Learning about Japanese music: What are Japanese youth listening to?

Japan is not only known for its developed economy, unique culture and advanced education. This is also the country with the second largest music market in the world, after the US. Japanese music has a very diverse color, with many genres. From folk, pop, rock, hip-hop, heavy metal, ... Today's audience often knows Japanese music through anime songs, idol music, soundtracks...

So how did Japanese music originate? What music are young Japanese listening to? Let's find out through the article below!

Japanese music origin

Music has become an indispensable part of Japanese people since ancient times. Music in Japanese called 音楽 (ongaku), is a combination of 2 kanji words 音 "On" (sound) with kanji 楽 "gaku" (enjoy). Over time, Japanese music is said to have been imported from China and other countries. The mixing and exchange of cultures, languages, and commerce have created many unique creations.

There are two musical forms that are recognized as the oldest of traditional Japanese music. Both have history dating back to the Nara and Heian periods. Gagaku is a type of ancient music that has been performed in the imperial palace since the Heian period. However, after the civilization of the Meiji period, Western music began to enter Japan. Along with that, Japanese music education also began to develop on the basis of European classical music.

The Japanese were first exposed to Western classical music in the second half of the 19th century, after more than 200 years of seclusion. Later, the Japanese took classical music seriously and made it a part of their culture. After World War II, music that mixed Western classical and traditional Japanese music became popular. This is the style of "modern Japanese music".

Popular music genres in Japan

J-Pop

J-pop, short for Japanese pop music. This is the concept of the genre that was introduced to the Japanese music market in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s pop and rock music. J-pop is more broadly defined by bands. New Wave music such as the Yellow Magic Orchestra and Southern All Stars in the late 1970s. J-pop eventually replaced kayōkyoku ("pop tune", a term for Japanese pop music from the 1920s to the 1980s. ). The term was coined by the Japanese media to distinguish Japanese music from foreign music.

Rock

In the 1960s, many Japanese rock bands were influenced by Western rock music such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones.Group Sounds was a popular Japanese rock genre in the mid to late 1960s. After the explosion of this music genre, there are a few famous composers. Nobuyasu Okabayashi was the first to become widely known. Wataru Takada, influenced by singer Woody Guthrie, also became famous. They all follow the style of American folk music but write Japanese lyrics instead.

A number of Japanese musicians began experimenting with electronic instruments into rock in the early 1970s. A prime example is Isao Tomita, whose album combines electronic instruments with contemporary rock and pop, Electric Samurai: Switched on Rock, 1972. During the 1980s, Japanese metal music and rock bands created a movement called visual kei, with representative groups such as X Japan, Buck-Tick, Luna. Sea, Malice Mizer and many more bands, some of which have enjoyed national and international success in recent years.

Heavy metal

Japan is famous for its metal bands that tour overseas and there are many live albums recorded in Japan. Good examples are Judas Priest's Unleashed in the East, Iron Maiden's Maiden Japan, Deep Purple's Made in Japan, Michael Schenker Group's One Night at Budokan or Dream Theater's Live at Budokan.

Japanese heavy metal bands started appearing in the late 1970s, pioneered by bands like Bow Wow. Japanese meta music received international attention through the success of the band Babymetal. That success is thanks to many hot songs on youtube like Gimme Chocolate!!. In addition, Babymetal also participated in one of the five opening acts of Lady Gaga's concert during the ArtRave: The Artpop Ball concert tour. Babymetal has also won numerous awards such as Kerrang's "Independent Spirit" and Metal Hammer's "Breakthrough Band".

What music are young Japanese listening to?

According to Spotify's ranking, the top 5 most listened to artists on this online music streaming platform in the Japanese market are BTS, YOASOBI, Official Hige Dandism, Dai Hirai, back number. The top 5 most played albums are THE BOOK (YOASOBI), BE (BTS), strobo (Vaundy), Life Goes On (Dai Hirai), Love Yourself 'Answer' (BTS).

Some popular songs with young Japanese people are:

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY - back number

The song is a thought line of a guy in one-sided love. On his birthday, even though he waited forever, waited until his birthday was over, but he still did not receive a birthday greeting from that person, at this time he realized that he was just a one-sided lover. stop. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” with a sad melody and lyrics with a bit of sadness and bitterness for a young man who does not dare to speak his mind to the person he secretly loves.

くだら ない 話 は の に

君 を 抱き締め て いい 理由 が から から

ああそう か そうだ よ な

ハッピー バースデー 片想い の 俺

“Even if I try to make up silly stories to start a conversation with you

Then I can't find an excuse to run to hug you

Ah, that's right, that's right

Happy birthday to me, who has a crush on you"

2. Pretender - Official髭男dism

The second single from the popular band Official髭男dism. “Pretender” has dominated the top 1 of the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart for 7 weeks, has the highest streaming of 2020 on Spotify and over 350 million views on Youtube. The song captures listeners' sympathy with the story of the young man's unrequited unrequited love. The boy painfully realizes that he has always been an outsider, but even so, it is still difficult to leave the girl he secretly loves.

Listen to the song here

グッバイ

君 の 運命 の は 僕じゃない

辛い けど 否め ない で も の さ

"Bye,

You are not my destiny

It's bittersweet but it's the truth

However, leaving you is not easy…”

In addition, “I LOVE…”, “Shukumei”, “Stand by you”, “Yesterday”, “115 Million Kilometer Film”,… are all songs worth listening to Official髭男dism.

3. Yoru ni Kakeru - YOASOBI

"Talent" are the only two words that can describe YOASOBI because this 2-member group that has only debuted for nearly 2 years has really turned the Japanese music industry upside down with the new material that the group uses to compose. YOASOBI is famous as a group that composes based on novels, turning the quintessence of novels into music, but not only based on feelings, but also introduces breakthrough and creative perspectives.

“Yoru ni Kakeru” is the group's debut song that has been a huge hit. Not only thanks to the addictive melody, but also because of the mysterious, controversial lyrics. The song is inspired by the short story "Thanatos no yuuwaku" by Mayo Hoshino with dark, gloomy content about suicide. Currently, there is still a lot of talk about whether this is a too negative song or not, but perhaps the perception is up to each person.

“Yoru ni Kakeru” did very well on the charts when topping the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for a long time, and also covered on Tiktok, Youtube, etc. It can be said that any song by YOASOBI is very good. Worth listening to while pondering the story behind: Ano Yume wo Nazotte, Harujion / Halzion, Tabun, Gunjō, Haruka

4. Neko - DISH//

“Neko” is a song by the band DISH// that was first released in 2017, but it was not until the live version of The First take was released that “Neko” began to receive great attention from listeners, especially especially young Japanese. Currently, this live version has reached more than 160 million views on Youtube. This is a song composed by Aimyon.

You can listen to the song here

With beautiful lyrics mixed with a bit of sadness, the song is a boy's mind in the days when he is no longer around, just know that the other person is still here even in the form of a wild cat. , is that he is satisfied enough. That is now a far-fetched wish, leaving only him with lonely, tired days.

君が もし捨 て だっ たら

この 腕 の 中 抱きしめる よ

ケガ し てる なら 傷拭 うし

精一 杯 の を あげる

“If I were an abandoned cat

I will hold you tightly in my arms

If you get hurt, I'll clean those wounds

And warm you with all I have."

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