Top 10 NEWS singles B-sides!
NEWS in QLAP April 2018 issue. (credit: love_kt_ms02)
I didn't have a 2017 year-ender or a 2018 year-starter LJ entry, when ironically, I wrote a lot of lists. To-do lists are getting consistent, Dreams list are becoming more specific and attainable, and making little Fandom lists is quite enjoyable after all the pressure of serious writing.
This is one of those little lists. Based on combined personal preference and the songs' importance and/or relevance to the fandom, here are NEWS' best singles B-side tracks, since 2012.
We can't fit all the years from NEWS' debut in 2003 if we want to finish this quick. So, go get your mp3 players or CDs and rediscover the beauty of these B-sides:
TRAVeLiNG (KAGUYA, 2015) - I dislike this song. But its quirkiness is unforgettable, lyrics are pure fun and it's one of the first and clearest reminders that NEWS was serious when they cued that their music would go the edgier distance.
Butterfly (KAGUYA, 2015) - Coming from the same single as TRAVeLiNG, this song, on the other hand, is one of my ultimate favorites! Koyama loves it too, probably more than I do.
I・ZA・NA・I・ZU・KI -Represent NEWS mix- (EMMA, 2017) - So far, there are four remakes. I can't judge which remake is the best, though we can tell which stands out based on the degree of difference from the original, and this one wins. Ad libs, anyone?
Distance (恋を知らな君へ , 2016) - A song clearly intended for international fans. It might not have the same appreciation as the other 'fan' songs, but the skit on SCP makes up for it.
madoromi (LPS, 2018) - NEWS' expertise lies in ballads. This is one of those with an almost-perfect execution. I chose this to be here over Wasurenagusa (see Honorabable Mentions) because personally, it makes me more sentimental.
NEWSICAL (LPS, 2018) - It might not be popular as a B-side track than it is popular as NEWS' self-produced musical; still, it is their prized work, something that goes beyond a B-side.
ANTHEM (四銃士 , 2015) - It got this high because of Club World Cup 2015 and 2016. Used as the theme for two straight years, beating all of NEWS' other soccer songs!
SEVEN COLORS (ONE -for the win-, 2014) - B-side with a PV. Higher than ANTHEM because it was more monumental during the time of its use. And it contains Tegoshi's highest belted note ever.
Sweet Martini (チュムチュム , 2015) - The majority has spoken about our love for this song. Ranked 1 in songs we wanted to see NEWS perform, we really love the sensuality it brings, without having to go through the embarrassment brought about by NEWS' more explicit songs.
Before revealing the #1, here are some Honorable Mentions that deserve their spot, just outside the top 10:
- 勿忘草 (Wasurenagusa) (KAGUYA, 2015) - NEWS members can actually sing. For a proof, you need a simple, unsynthesized ballad such as this.
- Snow Dance (EMMA, 2017) - Another 'modern' on the list, just a little polishing and this Future House track could be mistaken as a Jonas Blue unreleased song in collaboration with an idol group.
- Hello (WORLD QUEST, 2012) - The very first 4-nin ballad, it held what hope fans had for the restarting NEWS, vice versa.
- FLYING BIRD (ONE -for the win-, 2014) - Underrated pop-rock track that's just plainly underrated that's why I included it here.
- SPEAKER (四銃士 , 2015) - Ask about my personal B-side ranking and this song shoots up to the Top 5. I have an image of this song as the perfect B-side: easygoing yet somehow emotional, modern party anthem.
フルスイング (Full Swing) (チャンカパーナ , 2012) - NEWS' fight song. Would have taken over Chankapaana in a heartbeat, it was just that they chose the catchier track for an A-side; but for a B-side, it has fandom-wide merit. Again, NEWS' fight song (Along with U R Not Alone--but that'll be on another list!) Music and lyrics well-represent NEWS in all its past, present, and future. It is iconic, a story in itself, the A of all Bs!