#Arrangement: Ikuta Machine

[redfreesias03]

Shoujotachi yo (“Listen, Girls!”)

“Listen, girls, the dawn will come soon! The future you’ve been dreaming of begins here. Listen, girls, don’t you give anything up. Cast aside all of that sadness and run with everything you’ve got.”

OR: No matter how unfair the world may seem as you’re shooting for your dreams, never give up.

sora ni chirabatta hoshi no dore ga ichiban ni kagayaku no darou? kikarete mo dare mo kitto kotaerarenai kurayami no saki ni koko kara mienai hikaru ga aru

Out of all the stars scattered in the sky, Which one Shines brightest? Even if you ask that, I bet no one knows the answer Because beyond the dark There is light that we can’t see from here

SUTEEJI no katatsumi de mogaki tsudzukeru kuyashisa ya munashisa mo seishun no toki

You keep struggling On your corner of the stage That frustration, that feeling of doing it all in vain, Are a moment of your youth as well

shoujotachi yo mousugu yoake ga kuru yume no mirai wa kore kara hajimaru WOW WOW shoujotachi yo nani mo akirameru na kanashii koto nanka    subete sutete zenryoku de zenryoku de hashirunda!

Listen, girls The dawn will come soon The future you’ve been dreaming of begins here WOW WOW Listen, girls Don’t you give up anything Cast aside all of that sadness And run With everything you’ve got With everything you’ve got!

hito no me ni fureru hoshi to kidzukarenai hoshi soko ni wa dou iu sa ga aru no? hikari    todokanai kurai ni hanareteiru to ka kumo no sei da to ka jiyuu ga hoshii

Stars that people’s eyes are drawn to And stars that go unnoticed, What difference is there between the two? “Some stars are so far away That their light doesn’t reach” “It’s because of clouds”– I want a reason

omou you ni ikirarenai ima no jibun ga modokashiku fuan nara senaka wo osou

Right now you can’t live the way you want But If you’re feeling anxious and frustrated I’ll be right behind you, giving you a push

nayami nagara itsushika tsuyoku nareru kyou no namida wa ashita no chikara sa WOW WOW nayami nagara mae e arukidase yo tachitomattara    soko de owaru ganbatte ganbatte shinjirunda

While you’re worrying, You can become stronger one day Today’s tears are tomorrow’s strength WOW WOW As you worry, Start walking ahead If you stay still, it’s all over there Do your best Do your best And have faith

shoujotachi yo mousugu yoake ga kuru yume no mirai wa kore kara hajimaru WOW WOW shoujotachi yo nani mo akirameru na kanashii koto nanka    subete sutete zenryoku de zenryoku de hashirunda!

Listen, girls The dawn will come soon The future you’ve been dreaming of begins here WOW WOW Listen, girls Don’t you ever give up Cast aside all of that sadness And run With everything you’ve got With everything you’ve got!

#Shoujotachi yo #AKB48 #album song #album: Koko ni Ita Koto #lyrics #translation #Lyricist: Akimoto Yasushi #Composer: Koami Jun #Arrangement: Ikuta Machine #meta aidoru songs #aidoru songs about being a girl #motivating aidoru songs #aidoru songs referencing stars #release date: 06/08/2011

[koinodancesite]

“Tiki Bun”

Coupled with “Shaba Daba Doo” and “Mikaeri Bijin”

Release date: October 15, 2014

Oricon Weekly placement: 2nd

Members: Ayumi Ishida, Erina Ikuta, Haruka Kudo, Haruna Iikubo, Kanon Suzuki, Masaki Sato, Mizuki Fukumura, Riho Sayashi, Sakura Oda, Sayumi Michishige

With so much focus put on formation dances, it’s been quite a while since Morning Musume introduced a catchy move in their choreography waiting to be imitated, like, say, the ninja-star gesture of “Renai Revolution 21.” The idols pantomime a DJ in “Tiki Bun” to presumably allude to its nonsensical title, which reads like a poor man’s attempt at beat-boxing a scratching routine. The group collectively lean on one ear of their imaginary headphones and furiously run their nonexistent LP back.

The cutting and scratching actually connects well with the sample-happy production. Microscopic pieces of filtered vocals are meticulously cut and arranged, similar to the manner of the piano riffs of “Toki Wo Koe, Sora Wo Koe,” but also like a more fine-point take on techniques showcased in an UK garage or a French house single. The breakdown of “Tiki Bun” in particular reminds me of something like the vocal splicing of Daft Punk’s “Face to Face” or, if you want to think domestically, Perfume’s “Nee.”

