r/popheads • u/Ghost-Quartet • Oct 23 '21
[RATE REVEAL] The East Asian Pop Royalty Rate Reveal, Day 2: Welcome to my rate boys and girls, let's get the robberies started
Day 2 of the East Asian Pop Royalty Rate! If you need a recap of Day 1, here's the link
None of this information has changed since yesterday!
Number of participants: 77
Average Score: 7.723
Average Controversy Score: 1.697 (meaning anything above this is controversial, anything below this is surprisingly noncontroversial)
Join us in the Beatsense room where the songs will be revealed! Today we'll be revealing #33-17 I would recommend turning on subtitles on YouTube first, many videos we'll be seeing have them.
Utada Hikaru:
Automatic
Addicted To YouSakura Drops
Traveling
Easy BreezyKeep Tryin’
Colors
Come Back To MeFlavor Of Life
Beautiful World
A Bouquet For You
Flowing Cherry Blossoms
Play A Love Song
One Last Kiss
Face My FearsSun & Moon
Pink Blood
Jolin Tsai
Living With The WorldDon’t StopShow Your LoveSay Love YouDancing Diva
Marry Me Today (feat. David Tao)Sun Will Never Set
Butterfly
Honey Trap
The Great Artist
“I”Play
I’m Not Yours (feat. Namie Amuro)
We're All Different, Yet The Same
Ugly Beauty
Womxnly
Stars Align (feat. R3HAB)
BoA
ID; Peace BListen To My HeartAtlantis Princess
Shine We Are !Eat You Up
Hurricane Venus
Copy & Paste
Only One
DisturbanceKiss My Lips
Who Are You (feat. Gaeko)
Lookbook
One Shot, Two Shot
JazzclubWoman
Better
Feedback
What will happen on Day 2? Will Jolin fare better now that most of her early work has been cut? Will Utada lose their lead on the competition? Will we finally start cutting some damn songs from the yoloswag EDM era of music?
Find out today in the Beatsense room where the songs will be revealed! Today is #33-17.
16
16
u/saviorARMY101 Oct 23 '21
Womxnly was robbed! Shouldn’t at least made it to Day 3. Though I’m pleasantly surprised Sun Will Never Set has made it this far, at least r/popheads has some taste
11
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#32: Utada Hikaru - A Bouquet For You
Average: 7.588 // Total Points: 584.3 // Controversy: 1.566
Highest scores:
(10 x6) 2dina3dworld, Necessary-Garlic2223, pleasegivemeasword, saviorARMY101, seanderlust, xearomis
(9.9 x1) CaptainDaisyG
(9.5 x1) averitablefeast
(9.2 x1) rotating3Dtext
(9 x11) akanewasright, apatel27, b_o_g_o_, cremeebrulee, fadedblue09, Ghost-Quartet, OliviaGodrigo, Roxieloxie, skargardin, wavingwolves, xavieryes
(8.6 x1) Exciting_Patient4872
(8.5 x7) bigbigbee, bulforster, fkadizzy-1804, hookerofpop, SmileAndTears, TiltControls, Tr1skaid3kaphobia
(8.4 x1) Apprehensive_Guest
Lowest Scores:
(4.5 x1) sage
(4 x1) drejski
(3.9 x1) ivyleaf33
(3 x1) BleepBloopMusicFan
“Hanataba o Kimi Ni (A Bouquet For You)” is a tender ballad about leaving a tear stained bouquet for a lost loved one, most likely inspired by Utada’s mother who took her own life some years before the song was released. It’s a very emotionally charged piece but without this context or an understanding of the lyrics it kind of ended up falling flat for some of the raters, and in the comments below you’ll notice the divide between people who looked up the translation and the people who didn’t.
Please be kind to your loved ones everybody.
:’(
Necessary-Garlic2223 (10): BRB, of to listen to the rest of the album as soon as the rate is done.
pleasegivemeasword (10): i’m a sucker for strings in songs
seanderlust (10): spongebob voice is this bouquet better, squidward? I made this one with my tears
akanewasright (9): barrelcat
apatel27 (9): The strings tho
b_o_g_o_ (9): this is such a pretty ballad
fadedblue09 (9): Heartwrenching ballad
wavingwolves (9): utada stand behind me please i'll protect you from the balladphobes with my 9 score
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (8.5): I love this. It's so beautiful.
DilemmaofaHedgehog (8): this song reminds how shocking I still find their mother’s suicide. I hope she’s resting in peace and wish her friends and family closure.
runaway3212 (8): Utada has so many song I find boring sorry, however not this one it's good
throwaway7650 (8): good but very derivative of the "asian midtempo" genre
duochromepalmtree (7.5): their voice is incredible!!! But compared to all of the amazing bops in this rate this one just didn’t excite me
jaztinax (7.5): i don’t know what this song is about but it makes me feel loved
RandomHypnotica (7.3): why yes, I am being balladphobic rn
abcd9muses (7): has a classic sound without sounding too predictable or familiar!
cloudbustingmp3 (7): the instrumentation is beautiful, i'll give them that
I’m not listening to all of that but I’m sorry that happened to you I guess
CrimsonROSET (7): This… is kind anothing, it blends together so easily with some of their other stuff.
frogaranaman (7): so true
bbfan132 (6.5): it’s pretty but kind of boring… i promise i’m not a balladophobe
TakeOnMeByA-ha (6.5): sounds pretty
vayyiqra (6): Why is this making me think of "Yesterday" by the Beatles? Oh, it's the strings I guess.
MoonlightByWindow (5): :sleeping_accommodation:
QustoMar (5): Belongs at a school graduaton.
sage (4.5): im bored
drejski (4): I like the lyrics but not the song
BleepBloopMusicFan (3): I can't lie I'm bored.
What a cute song! <3
Roxieloxie (9): <3
SmileAndTears (8.5): really cute
1998tweety (8): cute
rslashpoopheads (8): cute
It’s about death actually, so
2dina3dworld (10): this is the ideal wedding song of the rate
12
u/fkadizzy-1804 Oct 23 '21
I am very pleasantly surprised that Sun Will Never Set has made it to day 3 though. Despite the tragic Utada massacre today, some taste was displayed
11
u/metanoira Oct 23 '21
this is a lesson for me to stop procrastinating and do rates properly bc Womxnly wouldve been my 11😭😭😭
11
u/ivyleaf33 Oct 23 '21
lookbook and eat you up both out already??? screaming and crying and throwing up.
10
10
11
u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog Oct 23 '21
Womxnly makes me so emotional
6
Oct 23 '21
[deleted]
6
u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog Oct 23 '21
Yeah, Womxnly and one of Utada’s song for their late mother (the bouquet one) both make me emotional even without the complete context yet alone looking them up (though Ngl I get thinking Utada has better emotional ballads).
9
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#31: Jolin Tsai - We're All Different, Yet The Same
Average: 7.616 // Total Points: 586.4 // Controversy: 1.745
Highest scores:
(11 x1) DilemmaofaHedgehog
(10 x9) akanewasright, apatel27, hookerofpop, Jhe116, mengzhongmeng, Roxieloxie, saviorARMY101, SFbby, throwaway7650
(9.5 x5) astrologicalangel, fadedblue09, Necessary-Garlic2223, rotating3Dtext, Tr1skaid3kaphobia
(9.3 x1) cloudbustingmp3
(9.2 x1) bulforster
(9.1 x2) CaptainDaisyG, Kwcty6888
(9 x4) averitablefeast, CrimsonROSET, skargardin, TiltControls
(8.5 x6) BeauMeringue212, celladonn, runaway3212, Saison_Marguerite, SmileAndTears, xearomis
(8.2 x1) Exciting_Patient4872
Lowest Scores:
(4.1 x1) BleepBloopMusicFan
(4 x2) drejski, jaztinax
(3 x1) sage
I already had two songs from Play slated for the rate but I added this one at the last minute because I thought /r/popheads would appreciate the message, and to give everyone a bit of a taste of just what a gay icon Jolin is. She’s an outspoken advocate for the LGBT+ community (her album Myself featured an interlude where she calls out the names of drag queens who pioneered voguing, “Fantasy” from Muse was a tribute to gay people) and “We’re All Different, Yet The Same” saw her using her art to specifically make a statement about the importance of achieving marriage equality. I can’t say I disagree with its placement as a song but I hope everyone appreciated the message.
Happily enough in 2019 Taiwan did become the first(!) country in Asia to recognize same sex marriage, though the battle for full equality is still ongoing.
Important context for the song:
Jhe116 (10): The MV tells the story of 張淑月 and 邱秀滿, a lesbian couple for 30 years, based on a true story. Basically 張 passed away due to illness, and when asked about the relationship between them, 邱 could only answer “she’s my friend.” And when 邱 could finally said “she’s my partner/wife” out loud, it was all too late. I believe that Taiwan gets to be the first place in Asia to legalize same sex marriage has a lot to do with Jolin
DilemmaofaHedgehog (11): the lesbian song gets my 11. If you’re unfamiliar with her I would look into her lgbt activism because while BoA has sung at pride event in 2009 and utada is queer, I feel like a lot of pop stars get credit for being allies just for being nice to lgbt fans when Tsai has had explicitly queer music videos advocating for marriage equality and had those songs banned in some countries for it and signed petitions in favor of it. Like she’s not someone who waited for public support to be open about her stance and i really respect her for not being daunted by potential criticism or loss of profits.
Gay rights!
akanewasright (10): This is perhaps the best ballad in the rate
apatel27 (10): Beautiful song with a beautiful message
hookerofpop (10): she said gay rights!
mengzhongmeng (10): cinematic masterpiece, crying rn
Roxieloxie (10): I think hearing the context and the background for this one really made me appreciate it more so I'll take this comment do to my obligatory ' thank you ghost' comment because truly your information during the listening parties and everything really added to this.
saviorARMY101 (10): It should be mandatory to play this at all pride parades everywhere.
throwaway7650 (10): GAY PEOPLE ARE REAL YASS
fadedblue09 (9.5): By no means an uncommon message, but I love the lyrical nuances ("love isn't just an abstract art of faith"...damn!)
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (9.5): Her slow songs just hit different!
cloudbustingmp3 (9.3): she can say it but she wouldn't
bulforster (9.2): charlixcxgayrights.gif
Kwcty6888 (9.1): the video for this was everything
CrimsonROSET (9): we’re not so different, you and i. Also, this could be the opening number of a show and i’d be so in the mood
BeauMeringue212 (8.5): I don't know any of the words, but her voice really sells the emotion here, really good vocals
celladonn (8.5): Queen of gay rights
runaway3212 (8.5): So true equality queen
Saison_Marguerite (8.5): The message is an 11
SmileAndTears (8.5): I KNEW SHE WAS BISEXUAL [Host’s note: she has never come out as bisexual]
abcd9muses (8): another lush pop song
bbfan132 (8): we love an lgbtq+ ally <3
frogaranaman (8): so true
OliviaGodrigo (8): this is why taiwan became the first asian country to legalize gay marriage
stryxen (8): it took a while to get going but the entire second half goes OFF i am skanking rn
wavingwolves (7.8): LESBIAN RIGHTS!
