Japanese Trendy Songs That Japanese High School Students Love Right Now

Since I’m a high school English teacher, I am able to know what kinds of songs current Japanese high school students like. And in a class, I took a poll and had them an assignment to write a paragraph for their favorite songs. If you’re interested in their current into music, here is what they are. *Students agreed to publish this article on this site without their name.

MAD HEAD LOVE

My favorite song is “MAD HEAD LOVE”. It’s sung by “Yonezu Kenshi”. I’ve liked it since I was fifteen. But, I’ve never been to one of his concerts. I want to go to his concert someday. (Student A)

ダリア（Dahlia）

My favorite song is “ダリア”. A Japanese woman rapper ちゃんみな(CHANMINA) sings the song. I have been a fan of the song since I was 12 years old. I like her because her music is beautiful and her face is very cute. I want to go to one of her concerts someday. I think her performance is very good. (Student B)

Ordinary days

My favorite song is “Ordinary days”. A Japanese singer, Milet, sings the song. I have been a fan of the song for a year. I like her song because I like her voice. I have never been to her concerts, but I want to go to her concerts someday. (Student C)

あなた (Anata)

My favorite song is “Anata”. A Japanese singer, Utada Hikaru, sings the song. I have come to like this song recently. I like this singer’s voice. (Student D)

明日も (Ashitamo)

My favorite song is “Ashitamo”. A Japanese band “SHISHAMO”, sings the song. I have been a big fan of their songs for one years. I like them because they are girls band and it’s very cool and their songs just cheer me up. I haven’t been to one of their concerts, but I want to see it one day. I’m sure you will like this song. (Student E)

Angel

My favorite song is “Angel”. A Japanese rapper “Chanmina” sings the song. I have been a fan of the song for a year so far. I like her because I like the lyrics, voice and atmosphere. I want to go to her concerts someday. (Student F)

Once in a life time

My favorite song is “Once in a life time”. An American artist, Flo Rida, sings the song. I have been a big fan of his song for 5 years. I like him because his music is so cool and the lead vocal ‘s voice is very amazing. I haven’t been to his concerts. But I want to go to his concerts someday. I’m sure you will like this song, and that’s why people listen to this song! (Student G)

Kawaisoudayone

My favorite song is “Kawaisoudayone”. A Japanese singer, JUJU sings the song. I have been a fan of the song for 2 years. I like this song because I like the melody after modulation and lyrics. I have never been to her concerts.

少女レイ

And another my favorite song is “Shoujo Rei”. A VOCALOID singer Miku Hatsune sings the song. I have been a fan of her for 5 years. I like the song because I like a sad atmosphere. (Student H)

TOMBOY

My favorite song is “TOMBOY”. A Korean group (G)i-ble, sings the song and dance. I have been a big fan of them for 2 years. I like the song because I like the lyrics and the melody. (Student I)

UP!

My favorite song is “UP!”. A Korean group Kep1er, sings the song. I have been a big fan of theirs for one year. I like them because it is happy for me to listen to their music. I have never been to one of their concerts but I want to go to their concerts someday in the future.

Make Me Better

And my another favorite song is “Make Me Better”. A Japanese group, GENERATIONS, sings the song. I have been a big fan of theirs for 6 years. I like them because their music and dance are very cool. I have never been to one of their concerts. But I want to go to their concerts someday in the future. (Student J)

Have a nice day

My favorite song is “Have a nice day”. A Japanese singer Nishino Kana sings the song. When I listen to this song, my feeling get so healthy and feel better. Also the line “I’ll do my best today!” makes me really cheered up. This was a theme song of “Mezamashi TV”, a popular Japanese morning TV show. I love this song. (Student K)

Thank you very much for reading the article. I would prefer your comments or some other topic requests for me to write. Please write a comment or give me an email through contact page.