The DJ gesture is also an extension of the main musical gag of “Tiki Bun.” “To myself, who runs away from everything without doing anything — tiki bun, tiki bun,” the idols sing during the last verse, and the titular line punctuates the lyric as they rewind the record for a do-over. They also freely take advantage of the lack of meaning behind the titular phrase, standing in as if it’s a censor for an expletive for instance in the next line: “That person who takes only the good parts — tiki bun, tiki bun,” they mutter about a nuisance of a rival.

However playful “Tiki Bun” may seem, Morning Musume tackle the single with the same level of seriousness and conviction as they have with their previous singles. “Tiki Bun” is yet another classic Colorful-era song about self-progress and the group’s well-defined code of ethics. “Even if it goes up in flames, I won’t be afraid/ If everything you say isn’t a lie, then that’s fine/ You’re the one who created it anyway,” they sing in the chorus with all the members linked arm to arm. They might talk smack or throw a fit on the side, but they reason it’s only what every person does.

More than the scratching gestures or the meaninglessness of tiki bun, what comes across the silliest in “Tiki Bun” is how dramatic they jump from idea to idea while they discuss their topic of progress. A segue doesn’t seem to be a necessary tool for Morning Musume, and their perspective wildly shifts as they cover different personal problems. They caution themselves about wanting what they can’t have — a petty offense compared to the rest of their issues — and then suddenly bicker about the egotistic nature of the entire human species. “The ocean, the sky, the mountains, they are all crying,” they sing in disappointment.

If “Tiki Bun” is not your first Morning Musume single, this should be nothing new. We recently encountered this lack of a segue shifting in perspective from the personal to the world at large in “Egao Wa Kimi No Taiyousa” with how the small gestures can impact the whole of humanity. This similar lack of divide between big and small as well as the essential to the trivial built character for the group’s classics such as “Love Machine,” “Renai Revolution 21,” and “The Peace.” “Tiki Bun” simply follows tradition by thinking out loud about the good of humanity without a concern for wit or poise.

However, even after going through 60-plus singles for this blog, and spending several months with their music, I remain speechless whenever I encounter this specific defining feature of Morning Musume songs. The natural beat of a conversation not only escapes them but seem to also hold them back to say what they want to say and say it how they wish to say it. Hyperbole doesn’t seem to exist for this group because for them, every experience exists in the same plane of significance. Their aside about the rising human population in “Tiki Bun” was one of the audacious lyrics that inspired me to begin this blog, so I can freak out in length about how ridiculous they sound singing it yet how they make it work. Years after encountering it, I’m still astonished at what they’ve done.

[9]

#Morning Musume #14 Shou The Message #Tiki Bun

[office441]

【MV full】 ポニーテールとシュシュ / AKB48 [公式]

【MV full】 ポニーテールとシュシュ / AKB48 [公式] #アイドル #JPOP #JIDOL #MV

AKB48 16thシングル「ポニーテールとシュシュ」 作詞：秋元 康　作曲：多田慎也　編曲：生田真心 「ポニーテール、似合ってる？」 「ポニーテールとシュシュ」はキラキラ眩しい夏の王道アイドルソング。 PV は、グアムの輝く海と空とAKB48！ まぶしい水着姿も披露しています。 2010.5.26 ON SALE 【MV】 Ponytail to Shushu (Ponytail and Scrunchie)/ AKB48 [Official] AKB48 16th Single “Ponytail to Shushu” Lyrics: Yasushi Akimoto / Composer: Shinya Tada / Arranger: Ikuta Machine “Do I look good in a ponytail?” “Ponytail to Shushu” is a…

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[finiarels]

Sakanatachi No Love Song - Chapter XIII

Summary: A Nogizaka46 fanfiction based on Sakanatachi No Love Song MV

[Read On JPH!P]