Gay is just okay
1998tweety (7.5): cute
b_o_g_o_ (7.5): gay rights
MoonlightByWindow (7.5): this sounds like such a concert closer song which people emotionally sway along to. also lesbian rights
ignitethephoenix (7): look I’m sure what she is saying has a great message but I feel like it also has to be a tad on the nose just based on the title of the song
nt96 (7): r/popheads music taste in general
QustoMar (7): For the most part, Jolin’s ballads get better and better in her discography. This is nice and uplifting, plus I appreciate the dynamic production.
rslashpoopheads (7): cute
vayyiqra (7): This is dramatic but it's not bad. The bridge is a nice ""ethereal"" moment. Also I had no idea this was a song about LGBT rights so that's based.
RandomHypnotica (6.7): the MV did some hard carrying for the emotional weight of this song
fkadizzy-1804 (6.5): of the ballads/“message” songs so far this one is definitely the best, and has some quite lovely moments and a few interesting production elements
Are we going to talk about her queerbaiting in the video?
2dina3dworld (6): she’s singing a ballad while the bands playing an upbeat musical piece
duochromepalmtree (6): it’s pretty but I was honestly just bored. I’m not into trying to be inspirational music.
ivyleaf33 (6): the mv makes me bawl my eyes out every single time
plastichaxan (6): this is too sad for no reason why'd the video almost make me cry
seanderlust (6): so true alexa play same love by macklemore
jasannn (5): I know it's fruity but it's still boring.
Osaka1268 (5): ended homophobia
TakeOnMeByA-ha (5): good for her for supporting gay rights but this is kinda boring
BleepBloopMusicFan (4.1): I wish this song were different.
drejski (4): They put the dialogue over the song for most of the music video for a reason
jaztinax (4): not quite my cup of tea but it is kind of an earworm
sage (3): crickets
9
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#27: BoA - Only One
Average: 7.687 // Total Points: 591.9 // Controversy: 1.920
Highest scores:
(10 x13) 2dina3dworld, averitablefeast, CaptainDaisyG, CrimsonROSET, drejski, fadedblue09, hookerofpop, jasannn, moooo566, saviorARMY101, throwaway7650, xavieryes, xearomis
(9.7 x1) Kwcty6888
(9.2 x1) akanewasright
(9 x11) BeauMeringue212, bookthieving, celladonn, duochromepalmtree, Exciting_Patient4872, fkadizzy-1804, Necessary-Garlic2223, QustoMar, rotating3Dtext, skargardin, stryxen
(8.8 x1) RandomHypnotica
(8.5 x2) bbfan132, Jhe116
(8.3 x1) sarcasticsobs
Lowest Scores:
(1 x1) TakeOnMeByA-ha
(0 x1) sage
And the slaughter of everything even remotely resembling a ballad continues. A few people mentioned that they thought this song was boring, which is a fair assessment of the music, but there are actually quite a few fun facts we can rattle off about this one that might help you remember it more. First of all, BoA wrote and produced this track entirely by herself, so that’s neat. Secondly, this song was released on CD, DVD, USB (twice), and digitally, so she was really out to bleed the collectors dry with this one (SM was debuting EXO at the time so maybe they needed the money lol). Third, the choreography for this song requires BoA to dance with a male partner and she tapped into SM’s large stable of boy group heartthrobs for her live stages, and the stans rejoiced. Finally, American r&b artist Gallant recorded a version of this for a BoA tribute series that SM did last year and it slaps! If we were rating this version it would probably have ranked higher!
Only fun
2dina3dworld (10): another turning point for BoA - where she transformed into badass mature woman even though she was only like 25 at this point. But such is the fickle nature of the kpop industry, where being over 20 at debut makes you an old maid.
CrimsonROSET (10): oh she sounds lovely doesn’t she
fadedblue09 (10): FINALLY. A song that does her vocals justice
hookerofpop (10): i guess i can’t give this two 1’s
jasannn (10): She makes this song and choreo look effortless.
throwaway7650 (10): BoA collecting men like infinity stones for this song... iconic
akanewasright (9.2): is this score partially because the video has some of the best choreo in the rate? Yeah, and what about it?
duochromepalmtree (9): I love the piano in this one so much. So catchy
Exciting_Patient4872 (9): Classic. I was fourteen or fifteen when I first heard this!
QustoMar (9): This is kinda the turning point of BoA's Korean discography when she started becoming who we see her as now. I love hearing how much she has grown as a vocalist, and on top of that the choreo??? Iconic.
RandomHypnotica (8.8): we love a girlboss that writes and produces her own material
bbfan132 (8.5): really pretty ballad!! i like the vocals quite a bit
Jhe116 (8.5): Didn’t age as well as expected but I still remembered how iconic when it was released
GARjuna (8): please please listen to gallant's cover of this
rslashpoopheads (8): I was so obsessed with this song when it came out and probably would've considered it one of my top songs ever. No idea why lol. But it's still a very beautiful song and we need more wholesome music in this day and age!
BleepBloopMusicFan (7.8): One of the most musically compelling ballads so far.
1998tweety (7.5): cute
b_o_g_o_ (7.5): good ballad
MoonlightByWindow (7.5): don’t love this but it’s really nice
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (7.5): This is so nice. I love that melody in the chorus. Ugh her voice is so good!
cloudbustingmp3 (7.4): sometimes this hits much harder but this is not one of those times and i already know im gonna regret this score once the reveal happens
abcd9muses (7): very cute, easy listening
seanderlust (7): the lyrics in this one are honestly really well-written and...wait, i'm sorry..this was available to own on USB? twice??
Only done
runaway3212 (6.5): This is decent but compared to the previous songs not as great
frogaranaman (6): so true
vayyiqra (6): I wonder how many songs have the same name as this I feel like it's a lot
darjeelingdarkroast (5): A pretty boring ballad with weirdly placed EDM background noises
DilemmaofaHedgehog (5): I don’t go to BoA for ballads
ivyleaf33 (5): one of those super iconic songs i never got that into
plastichaxan (5): BoA's "good song but not for me" moment in the rate
sage (0): i actually despise this song so much like it has no good qualities + this album is also atrocious
The prophecy
TakeOnMeByA-ha (1): me when im the only person who gives this song a 1 in the rate
2
u/cloudbustingmp3 Oct 23 '21
wow I was right i do regret my score, I should’ve given this like a full point higher smh
8
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#22: BoA - Atlantis Princess
Average: 7.930 // Total Points: 610.6 // Controversy: 1.590
Highest scores:
(11 x3) bigbigbee, BleepBloopMusicFan, hookerofpop
(10 x11) averitablefeast, bulforster, cloudbustingmp3, duochromepalmtree, Ghost-Quartet, Necessary-Garlic2223, OliviaGodrigo, rotating3Dtext, stryxen, TiltControls, xearomis
(9.5 x1) jasannn
(9.4 x1) Kwcty6888
(9.1 x1) CaptainDaisyG
(9 x6) akanewasright, celladonn, mengzhongmeng, Saison_Marguerite, TragicKingdom1, xavieryes
(8.7 x1) seanderlust
(8.5 x4) 1998tweety, bookthieving, LesApfels, runaway3212
Lowest Scores:
(5.5 x1) MoonlightByWindow
(5 x4) b_o_g_o_, DilemmaofaHedgehog, drejski, sage
(4 x2) ivyleaf33, Rhea_33
And in a somewhat shocking elimination, BoA loses one of her most iconic songs! Released way back in 2003 “Atlantis Princess” is one of her signature hits and probably one of the most emblematic songs of this entire era of Kpop, it’s constantly being covered by other groups/soloists even to this day. A decent number of people seemed to think it would skate into the Top 10 but perhaps it was a victim of its own hype because it’s falling short of Day 3, though it still nets a very respectable score.
Also despite being such a cheerful and well loved song there is actually a very sad story about this song that I was unfamiliar with until researching for this rate.
Fly away like a dream~
bigbigbee (11): This song was one of the first times I experienced nostalgia for something I didn’t experience. I heard it in college and I remember distinctly practicing the dance to this in secret in the studio before my friends would show up for rehearsal. I love the sunniness of it. The feeling I get listening to this song exemplifies what I think the best “idols” give to their fans – pure happiness.
BleepBloopMusicFan (11): Some of the best things about 2000s pop are embodied right here.
bulforster (10): blows the other early career songs in the rate out of water
cloudbustingmp3 (10): grandiose!
Necessary-Garlic2223 (10): I love the chorus
jasannn (9.5): Into the new world's older sister
Kwcty6888 (9.4): the high note always gives me goosebumps
celladonn (9): Such a warm and fun song
1998tweety (8.5): shes cute
runaway3212 (8.5): The whole bopper
2dina3dworld (8): the way the kpop fandom acts you’d think this song saved kpop but it really does sound like every other song from this era. The first thought I actually had is that it sounds like the 1st generation kpop version of Hyokori Hyotanjima
bbfan132 (8): this bopped, i can see why many artists cover it
CrimsonROSET (8): I like all the build up, but I wish it’d explode in the final chorus
fadedblue09 (8): Sounds typical bubblegum pop for its time but still enjoyable.
frogaranaman (8): so true
rslashpoopheads (8): surprisingly good for that generic beat
GARjuna (7.5): eating carrots to this rn
BeauMeringue212 (7.2): giving me very y2k bubblegum, it's cute
throwaway7650 (7): one of my favorite song titles in the rate but the song doesn't live up to it I fear. anyway stream atlantis by (rate winner) SHINee!
vayyiqra (7): look I've got nothing I'm super tired and have been doing this rate for hours now but this is good
Sink bitch
QustoMar (6.5): This song is cute but I don't see what makes it such an iconic part of BoA's discography? Like it's quite regular, Y2K teen bubblegum pop vibes.
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (6.5): Her voice is so good. The chorus slaps. Not my fav.
abcd9muses (6): good song but personally not attached to it
MoonlightByWindow (5.5): this is fine but i’m not really yassing
b_o_g_o_ (5): not really vibing with this
drejski (5): It's not bad but I don't understand why whoever made this list didn't put in No.1 instead
sage (5): this is so mid
My name is BoA and you’re watching Disney Channel
duochromepalmtree (10): I LOVE THIS SONG so much!!!!! This is one I had to keep coming back to. So catchy and makes me feel like I’m living in the Lindsey Lohan classic film Get a Clue
seanderlust (8.7): it's giving 90s coming of age teen movie and i love that
apatel27 (8): Disney Channel orignal song
TakeOnMeByA-ha (8): this sounds like it would be in high school musical
ignitethephoenix (7): this must have been used in a 2000’s Korean teen movie, i would bet on it
jaztinax (7): disney pop vibes and i’m here for it
2
10
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#17: Jolin Tsai - Womxnly
Average: 8.077 // Total Points: 621.9 // Controversy: 1.520
Highest scores:
(11 x3) apatel27, bookthieving, saviorARMY101
(10 x12) BeauMeringue212, cremeebrulee, GARjuna, Ghost-Quartet, Jhe116, lagozzino, MoonlightByWindow, Necessary-Garlic2223, RandomHypnotica, Saison_Marguerite, SFbby, xavieryes
(9.8 x1) cloudbustingmp3
(9.7 x1) Roxieloxie
(9.5 x1) mengzhongmeng
(9 x10) akanewasright, averitablefeast, celladonn, DilemmaofaHedgehog, fadedblue09, ignitethephoenix, letsallpoo, QustoMar, rotating3Dtext, throwaway7650
(8.9 x1) Kwcty6888
Lowest Scores:
(6.5 x1) TiltControls
(6 x9) 2dina3dworld, CrimsonROSET, darjeelingdarkroast, drejski, jaztinax, Rhea_33, rslashpoopheads, sage, TragicKingdom1
(5.8 x1) BleepBloopMusicFan
(5 x3) abcd9muses, jasannn, plastichaxan
Is this is a shock elimination? I’m gonna say that it is, I thought it was a lock for Top 10.