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Real Good Japanese Song: English Translation for “怪獣の花唄(Kaijyu no Hanauta)” by Vaundy and Analysis on the Song Lyrics

Music Video of “Kaijyu No Hanauta” by Vaundy

Hello everyone. Today, I’d like to introduce a song which is very fresh and trendy in today’s Japanese music scene. The artist name is “Vaundy”, who is a university student but thought to be a great and very talented musician. I haven’t heard his songs that much, but a month ago, one of my students used a song called “怪獣の花唄(Kaijyu No Hanauta)” in a school festival and I was very impressed with the song’s beautiful and emotional melody line. So, today, I’d like to make an original translation for this great song, and try to analyze the song’s message.

My English Translation Lyrics of “Kaijyu No Hanauta” by Vaundy

思い出すのは君の歌 (omoidasunowa kiminouta)
What I recall is your song
会話よりも鮮明だ(kaiwa yorimo senmeida)
It’s more vivid than conversations
どこに行ってしまったの(dokoni itte shimattano)
Where have you gone?
いつも探すんだよ(itsumo sagasundayo)
I’m always trying to find

思い出すのは君の歌(omoidasunowa kiminouta)
What I remember is your song
歌い笑う顔が鮮明だ(utaiwaraukaoga senmeida)
A face of singing and smiling is so vivid
君に似合うんだよ(kimini niaundayo)
It just suits you
ずっと見ていたいよ(zutto miteitaiyo)
I want to see it forever

でも最後に見たいのは (demo saigo ni mitainowa)
But what I want to see for the last
きっともう君の夢の中 (kitto mou kimino yumenonaka)
Is perhaps in your dream
もう一度(mouichido)
Once again
また聞かせてくれよ (mata kikasete kureyo)
Please let me listen to again
聞きたいんだ (kikitainnda)
I wanna listen

もっと (motto)
More
騒げ怪獣の歌 (sawage kaijyu no uta)
A Song for Monsters, Be louder
まだ消えない(mada kienai)
It hasn’t disappear yet
夢の歌唱えて(yumeno uta tonaete)
Sing the dreamy song
君がいつも (kimiga itsumo)
You are always
歌う怪獣の歌 (utau kaijyu no uta)
Singing the Song for Monsters
まだ消えない (mada kienai)
It hasn’t vanished
口ずさんでしまうよ (kuchizusande shimauyo)
I still find myself humming

思い出すのは (omoidasunowa)
What I do remember is
君がいた (kimiga ita)
That you were there
ギター持ってる (gitaa motteru)
Holding the guitar
君がいた (kimiga ita)
You were there
忘れられないんだよ(wasurerarenaindayo)
I can’t forget it
だから僕が歌うよ (dakara boku ga utauyo)
So I want to sing

でも最後に見たいのは (demo saigoni mitai nowa)
But what I want to see for the last
きっともう君の夢の中 (kitto mou kimino yumeno naka)
Maybe in your dream
もう一度 (mouichido)
Just once again
また聞かせてくれよ (mata kikasete kureyo)
Let me just listen one more time
聞きたいんだ (kikitainda)
I wanna listen

もっと (motto)
I need more
騒げ怪獣の歌 (sawage kaijyu no uta)
A Song for Monsters, Be louder
まだ消えない(mada kienai)
It hasn’t disappear yet
夢の歌唱えて(yumeno uta tonaete)
Sing the dreamy song
君がいつも (kimiga itsumo)
You are always
歌う怪獣の歌 (utau kaijyu no uta)
Singing the Song for Monsters
まだ消えない (mada kienai)
It hasn’t vanished
口ずさんでしまうよ (kuchizusande shimauyo)
I still find myself humming

落ちてく過去は鮮明で (ochiteku kakowa senmeide)
A falling past is vivid
見せたい未来は繊細で (misetai miraiwa sensaide)
And a future I want to show is sensitive
すぎてく日々には鈍感な君へ (sugiteku hibiniha donkanna kimie)
And for you feeling dull for days passing away

ねぇ、もっと (ne motto)
Hey, More

騒げ怪獣の歌 (sawage kaijyu no uta)
A Song for Monsters, Be loud
まだ消えない(mada kienai)
It hasn’t disappear yet
夢の歌唱えて(yumeno uta tonaete)
Sing the dreamy song
君がいつも (kimiga itsumo)
You are always
歌う怪獣の歌 (utau kaijyu no uta)
Singing the Song for Monsters
まだ消えない (mada kienai)
It hasn’t vanished
口ずさんでしまうよ (kuchizusande shimauyo)
I still find myself humming

