Decoding the times through idol song titles and lyrics
When I was young, there were times I went “Whoa” not at the music itself, but at the titles of the songs.
Of course, it still happens quite often.
Akina NakamoriWhen I first heard “Namida wa Kazari Janai no yo,” I thought, “What the heck is that?”B’zWhen I saw “Ai no mama ni wagamama ni boku wa kimi dake wo kizutsukenai,” I honestly thought, “That’s long!” and was surprised.
This time, for a change of pace, I’d like to focus on the “song titles” of such tracks and take a look through the lyrics of big-name idols, both old and new.
Role model idol: Seiko Matsuda
Seiko MatsudaNot only her music but also hairstyles epitomized by the “Seiko-chan cut,” the buzzword “burikko” that was sometimes used mockingly, and even now, as she grows older, her image of a strong woman who forges her own path despite scandalous romances and divorce—these continue to irresistibly captivate many women.
A twisted kind of resonance—like “I dislike her, but I envy the way she lives”—keeps creating a distance that sustains our longing for idols.
1.
Thinking about color
I took a look—analytically, so to speak—at the top 30 songs by Seiko Matsuda, who still reigns over the idol world (using RecoChoku’s rankings as of mid-August).
What stood out in particular was the large number of song titles in the form of “color + noun” or “noun + color.”
To put it mildly, many of the song titles are on the subdued side.
In the latter Showa period—a time of steady growth and stability—were there few attempts at deliberately eccentric ideas even in the entertainment industry, or were overly contrived efforts simply weeded out naturally?
- Songs with Color + Noun (or Noun + Color)- “Lapis-Lazuli-Colored Earth”- “Red Sweet Pea”- “Blue Coral Reef”- “Wheat-Colored Mermaid”- “The Wind Is Autumn-Colored”- “White Parasol”- “Azure Photograph”
There were also many “color + noun” song titles among tracks that didn’t make the rankings.
As with the song itself, it seems as if the “Seiko Matsuda chord” is present there.
The song title and lyrics were strongly influenced by the lyricist’s preferences.
- Easy to use as a commercial theme song or for advertising tie-ins
- Since it sold well, they kept trying to catch a second loach (i.e., they kept trying to replicate the success).
It is strongly felt.
I think the reason we were able to keep choosing classic, quintessential song titles for an idol was, above all, thanks to her overwhelming popularity.
In the end, it seems that consciously choosing simple, broad-but-shallow wording worked out for the better.
If we were to apply the way song titles were named after these colors to the present day,
- Polychromatization of colors: drawing hues such as ukon (turmeric yellow), pearlescent (masoo-iro), sabitetsu-onando (rusted iron gray-blue), and other traditional colors of ancient Japan.
- Use languages other than Japanese: if it’s red, write it as “rood” in Dutch, “vermelho” in Portuguese, etc., changing the notation accordingly.
- Coining new words: This is up to you—things like 'tear color,' 'heart-throbbing color,' 'broken-heart color'—the part where you can try your hardest.
Would that be the case?
As the most familiar type of adjective, colors have been used in many song titles, whether by idols or non-idols.
There will never be a shortage of ideas about colors.
2.
Create an era
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Amid all that, the song title “Pink Mozart” has a name that seems meaningful—and yet maybe not.
I remember that “Pink no Mozart” caused quite a stir even at the time of its release.
Since it became a buzz even in an era when social media and the like barely existed, its impact is something that can hardly be measured by today’s standards.
In the writings of the lyricist Takashi Matsumoto
At) A certain meetingMr. Wakamatsu: “Something pink-ish would be nice.”Mr. Hosono: “Something Mozart-like would be nice.”Mr. Matsumoto: “Then how about ‘Pink Mozart’?”And just like that, it was decided on the spot as a spur-of-the-moment idea.
I have seen it.
If we think about this piece in a straightforward way, it’s a pink Mozart—so it seems as if it’s just that a Mozart painted pink appears.
Let's take a look at some of the lyrics.
Pink Mozart — hey, it’s almost time; when the big wave breaks, a dazzling September. Pink Mozart — hey, can you feel it? My rising heart in moderato.
Taken at face value, it becomes a kind of metaphor that entrusts the words of a pink Mozart with a refreshing summer romance.
Even with pink lettering, it doesn’t make me think of messy, complicated adult romances.
Is the color pink in contemporary times often used as a symbol of idols and kawaii (cuteness)?
As terms like 'pink film' and 'pink porno' are becoming somewhat archaic, pink is transforming into a color that conveys a wholesome cuteness.
However, as I recall, during Seiko Matsuda’s era there were still many shades of pink that were emblematic of an “adult seediness.”
In such an era, the bold decision to use the word “pink” in an idol song title suggests it was also a time when top idols were helping to create trends and values that were far newer than what we see today.
3.
Songs that grow through empathy
Let's look at song titles that are formed by adding nouns together.
