NEW REACTION - BAND-MAID / about Us 

This is a love letter to their fans for not being able to see them live due to Covid.

Here’s a super fan (t-shinji) translation of Saiki’s heartfelt monologue / speech before this song was performed that day: Saiki: We were supposed to meet you today. For the first time in a year, we thought we could meet you all, those of you who could come to see us, but we can’t meet you in the end. I’m sorry. Even though it’s not my fault. We have been having days of turmoil for about a year. In the beginning, we were very surprised because we hadn’t experienced it before, and we had no experience of not being able to meet others in person. We were sad, but we found we shouldn’t be sad in this situation. When I saw you masters and princesses on social media, you were more depressed than us, and we thought that’s terrible. We Band-Maid have been thinking about how to cheer up all of you in the last one year. We truly wanted to meet you at Nippon Budokan, but it’s impossible because of COVID, so let’s wait for the day when we can meet. And in the last one year… or in the COVID pandemic, we have become more eager to cheer you up, and we Band-Maid realized again it’s important to give our songs to you. That’s why we wrote this song for Budokan. We made the album also in the pandemic, so it might have a little similar feel, but this song is planned for Nippon Budokan, and we really want to give it to you masters and princesses now. Budokan is not our goal but just a stepping stone. We will perform at bigger venues, and we promise we will bring you there and give you even better songs, so let’s keep it up a little more. This is our present for you masters and princesses. Please listen to it.

Miku wrote this song a love letter for the fans for what is happening today.

This is 100% NORMAL Band-Maid in that they do awesome ballads and are always throwing curve balls into their music. Sure, this is more "pop" oriented but it falls completely within their repertoire if you go back to some of their older stuff. This was the ballad that could have been on Unseen World but is good that it wasn't. This was a love letter to all the Band-Maid fans across the world from the ladies and was meant to debut at their much anticipated Budokan Okyu-ji on February 11. Sadly that show was cancelled and the online okyu-ji was its replacement last week.

Great reaction. This is BAND-MAID's love letter to their fans. During their concert on Feb. 11, 2021 Saiki talk (English translation listed below) about the struggles over the past year which gives more meaning to what the band felt and gives more meaning to the song. Saiki: We were supposed to meet you today. For the first time in a year, we thought we could meet you all, those of you who could come to see us, but we can’t meet you in the end. I’m sorry. Even though it’s not my fault. We have been having days of turmoil for about a year. In the beginning, we were very surprised because we hadn’t experienced it before, and we had no experience of not being able to meet others in person. We were sad, but we found we shouldn’t be sad in this situation. When I saw you masters and princesses on social media, you were more depressed than us, and we thought that’s terrible. We Band-Maid have been thinking about how to cheer up all of you in the last one year. We truly wanted to meet you at Nippon Budokan, but it’s impossible because of COVID, so let’s wait for the day when we can meet. And in the last one year… or in the COVID pandemic, we have become more eager to cheer you up, and we Band-Maid realized again it’s important to give our songs to you. That’s why we wrote this song for Budokan. We made the album also in the pandemic, so it might have a little similar feel, but this song is planned for Nippon Budokan, and we really want to give it to you masters and princesses now. Budokan is not our goal but just a stepping stone. We will perform at bigger venues, and we promise we will bring you there and give you even better songs, so let’s keep it up a little more. This is our present for you masters and princesses. Please listen to it.

Band Maid "Daydreaming" would be right up your alley.. great tune..

I'm so glad i bought the ticket for the Okyu-ji, one of the best shows i ever saw, even though it was online. about Us is a great song written for the fans.

Who wrote this? Band-Maid wrote and arranged this song as they have most of their songs since Brand New Maid. Miku wrote the lyrics with help from Saiki and the rest and Kanami arranged the song with Akane and MISA writing their own parts based on Kanami's demo. This is their production style now.

When they cancel Nippon Budokan live that is big dream for singer or band in Japan. They wrote this song can comfort them and us I think. A lot of emotions in the lyrics and music.

