30-Days Arashi Challenge #1: Favorite Song
Just to give you a heads up, I have a lot of Arashi songs that I like but I'll give you my Top 5 in no particular order. These songs are very dear to my heart that even though I do not sing them in perfect lyrics and even had my tongue twisted in the process of singing them.
Disclaimer: I am in no way professional to be a critique on the songs I will be choosing. These are all my personal opinions and preferences. Also, recommendations. Let's get started!
1. Subarashiki Sekai from One Album (2005)
This song is from the dark ages of Arashi. As we all know Arashi's career jet started when MatsuJun played the role of Domyouji from the series Hanayori Dango. The PV of this song was not even released in the thoughts that it will not sell well in which I beg to differ. I wished they could have included it in the 5x20 clips. I've also read somewhere that this wa ssupposed to be their last chance as they were not selling much back then.
What I like about this song is that this was the very song that lead me to this 5 person group. Also, theis song is just about being positive that we live in such a beautiful world. I knew who MatsuJun then before even listening to this song but not the group though. I fell in love with it and the rest is history. A lot of Filipinos knew Arashi through Jun and his acting skills in HanaDan but for me I knew him from Gokusen. I was around Grade School back then when it was aired in Philippine TV. During my 3rd year in High School, I ask my friend to pass me some JUMP songs from her phone when this song was accidentally sent. Yes, I was then a JUMP fan which is clearly around my age group. :)
"We cried and laughed, but still dreamed of tomorrow
Thank you, this wonderful world" - Arashi, Subarashiki Sekai
Reference: https://orangejasminepurpleyam.com/2011/11/04/the-dark-years-of-arashi-2000-2005/
2. To be free from Beautiful World Album (2011)
I love this song!!! It was a single they realeased for a CM which Sho starred. I love the PV the minimalism they showed on it. The set-up and the flying Eagle(?). Haha. Not quite sure what type of bird it was but this is one of the songs that I always listen to and sing along. I remember preparing myself while waiting for Sho's turn, he is my ichiban, then I'll sing a long with his lines.
I think the message of the song is to reach out for your goals. Never give up on it and work hard along the process of achieving it. Maybe that is why they have a flying bird on the PV. :) Fly high as the mighty bird in the sky!
"Taisetsu na mono ni kidzuku no darou" - Sho Sakurai, To be free
3. 5x10 from All the BEST! 1999-2009 Album (2009)
5x10 was created for their supporters so why wouldn't it be included in my list right? It is their way of expressing their gratitude to the fans who have been there before their fame including those who left and those who stayed, to the fans who have contributed to their rise to the top, and to the new fans who are still knowing them.
I remember watching their 5x10 concert (it was also the first concert I saw), and then when they started singing this song Aiba started to become very emotional. Almost everyone teared up except from Riida. SASUGA RIIDA~~~ I like how he can control his emotions. But yeah, Aiba looked like he needed a hug on that very moment. The lyrics of the song is well made for the fans. This is when they promised that the 5 of them will be there by our sidesforever.
"It's always been in our hearts That's why we want to try to tell you
Thank you... "From now on as well, thank you"
We are standing here now, able to shine because you are all here
The five of us will be here, forever" - Arashi, 5X10
4. Your Eyes from Popcorn Album (2012)
An OST from Aiba's drama, Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri. I really like how their voices harmonizes in this song. Honestly, the members are not the most vocally talented Johnny's, well aside from Ohno and Nino the other three are just hmm. Okay so I'll stop there and again, I am in no way professional for my judgement be valid in any other way. This is my personal opinion only. Don't bash me it won't get you anywhere. Going back, it really did surprise me the first time I've listened to this song. I even caught my sister's attention and make her listen to it. Haha. Forceful sibling here. Well, she is a NewS fan which is by the way have TegoMasu and both of them have lovely voices <3
No message. No favorite line. Yip, no. i just liked their voices here :) Because there are times when you just wanted to listen and sing a long. Harmonized for that matter. Haha.
5. 5x20 from 5X20 All the BEST!! 1999-2019 (2019)
The ultimate song they use to serenade their fans. Before the news break out, they have sung this multiple times. The feeling is surely strong enough then and for sure, after the hiatus announcement it was even stronger. i just heard this recently, when I say recently like just about 2-5 days ago.
This song is composed of lines from the songs they have already released and the chorus have the same lyrics as 5x10 but with a different melody. Even the lyrics from the 1st line of the song is almost identical to the first rap line of Sho in 5x10. They have showed so much gratitude in both words and actions. Selflessly prepared 54 concert shows to give all fans an opportunity to see them perform live although not all fans were lucky enough to see them this song is still a great gift they could have given us. They never took their fans for granted. They have always given us huge amount of efforts in their concerts, presented their most embarassing selves just to make us laugh, heartfelt messages to give encourage each and everyone and give us the greatest gift a fan could ask for, mutual respect, trust and love.
Even though I know that I haven't truly accepted the reality that they'll be halting their group activities after 2020, I will give them my trust and believe that will comeback without missing out any member. 5-1 = 0. Arashi and their fans are always bad at math. :)
You may see the referencing of the lyrics on this post: https://twosen.livejournal.com/493359.html
"5 and you x 20" - Arashi, 5x20
Translated lyrics by: yarukizero and twosen
Man, the last song made me very emotional. Haha. So there you go my top 5. I actually have lots of favorites. A lot of them were also included in the 5x10 albums. Then, I suddenly remembered the Arafes album. If not all, almost all of their released singles were included in that album. I didn't buy it because I am just a poor student back then. Haha. If ever I can see one available in a music store in Japan, I'll go get myself a copy.
