Okay, so this is more of a play on words. All the song titles have the word "one" somewhere…
As One – Big Mama
English| Pop/Rock
The mix of rock-ish elements with the violin and more classical elements make me think of a more indie label sound. It’s got a decent beat and it does want to make you kind of want to get up and move. The English is a little tough to understand at times, but you can make out enough of it to get the meaning of the song. I can picture it as being the opening theme to an anime with more fantasy elements in it.
One Sugar Dream – M-Flo
Japanese | Pop
It’s a nice, mellow mid-tempo song and the girl’s vocals (don’t actually know who’s singing, sorry) mesh in quite well with the background. I really like the acoustic guitar and simple percussion which make up the majority of the accompaniment, with the violins adding accents.
One – Bi / Rain
Korean | Pop
I think it’s a nice mid-tempo song, but not overly memorable (I like a couple of his other songs better). I do like the fact that he doesn’t try to go into the upper register too often (his mid-range stuff sounds better) and the instruments are relatively simple though.
You Are the No. 1 – Bonnie Pink feat. Kreva
Japanese | Pop
I kind of wish there was either more of a contrast between Bonnie Pink’s and Kreva’s voices, or that they meshed more…I think it’s because I don’t think of Bonnie Pink as an R&B singer (in comparison to Daichi Miura). It’s still a decent song to listen to though, even though it’s not high on my list of favorite collaborations.
One Moment – Monkey Majik
English | Pop
I think the best element of the song is the guitar and how, with the piano, gives it a kind of jazzy/bluesy kind of feel. It’s a nice mid-tempo song, the kind you’d listen to if you were reminiscing about past loves while you’re out on the patio staring up at the stars.
Labels: Big Mama, Bonnie Pink, Contributor; Carmi, Kreva, m-flo, Monkey Majik, Rain
Ummm…so I don’t think my last post went over all that well. Hopefully you all like this one better! So the theme of this post is as though I were suddenly in charge of finding the score for a shoujo anime, complete with the standard troubles and tribulations that a couple would go through.
Kimi Dake – Teppei Koike
Japanese| Pop
I think this would be good as an opening theme. It’s heartfelt, and could easily be edited into a 30-second opening showcasing each of the characters: the boy who’s longing to see the girl and the girl who he loves. And then, the lyrics allude to the stuff they’d have to go through.
My Man – Davichi
Korean | Pop
Oddly enough, I had never even listened to Davichi. In a lot of ways it does express how a girl feels when she’s finally set on a particular guy. There’s that upbeat, happy kind of thinking that everything will work out fine. The beat is catchy and the song is relatively simple but still a good one to listen to.
Why I Like You – Super Junior
Korean | Pop
I think this would be a good background song, especially during the happy times in the fictional anime. It’s upbeat and definitely focuses on the good times of the story, the happiness that everyone experiences when they first fall in love.
If – Tae Yeon
Korean | Ballad
There isn’t anything overly memorable about the song that I can think of, but the theme of being so silly that you let the person you love walk away from you is a great one to have. The song is heartfelt but not overly sappy. It doesn’t sound like she’s about to ball her eyes out, but it does make you think that she regrets what she did.
널 붙잡을 노래 – Rain
Korean | Ballad
Okay, I couldn’t help but end this rotation with this song. It’s sad and heartfelt. Now, it always takes two to break up a relationship: one to actually do the breaking up and the other accepts the break. In this case, Rain doesn’t seem to accept things but he can’t seem to do anything about it except wish for the girl to come back. It would be a good song to end with, although I do think it might be harder to cut it down to the usual ending theme length without losing some of the song’s meaning.
Labels: Contributor; Carmi, davichi, Rain, Super Junior, tae yeon, Teppei Koike
Just Like That Guy – Se7en
Korean| Pop
I can’t believe I had overlooked this song when it first came out. It’s heartbreaking but I can’t help but love it anyway. His singing is amazing and the emotions really come through. It’s now my favorite song of his (for the longest time “Real Luv Song” was my favorite).
Insomnia – Wheesung vs. Craig David
Korean/English | Pop
A nice mash up by Yigytugd. Craig David’s voice goes well with Wheesung’s, almost to the point where the only differing point between the two is the language. That’s probably because it’s the same song and Craig David picked Wheesung to do the cover of his song. It’s got a good techno-ish beat to it but it’s poppy sounding enough for me to think it’s pop.
