Japanese culture believes that the dragon represents wisdom! The video is a metaphor on how we incorporate wisdom and it’s aftermath! Though we mean we’ll, we seize to see the outcome! As we continue to sabatoge our world and what’s in our heart, the dragon continues to fly!
The story is: a friend of Tony Visconti told him about Band-Maid and suggested a collaboration. So they get in touch with Band-Maid and at first they thought it was a scam! But no: Tony really proposed them to collaborate on a song. So Saiki and Miku flew to NYC to record their vocals in Visconti's studio (where David Bowie recorded his last album), on a song already recorded by Kanami/Misa/Akane. They spent one day to learn the english lyrics (written by Visconti's friend), then arranged the song (Visconti asked if Kanami would be worried about it, they said she wouldn't) and then recorded the vocals. Visconti said he was amazed by their professionalism, and that he never worked with singers able to sing perfectly for eight hours! Saiki and Miku said he made 'em very confortable, like a family member, a grandpa. Two months later, Band-Maid performed in NYC and Visconti attented to both concerts, praising them a lot (it was the first time he saw them live). If you're not familiarwith Tony Visconti, he worked with Bowie (as producer but also bassplayer early in his career - think "The Man Who Sold The World), he made T-Rex, he produced albums from Thin Lizzy, The Stranglers, The Sparks and so many more. Now I'm gonna watch you're reaction (btw, one more thing: it seems the song has been "damaged" at the mastering process - it had probably already been mastered by Visconti in NYC, and may have been remastered in Tokyo, resulting in too heavy compression). Edit: ok, I watched your reaction and of course I totally agree - how could someone have a problem with that great song? I think that it happened during the Trump years, and most climate change nay-sayers were angry about the MV images and supposed "political" content rather than the song itself. No comment.
aaaah !---so we finally get to the gist of this.---The same old pretense that it was Trump ,rather than the "Liberal" idiots, that destroyed the environment ! The anti-Trump idiots have reduced much of California's forests to ashes.
Always appreciate your reactions, Ryan. RU-vid is full of reactors who only seem to care about how heavy a song is and how fast someone can play guitar, and it's exceedingly rare to find someone who appreciates (or even notices, frankly) the detail, care, and creativity with which Band-Maid composes their songs.
I can't believe a year after this, I watched BAND-MAID perform an instrumental version of this for Visconti, at soundcheck at Irving Plaza! I was standing about ten feet away from him!
i think this is one of their best songs personally, it has that classic rock vibe and lyrically is beautiful, if not a bit simplistic, but it speaks on social and environmental issues which i think is very admirable and bold of them.
I love this song. The thing about it is that it sounds different than their other songs, yet is fantastic. Just like their other controversial song “Start Over”. Both songs show that anything they touch turns to gold. Any genre, any style.
Miku says she learned a lot from Visconti. For example, the effect of not being complicated and being simple. I feel that the results are also being utilized in manners. I think their learning is wonderful. I think it's good that BAND MAID is involved in social themes. I just want them to do what they want. Dragon cry is another aspect of their diversity.
@@RyanMear we each hear differently and as my ears are not a musicians at a basic level her solo sounds a litlle like Jimmy. With a broader taste and more experienced ears its natural that you hear other things. BTW this songs message has never bothered me imho it's basically "we could do a better job of not hurting the earth and each other" why BM can't express an opinion is baffling.
hmmmm....."Social Themes"..........! HA !---you are trying so hard to not say bloody POLITICS !-- --Please stay out of that slime trap ,BandMaid ! Hollywood and new York do NOT represent,, and never have, represented America ! And a large part of the reason that BandMaid has been such a breath of fresh air--musically AND socially---is that it has never dipped its feet into the poisonous brew of American "Liberal" social-politics! ------Don't go there BandMaid-----it is a swamp of toxic sludge.
I believe the Dragon is either the earth or spirit related to the earth, weeping at the damage done to it. I expect that some dislike the video or lyrical content, which is a little darker or constrained to style of topic not usually addressed by Miku's lyrics. Some have mentioned the compression on the recording. None of those factors affect the great live performance of this track - as awesome as the call you make on it.
