is?

What is this, a trick question? Mount Fuji.

No, no, no, peace of mind.

That's what this is.

-No kidding. -Yeah.

They really like American singers over there, you know?

Taxi!

♪ Well, it's one for the money ♪

♪ Two for the show ♪

♪ Three to get ready, now go, cat, go ♪

♪ But don't you step on my blue suede shoes ♪

[rock music]

♪ Well, you can do anything, but lay off my blue suede shoes ♪

♪ You can knock me down, step in my face ♪

♪ Slander my name all over the place ♪

♪ Do anything that you want to do ♪

♪ Oh, honey, honey, lay off my shoes ♪

♪ Don't you step on my blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Well, you can do anything, but lay off them blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Oh! ♪

[keyboard solo]

♪ Well, you can burn my house, steal my car ♪

♪ Drink my sake at the karaoke bar ♪

♪ Do anything that you want to do ♪

♪ Oh, honey, honey, lay off my shoes ♪

♪ Don't you step on my blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Well, you can do anything, but lay off them blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Oh! ♪

[guitar solo]

♪ Oh, yeah yeah ♪

[upbeat rock music]

[harmonica solo]

♪ Blue, blue, blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Blue, blue, blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Blue, blue, blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Blue, blue, blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Well, you can do anything, but lay off them blue suede shoes ♪

Woo!

♪ Blue, blue, blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Blue, blue, blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Blue, blue, blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Blue, blue, blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Well, you can do anything, but lay off them blue suede shoes ♪

♪ Oh! ♪

[music ending]

♪ Yeah! ♪

[airplane soaring]

-Tokyo? -May I have bus ticket?

My bus ticket. Thank you.

[engine rumbling]

[bell chiming]

Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome aboard the Limousine Bus.

We are now leaving by expressway for Shinjuku-eki,

and the journey will take about an hour and 40 minutes,

but we may be delayed due to traffic conditions.

Please remain seated while the bus is on the move.

Thank you.

[bell chiming]

Papaya Paranoia, what are you going to sing?

-"Rakuen, Rakuen." -"Rakuen, Rakuen."

"Paradise, Paradise."

[upbeat rock music]

I'm going to New York when I'm famous.

Me too. And I'm going to 0868's in a Cadillac.

No, a limo!

I'm staying at the Mayflower Hotel. All the famous rockers stay there.

How do you know that?

I read it in a magazine.

Happiness

Is it okay?

Can two people just have a fun date?

Can we just have fun by ourselves?

[upbeat rock music]

They're quite a dry bunch

We just spin around

Isn't it okay?

-Card? -Yes.

Oh! Thanks!

Even if I lied to you

You just liked me like a girl

Would it be better if I waited?

Thank you.

Let's go to heaven... Oh, heaven, heaven

Excuse me, maybe you can help me.

I'm looking for a place to stay...

[indistinct]

Excuse me, do you speak English?

[indistinct]

Of course not. Thanks.

[upbeat rock music]

Do you speak English?

Ah, sure do, honey.

-Really? -What do you need?

I just got here from New York,

and I called my girlfriend, and she's not there,

and I need a place to stay tonight.

Do you--can you help me?

Oh, why don't you stay in a ryokan?

Ryokan? What's a ryokan?

Oh, it's a Japanese inn.

All the gaijin stay there.

-Gaijin? -Ah. We're gaijin.

You're a gaijin, I'm a gaijin.

All foreigners are gaijin.

[laughing]

Okay, you know some-- you know...

Oh, yeah, sure, sure, uh...

-Try Mickey House. -Mickey House?

Mickey House, it's in Itabashi.

Itabashi? Where? I don't...

Oh, I'm sorry.

Here, I'll write it down for you.

Thanks.

You're gonna have a great time here.

They love blondes.

What're you doing?

Even if I lied to you

You just liked me like a girl

English, um, Itabashi?

Mickey, you know, Mickey Mouse? No?

What if you were dumped?

You should have talked to her

[lied to you

Was it good? Oh heaven, heaven

Oh hardship and happiness

Oh heaven, heaven

We just want to...

Heaven

Keep your hands to yourself, all right?

[music ending]

[train rumbling]

[soft music]

[indistinct]

Oh, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Is it okay to just ignore it?

We just need to be more patient

Hello?

Hi. Come on in.

Hi.

It's Sugao.

Shoes, please.

Third runner, Hara. Second runner, Yamagura. first runner, Matsumoto.

So, how's it going?

All right.

Kind of expecting something a little more Japanese.

Here at 810 Radio, you're in tune to the...

[laughter]

Stop it!

Hello?

Oh, hi.

[laughter]

You use top, okay?

Sure.

Hi.

[indistinct radio broadcast]

Hey, the shower's not working, is there something wrong?

You need 100 yen.

There's a slot on the right.

You get ten minutes, okay?

Yeah, all right, thanks.

Christ sakes.

Thailand?

Well, when's she coming back?

[sighs]

You're kiddin'.

No, I don't want her number in Bangkok.

Look, forget it, okay?

I'm sorry.

Thanks.

[phone slams]

You okay?

I was supposed to visit my girlfriend here,

and she went and she moved to Thailand.

Oh, that's tough.

You have a job?

No.

