Love your reaction channel Ryan. Check it daily. Of course I am a die hard Band Maid fan. This song is world class. EPIC. I am 66 years old and I have heard endless amounts of music, genres etc. Band Maid is the greatest rock/hard rock band in the world. Hands down. My whole music experience was changed that day when I saw Thrill. There has been no turning back.
For me, Saiki is one of the most unique female vocalists in Japan. Many of the vocalists of Japanese bands have cute and high voices, but not Saiki. She has dark and husky voice but powerfull, because she still can reach high range and falsetto with her voice. And of course, she is more way better in live concert
Another example of the way they put everything into a song. Saiki means every word and it shows. The music speaks as well and one can feel the love they put into what they do.
Saiki says that she doesn't like Miku, but they seems to share the special bond at the same time. Saiki must have so much respect to Miku as a lyricist and tries to convey everything Miku puts into words. And the way they harmonize so perfectly and beautifully, like they can sync through music.
If you haven’t done the acoustic version of Puzzle, and/or Anemone yet, those are both a must. It’s just Kanami and Saiki together. You need to hear Kanami’s back up vocals, they are amazing!
@@nogarddragonkin Mincho did NOT compose this song "Kentaro Akutsu" did he also did Thrill Shake That and most of Maid in Japan but our little Pigeon DID do the lyrics (which she is eternally embarrassed about)
Damn... That brought tears to my eyes. I hadn't heard this song yet (I'm PACING myself! My heart can only grow in awed appreciation so fast, damnit!) and OMFG that was beautiful! Is there anything these amazing people can't do?!!! I mean, if "Smile" isn't a country-rock tune, like 70's era Eagles or America, then I'm deaf (debatable). BAND-MAID just do it better than they did. (Expletive deleted)! Thanks Ryan (Squeeky) and Flappy Pigeon Loon!!!
Such a great song.. Can listen to it over and over... Love Akane's "can't help my self" moment at the end Lol.. Thanks for sharing Best wishes from France..
Saiki tends to be forgotten when people talk about Band-Maids genius. She has been honing her vocal skills with training and practice over the last few years and is as is everyone in the band essential to their sound.
@@philipcable7518 And to think she had surgery done for polyps, which could've ruined her voice, yet she not only got back to where she was, but got better. That doesn't happen often for singers after surgeries.
@@TomClark-Futoura I have 2 pairs of in ears. (Sony) for cranking the volume up full blast. (JVC) late at night when I'm tired & I don't mind crushing them a bit. So I guess I have a crush on BAND-MAID.😏
I was going to mention what Russ- thanks Henry mentions below: which is to check out acoustic versions of Puzzle and Anemone. There fantastic - of course. Saiki has a wonderful mature voice that she uses well to convey a depth of emotion. Great reaction/review thanks.
Man, that was absolutely freaking beautiful! Only thing that could make it better would be some Kanami vocals. The world might explode with all three of them singing though. Loved it!
My favorite acoustic song by them now! This came as such a wonderful surprise on their latest DVD and I´m listening to it over and over again. Saiki is just so incredibly brilliant in this!
Saiki is the best singer in hard rock today and in a very long time, and I stand by that. Another masterpiece with Saiki showing her inner feelings is Daydreaming, Miku does as well.
This song really lends itself to an acoustic treatment. Like so many of their great studio releases, it's surpassed by their live performance. Not to mention the XMas Acoustic Okyu-ji - it was the opener. Saiki really knows how to convey emotion - my eyes mist up every time I hear this. It's a little more optimistic than some of their other lost romance tunes. I'm preaching to the converted, but damn-they are good.
Man, I love 'em so much. They're so diverse with their songs and compositions, anything they touch just feels right. Hearing their heavy songs you could think that's all they do. Same with their more mellow or acoustic songs. But somehow they manage to have all these wildly different songs and make it work 100%. Like someone else commented, the acoustic version of Puzzle and Anemone has only Saiki and Kanami with Kanami playing guitar and backup-vocals. Highly recommended. It surprised me how good Kanami's voice is, did you know she was originally a solo singer/songwriter in her early days on the internet before Miku found her? There's an interview on RUclips with them from their early days, the 'Band Maid Gold Rush' interview. I usually don't like interviews that much, because often they're shallow and too formal. That interview focuses a lot on their personalities and how the members found each other and how the band was formed. Plus Gold Rush does very fun interviews, no stuck up/formal bullshit and they have a very good reputation in Japan. They focus on discovering new bands and the only reason they invited Band-Maid is because someone of their staff, who was a musician back in the day, recommended them! By the way, no idea if anyone told you yet, ALL of the songs of their newest album 'Unseen World' are on their official RUclips channel in their playlists. Just in case you or any watchers didn't know.
if i remember correctly this was the first song Miku Wrote from her heart about her feelings towards the fans..mostly she writes influenced by movies scenes or books. my favourite combining or Miku and Saiki's Vocals is still Freezer i can only hope that they will again one day play it live
@@RyanMear There's an interview where she says something like "I started writing because what Kanami brought up the first time was very disturbing, there was a dead dog in it". 😂 Thanks to that dead dog we get to experience the inner workings of that brilliant pigeon's head. If you ever get curious about it, there's a spreadsheet on the Band-Maid Reddit with a section all about translated song lyrics. It is really worth a look-see.