I believe a refinement is that the dragon is a cultural symbol of wisdom - in this case in connection to civilisations' behaviour. So currently it suffers, unless it can be let fly.
I agree with you in this analysis of the song.. I also take the understanding that the dragon is the soul of the earth and it is crying because of the way us humans have forgotten to treat it, and fucks it up instead.. I think it's a heavy and important message in the song. And love it. 🤘
Got to do their other big controversial song now, "Start Over". I remember people freaking the fuck out when that one dropped, Band-Maid's response... "Rinne".
I believe you're thinking of Endless Story, which was the first video released from Conqueror & then Rinne followed. Start Over was only a single, released in 2018 with Sceaming.
I think a lot of people disliked the video, disliked that they worked with an American producer, disliked that Tony was seen as too old school and then looked for reasons to try and justify not liking the song. A bit of a self-fulfilling circle of hate for the song. The people I know that have listened to the song without the backstory have loved it.
I'm not a fan of the video but I like the song (not the first song to be in English either). I understand the message that is being relayed but it is a distraction from the song.
Count me among the "love it" crowd. It's such a great groove and I feel like they applied what they learned from the experience and produced Manners, which is even better.
I'm pretty sure people dislike this song because of the vocal production. Everything else in the song sounds Band-Maidish to me. I still love it and am glad I have this and Don't Let Me Down to sing all the way through.
I'm with you Ryan. I can't understand why people say it isn't indicative of Band-Maid. The only thing I can think of is maybe some people had an issue with the social commentary of the song. But the lyrics aside I love the dirty and crunchy rock sound of it. And all the vocal lines are on point.
From what I've seen people don't like it because it's in English and people think the video is a bit preachy... Dumb reasons. It's awesome, and you can see how they got from here to Manners which is a fucking incredible song.
Dear Ryan Mate! There is a Dragon sleeping inside Mount Fuji... Actually the Dragon is an allegory for the protector of the world in Japan and it makes sense that it cries when we mere humans found new ways to destroy it! Incidentally I call my wife Dragon.... Best regards and al that! Robert-Gilles
This song is Great! loved this song from the time it came out. It may not be on the top of my list of Band-Maid tracks but the competition of Band-Maid against its own catalog is tough. Not sure why it gets any negativity, could it be that those consider any Band-Maid tracks that's not pushing the tempo at 180 to 220 BPM as being subpar? Or has Band-Maid raised the bar so high that unless the track possesses Madd musical calisthenics it is anything but good? Or in an odd development could they have grown to prefer their Band-Maid tracks to be in Japanese since this and "Don't Let Me Down" as the two Band-Maid tracks that are entirely in English. Maybe some fans have been spoiled by their next level greatness and have developed a ridiculous expectation to be blown away by something unexpected. I myself love the familiar woven within the unexpected. Lastly how many bands would have killed to write such as solid track as "Dragon Cries".
Dear Ryan Mate! Greetings again from Shizuoka, Japan! There are always cold pissers as we call them back in France. Some fans think they own artists. It reminds me of Bob Dylan having a hard time with "fans" who jeered him for performing only new songs on stage. No worries, let us enjoy ourselves! Talk of Japanese artists' stamina, it is instilled into them at high school. Put on top that the Japanese are just crazy about practicing! It is unrelated, but to catch the essence of Japanese grit and passion have a look, listen to the Kyoto Tachibana High School Marching Band during practice and performance! Why do I have to repeat to so many people I was lucky to come to Japan 44 years ago and still live there? LOL Dear Ryan Mate, always looking forward to the next reaction of yours!
I think the problem a few fans had with the song is it's in English and had an American producer. It's kinda the stupid "they sold out" argument but it was these people were saying the sold out their Japanese image to be more western. Truth be told I think it is a very small but vocal minority. So next you should check out "Start Over", another song that raised some controversy. I'll admit I'm not a big fan of it but I'd like to hear your take on it.