I guess I could work in a club or something. I'm a singer.

I work in a club. I'm a hostess.

Pays the most money.

Yeah, most of us guys teach English.

It's hard if you don't have a work visa.

If you want a job, see Alice.

-She‘ll fix you up. -Yeah, sure.

[bright music]

It bloomed and shrank and was abandoned

I met up and gave up and gave up

While holding on to the compassion of people

Die on a broken branch

It's Naniwabushi

A woman's life

[applause, laughter]

[bright music]

Mr. Aki, wake up.

Don't bother.

What did you make her drink?

[indistinct shouting]

Let's be America, Wendy!

Time to sing, it's your big chance!

Hey everybody!

Straight from America, this is Wendy.

Wendy, Wendy!

[applause]

[mellow music]

♪ Oh, give me a home ♪

♪ Where the buffalo roam ♪

♪ And the deer and the antelope play ♪

♪ Where seldom is heard a discouraging word ♪

♪ And the skies are not cloudy all day ♪

♪ Home, home on the range ♪

♪ Where the deer and the antelope play ♪

♪ Where seldom is heard a discouraging word ♪

♪ And the skies are not cloudy all day ♪

[applause]

[cheering]

[indistinct television broadcast]

[sighs]

Hurry up. You'll be late for work. Here, eat something.

Grandpa, we didn't get the gig.

Oh.

You should practice more.

You‘re still working on your chopsticks? What's that on your head?

Leave me alone. It's the latest thing. Maybe I can't use chopsticks,

but you didn‘t get the gig!

Why do I have to eat this junk food every day?

This tastes good. Don't you think so, Hiro?

Shut up!

Grandpa, don't be so picky.

Your son is out working hard for us and I don't have time to prepare dinner.

Don‘t put on make-up at the table!

Don't be old-fashioned, Grandpa!

Well, I have to get to my aerobics class.

Everybody, clean up when you're done.

Hiro! Don't be late for work.

Singing English isn't enough.

We need something else. Some kind of gimmick.

Yeah, to promote the band. The other band had a gaijin.

That's why they got the gig.

Yeah, we need a gaijin.

An American, yeah!

May I have a crepe, please?

♪ Well, you can do anything, but lay off them blue suede shoes ♪

[laughter]

[train rumbling]

[indistinct shouting]

[train rumbling]

[indistinct announcements]

Shit.

Is that the last train?

Oh, last train, last train.

[sighs]

Taxi!

-Hi. -Oh...

-Itabashi, Itabashi? -Next, next.

-No, no, no, Itabashi? -Next, next.

Taxi!

Taxi!

Ta--taxi, stop, stop!

Taxi!

Where are you going?

Uh, Itabashi, yeah?

I, I don't have a map.

[tires screech]

[door opens, closes]

[footsteps]

Taxi!

Stop!

Where are you going?

Go, just...just go, okay?

No street names, no addresses.

What kind of a city is this?

Turn here.

Just let me out here.

[soft music]

[chatter]

[laughter]

Here we go. Let's eat.

Hey, that blonde girl has been staring at you.

You could be her type.

Hi, baby.

Are you lonesome tonight?

[laughing]

What a cute blonde!

She's got nice tits. Pick her up.

She looks pretty wild.

[laughter]

I bet he can't do it.

You never picked up a gaijin before.

How much you wanna bet?

I bet 2000 Yen you can't do it.

Okay, show me the money.

Thanks, got it.

We get double if you can't do it, all right?

No problem.

You‘ve got a lot of confidence. Are you sure?

[chatter]

How much for this?

700 yen.

I don't speak Japanese.

In English, please?

700 yen.

520?

Hi, I'm a Japanese rock and roller.

-Hi. -Pleased to meet you.

This is all I have. Is that all right?

That's not it.

How much?

700 yen.

[slurping]

Arigato. Arigato.

Here, thanks.

You're welcome.

Do you speak Japanese?

Only that and bathroom, "benjo."

Wild thing, I think you move me.

-Jimi Hendrix, huh? -Sure.

-That's really American. -Sure, thank you.

[soft music]

Would you like to take a drink?

Look, could I have a rain check?

Check?

I missed the last train, and I'm really tired,

and I want to go home, but I don't have a map

of where I live.

Hey, look, if! get a taxi,

could you explain to the driver where I live?

It's in Itabashi at the Mickey House.

-You know? -Su re.

Is it expensive to take a taxi to Itabashi?

I don‘t have a whole lot of money.

Sure.

Shit!

Look, I‘ve only been in Japan a little over two weeks,

16 days, really.

I'm a singer, rock and roll, like, like you, right?

So I come here to visit my-- well, it doesn't really matter.

Anyway, I wind up at this place, the Mickey House,

and I don‘t have any money, so one of the girls

gets me a job at a hostess club.

Anyway, they don't pay until the end of the third week,

and I'm really, really broke right now,

and I missed the last train, and it's just...

it's a hell of a night, you know, really sucks.

Oh. Sucks!

Yeah, sucks.

I'm so tired.

Well, maybe I should go to a hotel.

Hotel?

I can choose a nice hotel.

I can't go to a hotel, I don‘t have any money!

You need money?

Yeah, I need money for a hotel.

I can pay.

Wait a minute.

