I personally listen to Westerrn music; I'm more of a lyrics man, and analyzing lyrics in a foreign language takes away from the meaning...


Plus I think a lot of J-pop/rock is cheesy.


But I don't blame anyone for liking it, but to listen to it exclusively is just as narrow minded as bashing it in the first place.

What kind of J-rock do you listen to that is cheesy? There is plenty out there that is meaningful and not over the top.

i think you're from an english speaking country

you dont need to unterstand the text to like a song for exapmle im from germany over the half of the music is in english when bevore i learned english i couldn't understand the tex but you can, of cause like a song or not the essentially on Musik is the music not the lyrics

I listen to Japanese music because I enjoy it, and it also, to some extent, helps me become more familiar with the language. I have learned several things from simply listening. That's several things more that I probably wouldn't have learned (as soon) otherwise.

I openly share that I listen to foreign music. If it's something I enjoy and it's not causing anyone any harm, I wouldn't let other people's opinions affect me too much.

If they ask me why I listen to foreign music, I simply tell them I'm learning the language. If they can't sense the correlation, there's no point discussing it any further with them; they're stupid.
... However, if you tell them you are learning the language, most of them will understand. At least, that's what I've experienced -- given they ask at all.
I'm not sure how it is for other people, but I believe immersion is just as important as structural learning, so it's perfectly logical to listen to music.


Also...
Generally, with music, I value the rhythm and sound more than the lyrics. Unless they are saying something significantly suggestive or offensive, I'm not too critical of what they're saying. Half the time, I can't even understand what they're saying in English songs -- much less in Japanese (French, Spanish, or Korean).

You don't know how to respond... Because it's a dumb question.


Maybe that sounds too simplistic, but it's true.
Realize this: They say music is a universal language. You don't need to know what they're saying in order to dance to it or enjoy it; words are not the only things involved in creating music.

I listen to Japanese music just because I happen to think it (are we allowed to swear on here?)-ing rocks.

I used to listen to Dir en grey and Miyavi alot and my stepdad, who's English asked my mom, who's French, if I was listening to French music(he actually thought it was French). She said 'No.'

I usually tell people I don't give a flying f-bomb what they're saying and once I make them listen to it, they actually like it.

My guitar teacher liked it as well, so long as it wasn't X-Japan(he hated it whenever I asked him to teach me an X-Japan song). On a side note, my guitar teacher's on PureVolume.com. He got a comment from Dir en grey and they told him they thought his music was good. I was learning The Final at the time. Anyway, I thought that was pretty cool.

As far as not knowing what the song means or what they'Re saying, I just usually make misheard lyrics for them.

I don't get picked on but I do listen and I do think all music is universal I listen to Korean and Chinese music aswell, with aspirations to learn the languages but I am unashamed that I listen to the music. Why should I be, Im not forcing the next person to listen to it so they shouldnt complain

im listening to japanese music because its relaxing... the lyrics is more meaningful,,, plus the some of the instruments that they're using is their traditional instruments... (do i have a point there?) but yah... i love their music... ^___^

Agrees^^

No one should have to have a reason they listen to a song though or a language for that matter :) but yeah I do think they have more meaningful lyrics than most American pop

yup... its just my opinion but most of the american songs were like about sex, cars, ambitions,etc... i mean... listen to there songs... even if the songs are not that meaningful, they hit no.1 because of the singer it self... popularity that is...

I can totally agree, theirs not much depth in American pop anymore, not saying I dont listen because occasionally I do, but yeah they dont talk much about what I care about anymore, some is really catchy but most I reject immediately. and yeah most stars only shine due to their popularity or rather looks not because they have true talent, not trashing the talented ones because theirs many, but the ones whom stand out more are much easier to find than the ones that don't stand out.

Pretty much. They hit number 1 because they appeal to the most people. That's why you get all these catchy, one-hit wonder songs and "musicians" that appear here. It's not complex, you don't need to be a music expert to understand or appreciate them, you can groove to it, it's simple, catchy, but you won't remember it 3 years from now.

yeah.. coz after their one hit... they're gone..

Narrow mindedness...
 

I love J-rock, and I don't really care who knows, but I do get quite a bit of stick for it.

It's because so many people these days are musically narrow minded. A lot of my friends are put off of Japanese music I show them purely because it's in a foreign language!

It's quite irritating to be honest.

Sometimes it's nice listening to Japanese music, even when you can't fully understand it, because it gives you an opportunity to appreciate the music, rather than the lyrics. Though, Japanese lyrics sound pretty awesome, and listening to them is a great way of becoming accustomed to the way Japanese people speak, and learning more about the language.