That´s wrong in my case... It´s by far my least favorite song, that doesn´t mean its bad, but i have days that i skip this song and thats the only song from Band-Maid i am skipping sometimes. WHY!? Because at least for me, it does not sound like Band-Maid and i love hearing SAIKI singing in japanese, something is getting lost there... With "Don´t let me down" it´s almost the same, BUT that´s more like a fun song and so i dont care that much... Can´t really describe it in detail, but i just don´t like it and that´s not they "sold out", it´s just my taste. I also more into the fast paced songs from Band-Maid: Manners is also a GREAT song, but i wouldn´t say it´s one of my favorites... I am more like the Blooming, Rinne, Black Hole, Warning kinda guy :)
People hate on "Start Over" because it's a pop song really. The song itself is very well written and has great pop sensibility. Not every "rock" band can write outside of their box and do it so well. I like it personally. 🎶🎸🥁🎸🎶🔥🙂
The way I see it and have no problems with it is they make songs that is going to sell and make money these girls have bills just the rest of us do maybe more so if they do a song with someone with the idea that it'll sell in japan and here in the states more power to them.
I like start over. It's a lot lighter, but it has the pop, funk, jazz kind of feel with Kanami's piano intro to boot, which is short and sweet and tasty as usual. It still sounds very band-maid. Dragoon Cries isn't in my top 20, but sounds awesome live. There's still the second verse thing going and the breakdown part is some of the best. Manners is only other classic blues rock song they released and probably in the type of song English fits well, and manners has lot of English in it, too. I think fans just prefer manners more because bandmaid feel is more obvious. Definitely working with Toni Visconti taught them something valuable.
It usually happens with the type of fans who own the artist. They do not fully understand that to maintain growth and originality you have to try different things. Their album Conqueror is the most experimental to date, which is why it is the most divisive. For my part, I hope that the ladies continue to be much more courageous and daring than some of their fans. You don't get far by staying in the same place. And making mistakes is part of that learning, although for me they have not done it yet (my least favorite song is passionately defended by others, it usually happens with this band). BTW: The song is excellent, the songwriting is class, the video is necessary, the lyrics are not so bad and when you listen to their songs randomly within their production it never goes out of tune, anyone sounds previous or after. Peace!
The song is written and composed by Kanami, only the lyrics and procution are not done by Band-Maid. But still In term of songwritting and composition the song is still as Band-Maid as it gets.
I'm glad you liked it cause I do too. I also don't know why some people hate on it. That drum and bass section before the solo is one of the tastier things that has ever reached my ears and, overall, MISA's playing throughout the song is magnificent. I think this song is part of why some people don't feel so strongly about their album Conqueror, but it is my go to Band-Maid album more often than not. I find it so tasteful, I can't resist it ❣️ Great video again, Ryan. I've said it before, it's great to come and listen to Band-Maid with you. Rock on, Po! 😎🤘🕊️🖤
@md 42jkl hey, that's fine. I think having strong opinions is also a way of showing how much one likes and cares about something and that something can just as well be a band 😎 specially one that offers such quality and variety as Band-Maid. I did read your comments but was busy and couldn't reply. I think you made some interesting points. Would you say the live version is a bit more palatable to you? Just curious 🙂
I really like this song. I get a strong R & B vibe from it. Especially from Saiki's vocal delivery. Is there no music style these lovely ladies can't perform masterfully?
I feel like after working on this with Tony, they took what they learned and wrote "Flying High." TDC is good...but "Flying high" just feels a bit more MAID MAID to me.
Yep, Flying High is a much much much better song done in a similar style and I believe that is due in large part to Band-Maid being in control of the production instead of some dude who wasn't really that familiar with their sound.
@@cembor And the end of the song has the same bass lines as "Bubble". I second "Flying High". No one reacted to it because there isn't a MV but for me, at least, this is their best "hard-rock/blues song
Flying High is one of my top 5 BM tracks probably. The vocal interplay on that song between Miku and Saiki is outstanding. I'm not sure I see a TDC connection to it so much, but I kinda feel like Beauty and the Beast influenced a trajectory towards Flying High and then Why Why Why. I need to think about what other songs on World Domination or Just Bring it are part of that lineage. :) Edit - listening again I can kinda hear where you are coming from with TDC influence. I wonder which came first though?