@@RyanMear yeah, Ryan - what Mr Lu said :D Back when they got together as a band, all of them had expectations of how it would be going. It was pretty much clear what they wanted to write and perform their own music. Miku was the one who had the contract with the label, so the management kept the last saying for a while. Most maidiacs nowadays have the opinion that the label didn't "allow" their stuff etc. I - honestly - think, it was the right decision at the time. They weren't "ready" yet. My point is based by a couple of earlier interviews, they liked the songwriters they worked with, they had a say in the process, they picked and "modified" the provided material themselves. And they continued to work with some of their earlier outside song-writers even later - after they wrote the majority themselves. "Smile" is such song - it's composed by the "Thrill" songwriter, but came years later... There are a couple more - "Tienowa" for example They tried writing their own stuff from the beginning however. Let's simply say the label dismissed a lot of it because it wasn't good enough. Band-Maid did say that they learned A LOT from the outside writers in the beginning. Kanami wanted to be known as a song-writer first (!), and then as a guitarist. Three of them tried writing the lyrics. Saiki couldn't put her ideas/feelings into words. Kanamis lyrics were so weird what they simply agreed she shouldn't be writing them. They told that story a couple times, she wrote something about a cute puppy, how much she loves it... and then it died (+ illustration of a tombstone with a little corpse besides) - looking at it now, it sound SO much like Kanami XD. So Miku tried - and happened to be quite talented at it. In fact - she even wrote or co-wrote lyrics WAY BEFORE they started releasing own compositions ("Thrill", "Freedom" are examples you heard already) That you might not know however... Mikus lyrics are very technical. It's not easy to sing at all. The is a good reddit post, going into details. The technicality just goes over our heads as we don't understand the language. Saiki is the one who suffers the most :D Saiki complains A LOT at first of how Miku constructs it, so Miku basically needs to explain and show it first (but she lets Saiki go first on her own, to see how she interprets it). There were a couple songs they mentioned ("Catharsis" fe) where Saiki complained so much and Miku herself failed at singing it, so she went and rewrote parts of it XD But for both Miku and Kanami - if Saiki says "it sucks", then were is little open to discussion - they rework or start all over again. Saiki is also the deciding voice in the end, she calls it when one song is "finished", they just keep working on it, until Saiki says so... It's really down to - Saiki doesn't play around, no cutesy wordings, she is a straight shooter, if it sucks - it sucks ;) (however she mellowed down a bit over years, they say it's MISAs influence, as she is the nicest one, and her and Saiki hang out a lot)
Thanks for this, I don't think I have ever heard Smile. One thing that stands out to me is the enormous amount of trust that each of the members have in each other. This piece demonstrates that 100% - especially the break with just Saiki singing and Miku strumming through single chords and singing as well. Then - for the rest of the song - there is the synergy between Kanami and Miku. It is as if they have rehearsed this song in various combinations before even putting it together as a full band. And there are a lot of BAND-MAID songs that are probably assembled that way and could have multiple renditions and still sound fantastic. They are that good!
Just guessing, but if I was as conscientious as Kanami and as busy as Miku, I would use Miku's guitar lessons and practice sessions as rehearsals and vice versa.
Great reaction Ryan. Like you, I really didn't pay too much attention to Saiki when I started listening to BM a few years ago but her voice has really grown on me. Miku is an amazing backup singer. Her harmonies are on point. And shout out to Misa and Akane for their tasteful playing on this. Band-Maid flexing their musical muscles!
This is one of my favorite songs from them. Their B sides are singles from most other bands. So much emotion in all their mid tempo songs but Smile just goes to a special place.
Whenever they do acoustic songs, Saiki's voice really sings, pun intended. I've always liked her voiced, but this song and the acoustic version of Puzzle just hit me in the feelings so much. I love these ladies.
No Band-Maid song or solo made me tear up a bit. This version of smile did it. When I got the DVD and saw this bonus I watched it like 5 consecutive times.
If I'm being honest, I believe Saiki can be a torch singer someday. A singer who can evoke emotion to someone (me) who doesn't understand what their singing is special indeed. Peace.
Smile was a "B" side track for the Bubble single. This performance was a bonus track on the Blu-ray of the Feb. 11 concert. So Smile is a song some Madiacs may have never heard. Hide-and-Seek is another B side (Glory) that is every bit as good or better than the title track with one of the coolest vocal melodies I've ever heard. Maybe Band-Maid thinks the B in "B side" stands for Better.
Wow! Live and acoustic?! Great production and recording quality. I'm not the biggest Band Maid fan, but this is an exceptional performance. The bass really blows up the full sound. Wishing my RUclips notifications worked worth a crap... Great performance! Thanks Ryan... gonna make a fan of me yet!
Saiki is like an icing on a cake! I don’t know what Band-Maid would be if she was out of the equation! I’m sure Miku would find a way to make the music fun but not the same!
@@philipcable7518 very true! But the fact remains that their manager at the time wanted Saiki at first to look good holding a guitar, she didn’t look good holding one! Miku stepped up to the plate and said she’d do it! Meanwhile, Kanami said to Miku that if she’s gonna hold a guitar she might as well learn how to play it!! Today, she’s badass
@@RyanMear This was mostly due to them pushing for more control as their popularity grew. As with most artists no one sees how hard it is behind the scenes
So many great songs by Bandmaid!! Some other great songs i would recommend if you would like. Bandmaid- Blooming (a fav) Bandmaid- Dice (another fav) Bandmaid- You (live) Bandmaid- take me higher (live) Bandmaid- don’t you tell me (live) this one has an awesome guitar v bass duel!!