Really, you can pay?

Sure.

No strings?

No strings.

Okay, 'cause I'm not looking for any grief, you know what I mean?

Sure, no grief.

No hassles.

Sure!

Look, I promise I'll pay you back

every--every yen.

-Sure. -All right?

[chatter]

-Okay. -Okay.

-All right, come on. -Okay.

So many little hotels.

-Who stays here? -Oh, everybody.

[jingling]

Please enjoy.

Thank you.

[grunting]

[whistling]

[bottles clinking]

[soft music]

-Hi. -Screw you, Charlie!

What?

I can't leave, I don't even know where I am.

What kind of guy is this?

[door slamming]

-You, out! -Me?

You. Get out!

-No, no, no, please. -You lay one finger on me,

and I swear I'll scream rape.

But the lady at the desk, it's only two minutes.

Where do you get off thinking that I would ever--

-You said you wanted money. -What?

You said you wanted money!

Oh, screw you!

I'm gonna sleep in the bathtub and I'm gonna lock the door,

so don't try anything funny.

This way.

[door closing]

[soft uplifting music]

[birds chirping]

Japanese rock-and-roller.

[cars whooshing]

Wow! This is great.

Don't touch that!

[horn music]

My son should be interested in coming into business with me.

Something with a future, like plastic food.

Dad, I have a favor to ask.

Yeah.

I found a really cool leather jacket in Harajuku.

It's 30,000 yen.

You don't need it. It‘s a rock and roll costume, isn't it?

Come on, Dad!

Rock and roll is a hobby.

It isn't man's work.

I'll pay you back.

You always say that.

How about 20,000 yen?

How about no yen?

You can't earn a living from rock and roll. Dom something serious with your life.

I'm going to the toilet.

Hand me the spaghetti.

Let's do it! Let's do it!

[gentle music]

My company is the largest importer

of medium-weight farm equipment in Japan.

-Really? -We are in the domestic section.

This is (inaudible), the manager, Mr. (unclear).

I'm pleased to-- nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you. -Nice pleased to meet you.

Yeah, nice to meet you.

I did it!

That's two weeks, 100,000 yen,

but minus a few thousand.

You were late.

What are you talking about late, Seki?

I was only two minutes late!

Don't argue with me, and don‘t be late.

The Japanese girl only get 4,000 a night.

You get 10,000, all right?

If you want more money,

come to work as a bunny girl, huh?

Give me a break, okay?

Creep.

[lively music]

[indistinct chatter]

[maraca rattling]

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

Uh, excuse me, do you speak English?

Uh, do you speak English?

Women!

What are you making?

No thanks.

What‘s up?

Do you know any really good rock-and-roll bands around?

We will shine on stage

Make people love our romance

Hey, Hiro, isn't that the gaijin you picked up?

What?

Looks like her.

What I'm looking for

is a real rock-and-roll band, yeah?

She's pretty. Aren't you gonna talk to her?

Not right now.

You didn't really do it, did you?

How many times do I have to tell you I did it?

Give me my money back!

I said I did it!

Hey, you! Give me back my money!

No, not Night Ranger really.

I'm looking--

-You? -Me.

You.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute!

Hey! Wait a second!

-Get lost. -Come on.

I said, "Get lost," you asshole!

I thought he said he picked her up!

I don't want to have anything to do with you, okay?

Wait a minute!

Excuse me, please.

Please, please, let this man leave me alone.

Stop it, okay? Leave me alone!

You're driving me crazy!

[imitating guitar riff]

I can't believe this guy.

You know!

You know, Jimi Hendrix!

Yeah, I thought you liked Hendrix!

[imitating guitar riff]

-You are so crazy. -Sure.

You didn't understand what I said

the other night, did you?

-Me? -You.

No.

Nice American smile.

-I'm Wendy Reed. -Hiro Yamaguchi.

-Nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you too.

By the way, can you take a drink with me tomorrow?

No, I don't think so.

Maybe. Maybe. I...

Okay, okay.

-Okay? -Sure.

-Sure? -Okay, yeah.

I'll see you tomorrow.

-Oh. -Okay.

Where should I meet you?

Oh, call me where I work, okay?

-Bye. -Bye.

[funky music]

That'll be 5,000 yen.

No, no, no, it's okay.

Thanks.

Gaijin don't have to pay.

[upbeat music]

It's all hard

Just pain

Who is this?

Do you all hate this?

Do you all hate this?

How ya doing?

[upbeat music]

-We should go. -Now?

-Yeah. -Yeah.

So, anyway, where was I?

Oh, yeah, high school.

I was pretty wild.

I went to college, but I dropped out

after a couple of semesters.

Didn't really have the best-looking guys, you know?

One was this guy from New Jersey, right?

I'm from New Jersey, too. Did I tell you that?

Anyway, he was this bass player, right?

It didn't work out at all.

Then there was Johnny J.

He was a roadie.

One night I came home and he was dealing dope

out of a guitar case, so I split.

There was this guy, Mike.

He had a really cool band.

He once opened for Billy Idol.

He let me sing backup for him, right?

-Billy Idol? -Yeah,

but he was a real son of a bitch.

Bastard.

He said I could sing lead with him.

Then he starts blowing this other chick

and he gives her the gig.

