Gekkan Songs 08.2012 [Translation]
Gekkan Songs 08.2012
-First of all tell us how you decided to go with Chankapaana as your first comeback single.
M: We decided it ourselves. "Let's go with this".
S: We chose between many songs, many of them were cool or nice. But the only one who caught our interest since the beginning was Chankapaana. At first we felt lost but it had a good impact and that's what we wanted.
M: It's our first single after 1 year and 8 months, many people waited for us during this time, we wanted a song that could shout out quickly "NEWS are back to work". It's perfect because we wanted a song that we can enjoy having fun with all the fans.
T: Chankapaana is a song you learn and hum since the first listening. We thought it was an important thing. Everybody can sing it, for fans it will be easy to memorize.
K: We decided unanimously so we saw the objective immediately. Nobody was uncertain of it. We directed ourselves to make a good job our of this song.
-What did you think when you first heard the song completed?
K: It's upbeat. It stays in your head immediately and it catches everybody's attention with its title.
T: It's a kind of song we never did before, it shows well all our different personalities.
M: It has a high key to sing. We must practice hard to sing and dance it!
S: It's really high! Anyway it was fun. The melody is catchy so when we recorded it we were singing very excitedly.
T: I can sing it smoothly. It took me around 1 hour to record. Of course it's important to record perfectly but this time I had to control my excitement. I was having lot of fun.
- It's true, it's an exciting and interesting song. What was your point, did you look carefully to something singing it?
M: We recorded many different versions. We wanted to show off our personalities in the chorus.
S: I can understand a little what the other were trying to convey in it. We sang it in our own ways trying to keep a good balance.
K: And trying to not bump into the other's intentions.
T: In the song we say a line, we recorded it many times too. We repeated it a lot, like maids (lol)
-You recorded it separatedly?
T: Yes. Many times.
K: Right. This time the recording took us quite a long time.
T: It was the first time. Once we completed it we wanted to do better so we recorded it again fixing it.
K: We heard the complete song and we thought to many things, as the balance between us. We kept saying "We could fix this point here", we aimed to a perfect work.
S: Singing it well was important of course, but we also wanted to convey ourselves with it.
K: We always worked on our songs seriously but this time we were really severe with it. We bet on it.
-Did you have some requests from the staff too?
T: No, we were indepent. It's interesting how we all say that line in the song (lol). Also in the MV our expressions change, it's funny. In particular Massu was awesome!
M: Nah, Tegoshi was better (Masuda does his imitation and everybody laugh). Also Koyama was great. Why did you raise your hand like that? During the filming it looked normal but watching the complete video...
K: It was awkward! (lol) To explain, when we say the line in the PV the camera focuses on our faces, and I raised my hand to enter the camera frame. When we watched the video I was the only one who did something like that (lol)
M: I guess me and Shige were pretty ordinary?
S: I always try to not stand out too much. In that case I really didn't want to be talked about (lol)
T: Filming that part of the MV was kinda embarrassing, the other members were there watching (lol). Everybody was commenting so it was really embarrassing.
M: For example when Shige decided to turn his face like "here!", we were besides him telling him "Not there! Not there! Here! Here!".
K: Right, we were all unified to find the right angle to show Shige's coolness.
S: I filmed that bit at last. The others did all something so I thought "Great, I can do something simple!". Everybody filmed it many times but I wanted to do it in a single cut. I was trying it in front of a mirror and I could hear the others laughing. I thought I was doing fine but they were talking so much that it was really difficult (lol). In the end I had to look straight in the camera.
[Why they didn't put this in the making? XDD I wanted to see their other attempts!]
-So how many different patterns did you record?
K: Well, just 2.
S: Koyama unexpectedly tried it a lot of times.
M: He was concerned on the heigh of his hand (lol)
K: I wanted to enter the frame with my elbow.
S: So, how was the result? (lol)
K: I did it (lol)
S: You looked like a host!
K: Yes, me and Tegoshi looked like hosts.
T: Right, we did.
