My Absolute Favorite Foreign Songs

I almost always write about Japanese songs, but here is a list of my favorite songs from Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Germany, Iceland, and China.

"春夏秋冬" covered by Goose House

"Life is Like a Boat" by Rie Fu

"Pop Up!" by Goose House

"魔法の料理 〜君から君へ〜" covered by Goose House

"Koisuru Fortune Cookie" covered by Goose House

Get the guitar chords here!

"女の子は泣かない" by Rina Katahira featuring Kei Takebuchi

"NOW ON AIR" covered by Goose House

This song was performed on USTREAM on my sister's (and Manami's) birthday, and was later published on YouTube on my birthday.

"恋はヒラひらり" by Goose House

"今、走れ!" by Goose House

"虹" covered by Goose House

"Sing" (2014) by Goose House

"Sakura" by Ikimonogakari

"Music Hour" by Porno Graffitti & covered by Goose House

"Shanghai Honey" covered by Goose House

"Hana" by ORANGE RANGE & covered by Goose House

"我的天空" from Young Style

"Hanabi" by Ikimonogakari

This might be the song that sent me into full-blown J-pop/rock nerd mode. I even know how to play it on guitar. You can't really find the studio version of this song on YouTube, so I suggest purchasing the album.

"Life" by YUI

"My Pace" by Sunset Swish

"ร่มสีเทา/ฤดูอกหัก/ฤดูที่ฉันเหงา/ฤดูที่แตกต่าง - พาย ชา แอร์ หนวดนำเหนอ" by MusicClay2011

"Guren no Yumiya" by Linked Horizon & covered by Goose House

"Daisy" by Stereo Dive Foundation

"Scramble" by Yui Horie

"This Beautiful and Cruel World" by Hikasa Yoko

"Oto no Naru Hou e" by Goose House

"Hikaru Nara" by Goose House

My favorite part is from 3:27-the end. The bassline is what makes this better than the recorded version.

"Shiawase" by PUFFY

This is my absolute favorite PUFFY song (they are well-known in America for singing the Teen Titans theme and having their own show, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi), and should totally be covered by the girls of Goose House.

"K2G" by PUFFY

I'd add more PUFFY songs, but really you should just buy the entire NICE album, which includes "Teen Titans" as well.

"Lea Halalela" by Lebo M

"9,000 Days" by Overtone

"Um Oh Ah Yeh" by Mamamoo

"Gutes Tun" by Willemijn Verkaik

"Takes One to Know One" by Belinda

"Go Do" by Jonsi

Well, those are my favorite foreign songs. What are yours?

Top 15 Songs for Spring

I know it isn't spring yet, but to be honest, this post has been in my "Drafts" for a really long time, and I wanted to publish it.