My Girl – Big Bang
Korean | Pop
Yes, I realize that this is an older song of theirs (the Korean version came out in 2006) but I think it’s a good one. I actually stumbled on this about a week ago (don’t know what caused me to find it though). It’s definitely got a more North American R&B sound to it but you can still tell that it’s Big Bang singing.
You – Rain
Korean | Pop
This is a nice, upbeat song with a kind of jazzy/band-ish sound (I think that just might be due to the base and the guitar). It isn’t that complex in terms of composition and him singing in the higher notes can seem a little weird since I prefer him singing in the lower register; but, still it’s Rain, so I’m kind of biased into thinking it’s a good song.
Nobody (Rainstone Remix) – Wonder Girls
Korean | Pop
Tying in to the theme from Se7en’s song, I thought this song would be a good one to round off the rotation. This remix is a bit of a contrast to the original one for the fact that it’s slow and the background is really simple: a guitar, drums, base, etc. I think it conveys the song’s words better than the original but, then again, I don’t think this version would have sold as well on its own.
By the way, any thoughts on what I should post next? Song requests? Leave a comment if you'd like something specific!
Labels: Big Bang, Contributor; Carmi, Rain, Se7en, Wheesung, Wonder Girls
Queen of Hip-Pop – Namie Amuro
Japanese| Pop
I feel like the live version does this song more justice than the album ever did – and that’s mainly because the base line is amped up a lot more in this one. Plus, the applause at the beginning really helps set the tone for the song. Although, aside from those two things, it isn’t really that different from the original.
Love in the Ice (Korean Version) – DBSK / TVXQ
Korean | Ballad
Jaejoong is a little quiet at the onset, but the vocals quickly pick up after that. This is probably my favorite ballad right now and it was actually the live version that made me take a second listen to this song (totally skipped it when I first heard the album version). At times I think the background kind of overpowers them but their vocals later on make up for it.
Mirotic (Japanese Version) – DBSK / TVXQ
Japanese | Pop
This is a much more orchestral version and it has a long-ish interlude in the middle where normally the rap picks up right after the second chorus (done as a dance interlude if you watch the concert). Still a fun version to listen to. By the way, this isn’t the “under my sky” version.
Nan - Rain
Korean | Pop
I was going for a slower song but I’m partial to Rain so I picked this instead. The accompaniment and backup singers support him so well. I really liked the base in this one.
Do What You Gotta Do – Zeebra feat. Mummy D, AI & Namie Amuro
Japanese | Hip Hop
A fun and energetic song to end this rotation. I think it’s my favorite Suite Chic / Zeebra song (I actually like this version better than the album version). The audience gets really amped up at the end – but watch out for the high-pitched mic squeal at the end.
Labels: Amuro Namie, Contributor; Carmi, Rain, Tohoshinki, Zeebra
Nan Arayo - Seo Taiji
Korean | Pop
This was the first Korean song I had heard; although at the time it was pitched as a Japanese song and I didn't know any better. This was a part of the "3 Ninjas Kick Back" soundtrack and played when they first arrived in Japan. It's a good, old song with nineties sounds.
Suteki Da Ne - Lee Soo Young
Korean | Pop/Ballad
This is the Korean version of "Suteki Da Ne" originally sang by RIKKI for the Final Fantasy X soundtrack. I really like this version much better than RIKKI's as Lee Soo's voice is much more suited to it. The song is mellow but orchestral and her voice brings out the best in the song.
With U - Bi/Rain
Korean | Pop
One of my favorite Bi songs, it's upbeat and fun. It's from his movie, "I'm a Cyborg But That's Okay" (I think that's the English title). Enough said.
Chun Gook Eh Gi Uk - Jang Jung Woo
Korean | Pop/Ballad
From the "Stairway to Heaven" drama, it's a great song with great soothing vocals. The song's guitar almost gives it a latin feel that adds to the song's depth. It's what made me want to watch the drama (still haven't started yet).