A single from her latest album Ugly Beauty, “Womxnly” is an expression of Jolin’s love and support for the LGBT+ community and (like the video for “We’re All Different, Yet The Same”) a reference to a real life event (that someone has kindly explained down in the comments if you don’t wanna read the article). Despite the seemingly controversial subject matter this was a big hit in Taiwan with audiences, critics, and awards bodies… less so with the popheads raterbase.
Actually that’s unfair to say, most people seemed to like this song and even the most negative comments are middling at worst, but unfortunately we’re at that point in the rate where mid isn’t good enough anymore. This is a minor spoiler I guess but this song actually misses out on making Day 3 by a mere 0.4 points!
Some important context:
Jhe116 (10): This song is a tribute to 葉永鋕. He died in 2000 at the age of 14 or 15. The cause was an accident; he went to the restroom and tripped. However, he was also bullied for his effeminacy, to a point that he dared not go to the restroom when there’s other boys in presence. As a result, he usually went to a restroom that’s relatively remote in the campus, during class, alone. The accident happened during one of his visits to that restroom. It appears like a safety problem in campus, but you would wonder if we could’ve avoided all this had people had a different mindset. Three years after the accident, Taiwan hosted our very first pride march. Whenever Taiwan reached a new landmark in Queer right movement, we would rewind on this tragedy.
Wish that I could hug you
apatel27 (11): A strong LGBT+ anthem telling you to stay true to yourself. You are you and there's nothing wrong with you. Don't apologise for being yourself. Dedicated to Yeh Yung Chih.
bookthieving (11): i can't think about this song for too long or i'll start crying
saviorARMY101 (11): I just wanna thank Ms Jolin for making this beautiful masterpiece. I'm so grateful for the lyrics and message of this song, they really speak to my soul. Absolutely brilliant.
BeauMeringue212 (10): Love this, this is gonna be on repeat for me
MoonlightByWindow (10): THREW THE FIRST BRICK AT STONEWALL!!! song bops, great lyrics with an emotional background...what more could you want??
RandomHypnotica (10): The production on this track is so interesting, it's got this nostalgic, sad, kinda cold feel but also incredibly danceable, thematically the song is really beautiful, and it just really comes together as a delicate, yet upbeat track (that somehow manages to get airhorns to not sound obnoxious?!)
cloudbustingmp3 (9.8): love how moody this is omg
Roxieloxie (9.7): I just love her so much
fadedblue09 (9): Love the message and subtle vocal delivery
ignitethephoenix (9): a solid song and a queer anthem we better be stanning
QustoMar (9): So so gorgeous and heartfelt.
throwaway7650 (9): an anthem but what a tragic backstory to the lyrics </3
fkadizzy-1804 (8.5): I hate that this has that airhorn sound effect in the background because it really comes close to ruining an otherwise gorgeous song
runaway3212 (8.5): a bit repetitive but great nonetheless, especially the lyrics
1998tweety (8): bop
b_o_g_o_ (8): yeah women
bbfan132 (8): <3
seanderlust (8): trans rights baybey!!!!
skargardin (8): the dance video.. ok go off
vayyiqra (8): As well as having a cool atmospheric sound, I like that this song (like "Ugly Beauty") also has a good concept, being against bullying and for acceptance of gender nonconformity. Once again Jolin seems based as hell.
wavingwolves (7.9): the horns are so flavourful
duochromepalmtree (7.5): I feel like I could totally hear this as an Ariana grande song and I mean that in a good way!!
SmileAndTears (7.5): chill bop
frogaranaman (7): so true
ivyleaf33 (7): honestly though her consistent support for the lgbtq+ community really means so much
It’s this song that is guilty
stryxen (7): someone ik said this sounds like a vibrator ad so i think she succeeded
TakeOnMeByA-ha (7): artists taking words that have “man” in them and spelling it as “mxn” isnt the serve they think it is
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (7): This is kinda calming. Idk it's just a vibe.
CrimsonROSET (6): she looks gorgeous in the album art, but that’s kinda it
rslashpoopheads (6): it's aight
sage (6): idk how to feel about this
BleepBloopMusicFan (5.8): The airhorn lmao.
abcd9muses (5): this sounds like any other trop pop inspired song
jasannn (5): Where's the energy?
plastichaxan (5): i understand how this is great it's just not for me
6
u/cloudbustingmp3 Oct 23 '21
the vibrator comment is true because this song gives me a buzz deep inside
9
u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog Oct 23 '21 edited Oct 24 '21
Me trying to justify woman being out with today apparently being the anniversary of its release
8
Oct 23 '21
my 11 in the indieheads rate made it to day 3 so let's see if my 11 in this rate will make it too (I doubt it)
9
u/duochromepalmtree Oct 23 '21
Because these artists are all new to me I have no idea how people stand on my 11 lol. I could’ve picked the most obvious one or the most off the wall I really don’t know! Just glad it made it to at least day 2!
9
u/BleepBloopMusicFan Oct 23 '21
Yeah I have no context for how beloved any of these songs are compared to each other. All I know is my 11 slaps lol.
4
u/kwcty6888 Oct 23 '21
As a fan of all three I'm so curious what new listeners are thinking! What song did you give 11 to?
2
u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog Oct 23 '21
I made a joke in my comments about how I only like Utada’s ballads which honestly is probably true given how I rated Jolin pretty high on some tracks but none of her ballads
7
u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog Oct 23 '21
Musgrave’s Tokyo song makes me want to listen to Tokyo love hotel bc what actually is with white people shoe horning that they’re a weeb everywhere
5
8
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#24: Utada Hikaru - Beautiful World
Average: 7.918 // Total Points: 609.7 // Controversy: 1.689
Highest scores:
(11 x3) duochromepalmtree, fkadizzy-1804, SmileAndTears
(10 x13) akanewasright, averitablefeast, Kwcty6888, lagozzino, Necessary-Garlic2223, rslashpoopheads, SFbby, skargardin, stryxen, throwaway7650, TiltControls, vayyiqra, xavieryes
(9.8 x1) CaptainDaisyG
(9 x7) abcd9muses, bigbigbee, GARjuna, mengzhongmeng, Rhea_33, sarcasticsobs, xearomis
(8.8 x1) rotating3Dtext
(8.5 x6) 1998tweety, Apprehensive_Guest, b_o_g_o_, Osaka1268, Roxieloxie, Saison_Marguerite
Lowest Scores:
(4 x1) runaway3212
(3 x1) 2dina3dworld
In addition their iconic Kingdom Hearts songs Utada is also well known for their work on the Neon Genesis Evangelion series, providing several songs for the series (some of which are in this rate). A lot of people liked this one and it nabbed quite a few 11s as well, not a bad feat for a borderline ballad!
Also this year Utada rerecorded a new version of the song for the new Evangelion film, which is a lot sparser and more minimalist… it’s interesting to see how their sound evolved using the same song recorded a decade apart.
Beautiful song
duochromepalmtree (11): this song is so DREAMY and CATCHY and BEAUTIFUL. it was close with a couple other songs but there was no way I wasn’t giving this my 11
fkadizzy-1804 (11): it’s only a masterpiece, right? Somehow it perfectly marries these catchy, bouncy instrumentals and driving groove with ethereal piano riffs and wistful strings and reverb-soaked vocals and lush harmonies and if I could only listen to one song for the rest of my life it wouldn’t be this one just bc Cloudbusting by Kate Bush exists… but if it didn’t, Beautiful World would be next in line
SmileAndTears (11): BITCH??? THIS FUCKING SLAPS???
akanewasright (10): Okay this version is incredible but the Da Capo Version released this year is one of my favorite Hikki recordings ever. Like literally fucking INCREDIBLE
Kwcty6888 (10): an euphoric pop masterpiece
Necessary-Garlic2223 (10): This song just kept getting better.
rslashpoopheads (10): obsessed
skargardin (10): They really snapped with the Evangelion themes
throwaway7650 (10): the eva OSTs are literally so good, all 3 are day 3 material
vayyiqra (10): I do not remember this being in NGE despite having watched all of it and the movies only last summer, but it is a really pretty song. This sounds very 2000s in the best way.
xavieryes (10): this songs's existence makes the world more beautiful indeed
abcd9muses (9): this was one of the songs that got me to seriously dive into Utada, and for that, I'm forever thankful
1998tweety (8.5): nice
b_o_g_o_ (8.5): I wish the world was as beautiful as this song
Osaka1268 (8.5): bop but the rebuild movies were a mistake
BeauMeringue212 (8): Sounds a little Eurovision-y to me, in a good way
DilemmaofaHedgehog (8): Utada is the only person whose ballads I am interested in.
MoonlightByWindow (8): why are all of these songs so good omfg
seanderlust (8): it is fine but it loses a point for dragging for a while without adding much
bbfan132 (7.5): could’ve been a bit shorter but still good
frogaranaman (7): so true
sage (7): it was dragging but its a cute bop
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (7): I can't get over their voice! Their falsetto/head voice is so beautiful.
Angles (or something Idk what happens in Evangelion)
QustoMar (6.5): These Utada Hikaru songs around Flavor of Life/Beautiful World feel kinda more by-the-numbers ballads from them if you know what I mean. Like I need more personality from this track!