S: Tegoshi looked right into his character but Koyama was kinda pretentious (lol). A fake narcissist.
T: Me and Tegoshi are additions.
S: So I'm more a subtraction (lol)
T: You can say I'm also a multiplication (lol)
S: But using the little finger for a line that says "I promise you" was pretty ordinary too (lol). In short, it's a MV full of worth seeing things.
-By the way, Chankapaana is a coined word, what does it mean?
K: Beloved one.
M: It's the "chan" that is usually added to a name, plus a "kapaana" that sounds kinda latin, like Italian or Spanish. That's why when you sing it at karaoke you can change the "chan" with any name you like, it'll be fun (lol)
S: That's nice!
-The coupling song Full Swing is completely different from Chankapaana.
M: Let's leave Tegoshi to talk about that (lol)
T: I got it (lol). The first time we heard the song it was goosebumps good. Its lyrics matched with NEWS group, right now it's a difficult time, many people are stuck, not many can go at full swing at all. The theme of the song is "Let's try to challenge everything at full swing", I think it suits a lot the recent times. Of course it's directed also to NEWS fans, if heard by people who want to try something and work hard it can turn into a cheering song that will make you want to do your best.
K: I think this song will become really precious for new NEWS. When we'll sing it we will always remember this time when we had to cut a fresh start. It's a coupling song but I like it so much that it's like a waste.
S: Chankapana is a song that burst open but Full Swing is kinda sad and it's incomparable. I think the lyrics has something of youth inside.
M: It's a wonderful song. It's perfect for us and we can sing it only now. I'll be happy if people we'll love it the same as Chankapaana.
-Were you lost choosing the main song between these two?
K: In the end it was a luxurious worry. Because we all liked both the songs a lot. Anyway we decided together that to cut a new start it was better to go with a cheerful song.
S: We were greed (lol). It was a good song so we didn't want to keep it for the next time. That's why we included them in the same single.
K: Massu said it before, it's meaningful for us to sing Full Swing now. That's why we recorded it now.
-You just released NEWS BEST too, the best was like a breaking point for you?
K: Let Tegoshi answer this (lol)
T: Ok (lol). Our number changed, we also thought to record again the songs. But the best album is our history. If we sang "NEWS Nippon" in 4 it wouldn't be the original "NEWS Nippon" anymore, that's why we inserted the "Touch" album version. With the best album we expressed what we are, the paths we walked, it was a breaking point too, it also conveys our feelings, from now on we'll work hard as 4.
M: We had to keep tight the songs we loved until now. As Tegoshi said, the best album is our history so we really want you all to have it.
-You'll also have a special event for the single release. What kind of event will it be?
K: We decided the main points but we still have to talk about the contents. For now we just want to express our thankfulness directly the fans.
T: I think that between all the Johnny's we're the ones who love fans the most, no doubts about it (lol). I want to convey this. We will create an event that we will enjoy and that will make fans very happy!
M: Yes, it will be different from lives.
K: It will be absolutely fun!
M: If possible I'd like everybody who bought the CD to come. "Come all-paana" (lol)!
K: "Come all-NEWSpaanas"!
M: "NEWSpaana" is no good!
K: Eh, why?!
M: Because of course we'll be there (lol)
-(Laughs) Leave a message to the fans who waited for you until now!
M: We didn't want to release a half-hearted job, that's why we took our time to get ready and choose songs. We decided for it all together so if you'll listen to it a lot and love it we'll be happy. From now on we'll be on magazines, tv and many other places so watch us and check on us (lol). We'll do our best! Please support us ♪
K: I think that many people with different favourite artists read "Songs". I'd be happy if also people who are not our fans will try listening to new NEWS.
S: We made you wait for 1 year and 8 months, we did the single thinking about this too. We also added an event, we thought to many things. This time all we wanted was to simply make our fans happy. Please listen!
T: It's been a long time since we release a single, we feel really sorry towards the fans. Anyway they waited around 2 years, we didn't want to betray them. I can't wait anymore just thinking of singing the new song having fan with all the fans. It's our comeback song, from now on we'll go on attacking, we'll be happy together ♥
Vocal Advice
T: It's not a technical song or anything, it's ok if you just sing it having fun. The A-melody might be a little low but then the key goes higher so also girls can sing it well.