1. "Ain't That Peculiar" by Marvin Gaye. Spring is the season for playing guitar on the front lawn again, and this song is definitely close to the top of my "Must Learn" list. "I know flowers grow from rain, but how can love last through pain?"
2. "Alchemy (Acoustic String Mix)" by Kyler England. This song is also at the top of my "Must Learn" list, though it seems like something I'd also listen to in autumn. "October turned the leaves to copper and gold. Set my world on fire, left me in the cold. If I were a master of alchemy, I'd change everything, I'd make all the broken things beautiful."
3. "Go the Distance" from Hercules. This song is kind of perfect, and is pretty motivating. After all, final grades are out in two months! "I know every mile will be worth my while."
4. "I Want to Know You" by Measure. I have a post that's almost done that will go more in depth about this song, but... this is one of those songs that just automatically changes your mood.
5. "Shiawase (Happiness)" by Puffy Amiyumi. Yes, this is on my list of songs to learn, too. For some reason, I imagine cherry blossoms. Maybe because "shiawase" means "happiness," I want to attend Northwestern University, and they have a lot of cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms = accomplished dream. Or I could be over analyzing.
6. "Young Friend" by Brooke Waggoner. This is the kind of song that I could just listen to on repeat all day and never get sick of it. It's one of those songs that makes you wanna roll down all the windows and drive with no clear destination.
7. "Hold On, We're Going Home" by Drake. I kinda want Drake to be my husband. I have no idea what this song has to do with going home, but... it's Drake.
8. "We Are One" by Angelique Kidjo. Yeah, this song is from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. But I still love it. I love how Angelique incorporates Zulu into the song at some parts. 
9. "Daisy" by Stereo Dive Foundation. This song... oh my. Every person on the planet needs to hear it, even if they can't understand/speak Japanese. After all, there's enough English in it to get it. "I've never said goodbye, and I never will."
10. "Wonderwall" by Oasis. One word: Legendary.
11. "Happily Ever After" by He Is We. For some reason, this song just seems like a spring/summer song. "Author of the moment, can you tell me... do I end up happy?"
12. "Femmes" by Brooke Waggoner. I'd be lying if I said I didn't try to learn this on violin. I'd also be lying if I said I succeeded. 
13. "Dance in Perfect Time" by Deas Vail. Deas Vail may no longer be my perfect band, but this is still a pretty perfect song.
14. "Colorblind" by Overtone. If you've never seen the movie about Nelson Mandela and the Springboks, Invictus, then let. me. tell. you. You HAVE to see it. I was forced to watch it in my World History class, and that teacher became my favorite because of it. Not only did Morgan Freeman portray Mandela, and the story was just so moving, but the music was the foundation of the film. Overtone and Yollandi Nortjie did a marvelous job on this soundtrack. While my favorite might be "9,000 Days" (which I played when I first heard the news of Mandela's death) or "Osiyeza," this one is definitely moving. The soundtrack really fueled this movie-- whenever a super emotional part occurred, there was Overtone's vocals, messing with my feels. And in the ending credits, after all these feels, came "9,000 Days." Needless to say, I cried. Well, I didn't cry. But if I had normal tear ducts, I would have.
15. "Endless Night" from The Lion King. This song, because of the actor who originally sang it (Jason Raize, who committed suicide in 2004), makes me think of depression. However, you could also think of it like a long winter finally beginning to end, and knowing that better times are coming.

"I know that the night must end, and that the sun will rise!"

-Simba, The Lion King (on Broadway) 

13 Japanese Songs That Should Be Available in the West

So, lately I've been really into Japanese anime. And I mean, really. I just finished Shingeki no Kyojin, Free!, and Kyoukai no Kanata. I plan on watching Bleach and Sailor Moon this year, and I already read the mangas.

Now, Japanese people just make the best music, and I will take whatever measures to prove it. From score to pop to rock to theme songs, Japanese music is... well, kinda amazing. The problem here? Most of it is not available in the United States, where I happen to live. My goal is to infuriate you as well. Unless you live in Japan, you lucky one.

1. "Eye Water" from the Shingeki no Kyojin soundtrack.

1:47 gets me every time. Every time. The original song from the scene with Mikasa holding Eren is "To Sacrifice One's Humanity," but are we not gonna talk about this one? Just admire the video, at least.

2. "Future Star" from Kyoukai no Kanata.

Okay, first I need to get this across. This anime was probably my favorite one I've seen so far. Actually, I really liked all three. But if you want to watch an anime that will not only make you laugh a lot, but cry a little as well, this is for you. Now, you won't cry nearly as much as you will with Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan), but you will have moments when you just can't even. Don't worry, though. It is totally worth every cliffhanger. And no, they don't normally sing. This song is from a filler episode. This is one of the few shows that will make an amazing filler episode. I really hope it gets a second season. Now, you should totally see the scene this song is in (it's embedded)-- decide what you think for yourself. But Mitsuki's (blue with black hair) singing voice-- perfect.

3. "To Sacrifice One's Humanity" from Shingeki no Kyojin.

I'm sorry you have to watch the actual scene. In fact, if you plan on watching the anime, DO NOT WATCH THE VIDEO. IT CONTAINS SPOILERS. I couldn't embed the video without... noises. However, here it is, and I can't even discuss it without spoiling the anime.

4. "Army Go" from Shingeki no Kyojin.