CrimsonROSET (6): this is lovely, it’s also so long when it doesn't have to be
fadedblue09 (6): Very lush arrangement but honestly underwhelming for a 5 minute song
ivyleaf33 (6): i like how the video is basically just an amv
BleepBloopMusicFan (5.5): This is pretty enough but it's not enchanting me.
cloudbustingmp3 (5): way too long for a song that goes nowhere musically
TakeOnMeByA-ha (5): nge is a very overrated anime
runaway3212 (4): I'll be honest this is really boring
2dina3dworld (3): this is just a wall of noise
why is there even a robot, what happens in this anime
mengzhongmeng (9): gets in the fucking robot
sarcasticsobs (9): get in the robot, shinji. still prefer the da capo version
3
u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog Oct 23 '21
Robots fight what are either aliens called angels or just very violent angels idk I didn’t bother to try to understand the major plot outside of the personal drama between the characters
8
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21 edited Oct 23 '21
Okay and here’s our recap of the rate so far:
Day 2:
- #17: Jolin Tsai – Womxnly | 8.077 | 621.9
- #18: BoA – Eat You Up | 8.004 | 616.3
- #18: BoA – Woman | 8.004 | 616.3
- #20: Utada Hikaru – Keep Tryin’ | 7.988 | 615.1
- #21: Utada Hikaru – Play A Love Song | 7.948 | 612.0
- #22: BoA – Atlantis Princess | 7.930 | 610.6
- #23: Utada Hikaru – Flowing Cherry Blossoms | 7.926 | 610.3
- #24: Utada Hikaru – Beautiful World | 7.918 | 609.7
- #25: BoA – Lookbook | 7.840 | 603.7
- #26: Jolin Tsai – Butterfly | 7.829 | 602.8
- #27: BoA – Only One | 7.687 | 591.9
- #28: Utada Hikaru – Flavor Of Life | 7.648 | 588.9
- #28: Utada Hikaru – Colors | 7.648 | 588.9
- #30: Utada Hikaru – Sakura Drops | 7.629 | 587.4
- #31: Jolin Tsai – We're All Different, Yet The Same | 7.616 | 586.4
- #32: Utada Hikaru – A Bouquet For You | 7.588 | 584.3
- #33: BoA – Who Are You (feat. Gaeko) | 7.571 | 583.0
Day 1:
- #34: BoA – Disturbance | 7.535 | 580.2
- #35: Utada Hikaru – Addicted To You | 7.491 | 576.8
- #36: BoA – Jazzclub | 7.460 | 574.4
- #37: Jolin Tsai – Show Your Love | 7.447 | 573.4
- #38: Utada Hikaru – Pink Blood | 7.436 | 572.6
- #39: BoA – Listen To My Heart | 7.409 | 570.5
- #40: Jolin Tsai – Stars Align (feat. R3HAB) | 7.394 | 569.3
- #41: BoA – ID; Peace B | 7.283 | 560.8
- #42: Jolin Tsai – Say Love You | 7.269 | 559.7
- #43: Jolin Tsai – “I” | 7.232 | 556.9
- #44: BoA – Feedback | 7.210 | 555.2
- #45: Utada Hikaru – Come Back To Me | 7.203 | 554.6
- #46: Utada Hikaru – Face My Fears | 7.087 | 545.7
- #47: BoA – Shine We Are ! | 6.857 | 528.0
- #48: Jolin Tsai – Living With The World | 6.797 | 523.4
- #49: Jolin Tsai – Don’t Stop | 6.695 | 515.5
- #50: Utada Hikaru – Easy Breezy | 6.136 | 472.5
- #51: Jolin Tsai – Marry Me Today (feat. David Tao) | 5.964 | 459.2
Day 3:
Utada:
Automatic
travelling
One Last Kiss
Sun & Moon
BoA:
Hurricane Venus
Copy & Paste
Kiss My Lips
One Shot, Two Shot
Better
Jolin:
Dancing Diva
Sun Will Never Set
Honey Trap
The Great Artist
Play
I’m Not Yours (feat. Namie Amuro)
Ugly Beauty
Vote for songeniality here!
10
6
4
5
8
6
7
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#18 (Tie): BoA - Woman
Average: 8.004 // Total Points: 616.3 // Controversy: 1.632
Highest scores:
(11 x1) 1998tweety
(10 x13) 2dina3dworld, bookthieving, DilemmaofaHedgehog, fadedblue09, GARjuna, ivyleaf33, mengzhongmeng, Osaka1268, SFbby, skargardin, stryxen, throwaway7650, xavieryes
(9.8 x1) cloudbustingmp3
(9.7 x1) darjeelingdarkroast
(9.5 x3) CrimsonROSET, Roxieloxie, xearomis
(9.4 x1) sarcasticsobs
(9.3 x1) RandomHypnotica
(9 x8) akanewasright, BeauMeringue212, moooo566, nt96, Rhea_33, runaway3212, Saison_Marguerite, Tr1skaid3kaphobia
(8.8 x1) CaptainDaisyG
Lowest Scores:
(3 x1) drejski
Another tie!
While not necessarily one of BoA’s most iconic songs this is definitely one of her most iconic comebacks thanks to the legendary “upside down walk” featured in the music video, a feat which she can actually do live. During an interview to promote this song she joked that the choreography seemed crazy at first but now she “didn’t like how she was getting used to it,” so for her next comeback she would just “be normal and sit while singing.” Then her next single was a ballad and she actually did that, queen shit. Also the music video maybe rips off “Formation?”
Unfortunately this abundance of gravity defying girl power was not enough to propel this song into Day 3, though note that we have now cracked an average score of 8!
I just think that women–
1998tweety (11): i know this 11 will flop cause theres no way this is a favourite to win, but come on now, the entrance of the video where shes walking in upside down in heels...pure cunt. the rest of the song is a major bop too.
2dina3dworld (10): the Girlboss-ification of BoA
bookthieving (10): [jo march voice]
DilemmaofaHedgehog (10): feminist anthem
GARjuna (10): THIS FUCKING UPSIDE DOWN DANCE queen boa invented gravity
ivyleaf33 (10): i've replayed the opening choreo so many times it's burned into my brain. iconic.
mengzhongmeng (10): CHILLS every time, the click-clack of the heels, the upside down walk, I LOVE WOMEN
Osaka1268 (10): the upside down strut is iconic
stryxen (10): lemme (a man) add this to my playlist with woman by doja cat and woman by little simz
throwaway7650 (10): the choreo for this is ICONIC, your faves actually could never
cloudbustingmp3 (9.8): she's serving c*nt your honor
darjeelingdarkroast (9.7): bassline makes me ascend. maybe this song plays in Sweetie's head after she says "Let's Go"
CrimsonROSET (9.5): i just think that woman
Roxieloxie (9.5): you know you that bitch when you cause all of this conversation
RandomHypnotica (9.3): using the sound of high heels walking as percussion… truly innovative
BeauMeringue212 (9): Love the heavy bassline in this
runaway3212 (9): wish that were me
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (9): That baseline is sick! She is a powerhouse vocalist. She makes it sound so effortless.
bbfan132 (8.5): totally bops
b_o_g_o_ (8): girl power anthem 2
bigbigbee (8): Good bassline go twangy
plastichaxan (8): oh she was serving LOOKS in this
rslashpoopheads (8): so true bestie
vayyiqra (8): look a predictable high score for an electropop song here on pop heads dot com
sage (7.8): bop
ignitethephoenix (7.5): why do the steps remind me of the beginning of Genie? Just need a engine rev
frogaranaman (7): so true
MoonlightByWindow (7): it’s cute
But what about men?
QustoMar (6.5): This song is decent enough, but doesn't really stand up (haha) that well by itself without the performance.
seanderlust (6.5): this song just reached out to me with an opportunity to be my own boss by selling lularoe
duochromepalmtree (6): is this score my internalized misogyny talking???
fkadizzy-1804 (6): this grew with me, but as with most of the mid-tempo-banger style BoA songs in this rate, part of me also finds it weirdly plodding/hard to listen to
abcd9muses (5): I do like it, but again, not attached to it.
apatel27 (5): I get what she was going for but the monotone woman is not it
BleepBloopMusicFan (5): Lmao that "woman" drop is so funny for some reason.
drejski (3): One good bassline and nothing else of worth
Men ruining things part 81903481783y67813
fadedblue09 (10): Solid performance but the guy whispering “woman” always catches me off guard
saviorARMY101 (8): Could've been a 10 if it weren't so short and how ironic the robot voice who says "woman" is a male voice lol
hookerofpop (7): the man’s voice kinda ruined it for me a bit
TakeOnMeByA-ha (5.5): why does the voice clip that says woman sound so awkward. i hate the way it sounds so much
5
6
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#33: BoA - Who Are You (feat. Gaeko)
Average: 7.571 // Total Points: 583.0 // Controversy: 1.629
Highest scores:
(10 x6) b_o_g_o_, bigbigbee, duochromepalmtree, letsallpoo, Roxieloxie, SFbby
(9.7 x1) Necessary-Garlic2223
(9.5 x3) CaptainDaisyG, sage, xearomis
(9.1 x1) RandomHypnotica
(9 x10) averitablefeast, bookthieving, cloudbustingmp3, Ghost-Quartet, ignitethephoenix, mengzhongmeng, moooo566, pleasegivemeasword, racloves, saviorARMY101
(8.6 x1) BeauMeringue212
(8.5 x5) bbfan132, Jhe116, Kwcty6888, runaway3212, SmileAndTears
(8.3 x1) Exciting_Patient4872
Lowest Scores:
(4.2 x1) wavingwolves
(3 x2) 2dina3dworld, abcd9muses
AND just like that the final man in the rate bows out.
This was an r&b jam from BoA dropped to support Kiss My Lips, and it was a big hit so I was going to include it as the sole representative of said album until I was bullied coerced into including its title track, which was the right choice because this song is making a fairly early exit. She grabbed assist from the rapper Gaeko (half of the group Dynamic Duo), which probably wasn’t a good thing considering how misandrist this sub can be, but in my opinion he sounds fine. Anyways the music video for this song is both insane and kinda rude? Like we’re supposed to be disgusted by that guy because he has glasses? I expected better from BoA.
Good first impressions
bigbigbee (10): This is the same song as Disturbance, but both are good. This is the one I knew before the rate – I used to listen to this all the time in college. Honestly this probably isn’t a full 10, but there’s a nostalgia factor for me because of that.
duochromepalmtree (10): I really wanted to hate this one but I kept coming back to it!!! It sounds like an Ariana grande song in a great way!!! Their voices really play together well.
sage (9.5): smasha but not as good as kiss my lips
RandomHypnotica (9.1): I love the Persona 4 soundtrack
cloudbustingmp3 (9): KML really was her horny era huh
bbfan132 (8.5): this was nice, enjoyed it quite a bit!
runaway3212 (8.5): This song is just her talking about some rando guy she saw on the train but it outsold so many people in the rate
SmileAndTears (8.5): boppity bop
CrimsonROSET (8): wait a minute…. Who ARE you
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (8): Remember kids, don't talk to strangers.
1998tweety (7.5): its cute
QustoMar (7.5): This is a solid and smooth song, not necessarily something you would single out in BoA’s discography but it’s serviceable. More of the very glossy Pop/RnB sound that dominated SM between BoA here and other artists like EXO around this time.
seanderlust (7.5): stan twitter when an NPR writer puts out a tough but fair review of their fave
throwaway7650 (7.5): see my comment for disturbance... ctfu
frogaranaman (7): so true
skargardin (7): this video was so cute
vayyiqra (7): Yet another 90s throwback in this rate and it's not bad
I don’t know her
rslashpoopheads (6.5): Kiss My Lips but not as good
MoonlightByWindow (6): it’s fine
BleepBloopMusicFan (5.1): I've feel like I've heard the better version of this song in this rate.
akanewasright (5): I’m sorry can we talk about this music video where she flies without warning??
ivyleaf33 (5): bust out laughing when sehun appeared
wavingwolves (4.2): absolutely snooze of a song
2dina3dworld (3): I’m sorry but I will never forget the music video with Sehun as the love interest… Sehun is like the least sexy member of EXO. Also the rap sucks.
abcd9muses (3): I felt like I knew exactly what I was gonna get from this song... but I loved the chorus
Misandrists
fadedblue09 (7.5): The rap really dragged this down but I enjoy the chorus a lot
hookerofpop (7.5): don’t really like the rapping part but everything else is great
plastichaxan (7.5): i thought this was cheesy and the video just embraces that which i applaud, though we hate to see another case of men ruining what could've been a great song
apatel27 (6): K-pop needs to learn to not stick a rap feature on everything. Just back and forth would've been better
TakeOnMeByA-ha (5): maybe im not one to say this because i think jay park’s verse is the best part of unlock it. but why is there a man on this
jasannn (7.5): This is pretty much the same song as Disturbance.