This one is so great from the online concert on Feb. 11th. It is meant to be a love song to their fans, that we can't be together.. right now. Brings tears.

Ohh! This song gets me in the feels man. So beautiful and mesmerizing. Band-Maid is truly the undisputed number 1 band for me.

Rush is and will always be my favourite band of all time... Yet BAND-MAID stole my heart and soul from the very first song that I listened to... They are the best thing to happen to music in a very long time. The kind of pure joy and emotion that those girls can make me feel is unbelievable. They make me feel happy... The same way RUSH made me happy as I0 discovered and learned by heart every single song of them and that's the ultimate compliment that I can make to them. PS All members are magnificent musicians yet MISA is absolutely out of this world in this song. She litterally elevates this song towards the sky.

What I love about Band-Maid is that they can go into any genre and flat out kill it. They really don't have the definitive "Band-Maid style". At least not in the sense that AC-DC has their style. It's closer to Rush where you know it's them when you hear it, but it can never predict where it's going to go. I feel you on Misa's part on this song. Not only in the groove, but that it's a rare song where she's not using a pick at all. Kanami's part in this is perfectly understated and just fits. Really gives enough space for the other parts to breathe. Everyone shines bright in this one. It's basically a love letter to their fans. which leads me to believe that th8s was a 100% collaboration between all 5 members. The more I listen to it the more I love it. I still think I like Daydreaming better, but you're right, it's a masterfully crafted pop ballad. I'm also glad to hear someone being optimistic about modern music, and it future. You don't hear it much these days. I could go on for days on this so, I'll stop here for now. Great reaction, and analysis. 👏👏👏

Another masterpiece from Band-Maid! Brings tears, so good and heartfelt! Band-Maid truly appreciate their fans! Kanami wrote this and Miku again shows her depth of lyrics with these heartfelt words! No complaints on stoping the song, you do what you have to, besides, I want to hear and see your reaction and insights! I agree, new favorite!

This song is a love letter not just to fans but to humanity; we are not alone, we have a future. These ladies are consummate musicians and amazing people. Their craftsmanship and work ethic is off the charts. They are like watching a storm approach on the horizon and appreciating the Beauty of the roiling clouds and thunder, the flashes of lightning. Thank you ladies, for always giving your all.

So beautiful song.

I watched this live and have seen this video multiple times...and I tear up every time.

Great reaction! As others suggest, "Daydreaming" is a great choice. And if you want to hear Saiki's beautiful voice live, try "Wonderland" live 2020 on BAND-MAID's channel. It's an amazing performance. BAND-MAID has done slower songs on their previous albums (especially on CONQUEROR): "PAGE", "At the drop of a hat", "endless Story", "Wonderland", "Daydreaming", "anemone", "start over", "Smile" and the magnificent acoustic version of "Puzzle" with Saiki and Kanami (she's doing back up vocals) that they performed live at Zepp Tokyo in 2018

MISA MISA MISA!

They cleaned this up a ton in post but it is one of the most emotional songs they have ever released. It gets me EVERY time. This is a love letter to the fans in general and it hits on COVID as well.

His genuine love and appreciation for these ladies....

You need some 'Daydreaming'

BAND-MAID has written (primarily Kanami composing and Miku lyrics) about 73 of their last 80 songs going back to “alone” in 2016. And they have arranged all of those songs. (I’m counting Band-Maiko “covers” in the 80 songs since the lyrics are different and songs are rearranged).

I think this is in Misa's "natural" wheelhouse, even though she says that "pop punk" is her influences. In their recent official YT interview, Misa and Akane suggested that they would like to compose more music for the band. I think this has a Misa signature all over it. "Awkward" and "Wonderland" comes to mind. For "Awkward," Kanami presented various iterations of the song. Kanami said Misa stepped in and said we must go with the first version. It's one of their best works. Miku (with the help of Saiki) did the writing for "Awkward" and "About Us." They really know how to put life back into an old, depleted heart. Cries! Po!