Nunun Wheh - Chulie & Miae
Korean | Pop
Another pick from the "3 Ninjas Kick Back" movie that I thought was a Japanese song but is actually Korean. It's an old song, too (as denoted by the interlude with the English rap-ish words thrown in), but catchy. I really like the rap bits in here and how it contrasts with the chorus.
Labels: Chulie and Miae, Contributor; Carmi, Jang Jung Woo, Lee Soo Young, Rain, Seo Taiji
사랑이라는건(Sarangiraneun Geon - Acoustic Version) – Bi/Rain
Korean | Pop
I like both this version and its original but definitely prefer this one. It conjures up a picture of Rain sitting in a small studio setting with a few band mates singing this song. The opening guitar is nice and mellow and the rest of the instruments add to its jazzy-ish sound.
Manic Monday – Bonnie Pink
English | Pop
Yes, it’s a remake of the famous Bangles song. I actually really like this song, so much so that I will listen to this on those horrid Monday mornings where I really don’t want to go to work. It’s a much mellower and slower version of the original, with the first two verses focusing on the acoustic guitar, base, piano, and drums.
Knock Knock Knock (Piano Version) – Daichi Miura
Japanese | Pop (R&B)
I prefer this version to the original, more upbeat version. The piano and keyboard (higher-pitched keys) provide a simple accompaniment to Daichi’s voice but bring out the best in the song. It gives the song a moodier and sadder quality, which seems to give it more weight.
Life Goes On (D Side) – Chemistry
Japanese | Pop
A nice, mellow version of the opening theme to “Antique Bakery”. The slower beat and Chemistry’s voices without the electronic overlay found in the “K Side” mix make the song seem more sincere than the upbeat electronic-ish pop version (although I like that version better).
This Song – 2AM
Korean | Pop
I really wanted to finish off with a more upbeat number but I ended up with this song instead. It’s a really heartfelt song and the words could almost make you cry. The boys’ voices mesh really well with the background.
Labels: 2AM, Bonnie Pink, Chemistry, Contributor; Carmi, Miura Daichi, Rain
Wait a minute, wasn’t this top 10’s? Since I decided to merge all the languages together, I also decided to extend the list to 20 songs. I made an original list to choose from, which had 35 songs (which itself started out at 29 and kept growing as I thought of more songs that deserved to be added, haha), and I simply couldn’t pick just ten. Well, more songs for you guys, right? Since it was pointed out to me that my top 10 ballads rotation was all-male, I’ve done my best to encorporate some female artists as well - although, admittedly, it is still male-dominated - I’m picky about female artists, okay?
Also, the runners-up for this rotation will be posted at a later time. It's been too long since I did such a big rotation.
This rotation really took a long time to prepare, so please comment or at least leave a rating! Thanks to all those who do.
#20. Paparazzi - AJOO ft. Younha & C-LUV
A catchy, extremely danceable song by AJOO. I have to admit, I really like AJOO except for his latest song. Although his image keeps changing, from sweet, innocent boy to a more mature, sexy look, then to his latest eyeliner-obsessed image which, as you can tell, I’m not a big fan of. Anyways. Paparazzi is a fun, poppy listen. It’s not particularly innovative or original, but it’s a good song.
#19. 痴妹與王兩 - Xiao Yu
Gritty, tough, and aggressive. Xiao Yu’s voice is dripping with an easy, slick confidence. It does get repetitive and a little generic, but it makes for a nice occasional listen.
#18. D.D.D. - Koda Kumi ft. SOULHEAD
I’m not really a fan of any of the big female j-pop stars - Ayumi Hamasaki, Koda Kumi, Amuro Namie, Utada Hikaru, etc. but out of them, Koda Kumi is probably my favourite. D.D.D. is energetic, confident, and fun.
#17. Scream - JUNE
An upbeat club number, Scream just begs for another listen. Addictive, catchy, and complete with smooth, slick melodies that JUNE brings to their best. It almost has a bit of a disco feel to it at times, yet is undoubtedly modern.
#16. 넌 나의 노래 (You're My Song) - Dong Bang Shin Ki
Wrong Number originally held this position, because I guess you could kind of consider this song a ballad, but I just love this song too much. This is definitely, by far, my most listened to track off of MIROTIC. I was expecting one of their more upbeat songs (eg. Mirotic, Wrong Number) would be the most memorable, but it ended up being You’re My Song - an absolutely gorgeous slow pop track. The melody is beautiful by itself, but the boy’s vocals and harmonizing really bring it to another level - at times vulnerable and at others strong and hopeful. I love the piano accompaniment too.