"Smile" - a Band-Maid mid tempo rock masterpiece on the B-side (really, a double A-side) of the Bubble release. And as you said, Ryan, the song is beautiful in this acoustic version. I've always thought the inherent beauty of Band-Maid's music is on total display in their acoustic performances. Saiki's voice is angelic!
Sugoi! I haven't seen or heard this before today, this Is subarashii! Thanks for posting it, I'm consistently taken a back with the versatility of this group of artist's, guess it no wonder they are my favorite band now eclipsing everyone else.
A hidden gem one of my favourite songs. This should be known to the world not hidden away on a B side. Another hidden gem is Unfair Game, no video but you might want to react to it from Spotify or just enjoy it to yourself I think Unfair Game is their most metal song to date. Thanks for your reaction.
I suggest the first song I heard from Band Maid. It is from the Tiny Hat era and is called "Take Me Higher." Of course, then I heard "Dice" and it sealed the deal. I have been feeding my addiction daily for a few years now. It is from the same show as "Moratorium," and you will probably have to get it on bili as well.
Since you like Choose me so much, see if you can source a live version of it. You said you have to lower an octave to imagine how hard Saiki in singing, in Choose me you're gonna have to imagine an octave higher to get what Kobato is doing. Her voice can go lower than a 7-foot dude's, it's unbelieavable, you gotta watch it to believe it! Also, check out Wonderland from their official channel. That's Saiki crown jewel right there!
@@RyanMear Miku has deceptive range. She has that chirpy anime affect when she speaks but she can go quite low and higher than Saiki. There is no video (yet) but check out her solo song Sayonakidori (number 7, on the Unseen World playlist on their page), Kanami made her work for it. She also gets a little guitar solo too.
Wonderland is great and Miku's harmonies are what sells it. She can sing higher than Saiki and can match her falsetto without actually using a falsetto.
surprised i'm not seeing this mentioned yet in the comments.. this track was actually composed by the guy who wrote Thrill(along with a lot of the band's earlier songs). so not only is it, lyrically, a song for the fans, there's that throwback aspect behind it as well. one thing i also hardly see mentioned.. while the band might not be credited for writing the early songs, they almost always worked on the arrangements. i've always wondered what the songs sounded like as originally presented vs the final result. same with Kanami's demos.
Great reaction. First time I've seen this vid. Chills. So beautiful. I've heard the studio version countless times, but this live acoustic performance is so moving. Talk about a performance exuding talent... (You may not sing like Saiki, but you've got some impressive (male) pipes. I've been enjoying your orig stuff. :))
About Us by Band-Maid is a love letter to their fans, and it’s another great song by them played with a bit of acoustic taste added. Misa takes it all away as usual, but her bass is something else in the song.
Drifted away from rock way back in 2011 and got hooked on Kpop ever since. Accidentally discovered Band Maid last September, and has been listening to them non-stop ever since. I mean, I still am a Kpop fan, but BM reignited my love for rock in a way I thought was never possible again.
Ryan! Greetings from a country trying their best to contain an imported disease! Tough, indeed, but we shall overcome! Coming back to a conversation started on another reaction of yours (but this one on" Smile" I have to come back to regularly!), I made a prediction that Band Maid will some time in the (past now) future that they will sing together. I was right, wasn't I (the old geezer is so proud of his fortune reading! LOL) Well, I am about to make a new one: Kanami has already announced she will one day build her own recording studio, and moreover that she wished to help new bands along. If you could find one group of persons that can break the shackles of a Japanese male-dominated music industry, do not go any further! I give them 10 more years of Band Maid existence with occasional solos and collaborations, and then they semi-retire and look after/teach young bands/artists. Knowing the Japanese they will be overwhelmed with requests as by then they will have become the universally admired "sempai/elders" who will look after the younger generations (as all Japanese normally do). Not only will they look after them but they will make sure they learn their craft. I am a man, and a very straight one at that, but I will love to see the faces of those men who thought they knew/owed everything fall prey to a joyful band of meek women! Amen! Best regards, Robert-Gilles
Google Translate of Japanese lyrics. The lyrics are Miku. The song is Kentaro Akutsu, who wrote the songs from the early days of Band-Maid. Song: BAND-MAID Lyrics: Miku Kobato Composer: Kentaro Akutsu The beginning is a small dream story A swaying cry I could see it in the distance Encounter and farewell Repeatedly Embrace the feelings Keep the beat I'll take you over and over again shine Shapeless momentary trajectory Where will you sing with you next? Your smile makes me happy I'm right here. It's a special view I'm right here. It's a special view Beyond the sky, far away Can't stop moving Can't stop moving We're still in a dream The future I drew Look into it little by little Hesitation and decision On the fading page The words that arrive are strongly colored supporting me Meaning to always be here shine A lot of love I want to convey See you again with us Your smile makes me happy I'm right here. It's a special view I'm right here. It's a special view Beyond the sea, far away Nothing we I can be anything I want to tell you now What Message that cannot be said well Stay the same for the future I'll take you over and over again shine Shapeless momentary trajectory Where will you sing with you next? Your smile makes me happy Meaning to always be here shine A lot of love I want to convey See you again with us Your smile makes me happy I'm right here. It's a special view I'm right here. It's a special view Beyond everything, go far Can't stop moving Can't stop moving
@@RyanMear that's cool blueberry stomp band maid is absolutely the best band out there been a fan for awhile now 2015 ) this so cool oh my favorite song by band maid ( all of them) but before yesterday it a live version I wish you could react to puzzle live acoustic but it's not available plenty of othe songs and bands flip kinda rock grunge the love toxicity album one of the best I've listened to I'm 60 and all I listen to is all female bands from Japan around 20 or so groups be well
I am simply amazed how people get straight and honest and expose themselves in that way when they talk about BandMaid. They are just a band and bunch of hard working musicians, but they are making this world a better place to live in. Could Rolling Stones do this. I highly doubt that.