It’s strange when it’s your birthday and you realized that you’re not any different than yourself two years ago. It’s even more strange when you basically skip the last two years because you were unconscious. PANG! She heard a sound of the ball hitting the target precisely, she moved back to her first stance and prepare herself for the next ball, her fingers gripped the surface of her old bat. She eyed the ball thrown by the machine in front of her, inhaling some air before swinging her for the countless time today. Even though it’s already dark, the weather in august is moderately warm so it doesn’t bother her much, furthermore, at night, the people in the building wouldn’t pay attention to what’s happening in the company garden. PANG! It took around an hour for her to re-familiarize herself with the sport but now she started to feel like her old self as she swung the bat and hit the ball one by one flawlessly. Actually, it really feels good, like she could actually avert her mind from thinking things that will only hurt her. However, the moment seems wouldn’t last any longer because Hashimoto Nanami came and turn off the machine. “When I said that it is okay for you to do some batting I didn’t mean that you should do it for more than 2hours non-stop,” she said, despite her tone of annoyance Shiraishi could somehow hear a bit of worry. “Sorry I lost my track of time,” the birthday girl apologized and went to the nearest bench where she had put a bottle of cold water, gulping down half of the refreshing liquid to rehydrate herself. The project leader sighed and hands her a towel to wipe her sweats. “Do tell one of us if you’re feeling sore or something. You see, your body is artificial, so it’s important to keep in mind that it is also meant that it is even more fragile.” Shiraishi nodded in acknowledgment telling herself that she should have been more aware of that, “so I think should go back to my room now, it’s already late, isn’t it?” “Yes, I’ll come along. Have you eaten your dinner?” Hashimoto asked as she walks within a reachable distance beside her. “Not yet, I’m actually still a bit full because Erika-chan visited with a pretty huge cake earlier.” She smiled remembering how excited the young girl was when eating a huge slice of red velvet cake, too bad that sister of her will be having an overseas meeting tomorrow morning, making it impossible for her to stick much longer because she has to leave the city tonight. “Oh, right. Happy birthday,” the person beside her said, despite the lighter tone her expression is still as serious as before, “Anyway, have Fukagawa-san told you about how your body will work towards aging?” “She told me a few days ago. I’m not going to look older, right? It’s not that bad, at least it will save me from buying any anti-aging products,” she joked. Hashimoto smiled a little, before stop walking and pressed the button of the elevator, “true.” That’s not actually all good, despite her form that wouldn’t change her organs will still grow old. Furthermore, since her brain is basically the only non-artificial thing in her system it must help the other organs to work so there’s a huge chance of it to age at a faster rate than normal humans, which is going to make her live a shorter life than how normal humans supposed to. Not to mention that the drugs that she has been taking are also not that good for her insides. Well, if it’s not for this project she would have been dead so she’s not going to complain. It doesn’t take long for one of the elevator doors to open for them to use. Once the door has closed Shiraishi was lost in thought of her condition and another thing that has been bugging her mind since this morning. She looked at Hashimoto, realizing that she has always admired how the person has always looked so composed and have everything under control. “Hashimoto-san, would you mind if I ask for your opinion?” Hashimoto raised her eyebrows, “sure. But if it is something that’s supposed to be private I think we should talk once we got back in your room.” Shiraishi looked behind her where two men with a dark uniform are standing, as usual, they wouldn’t let her walk around without at least two of that kind of people tailing her. She wonders if they will ever let her be truly alone outside of the room, “we’ll talk about it later then.” Well after they reach the room she decided to push the conversation later since she obviously smells after sweating so much from over-exercising her body, also Nishino will come later tonight and of course, she wouldn’t want to gross her girlfriend out, so that’s why she went straight to the shower as soon as possible. “You know, I was just wondering. What if this is my limit?” She asked as soon as she got out from the shower. The short haired looks a little bit confused about her statement, “your limit on what?” “On my progress. Like, I wouldn’t be able to go any further anymore, to be able to detach myself from the drugs.” It’s understandable for the girl to think so, while it’s true that they have managed to press the dosage of the drugs a little bit and decrease the side effect headache to the point that it’s bearable, but that was around 2 weeks ago and since then they have not step any further than that. “I don’t know if you are already on your limit or not. All I can say is I’ll try to help you as long as you will let me. It’s actually up to you whether you still want to continue or not.” “It’s not that I want to stop, but I was thinking that maybe I should start to figure out what am I going to do next. Because I can’t be a test subject forever, even if I can- I don’t want to. I want to go out and try to live like a normal person again. But then, I don’t know if I will ever be able to be free from this facility.” Hashimoto think for a moment, knowing that she has to be extra careful in choosing her words so she wouldn’t be giving the girl a false hope, “I think even if we allow you to live outside we will still have to monitor you constantly, also I don’t think it’s possible for you to be living alone. If you really want to we can talk to Ikuta-san and the others about this matter. If they agree we might be able to arrange something.” “But… Do you think it’ll be fine?” “From my professional opinion, no, but from my own personal view I think you should.” Shiraishi got lost in her thought, starting to have a second thought about asking to leave the place she’s in. Her eyes catch a thin white phone in front of the table, her hands move