And now for something almost, but not entirely different. The Alfee's "Sweat and Tears" (1986) is another 80's rock song (this time a ballad), but is not sung by a girl or an idol. This would fall under glam rock, if I'm not mistaken. Just look at how pretty the lead singer is! Whatever happened to epic hair like that? I miss it, even though I wasn't even born back then.
Vocally, this song is catchy, yet repetitive (at least the main refrain is partly in English!) The instrumental is awesome, too- it would fit in well on a classic rock station, yet spice the playlist up for a non-Japanese audience, for whom this song is mostly unknown.
I knew this song was repetitive, but seeing this ten minute version on YouTube made me wonder if they crammed in another half dozen refrains. The refrain isn't bad, but there is a point where it seems like the spaceship on Spaceballs that never seems to end. But actually, there's more epic instrumental and more... cheese. One guy is totally working his booty. This performance is actually pretty adorable! (The estrogenic screams in the latter half are there for a reason.)
In my "Konya wa Hurricane" Retro Corner post, I mentioned that it sounded pretty standard for 80's girl-rock. Here is an example. Minako Honda's "1986nen no Marilyn" (1986) is a song that I associate with the overall sound of Japanese 80's girl-rock (or rather, idol-rock?)
Now when I say standard, I am talking about the impression the sound gives off, just like Western synthpop from the 80's has a particular sound. "1986nen no Marilyn" is still plenty unique, a song that I can recognize from any part of the tune. It's catchy, it's rockin', it even has a bit of jazz to the instrumental. Honda has a deep, rich voice, adding all the more power. This would be perfect for husky-voiced Morning Musume member Haruka Kudo to sing at an event or for a future cover album!
This is actually a song I came across relatively recent, maybe a year ago, if that. It's from the anime Bubblegum Crisis, an anime that I came close to watching over a decade ago, but never did. Even though it sounded interesting from articles in anime magazines, I always ended up renting a Ranma 1/2 or Tenchi Muyo tape instead. If I just rented Bubblegum Crisis once, maybe I would remember this song as fondly as the Ranma songs.
So instead I was exposed to "Konya wa Hurricane" (1987) through multiple references at Anime News Network. Hearing praise for a retro song I had never heard before, I had to check it out! It's not quite as epic as I expected (my expectations were high after the multiple compliments about it.) It seemed like pretty standard 80's girl-rock from Japan. But standard or not, I do like that 80's rock sound, so it's still cool to me. It kind of makes me want to watch Bubblegum Crisis, if I have the opportunity.
Part punk, part The Ronette's "Be My Baby", Sheena & the Rokkets' "You May Dream" (1979) immediately hooked me. It's one of those songs I wish would never end (well, except when I need to stop listening to music.) All the parts are memorable, magical, and catchy.
It actually took me a while to realize the dialogue in the middle was in English. I also found a live performance of this song on YouTube, but I couldn't even tell she was singing in any language! So it doesn't seem to matter what language the song is sung or spoken in, and I'm totally fine with that.
I've been to Tupelo briefly, during a road trip. The waitress at the diner really did kind of sound like Elvis. Elvis impersonations are fun(ny), by the way, which could be why I like Momoe Yamaguchi's "Rock 'n' Roll Widow" (1980) so much. Indeed it is very rock 'n' rolling, something that would be fun to play on a jukebox.
When searching for this song, YouTube informed me that Tina Turner sang a song by the same name. I listened to it and it's not really rocking. So at least Yamaguchi's song does not mislead with the title!
I don't know much about individual Onyanko Club members aside from a few names of the girls that went solo and that one of the girls married their producer, Akimoto. But if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Yukiko Iwai, Yuuyu (#19). I first noticed her in her solo songs and work in Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi. Her voice is super cute! And then when I looked up information about her, I found out she was short! Pretty superficial reasons to like someone, I know. But I like the songs she sings in, especially this one, "Tenshi no Bodyguard." (1987) It's catchy and cute, a combo that is hard to disappoint me! I really like the gentle parts of the melody. It's just adorable.
I always go into writing this "Retro Corner" column meaning to say some deep reason why I enjoy these songs and why others should give them a listen. But every time it's the same story- it's cute, catchy, beautiful, etc. The lesson learned here: don't come to me for deep, meaningful media recommndations. All you'll get is a bunch of cartooons and cheese.
This lady is completely crazy. I actually came across her by accident when looking at Yellow Magic Orchestra related videos. The thumbnail for Jun Togawa's "Suki Suki Daisuki" (1985) looked very 80's and idoly. So I clicked on it. I was totally unprepared for the strange, awkward over-emoting (even by idol standards.) It was like, "What did I just watch?!" the first time I watched and then giggles and pure glee the second, third, and so on times. The expressions she makes when she says she'll kill her crush if her love goes unrequited are priceless!
She sings like both a hyper six-year-old and like an opera singer, which makes her voice both annoying and amazing all in the same song. It's complete madness, but I love it. From other videos that I watched, it sounds like her cracky voice is her trademark. I don't know whether she's considered an idol, but I never intended to write about idol-only retro songs anyway, just mostly idol. According to Wikipedia, she sang the vocals for some bands (like the YMO-related collaborations I first stumbled upon.) I definitely want to look up more of her work in the future, because I can never get enough crazy in my life, heh.