pls try daydreaming, endless story, anemony, and wonderland ryan its a amazing songs, and by the way flappy pigeon is a signature guitar of miku kobato made by zemaitis
"Your smile makes me happy"
This song is for fans all over the world.
I totally agree with Russ Henry. As an official Maidiac, you really need to check out Puzzle and Anemone acoustic.
Kanami has the voice of an angel 🥰
During Anemone, Saiki almost cries.
Puzzle live version + Puzzle (acoustic) live in one session maybe?
@@Slippy6582 There's no avoiding it, it has to be done :)
@@GaryHolloway-810 In one session or two, Yes. HAS to be done :)
@@bartyslattfast
I think she does at the end.
Love your reaction channel Ryan. Check it daily. Of course I am a die hard Band Maid fan. This song is world class. EPIC. I am 66 years old and I have heard endless amounts of music, genres etc. Band Maid is the greatest rock/hard rock band in the world. Hands down. My whole music experience was changed that day when I saw Thrill. There has been no turning back.
For me, Saiki is one of the most unique female vocalists in Japan. Many of the vocalists of Japanese bands have cute and high voices, but not Saiki. She has dark and husky voice but powerfull, because she still can reach high range and falsetto with her voice. And of course, she is more way better in live concert
She is awesome
She has the most beautiful Alto tone which as you said is not typical of most Japanese vocalists.
It's amazing that she can access that power while sitting down too.
I totally agree...one of a kind....I could listen to Saiki all day long
The fact that Saiki and Miku can harmonize at times perfectly adds yet another another level of Saikis and Mikus talent.
Saiki sounds like a powerful angel in this; her voice just gets inside ones heart and the music supports it beautifully.
I cry when I hear this song, all of their ballads are great masterpiece .
You're not the only one
Daydream and Smile is tied for first.
What a fuckin' band!!!!! Never a bad song, this is beautiful as always!
Cheers!
Another example of the way they put everything into a song. Saiki means every word and it shows. The music speaks as well and one can feel the love they put into what they do.
Saiki says that she doesn't like Miku, but they seems to share the special bond at the same time. Saiki must have so much respect to Miku as a lyricist and tries to convey everything Miku puts into words. And the way they harmonize so perfectly and beautifully, like they can sync through music.
If you haven’t done the acoustic version of Puzzle, and/or Anemone yet, those are both a must. It’s just Kanami and Saiki together. You need to hear Kanami’s back up vocals, they are amazing!
Hearing Kanami sing together with Saiki is amazing. Absolutely love that performance.
the contrast between the two versions of this song really do show how great a composer Kanami is and how amazing Saiki is as a singer
@@nogarddragonkin Mincho did NOT compose this song "Kentaro Akutsu" did he also did Thrill Shake That and most of Maid in Japan but our little Pigeon DID do the lyrics (which she is eternally embarrassed about)
@@DavidMISAMISAMISACook I think nogarddragonkin was talking about "Puzzle" and not "Smile"
@@2abug ahhh that makes more sense ta 2
Chills, such a great song.
The Maids are masters at genre melding, transitions, riff production, structure, execution, and smiles! ;-)) Thx, Ryan!
For a song named Smile it always brings a little tear to my eye. Such is the power of Sai-chan. Sacramento loves Band-Maid!
You and me both Robert.
Thanks flappy-yui 😎for suggesting 'SMILE'🥰...
I see you smile too Ryan sir..
Attending their concert would be a life changing experience
The band just grooves along. And Miku's backing vocals and harmonies. As always, priceless !
Damn... That brought tears to my eyes. I hadn't heard this song yet (I'm PACING myself! My heart can only grow in awed appreciation so fast, damnit!) and OMFG that was beautiful! Is there anything these amazing people can't do?!!! I mean, if "Smile" isn't a country-rock tune, like 70's era Eagles or America, then I'm deaf (debatable). BAND-MAID just do it better than they did. (Expletive deleted)! Thanks Ryan (Squeeky) and Flappy Pigeon Loon!!!
Such a great song.. Can listen to it over and over... Love Akane's "can't help my self" moment at the end Lol.. Thanks for sharing Best wishes from France..
I absolutely LOVE this performance of this song!!! Band Maid just does it all! 🎶🎸🥁🎸🎶🔥🙂
Great reaction again. Yes, Saiki has an incredible range. I especially like it when she hits the lower registers.
Absolutely my favorite vocalist in the world 🌍.
Finally someone reacted to this. Really showcases Saiki's vocal improvements. Band sounds great as always too.