S: As Massu said you can change "Chankapaana" with somebody's name, it'll be funny!
K: Right. Please have fun with it! For example, "Yuuko" can become "Yuuchankapaana". Shige would be "Shigechankapaana".
M: Wouldn't it be difficult? (lol)
T: The songs talks about a one night love story, you could try sing it sexily.
M: Or you could imitate us. Look forward to the PV too!
S: It will be absolutely fun to sing it all together being noisy.
M: In the PV we use a mic with his chord, I want you to use one too!
T: Right! There's also an interesting dance to do with it!
KOYAMA
-Who/What is your chankapaana?
All the fans. "Chankapaana" means beloved one. The biggest reason why we could release a single now are fans who waited for us. That's why "fans" is the most appropriate answer.
-Is there something new you'd like to try?
I'd like to travel all Japan. If possible I'd like to do that with the members but alone is fine too (lol). There are many prefectures I haven't visited yet, I'd like to visit the whole country. I'd like to go to Yakushima and Iriomote. I visited the Bonin Islands so now I want to travel throught the Honshu and then see everything (lol)
-What is the main point and feeling of your solo song?
"Starry" is a song I wrote. Until now my solo songs were always rythmical, danceable. This time it's a ballad. For our new start I wanted to try a genre never did before. I did it practicing while we had no activities.
MASSU
-Who/What is your chankapaana?
After all the biggest one are clothes. I like them in every season. I don't have particular rules but I always watch fashion magazines and shops everyday. Lately I like shorter pants. You can do nice combinations with pants over the knee.
[Ehm...ok >_>]
-Is there something new you'd like to try?
It's Summer so I want to spend time by the sea or river. I love to bathe...No, maybe surfing? Right, I want to try that. I'd like to try marin sports by the sea. By the river I could do the one trained by the boat. How is it called? Maybe rafting?
-What is the main point and feeling of your solo song?
I'm still working on my solo. It's taking me more time because I'm busy with the butai. Right now I'm talking about what I want to do and I'm giving lots of opinions, it's funny. I will do something good so please look forward to it!
SHIGE
-Who/What is your chankapaana?
All the fans. This time they really supported us. Usually you don't understand much that they're here and waiting for you. But on the radio shows I received a lot of "I've been waiting for this! Thank you". And to think that we should be the ones thanking them (lol)
-Is there something new you'd like to try?
Hearing the story of Kurotani Tomoka who was guest on Mirai Theater I thought I'd like to try riding a horse. I think it'd be cool. There might be chances to do it for work and I've always wanted to try sword fight. But to do that I should learn to use my right hand (lol)
[*facepalms*]
-What is the main point and feeling of your solo song?
I've always written and composed my solo songs, this time I was helped. I wanted to try something new that I couldn't do all by myself. The lyrics are about vampires, the main melody is like a rap that tells a story. I did it properly also rhyming the text.
TEGOSHI
-Who/What is your chankapaana?
I love soccer so maybe it's soccer ball. I love to watch it and I often go to matches. When there are matches abroad I meet with my friends, we all watch them wearing the uniform (lol). I have friends in the national team so I always support them.
[Soccer balls...really? lol]
-Is there something new you'd like to try?
A Onigokko game like the one in the tvshow "Tousouchuu". I'd like to do it at night in Shibuya or in a big city. There would be two teams, the oni and the ones who escape. The one who can run away until 5am wins, the prize is that he won't have to pay for 10 drinking parties (lol). I'm good at running but I'm a scaredy-cat so I'd prefer going with someone.
-What is the main point and feeling of your solo song?
I produced everything of it. I started doing it 1 year and half ago, finally I could release it. It talks about a boy in love with a girl but this girl plays with all the boys, the boy can't just give up on her though. I wrote the lyrics drinking coffee during the night going by trials (lol)
Another long but lovely interview ^___^ Enjoy! ♥
-First of all tell us how you decided to go with Chankapaana as your first comeback single.