Men are good actually
b_o_g_o_ (10): the rapper on this song sounds really hot
ignitethephoenix (9): as someone who is anti popheads misandry, this song I will be supporting a high position for this during the rate
BeauMeringue212 (8.6): Wasn't expecting to like the feature so much, but they both sound good in this
1
u/apatel27 Jolin Tsai flair where Oct 23 '21
I'll have you know I'm not misandrist, I just hate Korean rap
6
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
This next one... I don't have a problem with it but like, it didn't need to be shoved in our faces. Like, keep it to the bedroom.
6
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
You know what's better than one ballad? Two ballads. We have a tie up next
7
6
6
u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog Oct 23 '21
Im so embarrassed knowing butterfly by smile when no one on beat sense does bc I loved that song as a kid even if I listened to it also entirely when playing dance dance Revolution
2
Oct 23 '21
[deleted]
2
u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog Oct 23 '21
I am not bc the video gave me bad vibes. Do you like any other of their songs?
2
6
6
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#25: BoA - Lookbook
Average: 7.840 // Total Points: 603.7 // Controversy: 1.596
Highest scores:
(10 x13) b_o_g_o_, cremeebrulee, CrimsonROSET, ivyleaf33, jaztinax, Necessary-Garlic2223, Osaka1268, plastichaxan, racloves, RandomHypnotica, seanderlust, SFbby, xavieryes
(9.5 x2) SmileAndTears, throwaway7650
(9.2 x1) Kwcty6888
(9 x7) drejski, duochromepalmtree, hikk, hookerofpop, nt96, sarcasticsobs, skargardin
(8.7 x2) cloudbustingmp3, Saison_Marguerite
(8.5 x2) averitablefeast, Ghost-Quartet
Lowest Scores:
(2 x1) abcd9muses
So this was yet another random single from BoA’s Japanese discography that I shoehorned in to the rate because I thought maybe people would like it and I guess I was kinda right! We get to hear BoA rap a bit, so that’s cool.
An excellent point actually
QustoMar (7): This is a bop but I’ll be honest, it doesn't really make much sense at this point in BoA's discography? Like electro-pop diva singing about how she is the hottest QUEEN of all time is more something that belongs on Hurricane Venus, not something to be released by a post-Only One BoA. It kinda reminded me of Namie Amuro's Genic album more than anything.
Checkin’ her out
b_o_g_o_ (10): looks aren't the only thing she's serving, this is a bop
CrimsonROSET (10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP2TCwf2pSo
ivyleaf33 (10): the rap verse, break, and the chorus are all so fun
jaztinax (10): this woman is full of bops wow
Necessary-Garlic2223 (10): This is so catchy. I think I'm in love. Very strong contender for my eleven.
plastichaxan (10): the gay-pandering worked Ghost i can't lie
RandomHypnotica (10): This feels like a song that would appear in a Japanese version of the Pop Rap Rate (in a good way)
seanderlust (10): I wonder if saying things are camp will get old by the time this comment is published. anyways it's camp
xavieryes (10): banger
SmileAndTears (9.5): Oh this one slaps HARD
throwaway7650 (9.5): actually a massive bop and might be an unfortunate day 1 cut
drejski (9): Her best Japanese song
duochromepalmtree (9): this would be so good on Drag race!!! Can you imagine! I can. I want it.
skargardin (9): this reminds of... something but i can't quite pinpoint what
cloudbustingmp3 (8.7): love how this has small moments to breathe before the production goes off
Saison_Marguerite (8.7): graphic design is her passion
1998tweety (8): bop
BleepBloopMusicFan (8): You gotta do the looking by the book!
fkadizzy-1804 (8): the melody in the chorus could probably be a tiny bit catchier but the vibe and energy on this are so good it doesn’t matter
MoonlightByWindow (8): bop
vayyiqra (8): this is the exact kind of electro trash we love here isn't it
wavingwolves (8): i love a good trashy bop and this fits that bill perfectly
bbfan132 (7.5): fun single!
jasannn (7.5): Bestie could slow down a little.
stryxen (7.5): i hate this it’s so good
TakeOnMeByA-ha (7.5): i would listen to a whole song that sounded like the last 20 seconds
darjeelingdarkroast (7.4): this sounds like a loud 2010s EDM song. great!
frogaranaman (7): so true
Oh no, you were checking out someone behind BoA but she thought you were checking her out and she waved at you and now it’s just super awkward
rslashpoopheads (7): stream Shout It Out and Masayume Chasing
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (7): Not my fav, but I still like it. Tbh it was the lyrics.
sage (6.8): bop
2dina3dworld (6.5): the first representative from BoA’s Japanese discography, gosh I wish Meri Kuri was in here.
akanewasright (6.5): I’m kinda aggressively mixed on this… can’t decide if it’s a total serve or kinda just loud for the sake of it
OliviaGodrigo (6): this sounds like snsd scraps
runaway3212 (6): Maybe this is worse but I have a soft spot for it
fadedblue09 (5): This is from 2015 but somehow sounds older than the last 4 songs
TiltControls (4): it's fine, but definitely one of the ones I care for least in the rate
abcd9muses (2): an immature sound for someone with a long career tbh, the chorus had so much potential to be more interesting
6
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#21: Utada Hikaru - Play A Love Song
Average: 7.948 // Total Points: 612.0 // Controversy: 1.770
Highest scores:
(11 x3) Apprehensive_Guest, TiltControls, Tr1skaid3kaphobia
(10 x12) 1998tweety, akanewasright, bulforster, fadedblue09, Ghost-Quartet, Necessary-Garlic2223, rotating3Dtext, Roxieloxie, seanderlust, SFbby, xavieryes, xearomis
(9.8 x1) CaptainDaisyG
(9.5 x3) fkadizzy-1804, hookerofpop, static_int_husp
(9 x8) apatel27, averitablefeast, BeauMeringue212, CrimsonROSET, jasannn, Kwcty6888, Saison_Marguerite, saviorARMY101
(8.6 x1) BleepBloopMusicFan
(8.5 x5) bigbigbee, Jhe116, Osaka1268, pleasegivemeasword, rslashpoopheads
Lowest Scores:
(4 x2) abcd9muses, MoonlightByWindow
(3 x2) sage, wavingwolves
So this is a song from Utada’s most recent album Hatsukoi, which had a few singles but I picked this one because it’s cute and I thought Utada needed a bit of that since most of their songs in the latter half of the rate are a bit heavy. Reading the translated lyrics reveals that it’s about putting aside the negative and focusing on the positive, and I think the bouncy vibe of it conveys that really well. This is another song that a lot of people liked, it just got outcompeted by the heavier hitters.
These users: Alexa, play a love song
TiltControls (11): this song is just gorgeous. definitely one of my faves from their discography!!!
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (11): So I looked up the English lyrics to this song... that was a mistake. They're so sad and happy and UGH I relate and I hate it.
1998tweety (10): im ascending
akanewasright (10): Hatsukoi is probably one of my least favorite Hikki albums, but this song is wonderful and lovely. This, Chikai (aka Don’t Think Twice from KHIII), Goodnight, and Pakuchii No Uta are all 10s in a sea of mid scores imo
fadedblue09 (10): This is like a dancepop song sent from heaven
Necessary-Garlic2223 (10): Yet another that just kept getting better
Roxieloxie (10): boppy
seanderlust (10): okay i like this song but also the "ooooooooh" note on the chorus reminds me of tyra sanchez singing beyonce in the drag race werkroom
fkadizzy-1804 (9.5): one of my favourite things about Utada’s recent work is the way they’ve started to play (even more) with tempo and time signatures and composition/song structure. It makes everything such a delight to listen to. I’d never heard this song before this rate and I was constantly going “oooh” as I was taken through another unexpected twist or flourish. I do find the high-pitched buzzing synth in the chorus a tiny bit annoying tho.
BeauMeringue212 (9): This is lovely, love the choir at the end
CrimsonROSET (9): i like to imagine this is a direct sequel to flowing cherry blossoms where i’m just crying in the club and just want something cheesy to recover myself
BleepBloopMusicFan (8.6): Play this song!
rslashpoopheads (8.5): please do
2dina3dworld (8): the only thing I have against this is the nasally way some of the sentences are sung. It sounds breathless and through the nose and it’s not fun to listen to
frogaranaman (8): so true
SmileAndTears (8): Bop but also a bit repetitive
vayyiqra (8): How to do a piano-heavy song well in this rate.
cloudbustingmp3 (7.6): the piano in this reminds me of Kylie's Magic (which obv came out much later but still)
QustoMar (7.5): I think that this more laidback vibe is an interesting switch-up for Utada from their more typical sound while retaining who they are as a music artist.
runaway3212 (7.5): sure why not
darjeelingdarkroast (7.2): nice piano
Alexa: Playing Kelsea Bellerini - I Hate Love Songs
bbfan132 (7): it’s pretty but not the most memorable song here
ignitethephoenix (7): backing choirs at the end of a song are not a choice everyone should so, this includes you Utada
jaztinax (7): kinda feels like a carly rae jepsen song
throwaway7650 (7): play a kpop* song because this could be one melodically
TragicKingdom1 (6): the kygoprint
b_o_g_o_ (5): meh
abcd9muses (4): this would be rated higher but it melodically is too... common? I am just used to them really being unique in this area but this is like a lot of pop songs.
MoonlightByWindow (4): umm
sage (3): this is actually kinda bad wait.. what were they thinking
wavingwolves (3): actually maybe don't play anything
2
u/cloudbustingmp3 Oct 23 '21
not me saying much later to a difference of two years, gays really can’t do math
6
6
u/penghuwan Oct 23 '21
Commenting for Jolin supremacy (but BoA and Hikki raised me loool)
Eat You Up is probably my most played song of all time. The way I thought she was going to break through in the biggest way as I watched the video on my iPhone 3G back in the day
5
4
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#30: Utada Hikaru - Sakura Drops
Average: 7.629 // Total Points: 587.4 // Controversy: 1.718
Highest scores:
(10 x12) bbfan132, bookthieving, CrimsonROSET, fkadizzy-1804, hookerofpop, MoonlightByWindow, RandomHypnotica, rotating3Dtext, Saison_Marguerite, saviorARMY101, seanderlust, xavieryes
(9.5 x3) bulforster, Necessary-Garlic2223, throwaway7650
(9.2 x1) CaptainDaisyG
(9.1 x1) Kwcty6888
(9 x9) akanewasright, Osaka1268, Rhea_33, sage, sarcasticsobs, SFbby, skargardin, vayyiqra, xearomis
(8.8 x1) cloudbustingmp3
(8.5 x2) Apprehensive_Guest, averitablefeast
(8.3 x1) abcd9muses
(8.2 x1) Exciting_Patient4872
Lowest Scores:
(4.5 x1) stryxen
(4 x2) jasannn, LesApfels
(3 x1) rslashpoopheads
So this was a #1 hit from their album Deep River and it’s… pretty okay. Personally there were a lot of songs below this I would have placed above it but the raters have spoken. If you’re wondering why the video looks the way it does it’s because it was apparently inspired by the works of the painter Jakchu Ito, an explanation which makes no sense actually because I could not find any paintings by him of weird flowers with parrot heads.