ねぇ、僕ら (ne bokura)
Again, we are
眠れない夜に手を伸ばして (nemurenai yoruni tewo nobashite)
Reaching out for a sleepless night
眠らない夜をまた伸ばして (nemuranai yoruwo mata nobashite)
Extending a night that never sleeps
眠くないまだね (nemukunai madane)
I’m not sleepy yet
そんな日々でいたいのにな (sonna hibide itainonina)
I just want to spend such days
懲りずに (korizuni)
I never learns but
眠れない夜に手を伸ばして (nemurenai yoruni tewo nobashite)
Reaching out for a sleepless night
眠らない夜をまた伸ばして(nemuranai yoruwo mata nobashite)
Extending a night that never sleeps
眠くないまだね (nemukunai wo madane)
I’m not sleepy yet
そんな夜に歌う(sonna yoru ni utau)
I’m singing in such night
怪獣の歌 (kaijyu no uta)
Song for Monsters

My song analysis on “Kaijyu No Hanauta” by Vaundy

Again, it’s a very beautiful and mysterious song. As a Japanese, hearing this song, I couldn’t help thinking of my youth, teenage years. As always, a great Jpop song’s lyrics has sometimes very abstract lyric and thanks to that, these can remind us many kind of things and interpretations.

So, What is the “Song for Monsters”? Is the monster, me or you or him or her? However, we need to listen such great songs not by brains but hearts and body I think. Then, I feel like the song is a message song that says we should’t forget what we felt when we were young even after you became adult. Maybe monster is a metaphor of our youth, and “A song for monsters” can be also translated into “a song of monsters”. So, when I heard the line of “A song of monsters, be louder” it felt so emotional and I was almost crying. We shouldn’t forget a precious days of monsters.

Anyway, thank you very much for reading. Here is a gig live video clip of Vaundy and can see the live ver. of the song. His voice is so great that it can be felt even better than the original version.

A song for monsters starts from around 4:37

Thank you very much for reading the article. I would prefer your comments or some other topic requests for me to write. Please write a comment or give me an email through contact page.

Analysis of Japanese Song Lyrics: “水平線(Suiheisen: horizontal line)” by backnumber

Hello everyone. It is terribly hot these days in Japan. I’m OK because I live in the northern part of Japan, but if you live in Tokyo, the temperature can kill you. Every person seems like soft-boiled people in Tokyo when I visited a week ago and of course including me though. The funniest and confusing scene I saw in Tokyo was everyone wore masks even in the station in outside. WHY JAPANESE PEOPLE…? Then I thought they will die soon due to not COVID but heatstroke.

Anyways, recently I’ve received an email of inquiry. Since I could hardly have received such email so far, I was so happy by receiving email(you can send me from the “contact” page in the menu). Then I was so happy that I asked the person what do you want me to write about in this blog. Then the person kindly suggested me that the analysis of Japanese song lyrics can be a good topic since the person feel something important can be lost through Google translating.

Then I thought, that would be great! And the person said “Perhaps some of back number’s would be great!” Great! I love back number too! So, let’s start with the latest hit song: Suiheisen!

“Suiheisen” is loved by many people especially by Japanese High schoolers.

Listing to the song, we can feel some sad and happy, such mixed feelings. But to me, a sad atmosphere outweighs the positive one. Watching the MV, a Japanese female high school student throw everything away and walk into the sea, I couldn’t understand what the MV wants to describe. Bullying or something? I thought. However, the song was actually dedicated a certain kind of people. You can check the caption by the artist just down below the video page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqEr3P78fz8&ab_channel=backnumber

Here is my brief translation.