M: We decided it ourselves. "Let's go with this".
S: We chose between many songs, many of them were cool or nice. But the only one who caught our interest since the beginning was Chankapaana. At first we felt lost but it had a good impact and that's what we wanted.
M: It's our first single after 1 year and 8 months, many people waited for us during this time, we wanted a song that could shout out quickly "NEWS are back to work". It's perfect because we wanted a song that we can enjoy having fun with all the fans.
T: Chankapaana is a song you learn and hum since the first listening. We thought it was an important thing. Everybody can sing it, for fans it will be easy to memorize.
K: We decided unanimously so we saw the objective immediately. Nobody was uncertain of it. We directed ourselves to make a good job our of this song.
-What did you think when you first heard the song completed?
K: It's upbeat. It stays in your head immediately and it catches everybody's attention with its title.
T: It's a kind of song we never did before, it shows well all our different personalities.
M: It has a high key to sing. We must practice hard to sing and dance it!
S: It's really high! Anyway it was fun. The melody is catchy so when we recorded it we were singing very excitedly.
T: I can sing it smoothly. It took me around 1 hour to record. Of course it's important to record perfectly but this time I had to control my excitement. I was having lot of fun.
- It's true, it's an exciting and interesting song. What was your point, did you look carefully to something singing it?
M: We recorded many different versions. We wanted to show off our personalities in the chorus.
S: I can understand a little what the other were trying to convey in it. We sang it in our own ways trying to keep a good balance.
K: And trying to not bump into the other's intentions.
T: In the song we say a line, we recorded it many times too. We repeated it a lot, like maids (lol)
-You recorded it separatedly?
T: Yes. Many times.
K: Right. This time the recording took us quite a long time.
T: It was the first time. Once we completed it we wanted to do better so we recorded it again fixing it.
K: We heard the complete song and we thought to many things, as the balance between us. We kept saying "We could fix this point here", we aimed to a perfect work.
S: Singing it well was important of course, but we also wanted to convey ourselves with it.
K: We always worked on our songs seriously but this time we were really severe with it. We bet on it.
-Did you have some requests from the staff too?
T: No, we were indepent. It's interesting how we all say that line in the song (lol). Also in the MV our expressions change, it's funny. In particular Massu was awesome!
M: Nah, Tegoshi was better (Masuda does his imitation and everybody laugh). Also Koyama was great. Why did you raise your hand like that? During the filming it looked normal but watching the complete video...
K: It was awkward! (lol) To explain, when we say the line in the PV the camera focuses on our faces, and I raised my hand to enter the camera frame. When we watched the video I was the only one who did something like that (lol)
M: I guess me and Shige were pretty ordinary?
S: I always try to not stand out too much. In that case I really didn't want to be talked about (lol)
T: Filming that part of the MV was kinda embarrassing, the other members were there watching (lol). Everybody was commenting so it was really embarrassing.
M: For example when Shige decided to turn his face like "here!", we were besides him telling him "Not there! Not there! Here! Here!".
K: Right, we were all unified to find the right angle to show Shige's coolness.
S: I filmed that bit at last. The others did all something so I thought "Great, I can do something simple!". Everybody filmed it many times but I wanted to do it in a single cut. I was trying it in front of a mirror and I could hear the others laughing. I thought I was doing fine but they were talking so much that it was really difficult (lol). In the end I had to look straight in the camera.
[Why they didn't put this in the making? XDD I wanted to see their other attempts!]
-So how many different patterns did you record?
K: Well, just 2.
S: Koyama unexpectedly tried it a lot of times.
M: He was concerned on the heigh of his hand (lol)
K: I wanted to enter the frame with my elbow.
S: So, how was the result? (lol)
K: I did it (lol)
S: You looked like a host!
K: Yes, me and Tegoshi looked like hosts.
T: Right, we did.
S: Tegoshi looked right into his character but Koyama was kinda pretentious (lol). A fake narcissist.