Yep, I'm an old softie. Band-Maid is the only group to bring tears to my eyes in the last forty plus years, and this song more than the others. Keep it it up you old school youngster! Not much for the glass of wine, but good rum and Band-Maid... Now we are in for an awesome evening! I am so glad that I lived long enough to hear these wonderful artists breathe live back into the music that I love.

As a fellow Rush fan, Misa's bass work on this reminds me a lot of what Geddy Lee was doing in the Power Windows era. The songs overall may have been more poppish, but musically just as intricate and well-structured. It's a fantastic song and showcases Band-Maid's musical diversity.

Band-Maid. What could go wrong? Nothing!

You should check out their song Daydreaming, if this is one of your favorites. Just saying. Loved your reaction

On Feb. 14th, 2020 *BAND-MAID* announced that they was going to play at *Budokan* on Feb 11th, 2021 due to Covid the concert was canceled *BAND-MAID* made this song for their fans and performed it in a live streaming concert. _Wonderland is another great Jazz song of theirs_

Saiki does emotional songs SO BEAUTIFULLY and this is a very emotional love song to us and the feeling is mutual!!!! Tears me up bigtime

There is rarely any space to breathe for Saiki in the pre-chorus and chorus. What amazing vocal control even if you can see the struggle.

This song has great lyrics by Miku Kobato. Their message to fans who can't meet because of COVIT-19. "You are not alone. You see, everyone is here."　★This song is a remixed version of the net live on February 11th.

Didnt think you were gonna hava a reaction today. Better late than never. You got me listening to this kind of music now thanks really enjoy it. 👍👍

This sounded good live, but they cleaned it up in post and now it sounds amazing! I got goose bumps when I listened to this earlier today.

The acoustic version on Bili Bili just literally gives your soul a vulcan death grip. Smile in acoustic is the other one that will really get to you.

2016「alone」 Since then, Kanami has written the all band-maid song.

Thank you once again! Great reaction, great review! Your comments and analysis are so rich and you make me love each song more every time I see your reaction. I'm also glad to know that you like this Band-Maid song as well. If like this song, PLEASE ALSO REACT TO "DAYDREAMING"!!! ......or you can't because you've already seen it? Anyway, thank you again for entertaining night, here in Tokyo.

Daydreaming is also fantastic. Kanami throws in a blazing surprise guitar solo that will just melt your face off

I could buy their Blu-Ray of this concert for this song alone, but I don't have to. The rest is amazing too!

Live. Her best vocals. Live. I love her so much!!!

When Band-Maid drops a new song/MV, everything else can wait! This is a powerful, amazing song. It deserves to be on top of the list and is priority!

As a Rolling Stones fan who has seen them 4 times in concert that dig hurt..... I can't say your wrong but ouch xD I really enjoy when bands break up their style like this. I don't want a band to always have the same exact songs so this brought a smile to my face.

I smile when I think of the bass players who criticized Misa for "always playing with a pick" ...

You say this is the least BAND-MAID song and yet it's the most BAND-MAID song... this is about us. It places the band among the fans as we share the frustration of the pandemic and the current situation where we can't go out and enjoy life. BM is all about bringing well thought out music and flawless execution to what they want to about and keeping it real... this is peak BAND-MAID.

Cried a lot while filming this video. I cannot understand Nihongo but her message pierce thru my heart and soul on how heartfelt it was.

your comment at the end of this video is so precious 👏👏👏 we are lucky✨🙏

Band Maid and Jinjer are the best bands I have found since the pandemic started. Would never have watched a reaction channel before. I'll see you at the HOB on 12/5. Live in ATL, but in from Algiers. Lassiez les bon temps rouler!

I understand the stopping and it takes a certain type of song like this to make me happy. This one does. I'm way older than you by the way. I'd pretty much quit rock until Band Maid came around, I love this band. I'm out here in the middle of southeastern Montana and I agree totally with your assessment of RU-vid and social media in general as it pertains to musical exposure. I would have never, ever, heard of Band Maid without it. I watch reaction videos about them constantly and the best part is watching the first time someone hears and sees them are are, for lack of a better term, gobsmacked. Then they have to hear more because they're intrigued and curious because they liked the first thing they heard and then they morph into full blown fans of the band. I'll always support Band Maid, their quality level is out of this world.