I have not comment to this vid btw, im so sorry sir 😅😂 Btw this is my first band-maid's song n im suddenly fall in love to this best band in the galaxy.. ❤️❤️❤️ #bandmaid #takeovertheworld
It's a very deep song. It was released on November 20, 2019, as part of their upcoming CONQUEROR album, together with Rinne (MV for Rinne was released at about the same time, I think). I personally was shaken and stirred by it to the depth of my soul. Musically, I saw a lot of influences there, mostly from Black Sabbath (and the message is very much akin to War Pigs), but also from Deep Purple. Kanami's solo immediately brings to mind Ritchie Blackmore's guitar from Lazy, at least for me. I know that the band members themselves said that Tony-san has "shaved off" a lot of extra layers from their music, saying that sometimes "the simpler the better," but I personally never felt that this song sounds too simplistic for BAND-MAID. Yes, it sounds a little bit different, but that's rather an overall feel to me, not something particular I would notice. After watching this MV many times, I actually realised the symbolism. The child on the stairs is probably the Goddess Benzaiten: +++++++++++++ Benzaiten is a Japanese water goddess of fertility and flow-of rivers and waters, language and poetry, music, dance, and abundant wealth and good fortune. Benzaiten is the only female figure within “The Seven Lucky Gods” (known as the Shichi Fukujin) of Japanese Shintōism, and most often appears with a white snake as her headdress. Dragons and serpents are her messengers and avatars, and she herself can appear as a white snake. Benzaiten is one of Japan’s most widely venerated deities. In Shintō, snakes are considered as a minor type of Dragon and share many of the mythological traits of that creature. As in Chinese mythology, Japanese dragons are associated with water (especially rivers) and although they are powerful and potentially frightening, Chinese and Japanese traditions honour them as benevolent, just, and wise. Dragons and snakes are the bearers and guardians of the sacred wish-granting jewel that represents enlightenment and sacred wisdom and snakes are understood to be Dragons’ messengers in the world of humans. Thanks to their ability to continually shed their skin and be reborn, these serpents are known as shapeshifters in Japanese mythology and can live to be thousands of years old, able to walk between the underworld, heaven, and the human world. Shintō priests and practitioners will always try to avoid harming a snake if they come across such an animal in daily life-in fact, encountering a live snake is considered an extremely lucky omen, while encountering a dead one is considered a sign of misfortunes to come. +++++++++++++ This cultural fact brings us to a clear realisation that whoever wrote the lyrics in English (it's officially Thomas Kenny, but Robert the Zealot believes it's Tony Visconti himself), was actually just translating what Miku wrote. You may recall the famous anime Spirited Away: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_Away by Hayao Miyazaki. There's an episode there, where a river god comes to the bath, ugly and contaminated and disgusting and oozing dirt. Initially, they think it's a god of garbage dumps or something, but after they clean and wash him, it turns out he's actually a pure and holy River God. So, this sort of imagery is not new for the Japanese. Miku just picked up a very familiar theme from her own national lore and turned it into a great message for the world they've just conquered. The song ends with a positive message, they hope that the world will recover, people will get wiser, the Dragon will not cry anymore, and the Phoenix will fly again. It seems God was really tired of us being so idiotic, and killing the environment, endangering the future of our children and grandchildren. Nobody wants to yield even a little of their personal comfort, and when scientists say, stop burning so much fuel, the Earth is suffering, these idiots say it's all fake news. And then God says, OK, you did not want to act like intelligent beings, I will force you to decrease the CO2 emissions the hard way, I need the Earth to stay habitable. With this COVID-19 pandemic, the CO2 emissions have fallen by some 25% and more. BAND-MAID was really prophetic with that MV. Unfortunately, now CO2 emissions are back to the old figures, and even higher. The story is not over yet...
Very interesting, Vladimir. Thank you. So everyone saying that the video is bad and the american producer was trying to push a certain agenda is bullshit because it was the intended meaning from Miku from the start?? I also find nothing un-BAND-MAID about the music. Turns out this is just another BAND-MAID song....