The spreading of COVID-19 gave a huge impact on our daily lives, and we were forced to have had a tough decisions as a back number. And then, Inter-High School Competition (High School national tournament for sports clubs) has canceled for the first time of its long history, and some high school students who strived for holding the tournament gave a letter to us. Mr. Shimizu, who worked hard for the tournament of track and field when he was a high school student, realized that the tournament was supposed to be held in his home town Gunma prefecture, and their band’s song “SISTER” should have been played in the opening ceremony, and then he tried to do something for them and suddenly he created the song “Suihensen” We would like to publish this song today of October 18th, when the opening ceremony of the tournament should have been held.

Then, everything made sense to me. That’s why the song is such a moving song.

Here is a song lyrics in English and Japanese. The song lyrics are so deep to get simply for even Japanese. The words are simple though, the combinations are so poetic that it can be understood easily. Absolutely, the song is a kind of song that the interpretation can be dedicated by each of us, but mainly the core of the song is to embrace the sadness or darkness in our lives. Here is my translation of the chorus part, which is very difficult to translate and understand.

水平線が光る朝に In the morning when the horizon shines
あなたの希望が崩れ落ちて Your hopes collapse into pieces
風に飛ばされる欠片に While the broken pieces are blown with wind
誰かが綺麗と呟いてる Someone is saying those pieces are beautiful
悲しい声で歌いながら Singing with a sad voice
いつしか海に流れ着いて 光って Those pieces would reach the ocean and shine someday
あなたはそれを見るでしょう You would see it
あなたはそれを見るでしょう You would see it

Above all, my analysis of this song is that this is a kind of a fight song for the people who somehow disappointed deeply with something in their life. Generally speaking, we don’t say it’s beautiful when somebody is collapsing, but the song seems to say such kind of things. In short, as long as we live, we face many kinds of difficulties and sometimes we overcome or lose or collapse. However, as long as we live, the song would tell us our lives are still dazzling like sea glasses found in the sea shore.

Thank you very much for reading the article. I would prefer your comments or some other topic requests for me to write. Please write a comment or give me an email through contact page.

Sleep well and live well

How long do you need to charge fully yourself? I think I need about 8 hours. However, these days,y sleeping time is around 6 hours. I think it’s not good to keep my heath, so I would like to go to bed early today. Actually, today was really tiring day. We argued much and felt really sad. I’d like to accept that we have such days sometimes. Good night.

Yona Yona Dance

Thank you very much for reading the article. I would prefer your comments or some other topic requests for me to write. Please write a comment or give me an email through contact page.

The Real Good Japanese Music: Robust and Motivational lyrics from SUPER BEAVER

In this article, I’m writing and introducing Japanese real good music. Today, I’d like to introduce you to “SUPER BEAVER”. There would be no doubt if you say you like the band now, you would be thought as you have really good music taste among these days.

The band is kind of popular, but not that popular like the Japanese mainstream rock bands. However, the band offers many great songs to not only TV drama programs or smash-hit movies based on a very popular comic “Tokyo Revengers”.

The band is famous for its simple but very strong lyrics with great rock music harmony. Here is a music clip of “予感(Yokan: a hunch)”.

予感のする方へ 心が夢中になる方へ
Choose the way of a hunch the way you would be crazy
正解なんて あってないようなものさ 人生は自由
True answers are nothing Life is free
今 予感のする方へ 会いたい自分がいる方へ
Now choose the way of a hunch To the place where the ideal you would be

And lately, their latest song sold out, the title is “Tokyo”. In this song, they seem to be appreciating their Tokyo where they were born and raised, and they celebrate people who they’ve met in Tokyo by now. So, Tokyo would be a metaphor for everywhere of our precious places in our life. Anyway, the lyrics really struck my heart.

愛されたい 心の奥 望む僕にも 愛する人
Wanna be loved I feel deep inside in my heart But I still have someone I love
愛されていて欲しい人がいる なんて贅沢な人生だ
There are people I want them to be loved How luxurious life is it

Telling the exact Japanese nuance is a bit difficult, but hope you could enjoy something of these SUPER BEVER songs. Thank you for reading and see you again!

Thank you very much for reading the article. I would prefer your comments or some other topic requests for me to write. Please write a comment or give me an email through contact page.