to reach the object, carefully navigating to see the notification mentioning that someone just sent her a Line message. She had received the phone earlier today, it’s sort of a birthday gift from her step-sister who thinks that she will need it to be able to contact people. The truth is most people that she knew thinks she’s dead and even if they somewhat realize that she’s the girl who has been revived from death she still doesn’t have any urge to talk to them, even if it’s just from a simple online chat. So. in the end what she has in her contact list are the 3 scientists who work on her, as well as Ikuta, Sakurai, and of course- Nishino. She frowned as she read the chat which came from Nishino. Around 15 minutes ago the girl sent her a message, saying that she’s already at Nogizaka and will be here soon. Shiraishi turns to look at the huge mirror in the room, wondering whether the girl is already there or not. “Is something wrong?” the short-haired asked, realizing that the subject has been stealing glances to the reflecting object every now and then. “No- it’s ju-” she didn’t finish her sentence because her focus quickly changed to the sound of the door sliding open, revealing the one that she was looking for carrying a takeout bag with the name of a restaurant that she is familiar with written on it. “I bought some pasta, you haven’t eaten your dinner, have you?” the girl asked, followed by a simple shook and little smile from the one she questioned. Nishino went to put the bag on the top of the small 2-person dining table that the room has, carefully pulling out some plates that she has to borrow earlier from the building. “Anyway, it’s already pretty late so I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Also, Nishino-san, are you going to stay over here tonight?” Hashimoto asked as she stood up to approach the visitor. “If Maiyan wants me to. What do you think, Maiyan?” Shiraishi stared at the two with a total confusion, her mind clearly wasn’t expecting this since Hashimoto is usually pretty strict on not letting a visitor stay over, probably afraid that she won’t get any rest. Not to mention the other factor concerning one from two persons that her girlfriend is staying with. “Is it okay?” “Just for tonight. Consider it a birthday present from me since I don’t prepare anything,” the project leader replied. “This is already more than enough. Thanks a lot, Hashimoto-san.” The short haired just shrugged before stepping away, “well if that’s so, good night.” “Don’t you want to join us? I bought enough for 4 people,” Nishino asked before the person could leave the room. “I already have my dinner earlier, so I’m not going to join you two. But thanks for the offer, enjoy your dinner,” she politely turned down the offer before opening the door and step out. Shiraishi watches until the door finally closed, leaving just her and Nishino in the room, she stood up to get two cups of water for them, placing it on each side of the dining table before sitting in one chair, patiently wait until Nishino finish moving the food from takeout box to plates and place the trash away to be taken out later. They both did the usual gesture of gratitude before starting to eat. They did talk a little bit about the food on the table, but the conversation is short lived, which is fine with Shiraishi since she herself is also reminiscing the food from her one of her favorite restaurants. It’s not long before they finish their plate and Nishino had to left the room for a moment to put the dishes and trash away, which left Shiraishi with nothing else to do, she ended up taking initiative to prepare the sofa of the room into some sort of bed. Good thing Hashimoto often spend the night so she already knew where to find the extra pillow and blanket. “You really don’t have to, I can do it myself,” Nishino said as she came into the room. “It’s fine since you’re basically my guest so I should be the one doing this.” “Okay then.” She nodded while keeping both of her hand hidden on the back. The younger girl stops just 3 steps away from the one who had just placed a blanket on top of the sofa and carefully show a small silver box that she has been hiding, “happy birthday, Maiyan.” Shiraishi took the box from the girl's hand, hoping that she would look a bit surprised because she doesn’t. It was like their old routine to have a dinner followed by giving present on each other birthday so it was really obvious, but still, she thinks it is cute how Nishino always tried to hide it. Her fingers work their way to unbind the pink colored little ribbon that kept the box closed before finally took off the upper part to show what’s inside. The girl smile widened as her eyes met with a silver necklace that has two things attached to it. One of it is a simple rose gold letter M pendant and the other one is a silver ring that she has seen and wore before. Slowly she held up the ring to check the thin inscription on the inner part which is a combination of 4 numbers followed by the name of the person in front of her, “you managed to save it.” “Erika-chan gave it to me back then,” Nishino explained trying not to remember how bloody it the ring was when the young girl had put it on her palm. Her eyes moved to her right ring finger where a similar ring is worn, “It’s actually not much but I think the necklace would suit you” “This is perfect,” Shiraishi said with a huge smile, her eyes has gotten a bit watery as she reached for the back of her neck to wear the necklace, Nishino realized the girl struggle and help her to complete the task, “thank you so much.” “I’m glad you like it,” Nishino said as she moved to be able to see how Shiraishi had somehow managed to make the necklace looks a lot more than it’s worth, “you look beautiful” That last word managed to turn her stomach a bit fuzzy and warm, she stepped closer, locking her eyes with hers, “may I kiss you?” Nishino nodded bashfully and that’s all she need before finally touching the girl’s lips with hers, inhaling her warm breath and faint fresh floral scent, enjoying how her lips taste mildly sweet yet she kind of feel intoxicated with it. After a moment, she broke their contacts, regaining her breath with a soft exhale, “Nanase, I love you.” The other girl couldn’t give any reply because her lips had gone back to seal hers straight after finishing her words. Only after they parted once more she could finally be able to reply with a voice as soft as a mere whisper, “I love you too. Always”

