Morning Musume

Since Morning Musume first released a single in 1998, they have officially released their 40th single! To commemorate this event, Producer Tsunku, created a song entitled “Nanchatte Renai”, which translates to mean, “I’m Just Kidding When I Call This Love”. But many people are disputing about this song choice for the celebratory event. The lyrics tend to come out as depressing or “emo” and more so by the title name. However, many people are mistranslating the title just like I did above ^^. When you listen to the song, they say “Nanchatte” which means something similar to “Just Kidding” or “Just Saying”. Since he attaches this to the end of a sentence, his depressing comments are masked with “Just kidding”. So you never know if he is being serious or not…

Here’s the translation and I’ll point out the JK’s and ADD moments:

It became so boring, that a single yawn came out.
Will you stop playing with me, or I’m going to act cold.

For a while I’ve been living life acting happy
But after some time, it looks like I’m trying to becoming sexier.

Oh why Oh why does this happen to me, every evening I feel like crying. Aa~

(Rapping) Oh baby, all your dreams are so serious.
So I want you to tell me what it takes to grow up.

But somehow our conversation is tedious and meanwhile we need to buy a new TV.

Just Kidding
Just because I fall in love, it only makes me feel lonely.
And even with that, I still want the warm-feeling.
Just Kidding
Acting like a good person makes me feel depressed.
Still I halfheartedly…fake a smile.

I watched people come and go while I chewed on my hamburger
And I wondered if there were any girls who were truly smiling.

My favorite song repeated itself from my headphones I was listening to.
And I wondered.. if the lyrics were about me.

Aa, why is it that I can’t be honest and lean on you? I want to call my mom Aa~

(Rapping) Oh baby, what am I going to do in the morning? What do I look for? Ah Yea.

There’s not enough love

It’s a waste if it’s a meaningless love.

I want to love.

Just kidding
Repeating love is in a girls heart. If you’re a girl, you would understand it.
Just kidding
I’m saying a lot of things but for real I just want to shine. I wonder if I can ever be the real thing.

Repeat.Repeat.Repeat

I posted this translation here

Their MV even casts a dark spell, as they are dressed in black with small top hats on their heads covered with lace. If this doesn’t scream emo I don’t what does. Just kidding.

They tried to incorporate a ballad-type scene, as piano plays in the background, and their dances throw in random ballet moves. Oh, they also put a small rapping section in this song too! Talk about diversity.

But here is something from Morning Musume in the 90′s. This is their first single entitled “Morning Coffee” which sold roughly 200,000 copies.

As you can see by comparing these two videos, they have made a few slight changes. Hopefully you agree that after 40 singles, they are making improvements. There are no longer 15 second images of their faces staring aimlessly into space, or walking blindly around the city just to stop at a street corner. Just kidding.

Maybe by saying Just Kidding at the end of phrases eases up everything you just said before that, and takes the stress and tension off. Try it out on your next encounter!!

Cashier: “Would you like cash or credit?”
Me: “Credit. Just Kidding.”
looooonggg awkward silence……

JUST KIDDING

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