I really couldn't take it anymore.

Then I get this postcard from my girlfriend in Japan,

and it seemed like she really found

something here, you know?

So I figured, "Screw it."

It's rock-and-roll, it's an experience.

So I took his rent money and I came here to check it out.

[chuckles]

Oh! Check it out.

Oh, great, rock-and-roll, yeah.

Know something?

You're really easy to talk to.

Anybody ever tell you that?

Sure. Maybe.

[electronic game music]

[honking]

I'm a real grown man.

I know.

I'm getting kind of tired.

You want a taxi?

How about a hotel?

What?

A hotel.

I'd like to go to a hotel.

Ho--hotel?

You mean you and me?

You mean you and me together?

Whoa.

-Really? -Yeah.

-Is it okay? -Yeah.

[laughing]

[soft music]

I love it.

-I love it.

It's better than the pictures downstairs.

-It's okay with you? -Yeah.

-TV? -Yeah, TV.

-TV. -Mm.

What is that?

Oh, porno.

I know it's porno, silly.

I mean the squiggly stuff, what is that?

Oh, this is Japan.

They can't show that.

[grunting]

Hiro, you know What I'd really like?

What?

I'd really like a nice, long, hot,

quiet bath alone.

See, they charge at the Mickey House

for the showers, so we all use the public baths,

and I haven't had a bath alone since I came to Japan.

Is it okay?

[heavy breathing]

[groaning]

Okay.

Are you coming back this time?

Promise.

[heavy breathing]

[music stopping]

[heavy breathing]

[music starting]

[moaning]

Hiro...

Can you teach me Japanese?

Yeah.

It's...

Yeah.

-Yeah. -Mm.

And...

Yeah.

How do you say "kiss"?

It's kiss.

Teach me more.

Mm, Hiro?

Hi--Hiro?

Hiro...

Hiro, you still have your clothes on.

Oh, I forgot.

[moaning]

Hiro? Hiro!

What's happened?

I'm sorry.

This doesn't feel right.

I think maybe I should go.

Why?

You think maybe you could go a little slower?

It's too fast?

It's too fast.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

There she is. She sang with Billy Idol.

You‘re kidding?

We need a gaijin singer.

Hiro, why don't you ask her to join the band?

Wait.

I'm the band leader, and I decide who joins the band.

But we need a gaijin like her!

I'll think about it.

He's afraid he won't be the star singer if she comes in.

He‘s afraid she's gonna fall in love with me.

Shut up! I said I'll think about it.

Yeah.

This is, uh, Wendy.

-Hi. -Yeah.

-Taro. -Hi.

-Hi. -Yeah.

It's, uh, Kaz.

How ya doing?

And, uh, it's Shun.

Shun, hi.

-Yeah. Guitar. -Oh, guitar.

Oh, guitar.

Nice pick.

And, uh, Yoji, yeah.

Yoji, hi.

Nice to meet you.

My--my name is Yoji.

Yoji.

[laughing]

Is Hiro still asleep, Grandpa?

Yeah, I think so.

Hiro, it's late!

Wake up!

Okay, Mom. What's the most beautiful shrine in Tokyo?

Hiro, I'm so happy!

You're finally interested in Japan... instead of American things!

Leave me alone.

Grandpa, Hiro wants to go to a shrine!

Ah.

[indistinct chatter]

Excuse me, sorry.

Excuse me.

-Hey! -Hi.

Oh, God, how are ya?

-Oh, fine. -Where we going?

Yeah. Someplace Japanese.

-Okay. -Yeah.

-Let's go. -Yeah, okay.

[guitar music]

[unintelligible]

-A little more. -More?

Like when you graduate?

[unintelligible]

Wow.

Why do they--why do they leave it here?

-Yeah. -Great place.

Chopsticks.

You should shake.

As a souvenir.

Yeah.

-Like that? -Yeah.

[coin clinking]

This.

[clanging]

-Okay. -Ready?

Okay.

-You pray. -Okay.

Yeah.

This is really pretty.

-Pretty. -Yeah.

Come here all the time?

Oh, this is the first time.

No, get out of there. Really?

Yeah. I'm a rock-and-roller.

This is what I always thought Japan was like.

It's cool.

Cool?

I have a nice idea.

You should join the band.

No way, Hiro.

Last time I joined a boyfriend's band,

it flipped out.

I want my own band.

[indistinct Japanese]

[clapping, coughing]

[soft music]

[applause]

-Cheers. -Cheers.

So, what's next?

This.

[sizzling]

-Hiro? -Yeah.

How come you never talk about yourself?

-Me? -Yeah, you.

[sizzling]

Japanese people don't talk about themselves.

Why not?

I don‘t know.

I want to know more about you.

-Really? -Mm-hm.

Like what?

I don‘t know.

How come you play rock-and-roll?

When I was a schoolboy, my classmate didn't like me

because I'm not Tokyo boy.

Where are you from?

-The country, Yamagata. -Yamagata.

So, I thought if I could be a singer,

everyone would see me as special.

Well, then how come you sing other people's songs?

Why don't you write your own?

I write sometimes,

but nobody wants to hear my songs.

They're in Japanese and about me.

I want to hear your songs.

-Really? -Mm-hm.

I want to be a real rock-and-roller.