T: Me and Tegoshi are additions.
S: So I'm more a subtraction (lol)
T: You can say I'm also a multiplication (lol)
S: But using the little finger for a line that says "I promise you" was pretty ordinary too (lol). In short, it's a MV full of worth seeing things.
-By the way, Chankapaana is a coined word, what does it mean?
K: Beloved one.
M: It's the "chan" that is usually added to a name, plus a "kapaana" that sounds kinda latin, like Italian or Spanish. That's why when you sing it at karaoke you can change the "chan" with any name you like, it'll be fun (lol)
S: That's nice!
-The coupling song Full Swing is completely different from Chankapaana.
M: Let's leave Tegoshi to talk about that (lol)
T: I got it (lol). The first time we heard the song it was goosebumps good. Its lyrics matched with NEWS group, right now it's a difficult time, many people are stuck, not many can go at full swing at all. The theme of the song is "Let's try to challenge everything at full swing", I think it suits a lot the recent times. Of course it's directed also to NEWS fans, if heard by people who want to try something and work hard it can turn into a cheering song that will make you want to do your best.
K: I think this song will become really precious for new NEWS. When we'll sing it we will always remember this time when we had to cut a fresh start. It's a coupling song but I like it so much that it's like a waste.
S: Chankapana is a song that burst open but Full Swing is kinda sad and it's incomparable. I think the lyrics has something of youth inside.
M: It's a wonderful song. It's perfect for us and we can sing it only now. I'll be happy if people we'll love it the same as Chankapaana.
-Were you lost choosing the main song between these two?
K: In the end it was a luxurious worry. Because we all liked both the songs a lot. Anyway we decided together that to cut a new start it was better to go with a cheerful song.
S: We were greed (lol). It was a good song so we didn't want to keep it for the next time. That's why we included them in the same single.
K: Massu said it before, it's meaningful for us to sing Full Swing now. That's why we recorded it now.
-You just released NEWS BEST too, the best was like a breaking point for you?
K: Let Tegoshi answer this (lol)
T: Ok (lol). Our number changed, we also thought to record again the songs. But the best album is our history. If we sang "NEWS Nippon" in 4 it wouldn't be the original "NEWS Nippon" anymore, that's why we inserted the "Touch" album version. With the best album we expressed what we are, the paths we walked, it was a breaking point too, it also conveys our feelings, from now on we'll work hard as 4.
M: We had to keep tight the songs we loved until now. As Tegoshi said, the best album is our history so we really want you all to have it.
-You'll also have a special event for the single release. What kind of event will it be?
K: We decided the main points but we still have to talk about the contents. For now we just want to express our thankfulness directly the fans.
T: I think that between all the Johnny's we're the ones who love fans the most, no doubts about it (lol). I want to convey this. We will create an event that we will enjoy and that will make fans very happy!
M: Yes, it will be different from lives.
K: It will be absolutely fun!
M: If possible I'd like everybody who bought the CD to come. "Come all-paana" (lol)!
K: "Come all-NEWSpaanas"!
M: "NEWSpaana" is no good!
K: Eh, why?!
M: Because of course we'll be there (lol)
-(Laughs) Leave a message to the fans who waited for you until now!
M: We didn't want to release a half-hearted job, that's why we took our time to get ready and choose songs. We decided for it all together so if you'll listen to it a lot and love it we'll be happy. From now on we'll be on magazines, tv and many other places so watch us and check on us (lol). We'll do our best! Please support us ♪
K: I think that many people with different favourite artists read "Songs". I'd be happy if also people who are not our fans will try listening to new NEWS.
S: We made you wait for 1 year and 8 months, we did the single thinking about this too. We also added an event, we thought to many things. This time all we wanted was to simply make our fans happy. Please listen!
T: It's been a long time since we release a single, we feel really sorry towards the fans. Anyway they waited around 2 years, we didn't want to betray them. I can't wait anymore just thinking of singing the new song having fan with all the fans. It's our comeback song, from now on we'll go on attacking, we'll be happy together ♥
Vocal Advice
T: It's not a technical song or anything, it's ok if you just sing it having fun. The A-melody might be a little low but then the key goes higher so also girls can sing it well.