#15. In My Bed - Rain
Being one of the first k-pop artists I listened to, Rain had to show up somewhere on this rotation. Anyways I’m not sure what he’s up to now, but I think he really needs to return to music. His latest album Rainism didn’t really leave much of an impact on me. This song is from his fourth album, Rain’s World - a smooth, slightly downtempo, R&B influenced number. His unique voice is perfectly accented against the relatively minimal but steady arrangement. A memorable song that has a lot of replay value.
#14. 통화 연결음 (Ring Back Tone) - Sunnyhill
I never get sick of this song. This group is made up of 3 vocalists - two female, one male. Their male vocalist was supposed to be a member of Battle. I absolutely love their female vocalists. Both have airy, light voices that sound absolutely wonderful. A peaceful, calm, sweet song.
#13. Letter - BRIGHT ft. K
I’m not a fan of girl groups as a general rule, but I absolutely love BRIGHT. Just the opening lines, in absolutely stunning harmony, should tell you that these girls are something different. A light, breezy, relaxing song. K’s sweet voice fits in perfectly with BRIGHT’s vocalists. Like I mentioned, the harmonizing in this song is just beautiful.
#12. Funky N Roll Tonight - A’ST1
There had to be one cheesy, boyband, bubble-gum pop song on this rotation. Complete with a nonsense English title, A’ST1 delivers a sugary, fun track. Bright, upbeat horns, paired with feel-good guitar chords that are then taken over by a keyboard. Twangy, thick bass, sweet poppy vocals, easy-to-follow melodies. Nothing particularly original, but well-executed.
#11. Get Chu! - AAA
A summer-y, upbeat song. Cute, playful, and light-hearted. It’s a feel-good song, plain and simple.
#10. Always Online - JJ Lin
I just bought the album this was from, Sixology. <3 A really good song to wind down to - it’s relaxing but not too slow, with faint R&B influences in the beat and bass. JJ Lin’s voice is smooth and melodic.
#9. truth - Arashi
A dramatic, memorable song with a pushing string accompaniment competing with the rich piano arrangement. I really think this is one of Arashi’s best songs. It has a bit of a darker feel than most of their material but is uptempo and energetic, and at times hopeful. Complete with a gritty electric guitar solo about halfway through, truth definitely shows another dimension of Arashi.
#8. One - Epik High ft. JiSun
An electronica-infused song that is just beautiful. Ji Sun’s light, airy vocals fit the slightly haunting air of the song perfectly. Although this song is a lot more mainstream from Epik High’s older releases, I still liked it. It has a dark edge to it, but at the same time is hopeful and energetic.
#7. 거짓말 (Lies) - Big Bang
I loved this song when it first came out. I think I listened to it so much that I got kind of sick of it, and it’s been a while since I revisited it. IMO, this song really defined their electronica-infused style. The sweet piano melody, although repetitive, lends colour and contrast to the verses, really bringing the song to another level. The chorus is wonderful.
#6. 어쩌다 (How) - Brown Eyed Girls
I really hate how every song from every artist of whatever this company is starts off with this weird robotic voice saying “play this sound” or “brand new sound” or something like that. Anyways. Brown Eyed Girls is one of the few female artists to make this rotation, and pretty far up on the rankings too! How is infectiously catchy and fairly quick in tempo, but the vocal work maintains its depth and emotion. the girl’s voices are sweet but not annoyingly so. Although there is some faint synthesizing, especially in the harmonies, it’s not overdone. The rap verses give a playful, light touch to the song.
#5. 星空下的吻 - JJ Lin
Kicking off energetically with a heavy beat and quick verses, the song then transitions beautifully into an airy, melodic chorus where JJ Lin’s voice simply soars over the arrangement. I love the contrast between the two moods - the angst of the supporting verses, and the beauty of the chorus.