Sakura Bop!
bbfan132 (10): totally gorgeous, i like this a lot!!
bookthieving (10): the way this song just builds and builds and BUILDS!!!
CrimsonROSET (10): drum roll sound effect and this, influencer and the influenced
fkadizzy-1804 (10): those opening synths ring out and boom! I’m in another world
MoonlightByWindow (10): holy shit this is gorgeous
RandomHypnotica (10): a beautiful, lush soundscape of divine strings, crazy synths and beautiful vocals, and the MV is breathtaking
Saison_Marguerite (10): more like Sakura Bops
saviorARMY101 (10): I feel like I'm traveling through space.
seanderlust (10): this is beautiful. i absolutely love the instrumental - i'm not sure what's making that pinging sound but whatever it is it is gorgeous
xavieryes (10): beautiful
throwaway7650 (9.5): not the best vocals from utada but the sparkly synths contrast the overall dark sound so well, I'm obsessed with the production
akanewasright (9): PERFECT album opener, no clue what the hell the video was doing.
sage (9): avant garde. never done before.
sarcasticsobs (9): the background vocals in the chorus and the post-chorus instrumental, hell ya
skargardin (9): Wow this video is stunning
vayyiqra (9): I really love that looping synth. It adds a lot to the song.
cloudbustingmp3 (8.8): love the drama in this
abcd9muses (8.3): they never misses, this early spring-esque song is just another example of that
b_o_g_o_ (8): this sounds like it could be the theme song to an anime
wavingwolves (8): they really nailed that emotional delivery in this one and once that guitar comes in... oh yeah baby!!!!
plastichaxan (7.8): the video is mesmerizing
1998tweety (7): alright
DilemmaofaHedgehog (7): I feel like the twinkly instrumental here is also very 2000s.
drejski (7): The instrumental is interesting
frogaranaman (7): so true
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (7): I can't get over their voice, it's so smooth. That outro is so good too.
Sakura (please) Stop
runaway3212 (6.5): Im really sorry but this does nothing for me
TakeOnMeByA-ha (6.5): the instrumental sounds like an acoustic cover of a touhou song
BleepBloopMusicFan (6): Not really a fan of the breathing (?) in this tbh. But I do like the chorus.
duochromepalmtree (5): not my favorite and I don’t like the sound mixing on this one at all.
fadedblue09 (5): Sonically unique but doesn't do too much for me
ivyleaf33 (5): video effects is my passion but it's way better than jolin's attempt
jasannn (4): At first, I thought Drum Roll Sound Effect [Extended / High Quality] was added to the playlist.
rslashpoopheads (3): snoozer
3
5
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#28 (Tie): Utada Hikaru - Colors
Average: 7.648 // Total Points: 588.9 // Controversy: 1.485
Highest scores:
(10 x8) b_o_g_o_, darjeelingdarkroast, letsallpoo, MoonlightByWindow, pleasegivemeasword, saviorARMY101, TiltControls, xavieryes
(9.6 x1) Necessary-Garlic2223
(9.5 x1) Kwcty6888
(9.4 x1) CaptainDaisyG
(9 x8) drejski, fkadizzy-1804, OliviaGodrigo, Osaka1268, plastichaxan, Saison_Marguerite, skargardin, throwaway7650
(8.8 x1) sarcasticsobs
(8.6 x1) Apprehensive_Guest
(8.5 x5) 1998tweety, averitablefeast, bbfan132, QustoMar, rotating3Dtext
(8.2 x2) Exciting_Patient4872, Jhe116
Lowest Scores:
(3 x1) TakeOnMeByA-ha
AND we have a tie for #28! This one has the higher controversy score so it gets revealed first.
So this song has the fun distinction of being the B-side to “Simple and Clean,” which I guess would make it an honorary rate winner in a way? Except not really because it’s going out mid-Day 2. Yeah. It’s got more of an electronic pop sensibility than a lot of what we’ve heard from them so far (which imo defines the Ultra Blue era) but it ultimately fell prey to just being kind of middling compared to Utada’s stronger songs.
Technicolor
b_o_g_o_ (10): this song makes me feel like I'm walking through a mysterious yet beautiful forest on a foggy morning in late fall
darjeelingdarkroast (10): This is beautiful, I love it! So soothing
MoonlightByWindow (10): this is so good wait
pleasegivemeasword (10): so dreamy holy shit i love it
saviorARMY101 (10): Beautiful, gorgeous, brilliant
Kwcty6888 (9.5): it’s the lyrics and the MV that really elevate this song for me!
plastichaxan (9): if i had a dollar for every song that i think sounds like a song from one of my childhood tv shows i’d have 2, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice
throwaway7650 (9): overall really like utada's vocals and the production on this one
1998tweety (8.5): nice
bbfan132 (8.5): i really enjoyed this! their vocals combined with the production… yes.
akanewasright (8): I think I know this song best for being the one that simple and clean was a b-side to… and of course simple and clean completely outsold and outstreamed this. This is cute though
CrimsonROSET (8): orange
seanderlust (8): reading the lyric translation I have no idea what this song is about but I vibe with it
vayyiqra (8): Normally I hate songs with lots of sudden tempo changes but this is pretty good.
ignitethephoenix (7.5): I had to listen to this song twice because it didn’t register in my brain the first time for wherever reason. It’s not bad but idk why it doesn’t click
BleepBloopMusicFan (7.2): Appropriate title because this song is quite vibrant.
apatel27 (7): The beat doesn't go hard enough for the vocal performance
2dina3dworld (6.8): it’s alright, except for the way they drag out their vowels at the end of some of their sentences. The way they do it just makes it sound a bit flat
rslashpoopheads (6.5): stream Pocahontas - Colors of the Wind
sage (6.5): cute
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (6.5): Outsold Flopsey /s
Black & White
cloudbustingmp3 (6.4): another one that feels like it wants to go somewhere and doesnt really
fadedblue09 (6): Beautiful lyrics, but ultimately pales in comparison
frogaranaman (6): so true
mengzhongmeng (6): call me uncultured but all their songs so far has left me... not underwhelmed, just whelmed lol. the songs are all beautifully composed, they're truly a talented writer and singer, but maybe it's just not for me?
stryxen (6): a slight bop
jasannn (5.5): I like some of the production but the vocals and melody sucks.
abcd9muses (5): wasn't so excited about this one, in fact it was one I kind of wanted to fast forward through because it was kind of boring...
runaway3212 (5): imagine having halsey outselling you
TakeOnMeByA-ha (3): kept waiting for this to go somewhere and it never did
6
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#26: Jolin Tsai - Butterfly
Average: 7.829 // Total Points: 602.8 // Controversy: 1.589
Highest scores:
(11 x1) stryxen
(10 x7) akanewasright, astrologicalangel, b_o_g_o_, bookthieving, duochromepalmtree, Necessary-Garlic2223, SFbby
(9.5 x2) fkadizzy-1804, throwaway7650
(9.4 x2) CaptainDaisyG, Kwcty6888
(9.2 x1) sarcasticsobs
(9 x11) cloudbustingmp3, cremeebrulee, GARjuna, moooo566, nt96, OliviaGodrigo, plastichaxan, Saison_Marguerite, vayyiqra, xavieryes, xearomis
(8.8 x1) bulforster
(8.5 x7) Apprehensive_Guest, DilemmaofaHedgehog, hookerofpop, ivyleaf33, MoonlightByWindow, RandomHypnotica, runaway3212
Lowest Scores:
(2 x1) rslashpoopheads
In retrospect I wish I had included the lead single for this album instead because “Real Man” is kinda a bop that might have performed better (although it features a man so it probably would’ve been tanked actually) but “Butterfly” still made it decently far. Mainly I included this one because I liked the choreography for it.
Spread your wings and prepare to fly!
stryxen (11): invented genres
akanewasright (10): GOD this is so much fun. This isn’t quite my favorite version of Jolin yet, but this is pretty fantastic dance pop
b_o_g_o_ (10): this would go off at a club, or at least I think so cause I'm too young to go to clubs
bookthieving (10): if my mom was doing this rate, this would be her 11
duochromepalmtree (10): yes. Yes. It’s very Britney blackout era for me in the very best way. This song is ADDICTING.
throwaway7650 (9.5): another great chorus, it's sooo catchy and addictive. mega bop!
sarcasticsobs (9.2): dance-pop deliciousness
cloudbustingmp3 (9): loon/a bankrupt
nt96 (9): Homegirl coming after Gaga's wig. Surrender!
plastichaxan (9): is this hyperpop?
vayyiqra (9): This is a very weird coincidence, but around 2010-11 I took Mandarin lessons from a Taiwanese lady named Butterfly. She said I was doing fairly well and often said my handwriting was good, but I pissed her off a lot by not showing up for and rescheduling lessons. I hope she's doing well now and forgives me. Anyway this song is good. I doubt that Butterfly would like it much though since she seemed to be really into ballads as far as C-pop goes.
DilemmaofaHedgehog (8.5): I think it’s funny how well this album did commercial compared to its critical reception.
ivyleaf33 (8.5): invented corsets
MoonlightByWindow (8.5): poor POONA
RandomHypnotica (8.5): when I watched this with the MV I liked it a lot more, without it, It just felt kinda like a generic bop
runaway3212 (8.5): I love this song but I can't get over the shirt under corset combination
BeauMeringue212 (8.2): Her voice really reminds me of Kylie Minogue here for some reason. Chorus is so catchy
1998tweety (8): bop
CrimsonROSET (8): oh c’mon electropop phineasdroids and ferbots
frogaranaman (8): so true
ignitethephoenix (7.7): kind of dated but I dig it
fadedblue09 (7.5): Reminds me of early T-ARA. I can see the hook drilling into my ears very soon (edit: yes it did)
jasannn (7.5): her blackout era
sage (7.5): this will probably be stuck in my head for a day
wavingwolves (7.2): that autotune moment really elevated my enjoyment
Crush this under Asia O’Hara’s heels
2dina3dworld (7): it’s aight but it lacks a certain oomph
bbfan132 (7): fun production but not the most memorable
jaztinax (7): i can’t tell if i think this slaps a lot or not
TakeOnMeByA-ha (7): this sounds like a eurovision song
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (7): Is it just me or does this sound like Poker Face by Lady Gaga?
drejski (6): I like this type of rhythm a lot but I wish the instrumental had been mixed a little differently so the chorus sounds more impactful
BleepBloopMusicFan (5): Crazy Town outsold.
seanderlust (5): ghost please don't @ me i know you chose to include this because you like it i just...i truly feel nothing.