@@RyanMear I would say, it's a precursor to Manners. I don't know why people see something non-BAND-MAID here. First of all, there is very little which BAND-MAID would not do, they love to experiment. There's hardly any style which this Miraculous Five would not make into a masterpiece. For that matter, you may say the most non-BAND-MAID song is "about Us," but it's so fucking cool that I've never heard any Maidiacs complaining about it. BAND-MAID definitely learnt a lot from Tony Visconti. Kanami was bubbling with excitement for months afterwards. She was like, "Oh, I never knew it's OK to do it this way!" She digested all those things, no doubt, and then implemented them in her new songs. Even from the lyrics and MV point of view, it's clearly following the Japanese lore. I don't know if you have seen that famous anime I mentioned, Spirited Away. It turns out there is a strong environmental message in the Japanese culture since times immemorial. That's why I think the author of the lyrics, Thomas Kenney, was basically re-writing in English what Miku told him in Japanese. The text is simplistic, but I think it was a mental trick which the whole situation played on Thomas Kenney. I've noticed it with some Russians when they get into a foreign country. I remember there was an old Russian lady on the plane, and when the stewardess came to her and asked what she would like to drink, she leaned forward and spoke at the top of her voice, "Orange juice!" but in Russian 😂 It's like, if the person does not understand you, it's because she's deaf, and if you speak louder, your words will get through 🤦♂ Thomas Kenney said in an interview that he wanted "to use simpler English so that it would be easier for the band to sing." As if Saiki and Miku were children. But if you don't know the language, you don't care if the words are "simple" or "difficult," they are all the same for you, you hear them for the first time in your life. He could write as complicated poetry as he wished, Saiki would have to learn the proper pronunciation anyway. Miku quotes Shakespear in SAYONAKIDORI, no problem. "My bounty is as boundless as the sea... "My love as deep "The more I give to thee... "The more I have, for both are infinite." By the way, kudos to Saiki for singing in almost perfect English! She definitely spent hours and hours asking the native English speakers around her to correct her accent.
They directly discuss the lyrics in this interview, I'm sure you've seen it, Vlad. It looks like, yes, Tony wrote them, but Miku was asked for preference or approval etc. So she was on board with what was going on, for sure. www.reddit.com/r/BandMaid/comments/g3fzsk/interview_with_bandmaid_on_player_magazine/?
@@RyanMear Yes, I read it. But you know, as a non-native speaker myself, I can tell you that you cannot really estimate the virtues of a poetry in another language. By "simple English" Tony-san and Thomas-san probably meant that it does not contain any complicated metaphors and idioms, which would be difficult to understand without actually being immersed in an English-language culture. Thomas Kenney corroborates it by saying that he wanted the song to sound like they are "reading a picture book for children." But Miku definitely contributed the meaning and images to the lyrics, that's for sure. That's why I think it's about Goddess Benzaiten. And MV confirms it.
It's a beautifully executed song (as always). I think a lot of people were a bit thrown by the subject matter. Definitely a departure from their usual upbeat tunes.
Exactly my reaction when I first heard this song, "who has problems with this song and why?". They say the writing is simple, that is not a "band maid" song. People obviously have no ears.
@@RyanMear Yes man, is Vincenzo (Vu i N Ci e N Tsu o). The First character is the way you can write Vi, being a sound that doesn't exist in Japanese, it's not show on all the tables of the Katakana. Similarly you can write Va, Vi, Ve (ヴァ、ヴィ、ヴェ) adding ヴ and the vowel you need. Sorry if the explanation isn't clear.
I am one of the loved it ones. Visconti also produced a band in the seventies called Thin Lizzy. An Irish rock band that played straight forward hard rock. If you listen to them you will hear similarities in the production especially. I would recommend Killer Without A Cause from the Bad Reputation album. Just like Band Maid it is just killer rock.
Actually, this is one of my favorite B-M songs. Kanami has a 70's blues rock sound, very reminiscent of Hendrix, and Akane's syncopated, almost tribal beat brings back the ghost of Ginger Baker. That solo starting with Akane and Misa...holy cow! It blew me away! This is a song that sounds timeless. It could have been a hit 50 years ago!
1:30 Click on the top video "Don't let me down" to hear another BAND-MAID song in English. It's a simple song but it rocks. 4:51 "this song is making me way happier than the content of the lyrics, it's kind of a, it's kind of a downer as far as lyrics go and what the visuals are showing" I think the visuals are probably the main reason why it is not more popular.
