What About Bestie by Band-Maid (and Mike Einziger)? 

I first started listening to music for my own enjoyment in the very late 50's. Songs on the radio and later, as I got into my teens, on jukeboxes. To me there were only 2 kinds of music, songs I liked and songs I didn't. It was only in the late 60's and 70's that I became aware of music being divided into genres. This, to me, came about from the rock music press and was to have something to write about and appear to be experts whether they were or not. The effect of this was to divide listeners up by which defined genre they liked and to have people limit their listening to songs/groups that performed the genre they had come to like and not look outside those boundaries. I tried to not get hooked into the genre thing and stay with my own 2 kinds, like and dislike, no matter what genre it was but was not really successful in that as some forms seemed to be always in the dislike vein. Band-Maid, by combining genres in single songs opened me up to things I'd avoided before because I realized that everything they did was done so well. Reactors got me hearing things that I'd not noticed or ignored in music before. Especially learning to appreciate what good drum and bass work was. I think of Bestie as Power Pop, (Kanami's solo, Misa's bass, and Akane's drums bringing some other elements into it), a form that since it appeared in the 60s has returned over and over in popular music and thus can give a feeling of familiarity to people who grew up in many time periods. That plus the all English lyrics and the non-maid look of the video, to me, are an attempt to break out into the larger world's audience who haven't heard of them. Edit, BTW, I like the song and it has grown more likable with each day.

It is the very simplicity of the song and the charming lyrics that has made the song grow on me. It doesn't have to be intricate or a Band Maid type structure to make it a good Band Maid type lullaby. There is a myth, an attitude that demands something special as long as it is the same. This is different, the white costumes designed by Saiki no doubt that has an angelic, simple acoustic set backing. Melds nicely with the song. We are best friends that have a special connection. A trust, a cozy blanket, a security blanket. There is no need to light the fuse and run away before the explosion. There isn't going to be one. We are friends. Simple, nice and comforting. Band Maid don't do the the same thing. They do Band Maid. They don't have to be more than that. Yes people wanted bangs and whistles and the experts after their deep dive wanted to catch their breath and turn purple and gasp. But some of us are just happy with something friendly and trustworthy. In a World of anger it is nice to be quiet and warm for a change.

For my first couple of listens, I felt the same way you describe about this song, but after more than 40 listens, it became one of my fav Band-Maid mid-tempo songs. I like this song mainly for the lyrics. It is unusually straightforward with no twist for Miku's lyrics, but because of that, I felt Miku's sincere and strong feelings towards the members. "Years from now I'll still be doing this with you" tears me up😥, and I truly hope they continue what they have done for many more years🙏

The blandness is exactly what will make the song accessible for normal people. I hope it extends the band’s reach.

As Band Maid songs go, this is like driving the best race car on the best track. You have to ease up on the curves or you'll soon be out of the race. Band Maid represents that first rate car. Such a joy to be driving ! The race track represents the vast repertoire of songs they play. All of them important to the overall experience. Bestie has grown on me as has any other Band Maid song I was initially meh about. When you approach the "curves", don't stomp on the gas pedal. I suppose some people will appreciate your honest assessment...Others will think you are trivializing what Band Maid takes VERY seriously. That is... their current trajectory.

As someone who has been a huge fan of B-M for over 8 years, I think I have a fairly good handle on what B-M 'is about' and what they can can do, so I can appreciate a small musical detour ever so often - collabs can be like this, I suppose. You were quite clear from the outset on what you appreciate about B-M - especially their complexity (a la Mincho - instrumentally, and Miku - lyrically) so I get the disappointment with the musical and lyrical 'simplicity' here. Personally, I deep dive into B-M's complexities daily, so actually, this song is a somewhat pleasant 'respite/breather' for me in this regard (plus its finally a song I can actually play without pulling my hair out thanks to its relative simplicity! yay and lol!) That said, I find your strongest point to be the 'tension' in the chord progression but I don't find it overbearing - I find there are sufficiently pleasant release points that resolve that tension - maybe not sufficient enough for you tho, lol. It's cool. We in the B-M Community should feel secure enough to agree to disagree on some things, right? But like I always say, when it comes to Band-Maid, the best is always yet to come! 🤘