Saiki tends to be forgotten when people talk about Band-Maids genius. She has been honing her vocal skills with training and practice over the last few years and is as is everyone in the band essential to their sound.
@@philipcable7518 And to think she had surgery done for polyps, which could've ruined her voice, yet she not only got back to where she was, but got better. That doesn't happen often for singers after surgeries.
@@War624
So did Koba at the same time.
I missed this cos I was asleep & that makes me sad. But listening to BAND-MAID makes me happy, so all is good again :)
There's no sad in Band-Maid -- especially if you go to bed with your headphones on. {[-!-]}
@@TomClark-Futoura I have 2 pairs of in ears. (Sony) for cranking the volume up full blast. (JVC) late at night when I'm tired & I don't mind crushing them a bit. So I guess I have a crush on BAND-MAID.😏
@@GaryHolloway-810 We Maidiacs might want to invest in hearing aid stocks at some point. 😳 BTW - it looks like Splendor was as we expected.
@@TomClark-Futoura Yeah I heard Xagor & Patron had some real technical issues & it buffered quite a lot apparently :(
Awww since you were happy I'm sure it made you "Smile" 🙂
Musicians in every sense of the word. Love the acapella (well some light guitar) near the end.
I was going to mention what Russ- thanks Henry mentions below: which is to check out acoustic versions of Puzzle and Anemone. There fantastic - of course. Saiki has a wonderful mature voice that she uses well to convey a depth of emotion. Great reaction/review thanks.
The harmonies between Saiki and Miku is above phenomenal.
Man, that was absolutely freaking beautiful! Only thing that could make it better would be some Kanami vocals. The world might explode with all three of them singing though. Loved it!
Your reaction is my first time seeing this video by BAND-MAID, and I absolutely loved it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite acoustic song by them now!
This came as such a wonderful surprise on their latest DVD and I´m listening to it over and over again.
Saiki is just so incredibly brilliant in this!
Saiki is the best singer in hard rock today and in a very long time, and I stand by that. Another masterpiece with Saiki showing her inner feelings is Daydreaming, Miku does as well.
A miracle band, a perfect band that ony exist once in a while.. enjoy the moment
Thanks for reacting to this underrated song. I wasn't expecting you to enjoy this kind of music, so I'm pleasantly surprised. Thumbs👍👍👍
Great pick. Another undiscovered Bandmaid treasure. And thank you for sharing your love for Saiki.
Ryan…thank so much for reacting to this song. One of my favorites. Band Maid is so fucking awesome!!
This song really lends itself to an acoustic treatment. Like so many of their great studio releases, it's surpassed by their live performance. Not to mention the XMas Acoustic Okyu-ji - it was the opener. Saiki really knows how to convey emotion - my eyes mist up every time I hear this. It's a little more optimistic than some of their other lost romance tunes. I'm preaching to the converted, but damn-they are good.
You gonna love acoustic Puzzle and Anemone.
Man, I love 'em so much. They're so diverse with their songs and compositions, anything they touch just feels right. Hearing their heavy songs you could think that's all they do. Same with their more mellow or acoustic songs. But somehow they manage to have all these wildly different songs and make it work 100%.
Like someone else commented, the acoustic version of Puzzle and Anemone has only Saiki and Kanami with Kanami playing guitar and backup-vocals. Highly recommended. It surprised me how good Kanami's voice is, did you know she was originally a solo singer/songwriter in her early days on the internet before Miku found her?
There's an interview on RUclips with them from their early days, the 'Band Maid Gold Rush' interview. I usually don't like interviews that much, because often they're shallow and too formal. That interview focuses a lot on their personalities and how the members found each other and how the band was formed.
Plus Gold Rush does very fun interviews, no stuck up/formal bullshit and they have a very good reputation in Japan. They focus on discovering new bands and the only reason they invited Band-Maid is because someone of their staff, who was a musician back in the day, recommended them!
By the way, no idea if anyone told you yet, ALL of the songs of their newest album 'Unseen World' are on their official RUclips channel in their playlists. Just in case you or any watchers didn't know.
if i remember correctly this was the first song Miku Wrote from her heart about her feelings towards the fans..mostly she writes influenced by movies scenes or books. my favourite combining or Miku and Saiki's Vocals is still Freezer i can only hope that they will again one day play it live
I sometimes forget Miku writes the lyrics, thanks
@@RyanMear our little Flappy pigeon really is the glue in band maid in so many ways
@@RyanMear There's an interview where she says something like "I started writing because what Kanami brought up the first time was very disturbing, there was a dead dog in it". 😂
Thanks to that dead dog we get to experience the inner workings of that brilliant pigeon's head. If you ever get curious about it, there's a spreadsheet on the Band-Maid Reddit with a section all about translated song lyrics. It is really worth a look-see.
Thanks!