Thats what im asking also who the heck hates this. Well if someone hates it i love this song when i got the conqueror album this one stood up and learned basslines and guitars coz its cool.
Totally agree, this is such a great song. I love this classic rock vibe. I feel like Manners is like dragon cries 2.0. Essentially like yeah, we can capture that sound and improve on it. Again, just my opinion. Absolutely love this song.
GLORY is a track worthy of a Reaction which I'm pretty sure has not been reviewed as of yet. If not then I would officially like to vote it for consideration.
I think that out of all of their songs this might have the smallest amount of lyrics. Apparently they've also rewritten them while recording the song. Sound wise I'd put it into the same bucket as Bubble and Manners. I get that there are parts that one might not like, but I don't understand how someone who likes the band could actually hate it. My biggest nitpick would be that it sounds to fuzzy and there is too much reverb, which stands out especially when you listen to Conqueror as a whole. It's also a bit of an odd video for them, not bad but not fun to watch.
Yeah I think the song itself is fine, it probably sounds great live, not a huge fan of the way the studio version is produced though. And you're right, the video is quite depressing to watch.
I'm with you. I don't know how anyone can complain about it. Some talk about compression on the album and I feel that more than nitpicking. Like looking to complain.
I love this song, and the message in it, maybe that's what people don't like, that they put a finger on a very big issues in our way of treating the world around us.? Maidens forever 🤘
Dragons, a poignant commentary of the crappy, current state of the world, is a great plunge into the bluesy rock style given to us by Hendrix and others. Heard live (and without the overly compressed mix), the song jumps from the souls of the members and into our minds as a warning. Let's all heed that warning! Thx, Ryan!
if Band Maid put out a song that called my grandma a bitch, i would have a negative reaction to it. then i would listen to it a few more times and say " Damn that's good music!"
I personally love this song and I also tend to think it being made had a huge impact on Kanami writing “Manners” maybe this song was one album to early for some fans. I think it fits better with unseen world than Conqueror.
The vocal minority is why we can't have nice things. Although what do I know? I'm just what you get when you breed a hat with a doily. Thanks for the excellent content as always @Ryan Mear.
@@estherbrowne2017 Thanks! I'm re-thinking my flip statement about the vocal minority though. Without them we also wouldn't have historical figures like Galileo, Einstein, or Kanami.
My favorite Baid-Maid song it a great work of art. Ryan why the name is the Dragon Cries is in reference to the Eastern Dragon (zodiac) It is also the only zodiac sign represented by a mythical creature, rather than a real life animal. The Year of the Dragon is associated with the EARTHLY Branch symbol 辰, pronounced chen. Which is the Chinese symbol I have look up the Japanese symbol, I think people don't like the dark side of the video. Because of the Death, Pollution and War, but it mankind that's the destroyer of the Earth, the Dragon is the soul of the earth. Keep in mind they are several Band-Maid songs that touch our soul not just our ears. Mary's Blood has a song "End Of Days" which allot of people have a problem with it due to the destruction of the earth. But it one better songs probably their best on their new album. Now all the devils, demons, skulls, blood that us old Metal heads have seen, lets see the real monsters ourselves.
Love this song (because of course I do.) Seems to me it's a straight-up protest/call to action song that sounds like it could have hit the airwaves in the late 60's or early 70's, hence the purposefully different, old-school production of it. It's brilliant... so what else is new? Thanks Ryan!
Thanks Ryan, for considering the song for what it is, just another great B-M song. I never really understood the heavy complains of some. The dragon cries is a banger, you realize it fully when you hear it live. The only thing, it’s really not their best mix, Something went wrong here, but has nothing to do with the quality of the song itself. I often find the controversy surrounding TDC (or Start Over) a bit an elitist one: „not true B-M“, huuhh. Who decides what „true“ Band-Maid is. I would say the Maids itself. Btw the ladies appreciated the collaboration and pointed out several times that it was an honor to work with Visconti and that they learned a lot from it and saw it as a welcome opportunity to broaden their musical horizon. And this attitude of course is truly Band-Maid.
For me, it isn't as hooky as most BAND-MAID songs. I don't dislike it, there is just probably 30 or so other BAND-MAID songs I would rather hear first.