I can't get over my love for this score. If I were still in gymnastics (if my knees were in better shape and I was shorter, you know I'd still be), I would pick this as my floor music (my last routine was from X-Men: Wolverine). It's just so... I can't really describe it. Action-y? The strings that come in at 0:21 are just really... I can just hear the time the anime is set in (equivalent to medieval times). Just go on and watch the anime, okay?

5. "This Beautiful and Cruel World" from Shingeki no Kyojin.

This song is so calming and perfect for the anime itself. The last line of the chorus in English is: "Someone tell me what I'm fighting for. I don't really know the reason anymore." Believe me, if you've seen Mikasa's story arc (the girl with the short hair), you understand why that line is sung as she sees Eren. This song makes me feel like I'm falling into a deep, deep sleep. There is an instrumental cover of this song on iTunes that I settled for, but it would be nice if this song was available in my country.

6. "Splash Free" from Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club.

If this song doesn't play during the men's swimming segment at the 2020 Olympics, I will have lost all hope for humanity. Honestly, the people who know me in real life probably think this is my favorite anime. I mean, maybe it is, but I don't know. I guess I talk about it a lot, since I have a friend on a swim team who "only swims free" and I've been bullying her into watching the show. She stopped after the second episode, but I guess some people just don't understand my love. You know, I once listened to a four-hour version of this song, and I have absolutely no regrets.

7. "Guren no Yumiya" from Shingeki no Kyojin.

Even the voice actors can't resist singing the choir parts of the opening (and they didn't even get the German part right in the recording of Mikasa, Eren, and Connie's actors singing). I only have one thing to say. Sie sind das Essen, wir sind die Jäger!

8. "Taste the Satisfaction" from Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club.

I think 4:14 is my absolute favorite part of the song. Is it not the cutest little score ever? The whole album is really poppy... except for the opening theme song. Like, it's as adorable as the characters themselves.

9. "Daisy" by Stereo Dive Foundation from Kyoukai no Kanata.

Introducing... my favorite song (at the moment)! I did manage to get this one on iTunes. Legally, for your information. However, it was played at the end of an hour-long podcast and it starts after 0:58. So, basically I miss the entire intro. But hey, it's better than not having the song at all. I really miss this anime so much and how they would slowly fade into the same theme song. Again, I really ope it's renewed. But until then, "I never say goodbye." And I never will.

10. "K2G" by Puffy AmiYumi (as heard on the Teen Titans season one episode "Mad Mod").

Now, before anyone says anything, the lyrics are from a man's perspective. I don't remember how I know this, but trust me. If this isn't the ultimate workout song, then nothing is. Now, I did manage to get this song. However, I had to get the entire album (Nice) imported from Japan. Yes, it takes some serious dedication for me to buy entire American albums, but getting it from Japan? I think I deserve a medal. Especially for not resorting to illegal methods.

11. "Shiawase (Happiness)" by Puffy AmiYumi.

I bought the Nice album (which lives up to its name, by the way) so I could put "K2G" on my iPod, but ended up coming across this jewel as well. It's one of my new year's resolutions to learn how to play it on guitar. It's just perfect-- I love how when using headphones, I can hear their vocal solos in two different ears, and then they come together right when the bass drops at 0:39. I also love 0:39 because that's when the guitar switches from chords to arpeggio. I love the "Ooh" at 2:24... it has this home-y feel to it. I love how they chose to end it that way, and how they incorporated keys and electric bass in there with the guitar. It's just the perfect balance of acoustic and non-acoustic. Let's be honest. PUFFY is probably my favorite band.

12. "Kyoukai no Kanata" from the anime of the same name.

I managed to get a cover of this song in America, but that's because I was desperate. It was decent, but nothing compares to the original. This is also a fun song to dance or workout to! It's at least on my workout playlist... not saying I enjoy working out, because I don't, but you know what I mean.

13. "Rage On" from Free!

I don't have much to say about this song. I'm getting a little lazy with these now.

Well, I hope I inspired you to start watching anime and listening to Japanese music and are now as frustrated as I am that without pulling strings, these songs aren't available in the United States. If you aren't satisfied with that, I recommend you go to Amazon or check out the covers-- don't lose hope!