BAND-MAIDの強みは、このリアクターさんも感じているようにスローな曲にもグルーヴ感が凄くあることだと思います。

@OldSkuleNerd Hey man! They wrote this song to encourage and thank their fans. They write all their own music these days. This is the first time you have reacted to one of Band Maid's softer songs. I cannot stress enough that you should react to Wonderland (live) off their offical channel. Also, Daydreaming (MV) is another song that shows off their softer side. Enjoyed your reaction and have a great one!

MIKU KOBATO (rhythme guiatrist) Wrote the lyrics, KANAMI (lead guitarist) produced and wrote the song, and all BAND-MAID did the arrangement.

"About Us" is an amazing song and personal message to their fans - a direction I'm glad to see them add to their journey toward world domination. And we get to hear MISA unleash grace, power and drive that fits squarely within her favorite style of music she so enjoys playing. Stretch Band-Maid... Stretch with all your might. We're behind you 100! Their new DVD/BD/CD of this incredible concert has been ordered! Thanks, Mr Nerd, for bringing "About Us" to your viewers! BTW - A thing about the "Gimmick" - Miku (who worked at a maid cafe), wanted to show that cute "Kawaii" girls (dressed as maids in high heels while having fun and smiling without even breaking a sweat) could rock as hard as any guy band (sweating all over their so called, hip street / grunge clothes and making it look like what they're doing -- their "art" -- is so painful and hard)... and by showing that contrast (the Gap), it would generate interest, which it so successfully has done! Now they show up as Maids for all band business and interviews, etc. and have created a long-lasting, unmistakable, visual band brand. Very cleaver, Miku. Your diabolical plan for world domination is working all too well. Of course, none of this would work if their music and stage performance wasn't at such a remarkably high level. They are considered by many as the best hard rock band in the world - maid "Gimmick" and all!

Oldskule never disappoints. Always on it with Band-Maid reactions. Thanks man

Been around long enough to have grown-up with plenty of amazing bands/music going back to the 80's. These women never cease to amaze me- they do so many things, so well. There is no weak link in the band and every aspect of it, including composition, arrangements, transitions and choices are amazing. Easily one of the best metal/hard rock bands of the last 30 yrs. Change my mind...

Jimmy pages , remarks , when he flew to Tokyo , we're to be exact , was stated this is the Greatest Band ever put together !

The US in this song is US, the fans. Miku and Kanami have written a song on the same level of emotion as Lennon/McCartney's, "In My Life."

Yep, Band Maid one of my favorite bands. Love the way Kanami structures songs. Such a beautiful song. This song gets me emotional. This song and Nemophilas Life get me in tears with emotion. Band Maid and Nemophila are my go to bands now. Both having virtual concerts, that find a way to get me in tears, amazing. Band Maid has ballads, beautiful songs like this. But this song is for the fans. This band is amazing, the music is amazing. Maid outfits aren’t a gimmick, their an image. It’s the whole live stage, with chandeliers, light stands, video boards with windows, drapes, etc. Miku is a creative genius. Kanami is a creative genius, as is Akane, Misa, and Saikei.

Love these ladies even more now! Amazing..

I'm with you, bro. Along with a few other ballads and acoustic versions of rockers, they demonstrate once again in "About Us" that they really know how to tug at the listener's emotions-a whole range of emotions. This song kills, IMHO!

Miku wrote this song for Budokan. This song was meant to show how much they miss their fans and the frustrations brought on by this pandemic. Budokan was supposed to be a highlight of their career, they dreamed so much about performing in front of their fans at the big event. But they will just wait until that dream comes true. Band-Maid usually slows down their music when the song is personal to them meant for the fans. Listen to Smile. Miku wrote it for appreciating the fan support. Saiki even says its too honest, it's like Miku's love letter to the fans.