Deeply Satisfying chunky ass rhythm during the verses, check. Groove for days, check. Akane/Misa super syncopated ridiculous intro to solo section, check. One of Kanami's coolest dissonant solo's, check ( I get more Larry Lalonde than Kirk on this one). Great Vocals, check. This song is on my "crank it up" BM playlist. In fact I'd credit this song with getting me to really notice them again and diving into their catalog after hearing Thrill years back. The only negative on this song is production... specifically, reverb. Tony... lay off the reverb man. The reverb muddies up the sound. Other than that, great song. And I'll say that Miku's voice singing "The Phoenix Flies" gives me chills every time.
Yep, sums it up for me. But that video... Love the song (instrumentally brilliant to me, some amazing songwriting), not so much the over-the-top dark vid.
No problem with it at all. To translate the Japanese sentiment: Substitute dragon with polar bear. And while we're at it...partially substitute pigeon with dove to represent what Miku is about...peace, love and head-bobbin rockin' 😁
Never understand the reaction by some fans. It is a great song. Is it because it is a message song? Anyway Band Maid have proved so often that they can do most things with class. Plus it is a song that can get you humming even if it about the slow death of the World while the Dragon weeps in hopelessness. La la la la.
There are some people who consider the MV and album version of Dragon Cries over produced (not sure if that is the right word?). I have always enjoyed the song, but I will say the live version during the Shibuya concert sounds a ton better. But don't all their live versions sound better?
I think one main reason it's not liked as much because it's not their usual positive, optimistic approach. I see you noticed the lyrics. Musically it is a departure from their sound but it only proves they can play anything. I do like the metaphor of the dragon.
BAND MAID can do whatever the hell they want!!!! They are always supremely,sublimely entertaining. Having a social conscience is just one more facet of their diamond-like beauty.
Oh, the controversial one ^^" Tony Visconti contacted Band-Maid, asking for a collaboration. As far as we know only Saiki was seemingly aware of the name, as she is a Bowie fan. As soon as they figured out it wasn't a joke - of course they were on board. I'm not a big fan of the song btw. At first I was like "meh, if I want Led Zeppelin, I listen to Led Zeppelin" (~ kinda same attitude as to "Greta Van Fleet"). The live performance on the Shibuya DVD however, changed my mind on it. Still not my fav from them - imo even in the lower bottom of their discography - but... For all we know: Tonys friend was a fan of Band-Maid, told him about them, Tony checked out a little of their stuff, said "yeah, let's ask them, I kinda wanna do something". He hasn't checked out their lives however, so he kinda underestimated their energy on stage. Only Miku and Saiki flew to New York, probably due to budget reasons. Kanami picked a song from her work-backlog that she thought might be suiting, more of an american sound kinda. Miku most likely had some unfinished lyrics for a proposal, too. Working with Tony, they however decided to switch completely to english. Tony proposed the song to be "simpler" ("simple is good" - it's not a bad idea itself). His friend wrote the lyrics to it, they worked with Miku and Saiki however. As they were changing a lot of things on their own in New York - Miku said she changed the vocal melody a couple times by herself (she does so in Band-Maid also, but she always asks Kanami, and waits for the approval) - they were afraid of whether Kanami would have a problem with that... (-> Kanami later was fine with the changes) My biggest problem with the song are the simple lyrics. It's very un-Band-Maidy. Musically it's fine, although very reminding of other bands from the past. The video is kinda "meh". Came during a time where "safe the world" was all the rage, it feels like just jumping on the same bandwagon. I would also say it's very "americanized" way (but in fact I mean "westernized"). Don't worry I'm not going into it further ;) As been said above - only Miku and Saiki flew to New York for the recording. Then they went back to Japan. A couple weeks later Band-Maid visited US again for their live tour. Tony went to both New York concerts (he said he wasn't expecting to see/hear THAT), met the other members - was even more praising them afterwards and expressed he wanted to work with them again in a heartbeat. So, the way I see it - they experimented a little. And it's good to do so. Learn new things. This song might not be my favorite. But I would defend the Visconti collaboration everytime I see it brought up negatively. The over-compression - you really think it's his fault? XD He is way more experienced than that, Bowie esp. was using weirdo-funny-brilliant techniques all the time, with high-class recordings. And "Conqueror" is over-compressed in general. The "simplification" - there is nothing wrong with that; but he may have underestimated the abilities... Or the listeners intelligence (- but that one is hard to get right, judging by the popular music nowadays). Band-Maid said, that they really enjoyed working with him. He does a lot of things very different than they are used to. They asked - he showed. They learned a lot. Then they got back, they wanted to try "his" workflow - and the result is "Flying High" (
You are correct. "Flying High" is the song "The Dragon Cries" wanted to be... but couldn't. And if Dragon Cries led us to Flying High, then it was worth it! 😁 I believe you are correct.... Visconti underestimated the capabilities of these ladies. If they ever work with him again, hopefully he won't make the same mistake.