I should sing in English.

You know, like, uh, Mick Jagger,

and John Lennon,

and Frank Shinatora.

-Who? -Frank Shinatora.

You know, "My Way."

My way.

-Sinatra? -Yeah.

You want to sing like Frank Sinatra?

Yeah.

Really?

Isn't it?

It's hard.

Is Dota here?

Yeah, he's in there. He's one tough guy.

O.K., we're next.

Dota-san, there are still some bands left.

I'm tired out.

I'm going home.

The audition's over. Sorry. Thanks for coming.

That was Dota, the producer.

What a bummer.

There goes our chance for the Spring Festival.

Hey, Hiro, when is the gaijin joining the band?

I don‘t know.

I don't care.

We need the gaijin.

We're depending on you.

She has her own ideas.

You're a man. She should listen to you.

Yeah, well, gaijin women aren't that simple.

Pay more attention to her!

[chatter]

You're not very talkative today, is something wrong?

What do you mean?

In America, we talk about our feelings.

This isn't America.

It's that big record producer, Dota, isn't it?

Look, Hiro, just because he canceled the audition

doesn't mean he can't hear you, just get your tape to him.

-It's not easy. -Why not?

It's difficult to see him.

Come on, no one's that hard to get to.

You can't understand aboutJapan.

I thought about what you said, you know,

about me joining your band and stuff,

and, um, the truth is

I've got some really interesting leads of my own,

so I'm gonna look for my own band, okay?

No hard feelings?

Sure.

Not mad?

No.

Good.

[rock music]

Hex?

-Yeah. -Yeah.

Hi. You're looking for a singer, right?

We need a foreigner.

Great.

You're backup.

So I used to sing with this downtown art funk kind of band,

but I really don't mind doing hard rock or heavy metal.

Whatever you guys are into, it's fine with me.

-I mean, most of my influences-- -We have three gigs next week.

Anyway, like...

Hi.

Hello?

Doing my best.

[music ends]

[chatter]

[chatter]

Hiro,

I got a gig!

Gig?

-Gig. -G|g.

[dark metal music]

♪ Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam ♪

♪ And the deer and the antelope play ♪

♪ Seldom is heard a discouraging word ♪

♪ And the skies are not cloudy all day ♪

♪ Home ♪

♪ Home on the range ♪

♪ Where the deer and the antelope play ♪

♪ Home on the range ♪

♪ Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam ♪

♪ And the deer and the antelope play ♪

♪ Seldom is heard a discouraging word ♪

♪ And the skies are not cloudy all day ♪

♪ Home ♪

♪ Home on the range ♪

♪ Where the deer and the antelope play ♪

♪ Home on the range ♪

[guitar solo]

♪ Give me a home where the buffalo roam ♪

♪ And the deer and the antelope play ♪

♪ Seldom is heard a discouraging word ♪

♪ And the skies are not cloudy all day ♪

♪ Home ♪

♪ Home on the range ♪

♪ Where the deer and the antelope play ♪

♪ Home on the range ♪

[music ending]

[light applause]

[music ends]

[light applause]

Can you sing with me?

I'm not a very good singer.

Come on.

[strumming guitar]

♪ Looking out on the morning rain ♪

[mellow guitar music]

♪ I used to feel uninspired ♪

♪ And when I knew I'd have to face another day ♪

♪ Lord, it made me feel so tired ♪

♪ Before the day I met you ♪

♪ Life was so unkind ♪

♪ Your love was the key to my peace of mind ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel like a natural man ♪

[laughs]

♪ When my soul was in the lost and found ♪

♪ You came along to claim it ♪

♪ I didn't know just what was wrong with me ♪

♪ Till your kiss helped me name it ♪

[mellow music]

♪ Now I'm no longer doubtful ♪

♪ What I'm livin' for ♪

♪ 'Cause if I make you happy, baby, I don't need to do more ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel like a natural woman ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh, baby, whatcha done to me ♪

♪ Whatcha done to me ♪

♪ You made me, you made me feel so good inside ♪

♪ Good inside ♪

♪ And I, I just wanna be ♪

♪ Close to you ♪

♪ You make me feel so alive ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel like a natural woman ♪

♪ - Oh - You make me feel ♪

♪ - I feel, I feel - You make me feel ♪

♪ - So good inside - You make me feel ♪

♪ Oh, you make me feel so good ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ - Oh, baby - You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel like a natural woman ♪

♪ So alive ♪

♪ You make me, you make me feel ♪

♪ - You make me feel - So alive ♪

[music ending]

[laughing]

[chatter]

It's the backbeat I'm talking about.

Maybe Taro can do something about it, huh?

What did she say?

She wants you to push the back beat on “Blue Suede Shoes.”

Oh, me?

Okay?

She talks too fast.

What about a Police song?

We don't sing Police songs.

What did she say?

I said we don't sing Police songs.

-No Police. -Yeah.

Nice.

We've got to get this new tape to Dota.

As soon as we finish the mix.

What's he talking about?

He says we have to get Dota our new tape.

No problem.

What did she say?

[laughing] “No problem”

What?

What's so funny?

You can't understand!

Well, try me.

Dota, there are maybe 300 bands trying to get to him.

So?

What did she say?

She said "So?" OK?

It's impossible to get to him!