#snls #nogizaka46 fanfiction #nogizaka46

[redfreesias03]

Ponytail to Shushu (“Ponytail and Scrunchie”)

“Your ponytail (swaying) in the wind. You run (I run) on the sand. Your ponytail (swaying) you turned and looked at me. Your smile starts my summer.”

OR: A boy with a hopeless crush on his friend/classmate is captivated by her ponytail look for the summer. 

KARENDAA yori hayaku SHATSU no sodeguchi makutte taiyou ga chikadzuku kehai boku no ude kara koromogae

Before the calendar says to, I roll up my shirt sleeves The sun’s showing signs of drawing near So I’m getting dressed for summer, starting with my arms

aoi umi namiuchigiwa de kimi to aitai hadashi no mizushibuki

A blue ocean By the water’s edge I want to meet you there And splash around barefoot

PONIITEERU (yurashinagara) kaze no naka kimi ga hashiru (boku ga hashiru) suna no ue PONIITEERU (yurashinagara) furimuita kimi no egao boku no natsu ga hajimaru

Your ponytail (swaying) In the wind You run (I run) On the sand Your ponytail (swaying) You turned and looked at me Your smile Starts my summer

kyoushitsu ni hi ga sashite yume no kion ga agatta naname mae no kimi miteru to mune ga kurushiku natte kuru

The sun shines bright into the classroom And raises the temperature of my dreams When I look at you sitting up front and to the side My chest starts to hurt

suki nante ieyashinai yo ushirosugata ni kimochi wo tsubuyaku

There’s no way I can tell you That I like you I whisper my feelings To the back of your head

PONIITEERU (setsunaku naru) yume no naka kimi no subete (boku no subete) hitorijime PONIITEERU (setsunaku naru) kataomoi me to me aeba ima wa tada no tomodachi

The sight of your ponytail (makes my heart ache) Inside my dreams (All of me) wants to make All of you    mine The sight of your ponytail (makes my heart ache) A one-sided love When our eyes meet Right now we’re just friends

tabaneta nagai kami mizutama no SHUSHU koi no shippo wa tsukamaerarenai furetara kieteku maboroshi

Your long hair tied up In a polka-dot scrunchie I can’t catch Love’s tail It’s an illusion that disappears When I touch it

PONIITEERU (hodokanaide) kawarazu ni kimi wa kimi de (boku wa boku de) hashiru dake PONIITEERU (hodokanaide) itsumademo hashaideiru kimi wa shoujo no mama de

Don’t let down (your ponytail) Don’t change a thing You being you (me being me) Let’s just run Don’t let down (your ponytail) Keep frolicking Forever, Remain a girl

LaLaLaLaLaLa LaLaLaLaLaLa LaLaLaLaLa LaLaLaLaLaLa LaLaLaLaLaLa LaLaLaLa…

---

I don’t have any real notes on this one, but here’s a confession: nearly 10 years later, I still hum the “tabaneta nagai kami, mizutama no SHUSHU” bridge every time I put my hair up in a ponytail, which has been happening a ton more than normal ever since the #stay at home recommendation kicked in. (Now I just need to find an idol song about sweatpants and I’m set.)

#Ponytail to Shushu #PONIITEERU to SHUSHU #AKB48 #single: Ponytail to Shushu #lyrics #translation #Lyricist: Akimoto Yasushi #Composer: Tada Shin'ya #Arrangement: Ikuta Machine #10s aidoru #seasonal aidoru songs #aidoru songs referencing hairstyles #aidoru songs about crushing on a friend #release date: 05/26/2010

[redfreesias03]

KIRAI SUKI DAIKIRAI (“I HATE, LOVE, REALLY HATE YOU”)

“If you think those surfer king techniques will get you in anywhere, you’re dead wrong. But the feeling is somehow tragic—this heartache might be due to the summer ending. No matter how hard I try, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

OR: Even as she insists she hates him, a girl falls for the local surfer king despite knowing better.

ai ga nakucha    ikitekenai dare ni demo    sou itteru no    nee?

People can’t live without love— Everyone says that, don’t they?

kono atashi wo    furimawashite ii dokyou!    iyan nacchau

Playing a girl like me that way— You’ve sure got guts! Give me a break

hito natsu no koi de    moetsukiyou nante amai SERIFU de    sono TE ni wa noranaishi

“Let’s burn up together with a scorching one-summer fling” I won’t be fooled by sweet talk like that

naminori KINGU no TEKUNIKKU doko demo tooru to omotteirun nara    oomachigai nandaka kibun wa TORAJIKKU SETSUNAI no wa    tabun    kono natsu ga owacchau kara dounimo kounimo yatterannai

If you think those surfer king techniques Will get you in anywhere, you’re dead wrong This feeling is somehow tragic This heartache is probably just due to the summer ending No matter how hard I try, there’s nothing I can do about it

ai dake demo    ikitekenai ima wa mada    shiritaku mo nai

People can’t live only on love— But right now, I don’t want to hear that just yet either

hito natsu no koi de    owaraseru nante arienai kara    sono KAKUGO wa dekiteru?