I could care less who they work with. One thing we all know is, it's gonna have their influence on it. That's good enough for me. People who dont like it should be happy that others outside of Japan love Band-Maid to. After all they deserve it.......
In my mix I start with Onset,then the Dragon Cries,I love the song and video,but what do I know?I've only listened to music for 55 years,after The Dragon Cries, depends on mood what order the other 25 songs are in.
To everyone.... if you can, go find and listen to the live version of this from the Shibuya blue-ray (you won't find it on youtube). Then go back and listen to this studio version. You will be blown away by the difference in quality. It is rare that the live mix of a song is crisper and clearer and less muddled than the studio version, but this is one such case. In the live version, Akane's drums - especially the cymbals - are clear and not hidden in the mix. You can also clearly hear the individual instruments - they're not mixed in such a muddle as with the studio version. Also, in the live version - Saiki's vocals are more passionate and "Saiki-like". The difference is so stark, that the studio version isn't in any of my playlists - but I *ALWAYS* listen to the live version when I get a chance. Tony Visconti (and his sound engineers) did a horrible job in producing the song. It is "tinny", with too much reverb and crunch. They also made Saiki's vocals too emotionless and plain - for her.... probably because they had her record and re-record her vocals dozens of times for 8 hours. It sounds less authentically her. But *LIVE*... ooh boy... much, much better.
It's a great song. In all ways. I love it. I just think it is too confronting for some people. Especially with the images in the video. Some people can't stand having their social & environmental consciousness slapped around. My question is, what is the 'Dragon' to which they refer. Is it from Japanese mythology?
I think it may not be so much that the video in itself is a downer, but that they have no other videos other than "Start Over" which show anything negative or depressing. There are tons of rock and metal bands with dark, depressing, even violent MVs who are successful with them, and it sure seems like plenty of Band-Maid fans also like those bands; I think a lot of people just came to assume that Band-Maid would always be uplifting and got a rude awakening.
The song itself is fine, I have it on the Shibuya disc, not a favorite but fine. It's the video that makes me both sad and mad. Sad and mad are the emotions whoever did the video portion were aiming to evoke but they came up in me not for the reasons they wanted. Band-Maid's music, even when at its darkest, shows human agency. This video's images are nihilistic and that is what makes me sad and mad. Sad that this was done to the song, mad at those who did it.
My only objection is that the video imagery is not really what we're used to from Band-Maid. But if they like it, then I'm on board! I still like the song very much (always have).
'Don't let me down' was the first song in English though you need to read the lyrics while listening as it helps to understand Saiki's English as it isn't nearly as good as it is here (lyrics are a rather suggestive as well).
I'm way late to the party, but while I don't hate this song, it's definitely not one of my favorites. As I was watching your reaction and listening I was trying to figure out why that is and I think it all comes down to production. There's way too much reverb (especially on Kanami's guitar and Saiki's vocals). Also, I'm not sure if it's just compression (since I saw other people mentioning too much compression on the album being something people nitpick) or other effects on Saiki's vocals that I just don't particularly like. People have mentioned that it's great live and this is definitely a song that I think I would enjoy more live.
I don't dislike this song, it's just not one of my favorites. The thing about Band Maid is that they have enough talent to make anything they do good, so when everything is good it gets to the point where a song is either one of your favorites or not a favorite.
I think there are some fans that want to put an electric fence around bands so they don't stray too far from the sound that they associate them with. A lot of people are still stuck on Thrill