Nothing‘s impossible.

You can't understand, people are different in Japan!

What did you say?

"People are different in Japan." Goddamn it!

Is Dota really coming?

Yes, he is.

[shushing]

Someone's coming.

[humming]

♪ Slander my name all over the place ♪

♪ Do anything that you want to do ♪

♪ Oh, honey, honey, lay off my shoes ♪

♪ Don't you step on my blue suede shoes ♪

[rock music]

♪ Well, you can do anything, but lay off them blue suede shoes ♪

[groovy music]

We're here.

Good luck.

[growling]

Hi. Hi.

Singing telegram!

We want to ask Dota-san to listen to this tape, please.

[chatter]

[chatter]

[laughter]

[chatter]

[music ends]

You know, I don't get what the big deal is

about this guy Dota anyway.

He's the best manager in Japan.

He's a star-maker, okay?

Okay, so give me the tape and I'll get it to him.

What?

She says she can get the tape to Dota.

You'll get the tape to Dota? She's gotta be kidding!

You really don't understand anything, do you?

[laughter]

[slow, groovy rock music]

Mr. Kato, please.

Tell him it's Wendy.

Wendy from New York.

Do I know you?

You do now.

What can I do for you?

Could you listen to my demo tape?

Of course.

Thank you.

[music ending]

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

Mm-hmm, this is Wendy Reed.

Wait, what?

Really?

When?

Where?

Sure, we'll be there.

It was certainly reported from both sides.

It was coming from both sides.

It seems hard. Very difficult.

By the way, Aomori is from Hokkaido.

So what's the deal here?

[indistinct chatter on television]

Dota wants us to be the wrestlers‘ opening act.

I know.

We have to audition for next week.

Wait a minute, audition?

What do you mean, audition?

Young wrestlers used to sing,

but that's not popular anymore.

They want something new.

Oh.

A blonde gaijin.

Forget it, let's go.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

We'll be on TV, right?

Yes, like a circus act.

But it's still TV.

National TV.

It's rock and roll!

It‘s not rock and roll.

We can't do this, Wendy.

Why?

If we play here,

they'll never invite us to a festival

or Best Hits on TV.

Come on, Hiro, all they have to do is hear the band!

You don‘t understand about Japan.

Why, 'cause I'm not Japanese?

Hiro, this is national television.

This is our big chance.

This is no chance.

Nobody does it this way.

Well, just because nobody does it this way

doesn't mean that we can't!

Why do you have to do what everybody else does?

Why do you have to be so... so Japanese about everything?

We are not playing here.

Oh, that's it, huh?

That's your final word?

-Yes! -Well, forget this!

You know, you're just like all the rest of 'em!

I'm such an idiot. I'm such an idiot!

I shoulda known!

Every time I think it's gonna be different,

every time, it's the same thing over--

Hello, Dota, what the hell is this?

[clamoring]

[cameras clicking]

In the crowd of people returning north, everyone is silent

I hear only the rumbling of the sea

I, too, ride alone...

[laughter]

[mellow music]

...on a connecting ferry

Hey, Mistress, look.

Isn't that Wendy?

Wendy!

You are famous!

That's famous?

Yes, in Japan!

Well...

in that case, I quit.

[drumsticks clicking]

[upbeat music]

[laughing]

♪ Do you believe in magic in a young girl's heart? ♪

♪ How the music can free her whenever it starts ♪

♪ And it's magic if the music is groovy ♪

♪ It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie ♪

♪ I'll tell you about the magic that'll free your soul ♪

♪ But it's like trying to tell a stranger about rock and roll ♪

♪ If you believe in magic, don't bother to choose ♪

♪ If it's jug band music or rhythm and blues ♪

♪ Just go and listen, it'll start with a smile ♪

♪ That won't wipe off your face no matter how hard you try ♪

♪ Your feet start tapping, and you can't seem to find ♪

♪ How you got there, so just blow your mind ♪

♪ - Oh - Yeah ♪

♪ If you believe in magic, come along with me ♪

♪ We'll dance until morning till there's just you and me ♪

♪ And maybe if the music is right ♪

♪ I'll meet you tomorrow sorta late at night ♪

♪ And we'll go dancing, baby, then you'll see ♪

♪ How the magic's in the music, and the music's in me ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Do you believe in magic? ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Believe in the magic of a young girl's soul ♪

♪ Believe in the magic of rock and roll ♪

♪ Believe in the magic that'll set you free ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Well, do you believe in magic? ♪

♪ Do you believe like I believe? ♪

♪ Do you believe in magic? ♪

♪ Do you believe like I believe? ♪

♪ Do you believe in magic? ♪

♪ Well, do you, do you, do you, do you? ♪

♪ Do you believe in magic? ♪

♪ All right ♪

[upbeat rock music]

[music ending]

I have more surprises for you!

[laughing]

Hey, Wendy, Wendy!

[excited kissing noises]

[laughing]

This place is really something, huh?

Yeah, Dota-san is very nice.

Yeah, well, he oughta be, he's making a mint off of us.

You all right?

-Me? -Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

You don't look so hot.

I think I'm very lucky.

Most Japanese men do not have their apartment

until they get married.

This room is nicer than my parents' house.

[grunting]

Yeah, I think it's really good

that you're out on your own like this.