What is your favorite song? :)
Let's go support them until the end,
@darkSHOcolate
(Twitter, IG)
Disclaimer: I am in no way professional to be a critique on the songs I will be choosing. These are all my personal opinions and preferences. Also, recommendations. Let's get started!
1. Subarashiki Sekai from One Album (2005)
This song is from the dark ages of Arashi. As we all know Arashi's career jet started when MatsuJun played the role of Domyouji from the series Hanayori Dango. The PV of this song was not even released in the thoughts that it will not sell well in which I beg to differ. I wished they could have included it in the 5x20 clips. I've also read somewhere that this wa ssupposed to be their last chance as they were not selling much back then.
What I like about this song is that this was the very song that lead me to this 5 person group. Also, theis song is just about being positive that we live in such a beautiful world. I knew who MatsuJun then before even listening to this song but not the group though. I fell in love with it and the rest is history. A lot of Filipinos knew Arashi through Jun and his acting skills in HanaDan but for me I knew him from Gokusen. I was around Grade School back then when it was aired in Philippine TV. During my 3rd year in High School, I ask my friend to pass me some JUMP songs from her phone when this song was accidentally sent. Yes, I was then a JUMP fan which is clearly around my age group. :)
"We cried and laughed, but still dreamed of tomorrow
Thank you, this wonderful world" - Arashi, Subarashiki Sekai
Reference: https://orangejasminepurpleyam.com/2011/11/04/the-dark-years-of-arashi-2000-2005/
2. To be free from Beautiful World Album (2011)
I love this song!!! It was a single they realeased for a CM which Sho starred. I love the PV the minimalism they showed on it. The set-up and the flying Eagle(?). Haha. Not quite sure what type of bird it was but this is one of the songs that I always listen to and sing along. I remember preparing myself while waiting for Sho's turn, he is my ichiban, then I'll sing a long with his lines.
I think the message of the song is to reach out for your goals. Never give up on it and work hard along the process of achieving it. Maybe that is why they have a flying bird on the PV. :) Fly high as the mighty bird in the sky!
"Taisetsu na mono ni kidzuku no darou" - Sho Sakurai, To be free
3. 5x10 from All the BEST! 1999-2009 Album (2009)
5x10 was created for their supporters so why wouldn't it be included in my list right? It is their way of expressing their gratitude to the fans who have been there before their fame including those who left and those who stayed, to the fans who have contributed to their rise to the top, and to the new fans who are still knowing them.
I remember watching their 5x10 concert (it was also the first concert I saw), and then when they started singing this song Aiba started to become very emotional. Almost everyone teared up except from Riida. SASUGA RIIDA~~~ I like how he can control his emotions. But yeah, Aiba looked like he needed a hug on that very moment. The lyrics of the song is well made for the fans. This is when they promised that the 5 of them will be there by our sidesforever.
"It's always been in our hearts That's why we want to try to tell you
Thank you... "From now on as well, thank you"
We are standing here now, able to shine because you are all here
The five of us will be here, forever" - Arashi, 5X10
4. Your Eyes from Popcorn Album (2012)
An OST from Aiba's drama, Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri. I really like how their voices harmonizes in this song. Honestly, the members are not the most vocally talented Johnny's, well aside from Ohno and Nino the other three are just hmm. Okay so I'll stop there and again, I am in no way professional for my judgement be valid in any other way. This is my personal opinion only. Don't bash me it won't get you anywhere. Going back, it really did surprise me the first time I've listened to this song. I even caught my sister's attention and make her listen to it. Haha. Forceful sibling here. Well, she is a NewS fan which is by the way have TegoMasu and both of them have lovely voices <3
No message. No favorite line. Yip, no. i just liked their voices here :) Because there are times when you just wanted to listen and sing a long. Harmonized for that matter. Haha.
5. 5x20 from 5X20 All the BEST!! 1999-2019 (2019)
The ultimate song they use to serenade their fans. Before the news break out, they have sung this multiple times. The feeling is surely strong enough then and for sure, after the hiatus announcement it was even stronger. i just heard this recently, when I say recently like just about 2-5 days ago.
This song is composed of lines from the songs they have already released and the chorus have the same lyrics as 5x10 but with a different melody. Even the lyrics from the 1st line of the song is almost identical to the first rap line of Sho in 5x10. They have showed so much gratitude in both words and actions. Selflessly prepared 54 concert shows to give all fans an opportunity to see them perform live although not all fans were lucky enough to see them this song is still a great gift they could have given us. They never took their fans for granted. They have always given us huge amount of efforts in their concerts, presented their most embarassing selves just to make us laugh, heartfelt messages to give encourage each and everyone and give us the greatest gift a fan could ask for, mutual respect, trust and love.
Even though I know that I haven't truly accepted the reality that they'll be halting their group activities after 2020, I will give them my trust and believe that will comeback without missing out any member. 5-1 = 0. Arashi and their fans are always bad at math. :)
You may see the referencing of the lyrics on this post: https://twosen.livejournal.com/493359.html
"5 and you x 20" - Arashi, 5x20
Translated lyrics by: yarukizero and twosen
Man, the last song made me very emotional. Haha. So there you go my top 5. I actually have lots of favorites. A lot of them were also included in the 5x10 albums. Then, I suddenly remembered the Arafes album. If not all, almost all of their released singles were included in that album. I didn't buy it because I am just a poor student back then. Haha. If ever I can see one available in a music store in Japan, I'll go get myself a copy.
What is your favorite song? :)
Let's go support them until the end,
@darkSHOcolate
(Twitter, IG)