Megitsune

"Megitsune"

A figure with a kitsune (fox) mask wearing a headpiece and a black robe on a red background, holding two shamisen criss-cross behind it. The word "BABYMETAL" appears at the top of the artwork in a yellow font.

Cover of the standard edition
Single by Babymetal
from the album Babymetal
B-side "Akatsuki" (standard)
"Onedari Daisakusen" (limited)
Released June 19, 2013 (2013-06-19)
Format
  • CD single
  • digital download
Genre
Length 19:16 (standard edition)
7:26 (limited edition CD)
Label
Songwriter(s) Mk-metal, Norimetal ("Megitsune")
Nakametal, Tsubometal ("Akatsuki")
Nakata Caos, Ryu-metal, Fuji-metal, Team-K ("Onedari Daisakusen")
Producer(s) Yuyoyuppe ("Megitsune")
Kyoto ("Akatsuki")
Tatsuo, Kxbxmetal ("Onedari Daisakusen")
Babymetal singles chronology
"Ijime, Dame, Zettai"
(2013)		 "Megitsune"
(2013)		 "Road of Resistance"
(2015)

"Ijime, Dame, Zettai"
(2013)		 "Megitsune"
(2013)		 "Road of Resistance"
(2015)
Music video
Babymetal "Megitsune" on YouTube

"Megitsune" (メギツネ, "Vixen") is the second major label single by the band Babymetal. It was released in Japan on June 19, 2013 as the fifth single from the album Babymetal.[1][2][3] It is also the first single released independently from the idol group Sakura Gakuin.

Background and release

The single was first announced for a June release on April 1, 2013.[4] The single was released in four versions: limited "Ki", "Tsu", and "Ne" (Kitsune means "fox" in Japanese) editions and a standard edition. The DVDs included in the limited editions feature footage of two songs from each of the live performances from Live: Legend I, D, Z Apocalypse.[5][1] Additionally, the single included a chance to contain a ticket to the premium event Kitsune Festival at Meguro Rock May Kan on July 14, 2013.[6] Customers who purchased tickets to the Babymetal Death Match Tour 2013 - May Revolution tour could receive an exclusive edition of the single, with a remix by Yuyoyuppe, under the name DJ'Tekina//Something.[7][8]

To promote the release, the band was featured in the June issue of Marquee and on the cover of the July issue of Hedoban,[9][10] in addition to collaborating with Tower Records for the 34th rendition of the event No Music, No Idol?.[11]

Composition

"Megitsune"

"Megitsune" contains lyrics such as "from the time of birth, women are actresses" which reflect on the song's theme of women remaining strong when living with their varied facial expressions. Alongside the serious heavy metal tone, there is a mix of Western-style and Eastern-style music, noticeably with the use of Japanese festival instruments. Mizuno and Kikuchi chant with a festival essence, while Nakamoto sings in the melodramatic style of enka. The bridge has significant variety in genre, with elements of dubstep as well as interpolations from the traditional Japanese folk song "Sakura Sakura".[12][5][13]

Recording had begun shortly after "Ijime, Dame, Zettai", with a tone reminiscent of "Doki Doki ☆ Morning" and "Iine!". After several rounds of remixing, taiko drums were added while the lyrics remained the same.[14] In a Billboard interview about the band's album Metal Resistance, Su-metal explained that the song "is popular among international fans, and I have a feeling that "Karate" will be something close to "Megitsune.""[15] George Garner of Kerrang! called the song "the most hyper song [Babymetal] have ever put their name to."[12]

Other songs

Performed solely by Nakamoto, "Akatsuki" is considered to be in the genre of speed metal.[16] The song first debuted as background music during the first live performance of "Iine!". Nakamoto went through voice training as the song was challenging with high tones. With more performances, her vocal performance improved as she stopped singing flat.[14] While writing about the band's performance at Wembley Arena, Mark Beaumont contrasted it with the previous songs "Awadama Fever", "Iine!", and "Yava!", stating it had a darker tone, as "a show-tune ballad sung by Su-metal in a black cape, running along a flame-flanked ego ramp".[17]

Under the stage name "Black Babymetal", Mizuno and Kikuchi perform "Onedari Daisakusen" in the style of rap metal, with dialogue-style lyrics in the nature of small devils.[16] Due to the childish nature of the lyrics, Mizuno sang the song like a baby. Nakamoto has background vocals in the chorus.[14] Daniel Robson of The Guardian called the lyrics of Babymetal "delightfully tongue-in-cheek", explaining how "Onedari Daisakusen" "offers practical advice to teens on how to extract extra pocket money from one’s father with a well-timed shoulder-massage/flattery combo".[18]