Breaking up after a single summer’s fling Is impossible for me, so are you prepared for that?

nagisa de nakushita IYARINGU suna ni nagasarete    doushite mo mitsukaranai namida de togireta RABU SONGU mizugi no ato dake    itsumademo kienakute dounimo kounimo susumenai

I lost an earring on the beach It washed away in the sand and now try as I might I can’t find it A love song cut off by tears It’s only my tan lines that don’t ever fade No matter how hard I try, I can’t continue on

KIRAI SUKI DAIKIRAI!!!

I HATE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I REALLY HATE YOU!!!

naminori KINGU no TEKUNIKKU doko demo tooru to omotteirun nara    oomachigai nandaka kibun wa TORAJIKKU SETSUNAI no ni    tabun    kono kimochi tsutawaranai dounimo kounimo yatterannai KIRAI x KIRAI de DAISUKI yo

If you think those surfer king techniques Will get you in anywhere, you’re dead wrong This feeling is somehow tragic My heart aches and yet I probably can’t communicate these feelings to you No matter how hard I try, there’s nothing I can do about it HATE X HATE = I REALLY LOVE YOU

#KIRAI SUKI DAIKIRAI #Buono! #b-side #single: Take It Easy! #lyrics #translation #Lyricist: Kawakami Natsuki #Composer: Ikuta Machine #Arrangement: Inoue Shinjiro #00s aidoru #seasonal aidoru songs #release date: 08/26/2009 #so I have a confession: #I legit thought this was a Tsunku composition until literally today #projecthello had it listed as such when I looked it up and I just...believed #it even has the drum beat from Momusu's 'Aisha Loan de'! #I think I even credited as Tsunku's on the original post #but it's not and now my life is (marginally) a lie #anyway I'll properly check wikipedia for credits from now #even if it takes me a few seconds more to switch language inputs :(

[koinodancesite]

“Utakata Saturday Night!”

Coupled with “The Vision” and “Tokyo Toyuu Katasumi”

Release date: May 11, 2016

Oricon Weekly placement: 2nd

Members: Akane Haga, Ayumi Ishida, Erina Ikuta, Haruka Kudo, Haruna Iikubo, Haruna Ogata, Kanon Suzuki, Maria Makino, Masaki Sato, Miki Nonaka, Mizuki Fukumura, Sakura Oda

For all that Morning Musume have engaged with disco tropes throughout their history, they haven’t made a song explicitly about going out as a way of life like they do in “Utakata Saturday Night!” Love, romance and dancing have all been central themes to their life as it unfolds in their music -- what is not “Love Machine” but the grand celebration of those things? -- but the group haven’t exactly been dependent on dance music to explore these themes. They assume the role of weekend warriors in “Utakata” almost as a response to the song’s boogie pop. Other music such as, say, the stoic R&B of the Platinum era doesn’t sound quite right as the backdrop.

The weekend as a theme sounds refreshing especially since Morning Musume have been busy contemplating about personal matters to step outside their own restless mind. That said, instead of treating the song like a low-stakes getaway from their usual gig, they take advantage of the opportunity to show off a different, unseen side of them like they’ve done recently in “Sukatto My Heart.” The idols even seem self-aware that they hardly have came across as the going-out type, but here, they dispel that notion outright to prove that they, too, know how to have fun: “Listen, I’m actually more amazing than you think,” they sing, insisting the weekend reveals an entirely different character.

Written by Maisa Tsuno of rock band Akai Kouen, the hooks of “Utakata Saturday Night!” lives up to the fun the rest of the song preaches about. Utakata is an idiom to describe the ephemeral, quick and easy to dissolve like a bubble, and utakata as a word also simply has a goofy ring to it. The back vocals emphasize it more as a fun nonsensical hook that you might find in recent Red Velvet releases like “Umpah Umpah.” The group really lets loose in the chorus, and the boogie-ready production of longtime arranger Shunsuke Suzuki further encourages them to tap into their titular metaphor and flex a you-only-live-once attitude towards their night out.

Morning Musume also throws the genre-emblematic catchphrase of “Saturday Night” as the song’s main refrain. The hook alone feels very obvious in its disco-ness to a fault, making the song come off like a work of an amateur who’s more performing the idea of disco rather than the actual thing. However, the almost-meta bridge later redeems it by adding this winking feel to the song. “Did you know, in 58 seconds, this song is about to end,” asks Kanon Suzuki, who’s portrayed as the DJ who announces the last call in the music video. The group plays squarely into conventions, but they also freely break the fourth wall to show their grasp of the genre. 