Yeah.

Maybe.

[indistinct television broadcast]

Good morning.

[indistinct television broadcast]

Hiro, Hiro, I can't.

I can't!

[laughing]

Oh, breakfast.

Yeah.

Here.

[sighs]

Nice coffee.

Thanks.

Yeah.

Good bun.

How'd you sleep?

Okay.

What are you writing?

A schedule.

Oh.

A schedule.

[shouting on television]

[screaming on television]

[zapping sounds on television]

[television clicks]

[bright music]

Life is tough.

Be kind to yourself and take it easy!

Visit your nearest Toto shop!

[speaking Japanese]

Your tush will be beautiful!

[singing]

♪ Oh, baby ♪

[gentle guitar music]

[indistinct lyrics]

[indistinct lyrics]

It's really wonderful.

[water lapping]

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I never played my song for anyone before.

[zipping]

Hey.

-You bring? -Yeah.

[mellow music]

How many times do you think we've played

"Do You Believe in Magic"?

Maybe a hundred times.

[laughing]

I really wish we could play something different,

something real,

like your song.

I don't think so.

Why?

You understand.

[mellow acoustic music]

WeII...

I guess this is it.

What?

What we wanted.

I'm gonna be famous,

make some money.

Yeah.

You happy?

Yeah!

Are you happy?

Yeah, yeah.

[softly strummed acoustic guitar music in headphones]

What do you think, Grandpa?

I don't know so much about rock and roll...

Yeah?

...but I think it's a very nice song.

Thank you, Grandpa.

When I was young, boogie was popular.

There was a singer named Shizuko Kasagi.

She was really good. I was a big fan of hers.

We were very unhappy after the war and when she sang, she made us feel better.

There are no fish!

Quiet! You‘re too noisy!

We should go fishing in a real river next time.

What does your gaijin girlfriend think of your song?

She likes it.

Westerners know a lot about that kind of music.

She thinks I should sing it.

Then, why don't you?

I don't think it'll be popular.

I see.

Grandpa.

When Grandma was alive... did you ever tell her that you loved her?

No, I don't think so. We never talked about such things.

Ooh!

[grunting]

[rhythmic chanting, jingling bells]

I love this!

Sorry?

[indistinct yelling]

[rhythmic chanting, drumming]

[rhythmic clicking]

This has been a wonderful day.

Wendy?

Hm?

I‘m glad you joined the band.

Thanks.

What I mean is, uh...

I'm glad I met you.

Me too.

[faint rhythmic chanting]

What I mean is, uh...

How should I say "I love you"?

Just say it.

I love you too.

Oh! I'm shy.

Here we go!

[all shout, clap rhythmically]

Thank you.

♪ Japaleggae ♪

♪ Japa, Japa, Japaleggae ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

[reggae-like music]

♪ Peace and love... ♪

Hey, Wendy.

Hi, how's it going?

-This is Curtis. -Hi, Curtis.

Hey, hey.

-Curtis just got here. -Oh yeah? Where from?

-I came from LA. -You came from LA?

What'd you bring with you?

Oh, that's Jon Cryer-- here, have a listen.

Jon Cryer's singing now?

Yeah. It's great, really.

It's not bad!

What's that?

Oh, that's the new Tina Turner.

New Tina--oh, man.

Thanks.

I feel so out of it, you know?

I was reading the paper the other day, right,

and they had this list of the top 10 singles in the U.S.,

and I didn't even know one artist.

Oh, wow, you live here?

Yeah, I'm a singer.

She's, like, only the most popular foreign singer in Japan.

Haven't you seen her picture on the subway?

No. What's your name?

Wendy Reed.

Wendy Reed and Mean Jumbo.

It's like her picture's all over the place.

Billboards, commercials, TV.

Her and this wrestler.

No--but anyway, I just got here, so...

I mean, I only know the people that you would know about

in the United States.

Well, I guess Wendy's thing's a little more Japanese-y, eh?

♪ Ooh, sorry ♪

♪ Play that funky beat ♪

♪ Hey, uh-huh, sorry ♪

♪ Play that funky beat ♪

♪ Hey, you better not look down ♪

[funky dance music]

You know, Wendy, you should stop by the agency.

Minoru, I'm not the model type.

You can't sing forever.

Yeah? Why not?

It will be over soon.

But your face is well-known.

You could model for a while.

Honey, you're a minor fad.

How do you think a gaijin can stay in the public eye?

What are you talking about?

Look. It's Japan.

People here get tired of things real fast.

You get a contract from that guy Dota?

Yeah.

How long?

-Six months. -See?

To see if the band catches on,

and if we're doing great, which we are, we'll renew.

You might renew but Dota won't.

Look, Minoru, you don't know what you're talking about.

We've got a hit and we're singing in Dota's festival.

Sure. You'll see.

She's always late, Hiro. What should we do?

We‘ll never be ready for the Spring Festival if we can't rehearse.

Let's fire her.

Don't be an idiot.

Let's find another gaijin.

Oh, sure!

Hiro's right. The whole success of the band depends on Wendy.

I wouldn't exactly say that.

Without Wendy, we wouldn't be famous.

It's not Wendy. It's any gaijin. Any gaijin would be the same.

Let‘s find another one.