Real Good Japanese Pop Music

Or I should say, the real good J-pop Music video. It’s “Zankyo-Sanka” by Aimer.

What a beautiful world of VFX

“Damon Slayer” has become one of the best known or popular animation in Japan which is currently on the air. The movie of this became a No.1 blockbuster in Japanese movie history even under the pandemic year of 2020. To the most of Japanese, year 2020 will not be remembered as an Olympic Year, but the begging of the legend of Damon Slayer series.

Unlike those of the “Ghibli” movie, one of the biggest difference of Damon Slayer movie is that it is not a solo title but a chapter of its whole story. In short, basically you need to watch the previous series to fully understand the movie content unlike to Ghibli movies. However, the movie became the historical huge hit, and reversed the notion of animation film.

Anyway, the Damon Slayer series are known for its great theme songs sung by new type artists. The next chapter following to the movie is now on the air, and the theme song is the clip, which is “Zankyo-Sanka”. I don’t quite understand the meaning of this title, but by reading lines, I assume the song has a meaning of shake it off ish things.

What I should highlight in this article is that the beauty of this music video. I was amazed the quality of this VFX or Computer Graphic technologies. The atmosphere of the world is kind of Neo Edo looking, and a girl is running from Damons in the too bright world of Neo Shibuya or like that. The music video is so metaphorical and symbolic that I can’t stop watching after many times watching.

The content is very dramatic, and I’m sure you would enjoy it. Song and Video have a splendid quality at the same time and in terms of that I should say that it’s a kind of rare case. Damon Slayer is Japanese’s new myth after the cursed Olympic one. The anime and the songs has been proving that.

This Is How You Lose Your Day

There is a day you feel you win the day, and there is another day you feel down and are completely lost. Life is difficult to live with complete happiness as you know. You cannot live a life always filled with a smile but filled with desires, jealousy, tiresome, and such negative feelings. You want to conquer such negativity, but actually, you should embrace such feelings to admit yourself. I know that. But, life is not that easy. You don’t have to be depressed, but you can feel down.

Anyway, yesterday was a day like that. I went to bed without achieving some of my daily routines. Watching YouTube videos that seem at least fun to me at the time but actually not that worthy to watch, and gradually sink into the deep ocean of sleeping, realizing I lost the day, the feeling of regret that I couldn’t do something I should have done. Believing to keep doing something almost every day makes you somebody, I would think like that.

But anyway, that is life. The point is that you should not feel down that much and pretend you feel really down. As long as we are fine enough to smile at anyone, it’s totally OK. Then, I remember the line of a very famous Japanese pop music “Donna Tokimo (At any time)” by Makihara Hiroyuki. This song is full of great quotes.

Original Version

“消えたいくらい辛い気持ち 抱えていても 鏡の前 笑ってみる まだ平気みたいだよ”
Even though you have a painful feeling of wanting to disappear
Smiling at a mirror, I think you are still okay. (Translated by myself)

Searching the song, I found that there are some other language versions. I hope you would check out and feel positive again soon. Thank you for reading!

English Version

Spanish Version

Revitalize Yourself with Very Positive J-pop Songs Lists

Life is full of misunderstandings, shitty social relationships and negative news. Then I would say, why don’t you listen to a very positive J-pop songs? Here are my favorite very positive J-pop songs lists. Maybe you would feel it too bright or cheerful, but when you need such songs, why don’t you get some positive feelings from here. After listening to them, you realize the world is not that bad! Enjoy your life♪

Real Good Japanese Songs: “Kaerou” by Fujii Kaze

Today, I’d like to talk about music especially the real good Japanese music. Perhaps Maroon 5 or Lady Gaga is not the real good music for the most of Americans. You must know there are much more, sometimes hidden, great songs or artists. Of course this is my taste and choice, and I am not supposed to argue with another Japanese. I’m actually a bit confident in the real good songs, so if you feel like the song, I’m really appreciated.

Today’s Song: “Kaerou” by Fujii Kaze

If you are familiar with Japanese culture, he is the one who you should remember in today’s J music scene. He has a great talent to make beautiful songs and gorgeous but catchy and light songs. More and more companies try to offer him to collaborate with commercials. The most famous one was with HONDA’s new car commercial song of “Kirari”.