#4. Bump - Lee Min Woo
A straightforward uptempo track, active and aggressive. Min Woo’s latest solo album disappointed me because it lacked the fire of his older songs - such as Bump, from his 2nd solo album. It cools down for one verse, with melting melodies and smooth vocal work, but other than that, never loses its energy and intensity. Min Woo’s strong, slightly rough voice is a perfect fit for this song.
#3. Passion - Se7en
Ah I remember being so obsessed with this song. This song really got me into Se7en. His voice is rough and powerful, bordering on a bold aggressiveness. Slick, sensual melodies paired with harsh accenting gives the song a sharp edge. The beat and arrangement definitely takes its influences from American music, but it’s so catchy and driven. Definitely a song you could dance to.
#2. Hero - Shinhwa
What I liked about this song was that, on top of being catchy and lively, it also had emotional value. The beat is fairly straightforward, but infectious nonetheless. Random bit of trivia: at ~2:42 in the track, you can hear someone cough. This song, released in 2002, was one of the first Korean songs that I listened to (and when I listened to it, a few years had already passed since its release). It’s been a while since I listened to it, but it really doesn’t get old.
#1. Okay, so this is where it gets kind of weird. There are two #1 songs.
简单爱 - Jay Chou
Wait a minute, I don't even like Jay Chou. Why are two of his songs tied at first place? Well, as much as I’m not feeling Jay Chou’s latest albums, I really like some of his older work. This is an example of it - innocent, sweet, and genuine. Maybe it’s just because I’ve been listening to these songs for so long that I love them.
髮如雪 - Jay Chou
I love this song. Jay Chou’s voice is just perfect in it, smooth and light - there’s some classical Chinese influences in the arrangement, but they’re not overbearing. I seriously always have some verse or some melody from this song resurface in my head, even if I haven’t listened to it in a long time. Okay, admittedly, the part where it sounds like he’s gargling near the end of the song (around 4:30) is just ... weird. But still.
Labels: A'ST1, Ajoo, Arashi, Big Bang, BRIGHT, Brown Eyed Girls, Dong Bang Shin Ki, Epik High, Jay Chou, JJ Lin, JUNE, Koda Kumi, Lee Min Woo, Rain, Se7en, Shinhwa, SunnyHill, Xiao Yu
S.I.N - -OZ-
Quality kinda sucks, sorry. T_T Really screamy at first, then really melodic. Pretty typical fare, nothing that blew me away. Still, it was solid and I really like the verses that are actually sung.
Voyage - Shinhwa
A nice ballad, but for the first few verses until the chorus, the accompaniment completely overlaps. Probably one of my favourite songs from Shinhwa's 9th album though, which I wasn't too impressed with. Worth a listen.
One - Epik High ft. Jisun of Loveholic
GO EPIK HIGH. This is from their new album, Pieces, Part 1. Featuring the soft vocals of Jisun, this is one of my favourite tracks. The beginning of the song reminded me of HSM for some strange reason. Buut, the rest of the song is great. Kind of different from the darker style of Epik High's 4th album, this song manages to be upbeat and catchy yet sad at the same time. Highly recommended.
Ignition - Epik High ft. Na Yoon Kwon
More Epik High for you. =) This song starts out with Na Yoon Kwon's vocals. I can't say I've heard of him, but he's got a pretty decent voice. This song didn't catch me as much as "One" did, but still a decent track. It's mostly rapped except for Na Yoon Kwon's verses, which works out to be a pretty nice balance.
Eight by Eight - Epik High ft. Dynamic Duo, Double K, TBNY
A more solidly hip-hop track, Eight by Eight is very much American influenced. The English lyrics sound a bit random (I swear I heard "skinny jean" in there) and it's not really my kind of song, but worth a listen.
Usan - Epik High ft. Younha
Okay, last Epik High song. Another of my favourites, especially since Younha is such an awesome vocalist and one of my favourite female vocalists. Nice piano accompaniment but the drums keep a solid, steady tempo. Younha's vocals are really what make this song for me. Recommended.
ワールド ワールド - Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Okay, this isn't as recent of a release, but I love this song and I don't think I ever got around to uploading it. It's from Ajikan's latest album, World World World. There's a ticking metronome in the background and it's a really mellow song, accompanied by just a guitar. It's only a minute or so long. Recommended.