Reception

"Megitsune" received positive acclaim from music critics. Tomonori Shiba of M-ON! Press wrote that "Megitsune" has an intro filled with the shamisen, bass guitar, synths, and flying shouts of "Sore! Sore!", signifying its festival-like nature, fusing the genres of metalcore and "wa" (和; Japanese elements). Like the music of Crossfaith and Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas, it contains elements of electro-trance music. He further compared Nakamoto's vocal performance to that of Evanescence band member Amy Lee, calling the line "Kitsune. Kitsune. I am Megitsune" in the bridge stimulating.[19] Patrick St. Michel of The Japan Times considered the song one of the highlights on the album, praising it for not depending on the band's "gimmicks". He further called it and "Doki Doki ☆ Morning" memorable and similarly constructed to "Gimme Chocolate!!".[20]

While reviewing a performance at Brixton Academy, Colin McQuistan of The Huffington Post UK described "Akatsuki" as an opportunity for Nakamoto to "show off her remarkably powerful voice", while "wonderfully bonkers" "Onedari Daisakusen" gave Mizuno and Kikuchi an opportunity to "lead the audience on a wildly merry journey".[21]

The single peaked at number seven on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, selling 22,000 copies that week. The song also charted on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, peaking at number 16 in the week of July 1, 2013.[22] It also managed to peak at number two on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart.[23]

"Megitsune" was used as the opening theme for the Japanese talk/variety show Hakkiri 5: Sonna ni Sukarete Inai 5-nin ga Sekai o Sukuu.

Music video

A teaser for the single, featuring a sulphur-crested cockatoo named Robin seemingly headbanging to the song, was first uploaded to YouTube via the Toy's Factory channel on May 31, 3013,[24] with the full music video, directed by Takuya Tada (多田卓也), uploaded to the official Babymetal channel on June 4, 2013.[25][26] The three members are shown dancing in Noh theater alongside the "Kitsune band" (using traditional Japanese instruments) within the traditional scenery of Japan; this forms the significant contrast found in the music (specifically between metal and wa), which has since garnered over 30 million views as of September 2016.

Live performances

Nakamoto holding a Kitsune mask during the live performances.

Prior to the release of the single, "Megitsune" was performed live on the Nippon Broadcasting System program MC Plus on June 4, 2013.[27] The band also performed the song at the single's release event Pray for Success with "Inarin" & Mini Live at Tower Records Shibuya on June 22, 2013.[28] The next day, the song was performed again at a free concert at the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza Festival.[29] The band performed the song on the Nippon TV program Music Dragon, which would be broadcast on June 21, 2013.[30] Later, they performed the song on the NHK General TV program Music Japan Annex, which was broadcast on July 16, 2013.[31] In February 2014, the band performed the song with Taiwanese band Chthonic.[32]

During the live performances, Nakamoto is shown holding a Kitsune mask to her face during the bridge, before tossing it out into the crowd.[33]

Track listings

Standard edition

CD
No.TitleLength
1."Megitsune" (メギツネ)4:09
2."Akatsuki" (紅月-アカツキ-)5:29
3."Megitsune" (Air Vocal Ver.) (メギツネ（Air Vocal ver.）)4:09
4."Akatsuki" (Air Vocal Ver.) (紅月-アカツキ-（Air Vocal ver.）)5:28

Limited editions "Ki", "Tsu", "Ne"

CD
No.TitleLength
1."Megitsune" (メギツネ)4:09
2."Onedari Daisakusen" (おねだり大作戦)3:17

May Revolution Exclusive

CD
No.TitleLength
1."Megitsune" (メギツネ)4:09
2."Megitsune" (Tekina Remix) (メギツネ -TEKINA Remix-)3:18

Credits and personnel

Recording and management

Personnel

Credits adapted from "Megitsune" standard and limited "Tsu" single liner notes.[35]

Charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Oricon Daily Singles Chart 2
Oricon Weekly Singles Chart 7
Billboard Japan Hot 100[22] 16
Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales[36] 7
Billboard Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay[37] 69
Billboard World Digital Songs[38] 14

Release history

Region Date Format Label Edition(s)
Japan[39] June 19, 2013 CD, digital download
  • BMD Fox Records
  • Toy's Factory
 Standard edition
CD+DVD Limited editions "Ki", "Tsu", "Ne"
Worldwide[40] Digital download Toy's Factory Standard edition