Thank you for all the wonderful and thoughtful comments -- I expected some backlash and disagreement, and am I glad there is discussion. In this video I present my opinion and my process thinking it might be interesting to others. I think Bestie is a perfectly pleasant and enjoyable song to listen to. Although I am not getting a certain emotional response from it, many of you are, and that is wonderful! As many pointed out, over time, and many more listens, the song may become more impactful to me as it has for you, especially when I consider your experiences. Thank you for that. I think it is great that Band-Maid has a song like this in their repertoire. From my perspective, some of the songwriting elements seem to distract me from fully immersing in the song, which is what I was trying to share. Some may relate, others will not. This is my issue, and I certainly hope it does not hinder anyone else's enjoyment of the song. I am happy to see that many of you love this song. I am sorry, though, that I conflated (without proper explanation) another point with this, which is what I allude to at the end of the video. Bestie is the first collaboration of two great bands. I would expect them to both put their best foot forward and come up with something really amazing. -- Again, just MY expectation. I wanted to see what these two bands can glean from each other to hopefully improve on, or at least shift in an interesting way, what each has done separately. In this regard, to be honest, I am a bit underwhelmed. That is my perspective. It could be that this song is actually a great result of their collaboration, giving something to Band-Maid that is very helpful. My view of songwriting only comes from my perspective, from which I made a judgment of moving backwards or forwards. By the way, backwards is not bad, it could be a very smart thing to do for a variety of reasons (I'm looking at you Genesis :-)). But in terms of the phenomenal growth Band-Maid has been going through with their songwriting skills, that is my assessment, and it is not generally bad or good, just a direction for this one particular song. I am glad to see some others feel differently, and it is great that we have a way that we can respectfully discuss this band that we all love.

As a music expert, I think it is necessary to analyze and explain, but in the end, what is most important is what the listener feels, isn't it? Even if the structure of a piece is complex or the technique is great, I don't think it necessarily moves me. Why are some of the other reactors in tears? Most of the people listening to music are not experts. Also, when people comment in these places, they can be made to feel uncomfortable, depending on how they are worded. How we feel about something is different for each of us. Unfortunately, I disagree with your comment in its entirety.

Wow, Brent! That was harsh... like over-thinking harsh! Some songs are best heard by strapping on a headset, sitting back with the lights low, and just "feel" the experience. But don't worry. Bestie, as with all Band-Maid songs, will grow on you until you succumb to their fiendish power of enchantment and excellence... imho. 🤘😂

Brent, It looks like you are going to need get portraits of Maids in white for your wall. To me, this official music video, if it looks and sounds like heaven, reminds me I need to be a lot nicer. My reaction to the video is beautiful and angelic. Kanami actually looks like an angel with the gossamer lace on her dress.

The reason we love this band because their complex music not simple song writing

I've grown to like Bestie. I think the first thing we have to recognize is that Mikey-san is the main composer, came up with the primary riffs, and Band-Maid fleshed it out. IMO Kanami & co. in fact do an excellent job of slowly building up to her solo, about as good a job as you could expect, given that the foundational musical material was given to them. The English of the lyrics is pristine, so while I think I think the editors got the spirit right, any Miku-specific idiosyncrasies probably got washed out. This is not an original observation, but also this may be another dual-layered lyric, partly directed to fans or to each other member of the band, e.g. the lines, "I will keep on singing and bringing a smile", "We are stepping forward to unlock the joy", "Let's face ups and downs together / Years from now I'll still be doing this with you", etc.

I think, Master Brent, has a right to his opinion. Even if it is difficult for us to hear and we may disagree with some, or all, of it. We as a watcher of reactors, also have the right to our opinions, and I'm sure there will be many more opinions from other Masters and Princesses. So my 2 yen, take it for what's it worth. Yes, I agree, it's not the most complex song from the Maids, but I LOVE IT! Not my top 2 (yet 100 other awesome songs didn't make it there either 😂), yet still a fantastic song. It's a earworm and I find myself humming it throughout the day. And the lyrics...like an arrow through my heart. WOW! The Maids are Besties...and I believe they view their Masters and Princesses are their Besties. Makes me happy and all warm and fuzzy. I feel it's a song designed to open the door to a wider audience on their quest for WORLD DOMINATION! It's a very palatable song, which can appeal to almost anyone, who may know nothing about Band-Maid or their style. The collaboration also introduces Band-Maid to Incubus fans, a band which has a large following, many of whom have/had no idea who Band-Maid is/was. By opening more avenues to access our Maids, they will gain more Masters and Princesses. More people experiencing the epic musical phenomena known as Band-Maid...nothing wrong with that. PO!🕊 WORLD DOMINATION!!!🤘😆🤘

Brent, on this song, Bestie preformed by Band-Maid, we will have to disagree - respectfully. This song has continued to grow on me. There may be many reasons, theory, and analysis of this song to explain whatever point of view someone chooses but in the end how does the song resonate within the hearts of the ‘Masters and Princesses’. How a song, or piece of music (instrumental), is received by others determines the song or piece of music success. Time will tell, but I believe Bestie to be another success and look forward to the rest of their songs and collaborations.