@@RyanMear yeah, Ryan - what Mr Lu said :D Back when they got together as a band, all of them had expectations of how it would be going. It was pretty much clear what they wanted to write and perform their own music. Miku was the one who had the contract with the label, so the management kept the last saying for a while. Most maidiacs nowadays have the opinion that the label didn't "allow" their stuff etc. I - honestly - think, it was the right decision at the time. They weren't "ready" yet. My point is based by a couple of earlier interviews, they liked the songwriters they worked with, they had a say in the process, they picked and "modified" the provided material themselves. And they continued to work with some of their earlier outside song-writers even later - after they wrote the majority themselves. "Smile" is such song - it's composed by the "Thrill" songwriter, but came years later... There are a couple more - "Tienowa" for example
They tried writing their own stuff from the beginning however. Let's simply say the label dismissed a lot of it because it wasn't good enough. Band-Maid did say that they learned A LOT from the outside writers in the beginning. Kanami wanted to be known as a song-writer first (!), and then as a guitarist. Three of them tried writing the lyrics. Saiki couldn't put her ideas/feelings into words. Kanamis lyrics were so weird what they simply agreed she shouldn't be writing them. They told that story a couple times, she wrote something about a cute puppy, how much she loves it... and then it died (+ illustration of a tombstone with a little corpse besides) - looking at it now, it sound SO much like Kanami XD. So Miku tried - and happened to be quite talented at it. In fact - she even wrote or co-wrote lyrics WAY BEFORE they started releasing own compositions ("Thrill", "Freedom" are examples you heard already)
That you might not know however... Mikus lyrics are very technical. It's not easy to sing at all. The is a good reddit post, going into details. The technicality just goes over our heads as we don't understand the language. Saiki is the one who suffers the most :D Saiki complains A LOT at first of how Miku constructs it, so Miku basically needs to explain and show it first (but she lets Saiki go first on her own, to see how she interprets it). There were a couple songs they mentioned ("Catharsis" fe) where Saiki complained so much and Miku herself failed at singing it, so she went and rewrote parts of it XD
But for both Miku and Kanami - if Saiki says "it sucks", then were is little open to discussion - they rework or start all over again. Saiki is also the deciding voice in the end, she calls it when one song is "finished", they just keep working on it, until Saiki says so...
It's really down to - Saiki doesn't play around, no cutesy wordings, she is a straight shooter, if it sucks - it sucks ;)
(however she mellowed down a bit over years, they say it's MISAs influence, as she is the nicest one, and her and Saiki hang out a lot)
Thanks for this, I don't think I have ever heard Smile. One thing that stands out to me is the enormous amount of trust that each of the members have in each other. This piece demonstrates that 100% - especially the break with just Saiki singing and Miku strumming through single chords and singing as well. Then - for the rest of the song - there is the synergy between Kanami and Miku. It is as if they have rehearsed this song in various combinations before even putting it together as a full band. And there are a lot of BAND-MAID songs that are probably assembled that way and could have multiple renditions and still sound fantastic. They are that good!
Great realization of the trust between bands members. It its very important.
Just guessing, but if I was as conscientious as Kanami and as busy as Miku, I would use Miku's guitar lessons and practice sessions as rehearsals and vice versa.
They grow stronger and stronger. Love their music in all forms. Great reaction.
Great reaction Ryan. Like you, I really didn't pay too much attention to Saiki when I started listening to BM a few years ago but her voice has really grown on me. Miku is an amazing backup singer. Her harmonies are on point. And shout out to Misa and Akane for their tasteful playing on this.
Band-Maid flexing their musical muscles!
This song set it in my mind, they are just right together, perfectly, absolutely right.
This is one of my favorite songs from them. Their B sides are singles from most other bands. So much emotion in all their mid tempo songs but Smile just goes to a special place.
Whenever they do acoustic songs, Saiki's voice really sings, pun intended. I've always liked her voiced, but this song and the acoustic version of Puzzle just hit me in the feelings so much. I love these ladies.
One of the greatest rock/hard rock bands in the world. Talent...talent.....talent.
No Band-Maid song or solo made me tear up a bit. This version of smile did it. When I got the DVD and saw this bonus I watched it like 5 consecutive times.
Saiki really killed this one. Wonderland live is another one she knocked out of the park.
Band Maid love their acoustics. There are a bunch of versions. Probably the best are Anemone and Puzzle in 2018 Zepp Tokio
5 pillars!!!! Take one out....there's nothing!!! BAND MAID!!!❤❤❤❤❤😍👍👍👍🙏
I can't believe that I JUST found out recently that there is a studio version of this song!!
If I'm being honest, I believe Saiki can be a torch singer someday. A singer who can evoke emotion to someone (me) who doesn't understand what their singing is special indeed. Peace.
Haha. Great comment but you accidently misspelled Gary with "Me". Lol
@@GaryHolloway-810 LMAO again.🤣
Smile was a "B" side track for the Bubble single. This performance was a bonus track on the Blu-ray of the Feb. 11 concert. So Smile is a song some Madiacs may have never heard. Hide-and-Seek is another B side (Glory) that is every bit as good or better than the title track with one of the coolest vocal melodies I've ever heard. Maybe Band-Maid thinks the B in "B side" stands for Better.
Choose me was also a "B" track to the Daydreaming single, so I think you might be on to something 🤔
The Maid's may legitimately be the best band in the world 🌍
This one always makes me tear up for some reason. Love it.
It’s about us.
Forgot about this tune....Thank you and Flappy Pigeon Loon
Wow! Live and acoustic?! Great production and recording quality.
I'm not the biggest Band Maid fan, but this is an exceptional performance.
The bass really blows up the full sound. Wishing my RUclips notifications worked worth a crap...
Great performance!
Thanks Ryan... gonna make a fan of me yet!
I hope so! This BAND is ....aMAIDzing.
@@RyanMear ...😜😂
@@RyanMear Love it - they can go light as a feather duster and then clean your clock!
