Hello! Project Recommendation -The time is now! Now is the time! Morning Musume-

The Countdown Concert by Hello! Project for the New Year! It’s Tamai from Sales. I’ve introduced idol groups from Hello! Project in past blog posts.

Hello! Project Recommendation -BEYOOOOONDS is booming!-
Hello! Project Recommendation -Country Girls-

This time, I’m going to introduce the origin of the Hello! Project, Morning Musume!
But are there any Japanese today who don’t know this name? Their masterpieces such as “Love Machine” and “Ren'ai Revolution 21” can’t be left out when you talk about Heisei era idol songs.

BUT! Do you know the current Morning Musume? Now they have a proud history of more than 20 years. They keep on changing while taking over their history- now it’s time to listen to their songs!

Morning Musume '18/Jiyuu na Kuni Dakara

'18 is called “one eight,” and it means the year 2018. Since 2014, the year has been added after the group name, so you can easily know when a particular song was released (it’s quite convenient).
When Morning Musume are introduced in mass media, their “formation dancing” is often featured. Formation dance is not done individually, but by transforming and changing the formation by many dancers as a group. Morning Musume’s songs also incorporate formation dancing, but stepping out of formation a little under the concept of “freedom”, and the formation gets broken down at the high point of the finale chorus. Their formation dancing is characteristic in that usually two modulations are carried out. Taking on changes and challenging themselves with something new are the strengths of not only Morning Musume, but also of Hello! Project. It’s very noble.

Morning Musume '14/TIKI BUN

Speaking of Morning Musume, Tsunku comes to mind! Speaking of Tsunku, Morning Musume comes to mind! He has already stepped down as producer, but he still writes songs for them.
Not only the mysterious word “TIKI BUN”, but the song itself is filled with the words that make you say, “Yeah, that’s true!” such as “when you’re sleepy, all you can do is sleep”, and it’s totally Tsunku. By the way, there are various opinions about the meaning, but I think “TIKI BUN” means “chicken na jibun (the chicken I am)”. The truth is unknown as it’s not explained even in the liner notes… lol.
Tsunku’s songs get you excited about reading the liner notes, and this is a common thing among Hello! Project geeks.

Morning Musume '20/Ningen Kankei No way way

Morning Musume '20/LOVEpedia

Two triple A-side singles were released in January 2020. If you have heard them already, you might be like, “What? They’re so similar? Are they the same song?” In fact, they have the same melody, but the arrangement, lyrics, role allotment, and choreography are all different. Did they really do something this daring with two triple A-side singles?! Yes, they did. It’s Morning Musume.

In 2019, they kept making fans happy with the joining of the 15th generation of members and their overwhelming performances, referred to as “monster strength”, by an audience of more than 60,000 at Rock in Japan Festival. I’m expecting a lot from them in 2020.