By now, if you’re a fan of Utada Hikaru then you’ve definitely heard about her upcoming US & UK promo tour. I have no idea why she’s doing it, probably trying to raise publicity of her second album, This Is The One and rumoured second single, Dirty Desire. I am beyond amazed because she’s going to be perform one date in the UK and I’ve got tickets! I’m soooooooooooo happy I could cry. My wonderful boyfriend managed to get us tickets because sadly I was out of the country. All the tickets sold out in a few hours – I think people all over Europe are going (which I think is slightly unfair, but nevermind). I’m so amazed that she’s coming here! This has been one of my life’s dreams for so so long. I’ve been a fan of Utada for almost 10 years now – that’s half my life. I love her so so so much. She’s my favourite artist of all time, she sings my favourite song of all time and just argh! I just can’t quite believe it. Boyfriend laughed when he said I might cry when I see her, but I don’t care!
Leona Lewis – My Hands (Final Fantasy XIII Official Theme Song) / Final Fantasy XIII US & UK Release Date – March 9th 2010
16 NovChances are, if you’ve come to lookat this post then you’ve no doubt already heard the news about Leona Lewis being the officially selected singer for the up coming Final Fantasy XIII theme song. Before I mention the song, the singer, the company and all that stuff. What? What?! Whaaa? I’m so… confused. Why? Why Squenix? Why would you do this? I know you are trying to appeal to the Western audience like Fergie tries to sing and look vaguely human, but what? Really? Leona Lewis? Right…
Leona Lewis is, bless her, a great singer. She can sing songs that are out of the range of most other pop singers at the moment and she might have one of the greatest songs of her generation, but what? Why? I just don’t understand it. Why pick someone who has probably never heard of Final Fantasy or even played a videogame? Could be totally wrong and she might love Aeris and co more than me, but I highly doubt this. Likewise, her performances are just weird… She sings amazing, but it never looks like she really connects to the song.
Now, for the song. The song is actually a bit of a grower, which is a plus. But the lyrics are just a bit weird… I mean… they just don’t seem to fit the lofty, convoluted narratives of Final Fantasy songs. We need more tragic, forelorn lyrics. Granted, the lyrics actually do get a bit grandiose during the chorus, but the beginning is very… ‘real’ and not very ‘fantasy’; if that makes sense?
Anyways, I think Squenix are making some very strange choices trying to appeal to the Western market. They’ve openly said they have every intention of expanding business in the US and Pal terrortories, I just don’t think they’re going about it the best way. Everything is very… electro-pop, pseudo do androis dream of electric sheep? The summons look like Transformers. The English voice acting is horrific. And when they have promo videos like this little gem, then you just scratch your head and think what?
Here’s a video of Leona’s My Hands. It’s not as bad as I first reacted to, but it is still very wtf.
Here’s the lyrics too, it’s just such an odd choice…
I wake in the morning
Tired of sleeping
Get in the shower
And my make my bed alone
I put on my make up
Talk into the mirror
Ready for a new day without you
And I walk steady on my feet
I talk my voice obeys me
I go out at night
Sleep without the lights
And I do all of the things I have to
Keeping you on my mind
But when I think I’ll be alright
I am always wrong cause
My hands, don’t wanna start again
My hands, no they don’t wanna understand
My hands, they just shake it try to break whatever piece I may find
My hands, they only agree to hold
Your hands, and they don’t wanna be without
Your hands, and they will not let me go
No they will not let me go
I talk about you now
And I do without crying
I go out with my friends now
I stay home all alone
And I don’t see you everywhere
And I can say your name easily
I laugh bit louder without you
And I see diferent shades now
And I, I’m almost never afraid now
But when I think I’ll be ok
I am always wrong cause
My hands, don’t wanna start again
My hands, no they don’t wanna understand
My hands, they just shake it try to break whatever piece I may find
My hands, they only agree to hold
Your hands, no they don’t wanna be without
Your hands, and they will not let me go
No they will not let me go
Sometimes I wait
I see them reaching out for you
Quietly break
whatever shields I spent so long building up
I cannot fake
Cause when they cry I’m almost broken
They miss holding my baby
My hands, My hands
No they don’t wanna understand
They just shake it try to break whatever piece I may find
My hands, the only agree to hold
Your hands, and they don’t wanna be without
Your hands
And they will not let me go
No they will not let me go
No they will not let me go
Park Bom – You & I @ Inkigayo
16 NovPark Bom continues her promotion of her solo debut single, You & I, with a lovely performance on Inkigayo. She seems to have relaxed a lot more now and looks less terrified. Poor Park Bunny, am proud of her though ^_^
Ivy – You Are The Ace
12 NovIvy recently made a comeback with her lead single Touch Me (cue much controversy) and new album, I Be… One of the songs on there is the rather splendid pop song, You Are The Ace. It borrows heavily from early 2000s Timbaland’s production style with Middle Eastern influences and instruments. Ivy gives a very polished vocal. The song is very euro-pop, but I think most Asian pop music is like that.
Leona Lewis – Outta My Head
12 NovLeona Lewis has a new album out, Echo (like you didn’t know already!). It’s a bit different from her debut, less r and b poppy songs, a slightly more grown up sound but overall? It’s Leona Lewis. I think Leona Lewis delivers her songs, however diverse they are, in one style and delivery and can’t alter that. That’s not to say she isn’t talented because I truly believe she has one of the best voices of her generation. One of the songs that has surprised me the most though is Outta My Head. It’s a pretty huge, thumping electro-pop song. Check it out below. Whatdyathink? People are saying she gives Minnie Ripperton (rip) a run for her money. I’m sorry, but that’s rubbish. Minnie was amazing, totally underrated and could deliver a song with the slightest of vocals. I don’t think Leona can do that, but what she does, she does it well.
f(x) – CHU~ @ Inkigayo
9 Novf(x) are back with a new song and a new liv performance. I don’t like this song as much as their debut, they seem less grown up on this song and much more younger. Granted, that’s fine if they want to be a young band, but it doesn’t personally appeal to me. I’m off to watch a film though, I don’t know which one ^_^
Brown Eyed Girls – Sign @ Inkigayo
9 NovBrown Eyed Girls continue their promotion of new single, Sign, with a performance on Inkigayo! I really love the Inkigayo set designs, and their whole performance is just really sophisticated and smart, something that I think is often missing with other K-pop artists.
Park Bom – You & I @ Inkigayo
9 NovPark Bom gave a really nice performance of her first solo single, You & I on Inkigayo. I quite like it, I dunno why but she seems a little uncomfortable. Obviously it’s a big live stage and she’s only by herself but mmm. Also, I think some bits she mimes? Or at least she doesn’t sing live for the whole entire song. But still, I like this song. It sounds like a really nice Winter song.
Brown Eyed Girls – Sign Live
6 NovAnother flawless performance from the Brown Eyed Girls! I’m really likeing this new song and concept; they seem so sophisticated.
Brown Eyed Girls – Sign @ M Countdown
5 NovBrown Eyed Girls are back and storming the live performances! Really liked their performance of the new song, Sign. The choreography was really good! Although I don’t like the song that much, they looked really professional.
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