Saiki is like an icing on a cake! I don’t know what Band-Maid would be if she was out of the equation! I’m sure Miku would find a way to make the music fun but not the same!
It's a testament to Miku who saw the bigger picture, put her ego to one side and stepped back and learned rhythm guitar.
@@philipcable7518 very true! But the fact remains that their manager at the time wanted Saiki at first to look good holding a guitar, she didn’t look good holding one! Miku stepped up to the plate and said she’d do it! Meanwhile, Kanami said to Miku that if she’s gonna hold a guitar she might as well learn how to play it!! Today, she’s badass
I love how they went from a produced thing to a venerable BEAST in music.
@@Muzicman-ut3jr 100%
@@RyanMear This was mostly due to them pushing for more control as their popularity grew. As with most artists no one sees how hard it is behind the scenes
So many great songs by Bandmaid!!
Some other great songs i would recommend if you would like.
Bandmaid- Blooming (a fav)
Bandmaid- Dice (another fav)
Bandmaid- You (live)
Bandmaid- take me higher (live)
Bandmaid- don’t you tell me (live) this one has an awesome guitar v bass duel!!
WOOOOO! This makes me SUPER excited for the Christmas acoustic show in just a few days. LOVE LOVE LOVE this song.
Well, cant wait to see your reaction when you reach this one out sir
"band-maid - wonderland official live video"
😁😁😁
the ice queen and twin tails' vocal harmony could compare close to staley-cantrell and jbj-sambora. it's so seamless.
This song makes me cry.
Just beautiful
im really looking forward to their short live set today at splendure probably only a 30min set but cant wait to see what they play :)
It was so good.
No comments needed! You guys said it all!🤘👍😉❤
"Smile" - a Band-Maid mid tempo rock masterpiece on the B-side (really, a double A-side) of the Bubble release. And as you said, Ryan, the song is beautiful in this acoustic version. I've always thought the inherent beauty of Band-Maid's music is on total display in their acoustic performances. Saiki's voice is angelic!
Damn. I'm rewatching this vid and Saiki's voice just gave me goosebumps again.
now you should also react to Band-Maid - Wonderland (live) 😬 Saiki also shines here too 🥰
Sugoi! I haven't seen or heard this before today, this Is subarashii! Thanks for posting it, I'm consistently taken a back with the versatility of this group of artist's, guess it no wonder they are my favorite band now eclipsing everyone else.
A hidden gem one of my favourite songs. This should be known to the world not hidden away on a B side. Another hidden gem is Unfair Game, no video but you might want to react to it from Spotify or just enjoy it to yourself I think Unfair Game is their most metal song to date. Thanks for your reaction.
JUST BEAUTIFUL.....WELCOME TO BAND-MAIDIACS....
Oh yes, I remember hearing this.. perfect 😁
I suggest the first song I heard from Band Maid. It is from the Tiny Hat era and is called "Take Me Higher." Of course, then I heard "Dice" and it sealed the deal. I have been feeding my addiction daily for a few years now. It is from the same show as "Moratorium," and you will probably have to get it on bili as well.
I maintain that Saiki's best recorded vocals are on "I can't live without you."
She sings with such a frantic sense of urgency
The live version from the Shibuya Feb 14th, 2020 Blu-ray is great.
Daydreaming
Miku and Saiki vocals is like the skies and fireworks, they compliment each other,
Since you like Choose me so much, see if you can source a live version of it. You said you have to lower an octave to imagine how hard Saiki in singing, in Choose me you're gonna have to imagine an octave higher to get what Kobato is doing. Her voice can go lower than a 7-foot dude's, it's unbelieavable, you gotta watch it to believe it!
Also, check out Wonderland from their official channel. That's Saiki crown jewel right there!
WhaaT?
@@RyanMear My reaction to a T! 🤣
@@RyanMear Miku has deceptive range. She has that chirpy anime affect when she speaks but she can go quite low and higher than Saiki. There is no video (yet) but check out her solo song Sayonakidori (number 7, on the Unseen World playlist on their page), Kanami made her work for it. She also gets a little guitar solo too.
Miku might use an octave drop on her mic but even so the harmonies that she and Saiki weave give me chills
Wonderland is great and Miku's harmonies are what sells it. She can sing higher than Saiki and can match her falsetto without actually using a falsetto.
surprised i'm not seeing this mentioned yet in the comments.. this track was actually composed by the guy who wrote Thrill(along with a lot of the band's earlier songs). so not only is it, lyrically, a song for the fans, there's that throwback aspect behind it as well. one thing i also hardly see mentioned.. while the band might not be credited for writing the early songs, they almost always worked on the arrangements. i've always wondered what the songs sounded like as originally presented vs the final result. same with Kanami's demos.
Great reaction. First time I've seen this vid. Chills. So beautiful. I've heard the studio version countless times, but this live acoustic performance is so moving. Talk about a performance exuding talent...
(You may not sing like Saiki, but you've got some impressive (male) pipes. I've been enjoying your orig stuff. :))
Reminds me of early Indigo Girls...2 guitars and 2 voices intertwined. They were a national treasure to the US. Band Maid is the same to Japan.
About Us by Band-Maid is a love letter to their fans, and it’s another great song by them played with a bit of acoustic taste added.
Misa takes it all away as usual, but her bass is something else in the song.
Smile was the original love letter to the fans according to Miku.
