[Remixed & Re-mastered Nov 2021]
This song came about because I was intrigued by the 2019 Vocaloid software released by Yamaha. Here's the long story:
After watching online tutorials and listening to Vocaloid pop rock songs, I was keen to try the software. Problem was that I can't write or speak Japanese. The software can render English lyrics but it was this mix of Japanese Pop-rock/ Post-rock genre that attracted me to the software. Closest analogy I can think of: it's like creating an anime movie but dubbing it in English -- good in a lot of ways but something you'd want to listen to the original Japanese dialogue and read English subs instead.
The basic software package isn't terribly expensive though it can buy more than several cups of Hipster coffee. I thought to try writing lyrics in Japanese first. If I couldn't create any, then forget about it.
At first I tried writing in English and using Google Translate to convert to Japanese. The translation seemed odd even to me. Then through discussions with my Japanese friend, Kanako, it occurred to me the Japanese language was closer to Mandarin in phrasing and meaning Mandarin than English. I tried a few phrases in my halting Mandarin -- they worked better!
In the end, I drafted the basic lyrical idea out in English, translated to Mandarin and then to Japanese -- all with the help of Google Translate. I also relied on Google Translate to listen to how the Japanese phrasing should correctly sound.
OK, I thought this workflow could work. At least, with minimal disturbance to my friends. I went ahead to buy the software.
Kanako was also kind enough to verify the phrasing in the first draft. Machine translation is not 100% accurate although it was extremely close. Her verdict: it sounded like a non-Japanese singing in Japanese. Some odd inflections because I was the one doing the vocaloid composing after all. But it wasn't comical or (worse!) inadvertently belting out insults.
I hope to try writing a few more songs in Japanese. Let's see.
BTW, this song was inspired by the classic Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
lyrics
1
sekai wa shizukadesu
tsuki ni wa
dansurizumu
2
hoshizora, kodokuna kokoro
dansu e no jōnetsu tsuki no shita de
3
hotaru wa nemurikarasameru
umi kara detekuru hoshinoyōni
CHORUS
sayōnara, sayōnara,-hoshi, boshi
yoru ni michita tsukiakari
sayōnara, sayōnara,-hoshi, boshi
sora no daiyamondo, sekai yori mo takai
Threestepstotheocean, from Milan, Italy, infuse their instrumentals with a rich blend of metal, post punk, and psychedelic pop. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 7, 2020
An tempestuous post-rock journey inspired by the existential threat of climate exchange, "Triumph & Disaster" overflows with grace and grit. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 9, 2019
Wife Patrol make instantly catchy alt rock with streaks of punk, new wave, and metal, overlaid with Bangles-esque harmonies. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 20, 2020