Always remember: Band-Maid doing Band-Maid-things :-)

Awesome song absolutely love it and it definitely shows there range and ability proving there no one trick pony as so many bands are. This song really reminds me of something that I cant put my finger to but they definitely do it very well

Actually, I can't say more than the previous speakers already did. Just a beautiful song, which thanks to a great instrumentalization and the voices of Miku and especially Saiki knows how to please, and together with the lyrics also gets under my skin. For me, one of their masterpieces up to this point. 【 'Our rock never dies, ever. Forever!' - Band-Maid 】

This would add such a cool dynamic to a live show.

Thanks for getting on this right away. I think this is the best thing to come out of the pandemic. These women are a miracle.

Excellent reaction and very well said, thank you

I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to their progress through the years. Still one of my favorite bands. So damn talented...…also Misa.

It's a song they wrote for there fans as a special thanks you..😊

This is a nice change of pace from their recent releases, I loved it just as much as the faster stuff !

Quiet and powerful song.👍

This song was written by Miku and is so Beautifully Written with such Powerful Emotion to their fans who have been with them from the start and to new fans that is finding their music phenomenal.. Such a Beautiful Song..

When I tell people about Band-Maid they ask me what band the sound like and I could only tell them that Band-Maid sounds like Band-Maid, they have their own sound, But now I also tell people that the remind me of Rush. What made Rush the band we love? They played as a trio of equals, serving the songs they wrote to the best of their abilities and with every bandmate striving to improve their musicianship throughout their careers. They were always willing to take risks, try new instruments, try new styles or attempt to stretch their genre. We see same in Band-Maid: they never rest on their laurels and are always seeking to better themselves musically. Band-Maid is a quintet of equals, each member contributing to the whole in many different ways. Every Maid in the band exhibits excellence is what they do. I can watch a Band-Maid video five times and focus on a different one each time: Misa's bass, Miku's rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Akane's percussion, Saiki's vocals, and Kanami's lead guitar, they're all good.

Not your typical soul music but it is for our soul. Thanks, OSN.

This song for what it's about brings a tear. Fully because of saiki's voice leading my heart. The only video since then to bring me to tears is akane the happiest drummer balling her eyes out on their last venue on their tour. And it's not the song. It's her

Amuse is among the strictest in terms of the copyright stuff. Band Maid’s current label is Pony Canyon which is actually one of the most lenient ones according to reactors. Btw ballads are very much a part of BM’s catalogue. You’ve got to check out “Daydreaming” official MV, easily my fav ballad from them followed by “Anemone” and “Awkward”. Their last album Conqueror is full of such lighter, toned down tracks. My best recommendations would be Page, Catharsis, Wonderland, Liberal, Dilemma Endless story and Mirage.

It's funny how there are some (by no means all) louder-harder-faster types who love the "Gap" of that sort of music played by diminutive girls in maid outfits...but who don't want to flip the script and be headbanging metalheads who can also groove out to a sentimental, lush ballad. Maybe the latter are actually the same ones who have a big problem with the outfits, I dunno. I wonder if Zeppelin fans back in the day first heard "Fool in the Rain" and were like, "What's this _Latin_ garbage?" In his reaction for "Blooming", Champ of Medium noted, "all their choruses take this great instrumentation that you hear leading up to it and bring you to this place where you can just groove. And it's so nice! It's so nice to land in that spot. You know, instead of being on this everlasting journey through progressive sounds, this one has a destination where you get to just jam, just groove out to it, and it's what Band-Maid does, it's what makes 'em special." So in a way, their repertoire mirrors the structure of some of their songs: a bunch of songs where you're working to keep up with everything interspersed with the occasional beautiful oasis where you can just chill and enjoy before diving back into the hurricane.

I love this song. Yes it’s different but it shows yet again how dynamic they are. I also really like Miku’s background vocals. The whole band was great as usual.