My current favourite Japanese bands are Girugämesh and Mucc ^^

absolutely.... whenever my friends hear my jpop stuff the will ask if i do understand japanese.... they'll say, why listen if u dont understant? ill just simply say... y bother? haha

you like jrock? check out my gallery... ^_^ http://www.japanforum.com/gallery/sh...0&ppuser=50539

yah me too... i dont even know new jpop/jrock artist now a days,,,

It's not just music, either. Anything in a foreign language, most of my friends who aren't into Japan won't really dig no matter how good it is.

The newest band I know is Maximum the Hormone. I've been trying to find new, not just J-Rock but American rock as well, but I can't really find much and the stuff that I do find is pretty lame.

nope hate
 

it is fun to learn japanese by listening to their musics..

It can also have subliminal effects. Which, in my opinion, is a very valuable aspect of picking up new skills.

ow i see... but im not that into jrock... im really addicted to jpop...

sure... we can be friends... ^__^

I agree :) Listening definitely helps rin my ears to pick up the pronounciations better.

And besides, i just love the genres and different sounds jap. music has from my own country's style >.< <3

That's another thing.
It's seems to me that Jrock, in particular, is its own type of rock. It's unlike most rock in the West that I know of, and I have yet to hear a Western rock band sound like the Japanese do.

I could be wrong.

yah.. jrock has its own taste... same here... havent heard western band that sounds like jrock... i think people likes it because its a new thing.. um.. hehe

Jap. music?

What are ya, a WWII veteran?

I listen to Japanese music.. but it's not the only country whose music I listen too...

I'm loving that Jai Ho song at the moment...

YouTube - Slumdog Millionaire - During The Credits

Such an awesome song from an awesome movie!

I agree that the term shouldn't be used for one simple reason. It's part of the forum rules. But to add the WWII veteran thing is just asking for trouble and far more offensive in my eyes than someone using JAP for an abreviation of Japanese. Heck, even Kenzo Takada uses the term Jap, and a lot of countries don't even consider it to be a offensive term!

As for the topic... I like a lot of music from a lot of countries. I'm not a huge fan of Japanese music, but there are some artists I like. The first Japanese music I ever heard was from The Kinky Kids... To this day, I enjoy listening to their music when in a certain mood.

Worse than the use of the term Jap is over-reaction to it's use... I have to agree with noodle here.

i love jpop... here's my playlist..

I listen to J-Rock/Pop because I love the japanese language. I like not knowing what the words are...Even if all my friends think I'm weird.

other party: why do you listen to japanese music?
Me:because i like it.
other party:but this is america
Me:your point being????
other party:*stares* your just wierd.
Me:*bows graciously* why thank you

I have to say. I agree with you, i have faced ridicule in places where i didnt think i would, like my house. My little brother makes fun of me, calling me hurtful names like "slanty eyes" and "jap"... it hurts me cause i never make fun of him for what he likes. He always says "you can't even understand it! how can you like something you cant understand?!" well, ii have to say some of the best songs are not in english. Dir En Grey's "Kasumi" is my favorite, but look at Rammstein's "Du Hast" (german), a wonderful song. I just have to say that there is/should be no language barrier when it comes to good music. Also, i like anime thats in the original voice actors. You still get the feeling of the show, even if you dont have subtitles. People still dont understand why i have been captivated by the Japanese music scene, even if i cant understand it. I look online all the time and watch the videos, the guys/girls are either always hot or cute. Even if i cant understand it, its good watching. The concerts i have expierenced (Dir En Grey, MUCC, Oreskaband, and The Underneath) the fans either dont know them and totally disrespect them or they love the show and go crazy. (i am the latter of the two) I hate at school when people make fun of me for wearing a kimono or a visual-kei/lolita dress. I wear visual kei/cyber goth (tokyo's underground dance scene) in school all the time and i get made fun of for it. It doesnt bother me, cause when i graduate this year, people will remember me for it. And to my friends, i am an inspiration to be themselves, since i am so unique. The ways i dress... all my friends say "you are the ONLY one who could ever pull that off in this or any school" i am very unique, i love japan, and really, i dont care if i get made fun of or not for it. its me and my life, stop trying to feed me the lies of "conformity" in this country that is supposed to be a "melting-pot"... oh yeah, and the bands over there show such originality, i love when i listen to a new Girugamesh or D'sepairsRay track and be like "this is nice" and then listen to something by say, An Cafe thats all poppy and pretty, and love it also. Its way better than the music here in the states, and i love every second of it. (ps: i am a 5' !0" girl, i would like to see the reactions on the Japanese peoples faces, too!!) XD

i openly tell people that i listen to japanese music :D people always ask why do you even listen to something that you dont understand? I'm love music i dnt care the language and i do understand it. Some people find it weird but listen and yet there are people that I've gotten them into japanese music and listen to it now =) mission accomplished XD

I don't listen to Japanese music and never did. I can give it a try though.

I prefer Rock and Heavy metal, but pop and rap (Japanese rap sounds like GOLD to me) are pretty OK as well :) Where should I start?