S: As Massu said you can change "Chankapaana" with somebody's name, it'll be funny!
K: Right. Please have fun with it! For example, "Yuuko" can become "Yuuchankapaana". Shige would be "Shigechankapaana".
M: Wouldn't it be difficult? (lol)
T: The songs talks about a one night love story, you could try sing it sexily.
M: Or you could imitate us. Look forward to the PV too!
S: It will be absolutely fun to sing it all together being noisy.
M: In the PV we use a mic with his chord, I want you to use one too!
T: Right! There's also an interesting dance to do with it!
KOYAMA
-Who/What is your chankapaana?
All the fans. "Chankapaana" means beloved one. The biggest reason why we could release a single now are fans who waited for us. That's why "fans" is the most appropriate answer.
-Is there something new you'd like to try?
I'd like to travel all Japan. If possible I'd like to do that with the members but alone is fine too (lol). There are many prefectures I haven't visited yet, I'd like to visit the whole country. I'd like to go to Yakushima and Iriomote. I visited the Bonin Islands so now I want to travel throught the Honshu and then see everything (lol)
-What is the main point and feeling of your solo song?
"Starry" is a song I wrote. Until now my solo songs were always rythmical, danceable. This time it's a ballad. For our new start I wanted to try a genre never did before. I did it practicing while we had no activities.
MASSU
-Who/What is your chankapaana?
After all the biggest one are clothes. I like them in every season. I don't have particular rules but I always watch fashion magazines and shops everyday. Lately I like shorter pants. You can do nice combinations with pants over the knee.
[Ehm...ok >_>]
-Is there something new you'd like to try?
It's Summer so I want to spend time by the sea or river. I love to bathe...No, maybe surfing? Right, I want to try that. I'd like to try marin sports by the sea. By the river I could do the one trained by the boat. How is it called? Maybe rafting?
-What is the main point and feeling of your solo song?
I'm still working on my solo. It's taking me more time because I'm busy with the butai. Right now I'm talking about what I want to do and I'm giving lots of opinions, it's funny. I will do something good so please look forward to it!
SHIGE
-Who/What is your chankapaana?
All the fans. This time they really supported us. Usually you don't understand much that they're here and waiting for you. But on the radio shows I received a lot of "I've been waiting for this! Thank you". And to think that we should be the ones thanking them (lol)
-Is there something new you'd like to try?
Hearing the story of Kurotani Tomoka who was guest on Mirai Theater I thought I'd like to try riding a horse. I think it'd be cool. There might be chances to do it for work and I've always wanted to try sword fight. But to do that I should learn to use my right hand (lol)
[*facepalms*]
-What is the main point and feeling of your solo song?
I've always written and composed my solo songs, this time I was helped. I wanted to try something new that I couldn't do all by myself. The lyrics are about vampires, the main melody is like a rap that tells a story. I did it properly also rhyming the text.
TEGOSHI
-Who/What is your chankapaana?
I love soccer so maybe it's soccer ball. I love to watch it and I often go to matches. When there are matches abroad I meet with my friends, we all watch them wearing the uniform (lol). I have friends in the national team so I always support them.
[Soccer balls...really? lol]
-Is there something new you'd like to try?
A Onigokko game like the one in the tvshow "Tousouchuu". I'd like to do it at night in Shibuya or in a big city. There would be two teams, the oni and the ones who escape. The one who can run away until 5am wins, the prize is that he won't have to pay for 10 drinking parties (lol). I'm good at running but I'm a scaredy-cat so I'd prefer going with someone.
-What is the main point and feeling of your solo song?
I produced everything of it. I started doing it 1 year and half ago, finally I could release it. It talks about a boy in love with a girl but this girl plays with all the boys, the boy can't just give up on her though. I wrote the lyrics drinking coffee during the night going by trials (lol)
Another long but lovely interview ^___^ Enjoy! ♥