Miku wrote the lyrics Kanami did the arrangement From Just Bring It on they've been writing and arranging their own stuff

Three Band-Maid songs that are more on the ballad side to check out. Daydreaming - the music video or the live version if somebody can get you a good link. Wonderland - the live version on their RU-vid channel. Awarded - there is only an audio version but it is Worth it.

Thanks OSN!

Love the review/reaction. So insightful, & even a touch of the phylosophical. Thanks. At 63, I'm pretty new the this band but I'm deep down the rabbit hole already. Along with other similar bands (Lovebites, Nightwish, Jinger, Epica etc).

released a totally heavy and intense album, following this beautiful and unique single.

Thank you for reminding me why I subscribed in the first place. Even if you had to add your signature "DOH!" moment in the end.

From the first time I heard it, I've felt that their new album was really MISA and Akane's album. They're all amazing, but on the new album MISA and Akane really shine.

Great reaction. You made me appreciate this song a lot more!

Absolutely killer song.

I once heard a metal dude complaining about the fact that so many Japanese female bands have this stylistic schtick going on. "I wish they just played the music, they don't need all those things." He is a huge Rammestein fan who grew up listening to Marilyn Manson and had at the time a Kiss t-shirt. I know for a fact that he's got albums of Alice Cooper, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister Shitnot...ehh..Slipnot and many more at home... He had a period listening to Norwegian black-metal.. I'm not sure how many examples of stylistic schticks I could think of that he's got no problem accepting. He looked a bit embarrassed. What people seem to forget is that Band-Maid is a Japanese band. The rock and metal scene there have had the whole visual key thing going on since the 80's. In Japan wearing stage costumes is the norm and so it is in big amounts of the western market as well. Remember Judas Priest? They've been wearing gay club leather clothes since 40 years.

If you love the acoustic aspect, you need to react to Puzzle (acoustic version) . Konami on acoustic guitar and backing vocals. It's amazing

If you like the slower stuff check out daydreaming and wonderland

If you like jazz and want to see more of Saiki's vocal range then watch Wonderland Live. Arguably their jazziest song.

This reminds me a lot of their song Daydreaming, though a bit jazzier. Daydreaming has always been one of my favorite Band-Maid songs. I'll have to listen to this one a few more times before deciding if I like it as much.

Great reaction. I was a little surprised that you didn’t comment on the lyrics (not a criticism just a note) but loved the musical analysis of their composition and styles. Don’t sweat the 15 sec pauses - we’re still here so we like what you have to say. I especially liked your comparison of Band-Maid with my other favorite group Rush. Hang in there.

Great job, sir. This song is delicatessen.

It is a song from the heart to the fans in this time of covid They write and produce all their own work Miku is the lyricist Kanami composes all their music. Akane and Misa have input on their part and Saiki is more and more having influence with Miku on lyrics. This one was initiated by the entire band and intended for music lovers. THEY CALL THEIR OWN SHOTS.

Misa adapted to the sound and rhythm by playing finger style. She also takes lead instead of Kanami leading the way. Kanami created her own pocket, being consistent and providing tension without the listener realizing it. A dual vocals instead of lead and backing are perfect in the arrangement. It would be great if it was done more often. Akane…well she can do anything to keep a song on track. BAND-MAID and Little Feat, Lowell George era, are now my favorite bands.

Nice reaction. 👍 And its pronounced saiki, like 'psyche', with the silent p.

If you love this song, you'll probably like "Daydreaming" as well. It's also one of my most favorite songs from them. Check out the MV first and then the live version :)

I stayed up late and watched this concert live. We need attended concerts back. You can see such a difference in their stage moral. :( Don’t worry, Miku. Concerts will return. Also, they tend to block more right before a DVD comes out. :)

I was hoping you would pay attention to the lyrics, because it was actually written special for the masters and princesses 🙂

When you paused it at 10:35 I noticed Kanami's acoustic guitar was literally duck taped to a c-stand or mic stand(or whatever). I guess she just slides that out of the way after the opening part of the song. Learn something new every day. Also, Miku's new signature model is beautiful, po!