As much fun as they have, Morning Musume understand dancing should be more for than just dancing’s sake in order to sing a great disco single. “Every day, a life on the edge/ forget it and remember,” they sing in the second chorus. They frame the dance floor as a place to relieve stress and rid all your problems; dancing as the act to fully realize yourself only for a moment. The discotheque as a platform of liberation -- it’s a classic disco idea that they reiterate in “Utakata Saturday Night!”

[6]

#Morning Musume #Morning Musume 16 #Utakata Saturday Night

[koinodancesite]

“Renai Hunter”

Release date: April 11, 2012

Oricon Weekly placement: 3rd

B-sides: “Watashi Ga Ite Kimi Ga Iru”; “Egao Ni Namida ~Thank You My Dear Friends~”

Members: Aika Mitsui, Ayumi Ishida, Erina Ikuta, Haruka Kudo, Haruna Iikubo, Kanon Suzuki, Masaki Sato, Mizuki Fukumura, Reina Tanaka, Riho Sayashi, Risa Niigaki, Sayumi Michishige

A global pop sound by 2012, the dubstep blend of EDM has begun making its way to the world of Morning Musume with “Renai Hunter.” That surging synth riff immediately leaves a different impression than the slick R&B releases of the past. That said, the single isn’t entirely a departure from the Platinum era with the group still holding on to some of their old quirks.

Morning Musume feel out EDM in “Renai Hunter” to see exactly how it can work for them. They’re still getting acquainted with the format and production style here, not yet fully grasping its potential, and the group has yet to contextualize the music as anything beyond the cliche. The choreography finds the idols treating the glitching electronic sounds quite literally as machine music. They go to the predictable moves of popping and locking to the beat to mimic an army of robots.

They do find EDM as a possible source of power stronger than what their past production experimented have offered. The song’s narrative, alluded in the title of Hunter of Love, is driven by an intense focus. And they tap into the sheer volume achieved by the dance-pop subgenre -- a combination of noisy laser synths and the pumping drums -- to amplify that energy. The result does best to propel to the forefront the commanding voice of then-leader Risa Niigaki, who’s tasked to lay down some of the song’s best kiss-off statements.

More than wielding power, Morning Musume excel at locating a way to bring about a sense of sharp precision with the EDM production. The four-on-the-floor beat illuminates the infamous 16-beat training that has whipped the idols’ sense of rhythm into shape. Every syllable fits where it needs to go in its rhythmic grid, and the spotlessness informs the calculated, sniper-like focus that the idols strive to achieve as they go after their target in “Renai Hunter.” “I won’t miss my timing for love,” they sing and truly living by those words.

Though the sounds feel new, how Morning Musume use those sounds in “Renai Hunter” feel familiar. The group has mined theatricality as well as intensity from dramatic arrangements, and they’ve translated precision of their intent via equally sharp production work. Foreign voices, that distorted one reciting the titular hook, has even been a recurring tool to add some playfulness to the song. Morning Musume enter the EDM era of pop no problem, but what’s exciting is that this is just the beginning of what they’ll achieve.

[7]

#Morning Musume #13 Colorful Character

[koinodancesite]

“Maji Desuka Suka”

Release date: April 6, 2011

Oricon Weekly placement: 5th

B-side: “Motto Aishite Hoshiino”

Members: Ai Takahashi, Aika Mitsui, Erina Ikuta, Kanon Suzuki, Mizuki Fukumura, Reina Tanaka, Riho Sayashi, Risa Niigaki, Sayumi Michishige

I previously pointed out echoes of an earlier period of Morning Musume, specifically when I discussed how some of the Sexy 8 Beat singles saw a return to classic disco. Those callbacks in those releases, though, were relatively surface. Morning Musume never truly abandoned disco, even if the production toys with different sounds, and the dance-pop genre still strongly informs the foundation of the group’s music in the post-EDM era.

“Maji Desuka Suka,” meanwhile, taps into the past in a deeper way than simply re-using recognizable sounds. The make-up of the single certainly has a precedent from the group’s catalog. Morning Musume played with ska for “Koko Ni Iruze!” back in 2002, but this time, the stylistic reference is made much more obvious -- Maji Desuka Ska, get it? The production goes for a much more cheesy direction with bleep-bloop synths accenting the brass and guitars alongside some random turntable scratches -- a nostalgic trope that further calls back Dance Man-arranged singles from more than a decade ago.

The idols respond to the energetic production with bubbliness to match. Some of the recent releases such as “Kimagure Princess” and “Onna To Otoko No Lullaby Game” played with theatricality, but they haven’t touched on an overtly cutesy performance like the one in “Maji Desuka Suka” since that same era as “Koko Ni Iruze!” For a decade and change, the group has been focusing instead on polishing both their personality and performance into something edgy and stoic.