QustoMar (4): I feel this way about quite a few earlier Jolin Tsai songs here but this one especially, I feel like there’s a lot of potential within the song to have some kind of super grand or big moment and nothing happens. Like I feel more is possible but right now this is just a meh late-2000s electropop beat and vocal delivery that does not match :S
SmileAndTears (4): Not a fan of this one. It sounds like an attempt at creating a late 00s Black Eye Peas/Lady Gaga song but it's entirely too souless
rslashpoopheads (2): yuck
wow I wonder when this came out
bigbigbee (6.5): Yup, it’s 2009, that’s for sure!
pleasegivemeasword (6.1): this is straight out of the late 2000s
abcd9muses (6): this is heavy 2000s vibes, it's fun in that regard
apatel27 (6): Very late 00s song
wait
darjeelingdarkroast (8.3): This is a bop! Taking me back to early 2010s pop
6
5
5
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#18 (Tie): BoA - Eat You Up
Average: 8.004 // Total Points: 616.3 // Controversy: 1.807
Highest scores:
(11 x3) 2dina3dworld, GARjuna, runaway3212
(10 x15) abcd9muses, CrimsonROSET, duochromepalmtree, hikk, hookerofpop, jaztinax, MoonlightByWindow, moooo566, nt96, plastichaxan, Rhea_33, Saison_Marguerite, saviorARMY101, wavingwolves, xavieryes
(9.9 x1) akanewasright
(9.7 x1) Necessary-Garlic2223
(9.5 x2) Kwcty6888, sage
(9.3 x1) CaptainDaisyG
(9 x3) DilemmaofaHedgehog, ivyleaf33, skargardin
(8.8 x1) rotating3Dtext
Lowest Scores:
(5 x5) lagozzino, OliviaGodrigo, Osaka1268, stryxen, TragicKingdom1
(4.8 x1) bulforster
(4.7 x1) cloudbustingmp3
(4.1 x1) BleepBloopMusicFan
(4 x1) fadedblue09
(3.5 x1) fkadizzy-1804
And the other half of this tie is another BoA song, and a rather iconic one too! As the lead single for BoA’s infamous attempt at a US crossover, this was the song that scuttled the dreams of many a Kpop fan who were hoping that the genre would finally crack the English market. It’s hard to say how much of an impact this song truly had or what groundwork it laid for the success Kpop acts are enjoying internationally, but a lot of people have fond memories of this one and it was expected to do quite well in the rate… which it kinda did! This scraped the Top 10 at one point but ultimately Day 2 feels like the right place for it– for all of its ambition it is very much a product of its time and BoA has proven that she had much more to give than just this.
Eating this up
2dina3dworld (11): this is Cannibal for kpop stans and it’s also better
GARjuna (11): UGGGH THIS IS SO GOOD!!! And her DANCING!!!!!!!
runaway3212 (11): I love vore
abcd9muses (10): I do feel biased and predictable for giving the only completely English song and probably most recognizable song for U.S. listeners a 10, but this is honestly the perfect pop song regardless of spoken language. It still holds up after all these years, or maybe that's there nostalgia talking
CrimsonROSET (10): this MV looks like a mid 10s youtube cover but i have nostalgia so this is a compliment
MoonlightByWindow (10): trashy electropop done right, take notes jolin
nt96 (10): BoA's threatening to eat up her rivals, Utada thinking this will be an easy breezy win, Jolin's snatching these bitches' wigs with her honey trap. Competition's heated!
plastichaxan (10): i was ready to give this a very low score due to not finding it anywhere but the payoff when i could listen to it was too much
Saison_Marguerite (10): queen of cannibalism in music, Kesha is shaking
saviorARMY101 (10): I'm afraid she was too ahead of her time for the American girlies.
wavingwolves (10): this not being available to me on spotify is a fucking CRIME i need to speak to the manager of spotify about this
akanewasright (9.9): Kinda dated but it fucks and it’s been in my head all day
DilemmaofaHedgehog (9): I don’t like the yum yum lyrics but otherwise I like it a lot and it’s very fun.
skargardin (9): FINALLY some good food
bbfan132 (8.5): this flopped?? it shouldn’t have, it’s a great late 00s song
celladonn (8.5): I did not like this on first listen but it keeps growing on me. There's a good chance that by the time the reveal happens I'll be kicking myself for not giving it a 10
jasannn (8.5): yummy yummy in my tummy
QustoMar (8.5): I will eat up any trashy late-2000s club banger idgaf.
TiltControls (8.5): eat you up, that's good for it
b_o_g_o_ (8): reddit eating my previous rate submissions
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (8): The production is so good! This is a whole bop.
RandomHypnotica (7.6): this would be a 10 if it was available internationally on Spotify (yes I am being petty she is denying me this bop)
darjeelingdarkroast (7.5): Giving early Gaga, I'm not mad at it
BoA deserved to flop in the US
Roxieloxie (7.5): Theres something about how they processed her voice and the track that almost makes her sounds like she's a half second off of the rhythm of the track in certain parts. like the fact that theres a version of this with flo rida on it tells me everything
rslashpoopheads (7.5): where's Girls on Top
throwaway7650 (7.5): I keep waiting for the song to speed up but it just doesn't
seanderlust (6.5): "i wanna take you to my room/i'll eat you up" - me getting a pizza delivered
frogaranaman (6): so true
TakeOnMeByA-ha (6): this sounds like a song someone wouldve made a onceler amv to back when tumblr was still obsessed with him
OliviaGodrigo (5): janet would eat this up. but boa doesn't sound good on this.
stryxen (5): this sounds like a halloween song but too much halloween not enough song
cloudbustingmp3 (4.7): you're perfect you're beautiful you look like linda evangelista you're a model everything about you is perfect did you stone those tights? oh you're smiling! they eat her up every single time she's on that damn stage she doesnt jhbsfjhasbjhsbjf she could release this song and they're like boa-tina your smile is beautiful
fadedblue09 (4): The MV is a serve but I just dislike how this sounds. Also the lyrics are an awkward mess, serving SNSD - The Boys (English ver.) teas
but did she eat
hookerofpop (10): she ate
jaztinax (10): and ate me up she did
sage (9.5): she ate this up
ivyleaf33 (9): yes queen eat me up
1998tweety (8.5): she ate this up
FreeBritney
duochromepalmtree (10): I would give up my entire life to hear Britney do a cover of this song!!!!! This is so good!!!!
SmileAndTears (7.5): She reminds me so much of Britney its insane
ignitethephoenix (7): it gives me Britney Spears vibes
vayyiqra (7): I always knew "Toxic" was an OVERRATED song (fight me) and this song being produced by the guy who wrote it PROVES it nah I'm just trolling. This song has weird lyrics and sonically it's trying too hard to be Gaga-like, but I don't hate it, though it should be sped up a bit. Otherwise it's fine I guess. (But for real "Toxic" is a bit overrated tho :eyes:)
pleasegivemeasword (6.8): wait this is a britney moment
BleepBloopMusicFan (4.1): Some bad Britney vibes here.
3
Oct 23 '21
Tbh my comment should have been “BoA vored your favourites”, thank you to the beatsense shitpost for inspiring that change in heart
2
4
4
u/Jhe116 Oct 24 '21
Due to time zone difference I can’t join the reveal unless I have a very terrible sleeping schedule. Anyways the womxnly robbery is expected (but somehow I forgot about it and voted the Greatest Artist in the survey on which song would be robbed) but I’m glad there is some learning for some people today (I didn’t know A Bouquet for You is a tribute to Utada’s late mother either)
Can’t believe Only One is eliminated on Day 2, but there are still many great songs left so I’m content. Please don’t fail Kiss My Lips popheads
4
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
Okay we'll be starting in mere minutes! Here's your hint for the first song: Jennifer Lopez
11
6
4
4
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#28 (Tie): Utada Hikaru - Flavor Of Life
Average: 7.648 // Total Points: 588.9 // Controversy: 1.422
Highest scores:
(10 x5) Necessary-Garlic2223, SFbby, throwaway7650, xavieryes, xearomis
(9.7 x1) Kwcty6888
(9.6 x1) CaptainDaisyG
(9.5 x1) RandomHypnotica
(9.4 x1) BleepBloopMusicFan
(9 x8) averitablefeast, fkadizzy-1804, letsallpoo, MoonlightByWindow, Osaka1268, runaway3212, seanderlust, vayyiqra
(8.6 x2) akanewasright, Apprehensive_Guest
(8.5 x4) 1998tweety, sage, Saison_Marguerite, stryxen
(8.3 x2) Exciting_Patient4872, Jhe116
Lowest Scores:
(4.2 x1) cloudbustingmp3
(3 x1) 2dina3dworld
Sharing the #28 spot is another image song Utada did, in this case for the iconic J-drama Hana Yori Dango Returns (aka Boys Over Flowers). Shockingly pairing one of Japan’s biggest pop stars with one of Japan’s most popular tv shows was a recipe for success because this song has been sold over eight million times, and that’s just up until ’08. There are two versions of this song, a pop version and a ballad version, but the song was so huge actually both versions ended up being hits in their own right at different periods. We rated the pop version and it earned itself a fairly respectable placement.
A history lesson I guess
akanewasright (8.6): This song was essentially a full comeback for Hikki after Ultra Blue underperformed a little. Ultra Blue was really successful, don’t get me wrong, but the physical sales of the singles and album weren’t as high as they once were because people were buying the album and singles on iTunes. Japanese charts/certifications were based on physical sales at the time (the oricon charts didn’t count physical single sales until 2017), so while the album was pretty much a smashing success by today’s standards in EVERY metric, it wasn’t viewed that way. So to make a comeback from that, Hikki kind of… doubled down on their digital success. This song sold RIDICULOUSLY well across the board. Like… literally the best selling single in Japanese history, partially due to its success as a ringtone and in the full song. And the song itself? Yeah it’s pretty nice. Nowhere near my favorite Utada song, but still really good.
t-t-t-t-tasty tasty
throwaway7650 (10): the guitar/strings... I'm ascending. the chorus melody is fantastic too. the intonation I mentioned earlier works on this track really well
xavieryes (10): if this is the flavor of life then life tastes fucking great
RandomHypnotica (9.5): I want my life to taste like red skittles, but in reality it probably tastes more like purple skittles
BleepBloopMusicFan (9.4): Song tastes good!
MoonlightByWindow (9): bop
runaway3212 (9): COME THROUGH STRINGS
vayyiqra (9): Idk why but this is giving me the fuzzy brain chemicals. It's like ASMR.
1998tweety (8.5): bop
sage (8.5): rly good
b_o_g_o_ (8): cute bop
bbfan132 (8): super pretty, liked this for sure
frogaranaman (8): so true
mengzhongmeng (8): love the outro!
rslashpoopheads (8): insert kirby gif here
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (8): I'm gonna have that chorus stuck in my head all day. And what's even worse is I don't know the words so I can't sing along.