Since it's so close to the famous consumers' holiday, I had to include Sayuri Kokusho's "Valentine Kiss" (1986) this week in the Retro Corner. As cute as last year's Watarirouka Hashiritai 7's version was, I still prefer the original. Retro bubblegum is one of my weaknesses. If you're afraid of eating too many sweets this Valentine's Day, try listening to this song instead! It's enough sugar for ten Valentine's Days, haha.
If you have a soft spot for Rie Kugimiya, though, her rendition as The Idolm@ster's Iori Minase is super cute, too, minus the authentic retro charm.
Beautiful, rich song. Candies' "Yasashii Akuma" (1977) has wonderful harmonies that bring so much depth to the song. When I try to get friends and family to listen to Japanese music, the language barrier is the issue in many cases. But seriously, listen to Candies' voices blend in this song! Does it really matter what they are singing when you can just relax and appreciate the beauty?
Wink has a couple things in common with the former H!P unit W. Besides being a duo, they've also done quite a bit of covers, some overlapping with W's covers, and W even did a cover of one of Wink's original songs. I like covers. They introduce me to songs that I may otherwise never have listened to, through the comfort of groups I'm already fond of.
Wink didn't just do a few covers of Japanese songs, but some Western songs as well. They sang them in Japanese, though, so it was fun to be like "this sounds familiar" and figure out what the original was. But I had never listened to Kylie Minogue's "Turn It Into Love" before I heard Wink's "Ai ga Tomaranai." (1988) Afterward, I actually thought I should give Kylie's work (at least her older stuff) more of a chance, haha. It's a very catchy song, and very 80's. It's awesome.
The first idol songs I was ever exposed to were from Ranma 1/2, though I did not realize they were idol songs at first. In fact, I originally thought that Coco's "Omoide ga Ippai" (1990) was sung by the Ranma 1/2 cast (because I found the lyrics to DoCo's version online.)
This song only continued the high esteem that I felt for Ranma 1/2's theme music. It's catchy, sweet, and I loved the variety of voices. I especially loved the adorable high-pitched voice (which I later learned from MorningBerryz's blog entry was Rieko Miura.)
Ranma 1/2 was also my first experience of anime in actual Japanese, with actual Japanese theme songs (before it was just Pokemon, Digimon, and Toonami for me.) I had no idea how abundant those high voices were in anime and idol music, especially now in our moe-filled era. It was new and cool.
Recently, Ranma 1/2 got a cheesy live-action drama. I haven't seen it, I'm actually not sure if I want to. But it made me smile that even after two decades, they still decided to use an idol group, 9nine, for the theme song. I need to listen to the theme song just to check if it matches the high standard I've set for Ranma 1/2 theme songs, thanks in part to CoCo.
My favorite Seiko Matsuda song is "Nagisa no Balcony." (1982) It's a varied song, with four distinct parts to the melody, and I find all of them pleasing and interesting. Every time I listen to the song, I anticipate each part. Even though it's a gentle song, I could never call it boring. I find the tune full of magic, relaxation, and freshness. Yes, it's the sweet freshness that really makes me admire Matsuda's voice. It's so different from the pop voices of today, which tend to have a sexy edge.
Momo wants to be an idol like Matsuda! My favorite H!P member has good taste, hehe.
Okay, I know I was supposed to post this on Thursday, but uggh. Must not let 2012 kick my butt!
First up in my feature of favorite retro idol songs is Onyanko Club's "Koi wa Question" and "Anmitsu Daisakusen," the theme songs for the anime "Anmitsu-Hime." I wanted to start off with a video that actually shows the girls, but there weren't any on YouTube of the songs I wanted to show at this time. :( This was back in the 80's, before music videos were widespread in Japan (please prove me wrong, though! I just can't find many.) There seemed to be more live television appearances, like how American music was promoted in the 60's and a lot of the 70's, so the likelihood of many songs from that era getting legally uploaded by their record companies is slim. :(
Anyway, I really dig Onyanko Club's retro sounds, with the bass beats. I can really hear where some of AKB48's stage songs come from in respect to the intention that they are supposed to be reminiscent of Onyanko Club and 80's idols. Well, their producers are the same, so that helps. It makes me think it would be cool if there was a stage of just Onyanko covers!
And I really appreciate what Onyanko Club started... if it weren't for them, there wouldn't be a Morning Musume or AKB48, at least not as we know them.
So, about these songs in particular: "Koi wa Question" is the kind of song that gets stuck in my head! It's so bubbly and cute. The ending song, "Anmitsu Daisakusen," reminds me of some recent idol groups, like Momoiro Clover, with the cute "talking as though singing" parts. Both of these songs are pleasantly nostalgic, yet I think they are still relevant in the current idol industry. I think anyone that's a fan of idols in general will find something to appreciate with this group.
Well, I hope this first post was enjoyable, and I hope to share my thoughts on another favorite retro idol song next week!