Natsu・Koi - Ikimono Gakari
A band that I recently discovered and am really impressed by. Their male and female vocalists are both great, and this is probably one of my favourite songs by them. Try them out!
Echo - Loveholic
From their Dramatic & Cinematic album, a great song from a great band. I'm disappointed that Ji Sun's leaving them to go solo, but I support her. Her voice really shines through in this song, which is slow but for some reason calling it a ballad doesn't seem quite right to me. Highly recommended.
Mirage - Loveholic
My favourite song from this album. Lovely piano accompaniment, Ji Sun's vocals are lovely. It's a really calm but sad song with a great chorus. Highly recommended.
honey drop - Matenrou Opera
One of my favourite VK bands. I was so happy when I finally found this single, and it didn't disappoint. Great vocals although they're a bit whiny at times, random growling stuck into a very melodic song, and overall just a great song. There are some gothic influences; it's super catchy. &&& there's a random jazzy piano lick. Highly highly recommended for any VK fans.
Anydream - Rain
Rain's submission for the Beijing Olympics. Below you'll find the contributions from Wang Lee Hom, and Jay Chou. It's not fabulous and definitely not one of my favourite songs by him, but it's decent. Maybe it's because this is a low-quality rip, but his voice kind of disappears below the accompaniment for the whole song. It's upbeat and relatively catchy.
千山萬水 (Quan Shan Wan Shui) - Jay Chou
Radio rip, sorry. But it's all I could find, and I thought some of you would probably want to hear this. A nice, slow-tempoed song that shows Jay Chou's vocals well, but it didn't really blow me away or anything. Plus the verse that's super-high pitched kind of annoys me.
Dream of the World - Wang Lee Hom
This song starts off in English and then switches to Mandarin. It's also a ballad, but I liked it better than Jay Chou's song. There's a prominent bass accompaniment and Wang Lee Hom's voice is lovely.
사랑 하는 일 - Sung Shi Kyung
Latest Sung Shi Kyung single. As expected, a ballad. Pretty standard fare, but a decent listen. It starts to grow on you the more you listen to it. He does have a great voice, which I think is shown quite well in this song.
Welcome to my misery - FLOW
If the song title made you think the song was sad, think again. A great upbeat track from FLOW's latest album, Isle. Very danceable and catchy with a great guitar part and a piano accompaniment that has varying prominence. A reminder of how much I love this band. Recommended.
Carry on - FLOW
Rock | Japanese
Another upbeat track from ISLE, this song is wonderfully executed. The way the vocals are arranged are just wonderful, with a great accompaniment. The song goes from a darker sound to the bright chorus. Great bass accompaniment, too.
Lovers Again - EXILE
I haven't liked EXILE's recent singles much, but I love this song. It's one of my favourites by them and is a gorgeous ballad that shows their vocals perfectly. Harmonizing is well done and the song has faint R&B influences.
Mannequin - Hwanhee (Fly to the Sky)
A solo track from Fly to the Sky member Hwanhee. Mannequin is a nice ballad that stages Hwanhee's deep vocals beautifully. I love Brian, but honestly I think that Hwanhee sounds a lot better singing solo. The song itself can get a little boring, but I'm highly recommending this just for Hwanhee's voice.
Electron Mailman - Kra
I love how this song kicks off. It's a pretty laid back song and one of my favourite from Kra.
Eraser - SAT ft. Lee Min Woo
I honestly don't know where I got this song from. XP I just found it on my computer and thought I'd upload it. It's a duet that doesn't offer much, but it's catchy and the female vocalist is pretty decent. Lee Min Woo underachieves in this song - he's a much better vocalist than this song shows, but I think it's a pretty old song, so he's probably improved since then. Worth a listen, but nothing spectacular.
Carving the Rock - YMCK
A very cute track from a very interesting band, YMCK. I can understand why it might not be everyone's kind of thing, but I really liked it even though generally I wouldn't listen to 8bit. It's a nice blend of sounds with soft, cute vocals.
Labels: Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Epik High, EXILE, FLOW, Fly to the Sky, Ikimono Gakari, Jay Chou, Kra, Lee Min Woo, Loveholic, Matenrou Opera, OZ, Rain, SAT, Shinhwa, Sung Shi Kyung, Wang Lee Hom, YMCK