Saiki is perfect for this band
Drifted away from rock way back in 2011 and got hooked on Kpop ever since.
Accidentally discovered Band Maid last September, and has been listening to them non-stop ever since.
I mean, I still am a Kpop fan, but BM reignited my love for rock in a way I thought was never possible again.
you should really react next with Awkward or PAGE if you're going with their mid tempo songs route
Mirage, anemone and wonderland are awesome, too.
I listened to Page a lot when my dad died last year. Helped me get through a difficult time.
@@YabusameUK i also listen to all of their mid tempo songs while reminiscing good memories with my late sister
@@Frozenhalf.Zednalri , I lost my sister in 2019. It was unexpected and I was such a mess. I know your pain.
Thank you MISA for Awkward.
Compared with audio, this live one sounds really more powerful and emotional!!
Band-maid doing Band-Maid things. Meaning high level stuff
I checked your songs on Spotify, you do great job with acoustic as well.
Thank you so much for checking them out!
that was epic! very beautiful they are awesome at acoustic songs.Iwould love to see Kanami sing a song c-ya
Kanami doesn’t like to sing and definitely won’t sing lead.
Ryan!
Greetings from a country trying their best to contain an imported disease! Tough, indeed, but we shall overcome!
Coming back to a conversation started on another reaction of yours (but this one on" Smile" I have to come back to regularly!), I made a prediction that Band Maid will some time in the (past now) future that they will sing together. I was right, wasn't I (the old geezer is so proud of his fortune reading! LOL)
Well, I am about to make a new one: Kanami has already announced she will one day build her own recording studio, and moreover that she wished to help new bands along.
If you could find one group of persons that can break the shackles of a Japanese male-dominated music industry, do not go any further! I give them 10 more years of Band Maid existence with occasional solos and collaborations, and then they semi-retire and look after/teach young bands/artists. Knowing the Japanese they will be overwhelmed with requests as by then they will have become the universally admired "sempai/elders" who will look after the younger generations (as all Japanese normally do). Not only will they look after them but they will make sure they learn their craft. I am a man, and a very straight one at that, but I will love to see the faces of those men who thought they knew/owed everything fall prey to a joyful band of meek women!
Amen!
Best regards,
Robert-Gilles
Let's hope this prediction comes true as well!
Beautiful ❤️
Thanks for doing this Ryan, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm a he, by the way LOL
I thought about that at one point ..... all future references will be correctly addressed. My baaaad! Thanks DUDE
Oh my kanami!
Can one musician make such a masterpiece?
I totally agree, that was amazing
Google Translate of Japanese lyrics. The lyrics are Miku. The song is Kentaro Akutsu, who wrote the songs from the early days of Band-Maid.
Song: BAND-MAID
Lyrics: Miku Kobato
Composer: Kentaro Akutsu
The beginning is a small dream story
A swaying cry
I could see it in the distance
Encounter and farewell
Repeatedly
Embrace the feelings
Keep the beat
I'll take you over and over again shine
Shapeless momentary trajectory
Where will you sing with you next?
Your smile makes me happy
I'm right here. It's a special view
I'm right here. It's a special view
Beyond the sky, far away
Can't stop moving
Can't stop moving
We're still in a dream
The future I drew
Look into it little by little
Hesitation and decision
On the fading page
The words that arrive are strongly colored
supporting me
Meaning to always be here shine
A lot of love I want to convey
See you again with us
Your smile makes me happy
I'm right here. It's a special view
I'm right here. It's a special view
Beyond the sea, far away
Nothing we
I can be anything
I want to tell you now
What
Message that cannot be said well
Stay the same for the future
I'll take you over and over again shine
Shapeless momentary trajectory
Where will you sing with you next?
Your smile makes me happy
Meaning to always be here shine
A lot of love I want to convey
See you again with us
Your smile makes me happy
I'm right here. It's a special view
I'm right here. It's a special view
Beyond everything, go far
Can't stop moving
Can't stop moving
Why would you use Google Translate when there is a somewhat decent translation available online.
she sings amazing on wonderland also
Daydreaming
Awesome love this wonderful reaction Elkhart holy cow I'm in Mishawaka 15 minutes east so cool they have several acoustic songs have fun be well
Oh wow! I'm actually in Plymouth. I lived in South Bend for awhile, worked in Elkhart at DSE music
@@RyanMear that's cool blueberry stomp band maid is absolutely the best band out there been a fan for awhile now 2015 ) this so cool oh my favorite song by band maid ( all of them) but before yesterday it a live version I wish you could react to puzzle live acoustic but it's not available plenty of othe songs and bands flip kinda rock grunge the love toxicity album one of the best I've listened to I'm 60 and all I listen to is all female bands from Japan around 20 or so groups be well
I have access to Puzzle live acoustic....
I am simply amazed how people get straight and honest and expose themselves in that way when they talk about BandMaid. They are just a band and bunch of hard working musicians, but they are making this world a better place to live in. Could Rolling Stones do this. I highly doubt that.
soft or hard these girls just rawk! ♥
Shades of their way early days Engadget show, right down to Akane's ba duh bump at the end.
They’re so young at that performance.
pls try daydreaming, endless story, anemony, and wonderland ryan its a amazing songs, and by the way flappy pigeon is a signature guitar of miku kobato made by zemaitis
Being a madiac, I discovered this song just recently, and totally amazed by Saiki voice.