All right. Let's rehearse.

[soft piano music]

[clattering]

[soft piano music]

[piano music intensifies]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[heels clicking on floor]

What are you doing, Wendy?

We're really late.

Hiro, I'm so confused.

I don't wanna go to the concert, I wanna go home.

Why?

This isn't rock and roll.

This is just-- it's just Tokyo pop.

[soft piano music]

We can do it again.

We can do it right.

Hiro...

You can't have a band with me.

No one hears our music.

They look at my skin and my eyes and my hair.

As long as I'm in the band,

you're never gonna have what you want.

I don't want you to go.

I don't belong here.

If I stay here with you

in Japan,

I'll never know if I can make it.

I'll always be the gaijin,

the freak.

I have to go.

Wendy?

Come on!

Come to the concert with me.

Why?

I know you leave soon.

But we can't disappoint the band.

Can't you just do that for me?

[energetic rock music]

No, no!

[screaming]

[chatter, squealing]

[energetic rock music]

[rapid-fire drumming]

Stop it.

Give me the cigarette.

[energetic rock music]

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

What's happening?

[energetic rock music]

[indistinct chatter]

[chatter, squealing]

[energetic rock music]

-No problem? -No problem, no problem.

Hi!

I'm sor--I'm sorry, Dota!

[kissing]

Hey, hey, hey.

Hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi...

Okay, just a minute, I'm sorry.

Okay, okay, okay!

[clicking of running heels]

[sighs]

[applause, faint cheers]

Hi, everybody.

I'm sorry not to sing "Do You Believe in Magic."

I wanna sing my song!

Can't you listen?

[softly strumming]

♪ Do you remember ♪

♪ our story ♪

♪ Those days when we could laugh at each other innocently ♪

♪ I miss them now ♪

♪ Whenever I see you ♪

♪ We sat back to back, my heart ♪

♪ Just like this, right here ♪

♪ I just want to stay that way ♪

♪ Nothing changes ♪

♪ Oh, I don't want to let you go ♪

♪ I just want to let you know ♪

♪ My heart is breaking ♪

♪ Oh, I don't want to let you go ♪

♪ Don't know how to let you know ♪

♪ I just want to sing to you ♪

♪ Because I love you ♪

[stirring electric guitar solo]

♪ You're so far away ♪

♪ But when I realized ♪

♪ your feelings ♪

♪ We have to part ways ♪

♪ New days are coming ♪

♪ Oh, I don't want to let you go ♪

♪ I just want to let you know ♪

♪ Our destinies ♪

♪ Oh, I don't want to let you go ♪

♪ I just want to let you know ♪

♪ I just want to sing to you ♪

♪ Because I love you ♪

[stirring electric guitar solo]

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, I don't want to let you go ♪

♪ Don't know how to let you know ♪

♪ I just want to sing to you ♪

♪ Oh, I don't want to let you go ♪

♪ Don't know how to let you know ♪

♪ I know, I know, I know you have to go ♪

♪ Oh, baby ♪

♪ I want to tell you ♪

♪ I wanna sing it to you ♪

♪ I wanna sing it to you... ♪

[stirring electric guitar solo]

[music ends]

[distant cheers, applause]

[inaudible]

Wendy.

Yo, Wendy, you ready?

Yeah.

Sorry.

-Okay. -Here it comes.

One, two...

[buoyant rock music]

♪ The sunrise, city skies ♪

♪ I never thought I'd ever write this song ♪

♪ But I'll find peace of mind ♪

♪ Back in the place where I belong ♪

♪ And I will never forget the way you made me feel ♪

♪ You set me free with a lovin' touch so real ♪

♪ The way you held out your net to catch my fallin' soul ♪

♪ Oh, Hiro, you loved me just enough to let me go ♪

[buoyant rock music]

♪ Alone, I'd given up hope ♪

♪ Watchin' as the days just passed me by ♪

♪ But fate had something else in mind ♪

♪ I knew it when I saw you in the corner of my eye ♪

♪ And I will never forget the way you made me feel ♪

♪ You set me free with a lovin' touch so real ♪

♪ The way you held out your net to catch my fallin' soul ♪

♪ Oh, Hiro, you loved me just enough to let me go ♪

♪ I just couldn't see ♪

♪ Thought I sung out of key ♪

♪ Spent my life hangin' in the shadows ♪

♪ But I found harmony ♪

♪ Wrote my own melody ♪

♪ If you like, you can sing it with me ♪

♪ Come on, share it with me ♪

♪ This time I'm doin' it right ♪

♪ If you could see me now, you'd be so proud ♪

♪ I'm fine, I'm winnin' the fight ♪

♪ But everywhere I turn, I see your face in the crowd ♪

♪ And I will never forget the way you made me feel ♪

♪ You set me free with a lovin' touch so real ♪

♪ The way you held out your net to catch my fallin' soul ♪

♪ Oh, Hiro, you loved me just enough to let me go ♪

♪ You set me free with a lovin' touch so real ♪

♪ The way you held out your net to catch my fallin' soul ♪

♪ Ohh ♪

♪ Hiro, be just enough ♪

♪ Whoa, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Held out your net to catch my fallin' soul.... ♪

[impassioned saxophone solo]

[soft acoustic guitar music]