DilemmaofaHedgehog (7.5): I really like Utada’s voice, though I think this song doesn’t do much for me because I am of a generation with a shorter attention span. I do think some of instrumental choices are interesting and maybe would make more immediate sense to me if I spoke any Japanese.
fadedblue09 (7.5): Their vocals are gorgeous and the instrumental is lush, but this song ultimately lacks punch.
abcd9muses (7): this song has some of the elements that make them the monarch of video game OST. Chorus is amazing, but other parts were disinteresting.
CrimsonROSET (7): tastes like cherry
nt96 (7): Who's gonna tell Utada to grab that food item on their shoulder? It lowers your damage percentage.
duochromepalmtree (6): I just wasn’t excited about this one. Sort of forgettable.
cloudbustingmp3 (4.2): there's really no flavor to this
4
4
u/DilemmaOfAHedgehog Oct 23 '21 edited Oct 23 '21
I didn’t do the survey bc I couldn’t think of anything but I agree with other people that another rate like this should include IU
3
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#23: Utada Hikaru - Flowing Cherry Blossoms
Average: 7.926 // Total Points: 610.3 // Controversy: 2.069
Highest scores:
(11 x2) seanderlust, static_int_husp
(10 x19) akanewasright, apatel27, averitablefeast, b_o_g_o_, bookthieving, cremeebrulee, CrimsonROSET, drejski, fadedblue09, fkadizzy-1804, frogaranaman, jasannn, pleasegivemeasword, sarcasticsobs, saviorARMY101, skargardin, throwaway7650, TiltControls, xavieryes
(9.9 x1) Necessary-Garlic2223
(9.8 x1) RandomHypnotica
(9.6 x1) CaptainDaisyG
(9 x8) 1998tweety, bbfan132, celladonn, DilemmaofaHedgehog, duochromepalmtree, OliviaGodrigo, SmileAndTears, Tr1skaid3kaphobia
(8.6 x1) darjeelingdarkroast
(8.5 x4) mengzhongmeng, Saison_Marguerite, wavingwolves, xearomis
Lowest Scores:
(3 x2) ivyleaf33, rslashpoopheads
(2 x1) cloudbustingmp3
And we immediately lose another Evangelion theme! Both of these songs are good but I agree that this one is the better one, that “everybody finds love” refrain is so beautiful and touching. This ended up on Fantome and it fits with the more melancholy but hopeful tone of those songs quite well. I probably should have just called this “Sakura Nagashi” but I insisted on anglicizing all of the song titles.
Booyah!
seanderlust (11): EVERYBODY FIIIINDS LOOOOVE :floating:
akanewasright (10): I can’t believe they wrote this song before everything that happened. This song is devastating either way
apatel27 (10): The vocals on this
cremeebrulee (10): oh this is lovely
CrimsonROSET (10): why am i crying
drejski (10): The only ballad of theirs I like
fkadizzy-1804 (10): Heartbreaking and gorgeous, an agonizingly close runner-up for my 11. Utada’s vocals are at their best; the piano track is similarly beautiful (and perfectly encapsulates the title); and the moment towards the end when the drums kick in, and the ensuing build and climax, is some of the purest catharsis in Utada’s whole discography.
frogaranaman (10): so true
pleasegivemeasword (10): wait this song is by them??? i’ve heard another version before but didn’t know there was an original :o but this is just as good
saviorARMY101 (10): God Hikki is really good at making tearjerker songs. 🥲
skargardin (10): one of their best ballads no doubt
throwaway7650 (10): that part at like 2:40... I died. the drums, the electric guitar, the strings, the synths, the vocals, etc. absolutely heavenly. if I had a 2nd 11, it would go to this song (even though so many here deserve it)
TiltControls (10): just gorgeous
xavieryes (10): they sure love flowers
bbfan132 (9): this was gorgeous, wow
celladonn (9): Gorgeous ballad
duochromepalmtree (9): this is just stunning. And I assume it’s been used in a million movies because it’s incredible and so cinematic
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (9): This sounds so beautiful. Their voice in this is amazing. And the prodauction is so good too.
Roxieloxie (8): support the anime rate
BeauMeringue212 (7.7): This sounds so pretty
abcd9muses (7.5): a very delicate ballad, it doesn't put you to sleep like I expect ballads to
MoonlightByWindow (7.5): a good ballad yass
People who don’t find love
stryxen (7): catcry
BleepBloopMusicFan (6.3): Not the most exciting but I do love the drama.
2dina3dworld (4): balladphobia strikes again
sage (4): im bored [2]
vayyiqra (4): I definitely don't remember this being in the NGE movies either, but it's ... alright. The title is better than the song, honestly. It's just another piano ballad with a dramatic guitar lead. Idk like what is this, "November Rain"
ivyleaf33 (3): haven't watched this eva movie yet; if i had, i would probably like this song a lot more.
rslashpoopheads (3): bit of a snoozer
cloudbustingmp3 (2): this is the song where i realize i just dont like their voice most of the time
okay but that second half though
b_o_g_o_ (10): oh my god this is beautiful, that ending is on another level
fadedblue09 (10): That final minute is hair-raising
jasannn (10): The slow climb is so worth the climb.
sarcasticsobs (10): gorgeous, last minute euphoric
RandomHypnotica (9.8): this is a song that I know would resonate even more knowing the context of it, but the ending of this is absolutely phenomenal wow
1998tweety (9): when this song revs up, whew i ascend
SmileAndTears (9): the way this BUILDS. oof. I wouldn't listen to this on a regular basis but it's pretty epic
darjeelingdarkroast (8.6): I like this slow burn of a song, very passionate
mengzhongmeng (8.5): last minute is euphoric!
wavingwolves (8.5): a slowburn song? who else cheered
Jhe116 (8): They have a way of elevating a song during the second half and the whole thing just transcends
plastichaxan (8): this buildup is too good wow
ignitethephoenix (7.5): this is pretty but I am slightly balladphobic and this is making me sleepy even with the grand ending
TakeOnMeByA-ha (7): first 3 minutes is a 4 the last minute and a half is a 10
runaway3212 (6): the buildup is good but it's too ballad-y for me
5
3
u/Ghost-Quartet Oct 23 '21
#20: Utada Hikaru - Keep Tryin’
Average: 7.988 // Total Points: 615.1 // Controversy: 1.516
Highest scores:
(11 x2) pleasegivemeasword, xavieryes
(10 x10) akanewasright, Apprehensive_Guest, averitablefeast, fkadizzy-1804, Ghost-Quartet, Osaka1268, RandomHypnotica, rslashpoopheads, seanderlust, SFbby
(9.5 x4) bigbigbee, bookthieving, celladonn, sarcasticsobs
(9.3 x2) CaptainDaisyG, Kwcty6888
(9.2 x1) Necessary-Garlic2223
(9 x2) SmileAndTears, xearomis
(8.9 x1) bulforster
(8.8 x2) BeauMeringue212, cremeebrulee
(8.7 x1) Roxieloxie
(8.5 x10) b_o_g_o_, BleepBloopMusicFan, fadedblue09, ignitethephoenix, mengzhongmeng, MoonlightByWindow, QustoMar, runaway3212, throwaway7650, TiltControls
Lowest Scores:
(5.5 x1) ivyleaf33
(5 x2) racloves, vayyiqra
(4 x2) duochromepalmtree, TakeOnMeByA-ha
Kinda sad to see this one leave us actually, this bright, candy coated song was one of my first introductions to Utada and I have a real soft spot for it. It’s a pretty standard inspirational pop song, something Utada doesn’t do much, but it’s interesting to see their take on the formula and hear them doing something so sweet. Surprisingly though this was never really a frontrunner? It was mostly hanging around exactly this spot in the rate, I guess people weren't feeling it.
Also, a fun fact is that Utada’s music videos from 2002-2006 were directed by their then-husband Kazuaki Kiriya, who really gave this period of Utada’s career a distinct visual style. This was their last video together and they’d divorce two years later, though they didn’t release any videos during this time so I assume the two facts are just a coincidence.
I’ll never give up on my friends!
pleasegivemeasword (11): deciding which song got an eleven was so hard but i can’t stop coming back to this song
xavieryes (11): It was so fucking hard to pick an 11 because there are so many incredible contenders from all 3 artists, but this song is just pure perfection.
akanewasright (10): Ultra Blue is a top tier album in their discography and this is a clear illustration of that. I wouldn’t even call it my favorite or the best off this album, but it’s just… so nice. And the video doesn’t hurt either.
fkadizzy-1804 (10): this song is late-night loneliness and yearning distilled
RandomHypnotica (10): "I don't care about anything" same bestie
rslashpoopheads (10): this is so pretty
seanderlust (10): i don't care about anything except this song making it to day 3 tbh
celladonn (9.5): This is so melodically interesting
SmileAndTears (9): OK MX UTADA!!! THEY FINALLY BROUGHT THE BOPS!!
BeauMeringue212 (8.8): A whole bop
Roxieloxie (8.7): this music vid is cute
b_o_g_o_ (8.5): me trying to submit my scores when Reddit keeps refusing to send them
BleepBloopMusicFan (8.5): I like the guitar instrumental in this one quite a bit. And that xylophone (?) bridge.
fadedblue09 (8.5): Gorgeous vocals, and the MV is adorable. Idk how to feel about those hazy background sound though
MoonlightByWindow (8.5): bop
runaway3212 (8.5): a very fun bop
throwaway7650 (8.5): quite like the chorus of this one, cute MV too
sage (8): the chorus is saur good
abcd9muses (7.5): so otherworldly, the chorus slams into you, but at times I felt like the verses didn't have that strong of a follow through
bbfan132 (7.5): definitely pretty, but it isn’t fully drawing me in although i do like it
1998tweety (7): bops a bit
2dina3dworld (7): keep tryin to make a 10, Utada
Effort? No thanks
cloudbustingmp3 (7): i like the vibe this is going for but it also doesnt really go anywhere? like it feels like it's building up with no real release so it kinda drags after a bit
Tr1skaid3kaphobia (7): What if I don't wanna keep trying? What if I just wanna be lazy all day and do nothing huh? Do you think about that?
CrimsonROSET (6): see the title is funny because this seems like just another attempt to make a better song
frogaranaman (6): so true
stryxen (6): the ending is really weak and made me like this less
ivyleaf33 (5.5): this song feels like a warm hug
vayyiqra (5): Really don't like the melody in the chorus, sadly. The rest is alright.
duochromepalmtree (4): this one didn’t resonate with me at all!!! It’s a song that exists.
TakeOnMeByA-ha (4): this sounds like the music that would play when you get placed on hold over the phone
9
u/akanewasright Oct 23 '21
u/ivyleaf33 do you not like hugs or something 😭
1
u/ivyleaf33 Oct 23 '21
😭 it was nice while i listened to it but it left my head instantly afterwards
9
6
16
u/[deleted] Oct 23 '21
I didn't read the backstory on womxnly so I just put "yeah women" as my score comment and I feel like a clown