- Noun + Noun (or two or more nouns)- Balcony of the Beach- Eyes Are Diamonds- Kiss of Heaven- Door of Summer- Alice in the Land of Time- Secret Garden- Breakfast in Manhattan- Bride of the Future- Summer of Lemonade
It's a simple song title that just strings together nouns that made the heart flutter, but even after accounting for the era, I still sense a highly literate, meticulously refined taste.
But it’s by no means something difficult; it’s a refreshing combination of words that creates a pleasant sound and impression to the ear, even for the general public.
It consists solely of printed text, with no title and no details.
When I think about how Seiko Matsuda, as an idol, deftly handled everything—from the hues of the times to the give-and-take inherent in the idol format—I’m reminded that her presence can’t be summed up as that of a mere idol.
Role model idol: AKB48
1.
Keep your antenna up for a wide range of terms.
There are songs where the music itself is nothing special—perfectly ordinary—but they became huge hits simply because the title was good and catchy.
I’ll refrain from naming names, since that could cause friction.
That's how important a song title is.
Shifting the era to HeiseiAKB48Let's take a look at the top 30 songs (according to the same RecoChoku survey).
The prevalence of English titles and titles that render English in katakana stood out.
- - Heavy Rotation- Shoot Sign- Gingham Check- Halloween Night- LOVE TRIP- RIVER- Labrador Retriever- Beginner- Flying Get
It uses many English expressions that were in vogue at certain times in that era and were repeatedly recycled for a long period.
It’s the work of Yasushi Akimoto, who has a keen nose and is always ahead of the times, along with the highly idol-savvy staff surrounding him.
There may be some coined words, but for the most part they’re words whose actual nature you can more or less infer from the title.
The fact that it doesn’t just end with a word—rather, it makes you feel it hasn’t been brought to an end—is Akimoto’s tour de force. You could call this the sensibility that creates idols and shapes an era.
In the spotlight now as part of the Sakamichi groupsNogizaka46The title “Influencer” has also begun to be widely used as an economic (commercial) term, and it seems to be a word that fit perfectly (?) with Mr. Akimoto’s tastes.
The word has existed for a long time, but it’s only in recent times that I’ve started seeing it frequently.
I think today’s lyricists need a keen eye that can spot the tiny frays in the seams where moments connect.
If today’s lyricists were to make use of this, perhaps the idea would be to devise ways to smoothly weave not only economic terms but also internet slang, art terminology, and even carpentry and shogi terms into their lyrics.
I think that devising and writing in a way that doesn’t make readers wonder, “Why bring up economic terms here?” is a demanding yet enjoyable task.
- Lock-on: when the sights of a rifle or missile are aligned (target is acquired)
- Checkmate: the king is cornered and the chess match ends
Phrases like “locking onto your heart” or “that love is checkmate” have probably been used a million times in song lyrics.
2.
Makes you want to search
First Rabbit
Amid all that, the song title above is a somewhat intriguing 'clickbait-style' title.
The song title “First Rabbit” makes me want to look up its meaning on the internet.
Among fans, various theories are floating around, but I think it’s probably a play on the term “first penguin.”
A “first penguin” refers to the penguin that dives into the sea first without regard for danger, and it is regarded as a symbol of the courageous (whether a person, thing, or living creature).
There are various opinions, but among fans it has come to be accepted as a good story written for Atsuko Maeda, who, at the time, supported and led the group as the top star of the 48 Group.
It even has the kind of 'bait power' that makes you suspicious—like maybe her graduation had been decided quite a while ago, and in response Akimoto-san... you start to wonder.
Let's take a look at the lyrics.
For some reason my heart starts pounding, and I’ll be the first to run. I’m not afraid of getting hurt. No matter what happens, without flinching, I’ll go in search of my own dream—let’s be the first rabbit.
It’s so refreshingly uplifting—a message song, a song of hope—that it makes you want to say the meaning of the title doesn’t even matter.
Just by changing the penguin to a rabbit, this song drew attention and even came to be called a masterpiece.
I think it’s amazing that fans get drawn into Akimoto-san’s strategy, debating and getting excited just from the song title alone.
Sometimes there are song titles that truly no one can understand, though...
I don’t think it’s at the level of “you can do anything as long as it sells.”
In this episode, I was once again reminded of the importance of song titles.
Similarly, as a rather recent hit with a similar “punny title,” there’s “365 Nichi no Kamihikōki” (365-Day Paper Airplane).
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If you listen to that song while wondering, “What is a paper airplane for 365 days, a whole year?” it somehow turns into a moving anthem that cheers you on in life.
It’s a song title that lets each person resolve it on their own, like, “Ah, so that’s what it means.”
In this way, whether it’s to spark conversation or as a kind of “bait,” when professionals skillfully weave together hard and soft tones and write so cleverly, we… well, it does dampen our motivation a bit. But I’d like to take this as a good example and have you write lyrics that carry the scent of new experimentation.