Just by my intuition but nearly 60% of the Japanese youth recognize him these days, he is still a new pop star in today’s J music scene. But this song “Kaerou” ,meaning let’s go home in English, is a bit hidden but one of his early masterpiece which will be accepted and acclaimed from the every generation and gender in Japan because the song is about “death” or “forgiveness”. That’s why there are many comments from 50s or over 60s people’s comments just aside from teenagers ones.

Like another his songs, you would find yourself in peaceful mind after you finish listening his songs. But this one is a bit outstanding. I cried naturally and felt so fulfilling with this song. I have no idea why this young early 20s guy could write and sing this awesome song, you can really understand how beautiful and great singer he is. All right, the video contains English subtitles, and if you liked it, it’s my pleasure. I also put the English lyrics down below. Please enjoy one of my fav songs♪

You are melting into the sunset

I am fading into the sunrise

If our paths never cross again,

then, that is the way it is

You’re turning on the lamp

I’m searching for the light

We both have nothing to fear

nothing to lose

We both have nothing at all in the first place

See you, see you again

Those boy’s eyes aren’t innocent anymore,

Those evening bells are ringing out

but can’t be heard anymore

That is, that is almost like

Everything seems to be over

Far from it, we’ve got a long way to go

and I’ll never forget…

Ah, let’s forget everything and go home

Ah, let everything flow away and go home

Though that scar hurts

this thirst never be quenched,

it doesn’t matter anymore, let’s blow ’em all away

Let’s go home with a nice breeze

Let’s go home with gentle rain

What is the use of hating each other

I’m, I’m gonna be the first one to forget

You are worried about the future

I am still attached to the past

This is our last time,

I’m supposed to be a god,

but still, we’re too much human

I looked at the world without me

From above, and I found out

It keeps on turning exactly the same as always

That made me feel easy somewhat

See you, see you again

We said farewell right before the highway

Leaving all hustle-bustle behind, I walk alone

Taking, All my life was about taking

And not a bit of giving

Not knowing the meaning of this life I’ve lived

Ah, let’s give everything and go home

Ah, with empty hands, let’s go home

What we can give is just what we’re given

Let’s be thankful and be honored

I’m waiting for you, let’s go home

Let’s go home where happiness never ends

What can we take with us when we leave this world?

Let go of the burdens we’re carrying, one by one

What is the use of hating each other?

I’m, I’m gonna be the first one to forget

Ah, how am I going to live from today

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Take a Sad Song and Make It Better

We never knew what would happen tomorrow, especially car accidents thing. I had a tiny rear-end collision the day before yesterday, and I got a kind of whiplash injury right now. Luckily, nobody was seriously injured though, nobody became happy after a car accident. Really, nobody. Of course our car had no fault, we have to call the police and insurance company right after the accident, and first of all, you have to cancel the plan you were leaving for. Nevertheless you have totally zero fault, your heart is down, especially the weather is cloudy. That’s why I didn’t feel like writing blog for 2 days.

Then, I suddenly realized I was healed by a song that I’m practicing to sing with my guitar. The tune is “Hey Jude” the all time best music from The Beatles. It is said that this song was written by Paul McCartney for Julian, who is a son of John Lennon and Cynthia Lennon. John and Cynthia had Julian, but since John Lennon started having affair with Yoko Ono (to be remarriage partner), Julian was in trouble. Then, Paul, who had a good trusted mutual relationship with Julian (Jude), wrote a song for him to cheer him up. The song is exactly, “Hey Jude”.

It is said that Jude means Julian, and her means Cynthia in the lyrics. But, somehow this private song became a song for universal experience. And now, everyone listen to this song when feel down, and cheered up. It is because this song is made by love. Love is sometimes such a simple, but a deep song. Tonight, I’d like to share my sadness with you, and try to make it better, better, better…

Hey Julian

Thank you for reading and have a better day. Anyway, this is also a good clip.

One of the best Carpool Karaoke episode