“Junior-high kids suddenly came into the group, and I felt, ‘wow, are they really going to make the new members sing this type of song,’” Sayumi Michishige recollected the first time she received “Maji Desuka Suka” after a series of dramatic dance-pop exploring serious sides of love affairs. “But I thought it was fun. The Morning Musume I grew up with was ‘Love Machine’ and ‘Koi No Dance Site,’ so I thought this feeling of Morning Musume has come back again.”

There arguably was not a more perfect time to pivot all the way back to the low-stakes, dumb-fun joys of the group’s golden era than “Maji Desuka Suka.” Morning Musume briefly went about as a five-piece due to the graduation of Eri Kamei, Junjun and Linlin after “Onna To Okoto No Lullaby Game.” “Maji Desuka Suka” welcomed the ninth generation, balancing the line-up basically 50-50 between the veterans and the four new teens, and the single brings out a fresh energy that the young members can only naturally bring.

Tsunku goes all out in his absurdist lyrical tendencies to further encourage fun and playfulness. Some bits of it feel familiar and even nostalgic. Lines that put life and the entire universe in panoramic view -- “Oh, this galaxy/ has too much nuisance/ avoid it well/ and let’s fulfill our dreams” -- sharing space with random throwaways -- “which cake should I buy tonight?” -- is definitely a product of Tsunku. The overall determination to be 110% positive can also only come from the songwriter.

“The ninth-generation members brought this freshness that the older, twentysomething members couldn’t bring, so it became fun to try and follow it,” Michishige shared. “Morning Musume also became brighter, within our group, the music and the atmosphere.”

[6]

#Morning Musume #12 Smart

[redfreesias03]

CROSS

“The cross of love you wear on your chest is proof of the vow you and I made. Cross, while the two of us are shaken by destiny, our eternal bond is unbreakable.”

OR: A bad boy falls in love with a good girl, to the obvious approval of literally no one.

KUROSU    sono mune no ai no juujika wa ore to omae no chikai no shirushi da yo KUROSU    unmei ni futari    yurenagara eien no kizuna wa kireru koto nai

Cross, the cross of love You wear on your chest is Proof of the vow you and I made Cross, while the two of us Are shaken by destiny Our eternal bond is unbreakable

aniki ni karita BAIKU    yodooshi tobashite machi wo hanarete mitakatta    Uh Yeah douse    ore wa AUTOROO ochikobore nanda tsukiaccha ikenai tte shikatanai darou

Racing through the night on the motorcycle I borrowed from my big bro I got the urge to skip town, uh yeah ‘Cos I’m an outlaw A good-for-nothing dropout It can’t be helped That we aren’t allowed to see each other

dakedo ore no kimochi wa uso itsuwarinai no sa hashiru (HAIWEI) butsukeyou no nai ikari no you ni…

But my feelings for you Are no lie I speed (through the highway) As if angry with Something I can’t hit…

I love you KUROSU    kono karada hai ni nattatte aishiatteta kokoro wa koko ni aru KUROSU    itsudatte zutto    hanasazu ni sou omae no koto wo omotteiru yo

I love you Cross—even if my body Should burn to ashes This heart that loves you and is loved by you will still be here Cross, always And forever, never leaving your side Yeah, you’re always on my mind

KAABU wo magari kirezu    BAIKU    SUPIN shite sora ga chikaku ni futtekita    Uh Yeah konna ore ni niai sa itami mo nainda kokoro yabureta no kana sabita aji ga shita

I fail to turn the curb in time and my motorcycle is sent spinning The sky falls closer to me, uh yeah How fitting, for a loser like me I don’t even feel pain I wonder if my heart’s broken The taste of rust fills my mouth

kondo dake wa honki de ikite mitakatta no sa yume wa (RANNAWEI) doushiyou mo nai yami no mukou ni

I wanted to try living For real, just this once But it can’t be helped— My dream (run away) Lies beyond this darkness

I miss you KUROSU    sono mune no ai no juujika wa ore to omae no chikai no shirushi da yo KUROSU    unmei ni futari    yurenagara eien no kizuna wa kireru koto nai

I miss you Cross, the cross of love You wear on your chest is Proof of the vow you and I made Cross, while the two of us Are shaken by destiny Our eternal bond is unbreakable

I love you KUROSU    jinsei de tatta hitotsu dake ushinaitakunai mono ga attanda KUROSU    dare ni demo inochi sore ijou ni mamorakya ikenai onna ga iru yo

I love you Cross—in this life There’s only been one thing I don’t want to lose Cross—above everyone Above my very life There’s a woman I must protect

#CROSS #KUROSU #SKE48 Team KII #stage song #stage: KII3 'Ramune no Nomikata' #lyrics #translation #Lyricist: Akimoto Yasushi #Composer: division L #Arrangement: Ikuta Machine #10s aidoru #aidoru songs referencing motorcycles #first stage performance: 10/01/2011