I couldn't disagree with you more. You missed the 3rd guitar playing behind the 2nd verse, with excellent vibrato. You also missed Saiki's 4-measure long held note leading into the solo. You also called the lyrics simple and straightforward, without realizing this was the first time Miku penned an entire song in English. From that perspective, this was quite leap forward from her, and your belittling it was distasteful. What a horrible review by you. Like the other guy said, that's 12 minutes I'll never get back.

I think some bandmaid fans were just not ready for this type of song yet.. They still looking for the usual bandmaid tunes ,, but for me personaly i like this song but not the same as how i lke some other band maid song,, maybe " i LIKE this song but i LOVE the other songs from bandmaid..

An honest assessment can be given diplomatically or with brutal honesty. When it comes to any of the fans in the Band Maid related algorithms...Diplomacy should rule the day. Brutal honesty will rarely be received well and while it may make the reactor feel superior...It is kryptonite to fans of most artists !

I'm gonna say this again as I commented.On your last bestie, video as a long time.Incubus fan and relatively new band maid fan of 2 years.I couldn't 100% more disagree with you , thanx for taking 12mins of my time ill never get back , ill wont make that mistake again

As an artist would you rather have someone ooh and ahh over your technical prowess or tell you your song lifted their heart out of despair?

There were more opposing opinions than I expected. Should he have been honest, lied, or kept silent? I can't trust people who praise anything just because they want the number of views. At least I think he loves Band-Maid. As long as you don't look down on Band-Maid, I think it's okay for people to have their own opinions on how to evaluate a song. Brent, please keep posting as long as you have a heart for Band-Maid. I also hope that Band-Maid fans will be able to connect with each other peacefully.

Brent, how many times have you heard this song? My personal rule is at least 5 listens before an informed opinion. This really grew on me and I feel the lyrics really capture the friendship among the band, thus the journey is inherent in the song since us fans know the history of that journey. This is what supports the emotional message of the song and the simplicity in the lyrics amplifies that emotional impact. So as a heart-punch, I feel "Bestie" is as potent as any Band-maid song. Sometimes the nuts and bolts analysis of the music (although I enjoy that for it's own sake) obscures what we feel.

Please pause more, explain the chord progression, comment on their looks. Every 3 seconds would be great. Really makes the song more enjoyable.

lets agree to disagree you being a professional in the industry me being a fan of the band for 8 years I LOVE this song it is NOT in my top 20 but is in my top half of Band-Maid songs (along with some of the less complex songs of Maid in Japan) to me a song doesn't have to conform to build and release or correct cord structure it just has to SOUND good. Ahhh the bliss of the ignorant (that would be me).

I predict this song will not be on the new album primarily because this OMV was not shot with them in their customary BM garb. It was a side project. Personally, I like this song. I like the harder more complex songs but can also appreciate the slower balled-esque type songs. These songs do hit me emotionally and that is what I like. For me, music is emotion.

Honestly, it's not a bad thing to say that you prefer one Band-Maid song over another Band-Maid song. Analyzing a song in depth is what most reactor musicians do. Among the ballads I don't rank Bestie at the top according to Bandmaidesque criteria but it is very pleasant to listen to, Miku's lyrics are always delicate and poetic, and it's an excellent collaboration (the first) with a Western musician so it's is positive. IMO it's as good a song as Start Over (especially live) which some people don't like,. I never understood that. Everyone's tastes are different, that's all. However, there is no bad Band-Maid song.

Not typical BandMaid. W T F would that ever mean. Mid tempo ballad sung/ written totally in English. Well that's the reality. Your reaction analysis strikes me as effete, pedantic and dismissive. Well that's my opinion. Not a good look. I'm not sure what demographic would find this pleasing or even interesting. You hsd a wee bit of a balance of good will tucked away in your BandMaid bank prior to this exegesis. In my ledger you are now overdrawn.

Do you really need to make another video disrespecting the band and the collaboration work? Clean your ears man

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