References

  1. 1 2 "BABYMETAL、新作アートワークで妖艶メギツネ姿に". Natalie Music (in Japanese). Natasha Inc. 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  2. ↑ "BABYMETAL 怪しく激しいジャパニーズ祭りメタル「メギツネ」フル解禁". Billboard Japan. 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  3. ↑ "BABYMETAL新作「メギツネ」MVをYouTubeでフルサイズ公開". Musicman-NET. 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  4. ↑ "BABYMETALが生バンドと“修行”ツアー、6月には新曲発売". Natalie Music (in Japanese). Natasha Inc. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  5. 1 2 "Babymetal To Release New Single, Embark On 'Death Match Tour' - Blabbermouth.net". Blabbermouth.net. 2013-04-17.
  6. ↑ "【Kawaii girl Japan】全員キツネ？！ BABYMETAL、数百人のキツネ面のファンと「キツネ祭り」開催". Barks (in Japanese). Japan Music Network, Inc. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  7. ↑ "Amazon.co.jp: BABYMETAL : メギツネ ～五月革命チケット特典盤～ [CD] - ミュージック" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  8. ↑ "タワー新宿15周年SPライヴ〈15の夜。〉にゆよゆっぺ参戦!　ベビメタDVD先行販売詳細も - TOWER RECORDS ONLINE". Tower Records Online (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan Inc. 2013-10-11. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  9. ↑ "【メディア出演情報DEATH！！】". BABYMETAL (in Japanese). 2013-06-07. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  10. ↑ "「ヘドバン」創刊号メタル特集にBABYMETAL、X JAPAN". Natalie Music (in Japanese). Natasha Inc. 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  11. ↑ "BABYMETALがタワレコ新宿企画「NO MUSIC, NO IDOL?」に登場". Musicman-Net (in Japanese). F.B. Communications Inc. 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  12. 1 2 "101 Secrets Behind The Songs - Kerrang!". Kerrang!. 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  13. ↑ "BABYMETAL、2ndシングル『メギツネ』を6/19にリリース決定！さらに全公演生バンド演奏によるライヴ・ツアーの追加公演も発表！！". Geki Rock (in Japanese). Geki Rock Entertainment Inc. 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  14. 1 2 3 "BABYMETAL全楽曲解説" [BABYMETAL Explains All the Songs]. Hedoban (in Japanese). Shinko Music Entertainment (1): 74–75. 2013-07-04.
  15. ↑ "Babymetal Talk World Tour, New 'Metal Resistance' Album & Meeting Ariana Grande". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  16. 1 2 "【Kawaii girl Japan】BABYMETAL、”祭りメタル”「メギツネ」の最新アートワーク、CD詳細解禁". Barks (in Japanese). Japan Music Network, Inc. 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  17. ↑ "Babymetal Live At Wembley: Vanishing Tricks, Flag Parades & A1 Dance Moves". NME. 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  18. ↑ "Babymetal: 'I've never been in a moshpit. I think I'd get smashed to bits'". The Guardian. 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  19. ↑ Tomonori Shiba (2013-06-20). "BABYMETAL SINGLE「メギツネ」ディスクレビュー│M-ON! MUSIC". M-On! Press (in Japanese). M-On! Entertainment Inc. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  20. ↑ "Babymetal "Babymetal"". The Japan Times. 2014-03-18.
  21. ↑ "Babymetal Live at Brixton Academy". The Huffington Post UK. 2014-11-12.
  22. 1 2 "Billboard Japan Hot 100│Charts│Billboard JAPAN". Billboard Japan. Retrieved 2014-08-08.
  23. ↑ "自己最高デイリー2位にランクイン！BABYMETAL、ゆるキャラ“いなりん”と新曲ヒット祈願！". Music Lounge (in Japanese). Cansystem Co. Ltd. 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  24. ↑ "BABYMETAL『メギツネ』-MEGITSUNE Special?! Trailer-". 2013-05-31. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  25. ↑ "BABYMETAL - メギツネ - MEGITSUNE (OFFICIAL)". 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  26. ↑ "【伊達めぐみ】BABYMETAL「メギツネ」Music Video・CD JACKET". 高橋事務所 - takahashi office. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  27. ↑ "【本日、新曲「メギツネ」初オンエアー！！メディア出演情報DEATH！！】". BABYMETAL (in Japanese). 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  28. ↑ "BABYMETALが新曲ヒット祈願「ライブで盛り上がって」". ORICON STYLE (in Japanese). Oricon. 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  29. ↑ "【Kawaii girl Japan/イベントレポート】BABYMETALとファン3,000人がダイバーシティ フリーライブで大熱狂". Barks (in Japanese). Japan Music Network, Inc. 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  30. ↑ "BABYMETAL「音楽龍」でタカトシとヘドバン披露". Natalie Music (in Japanese). Natasha Inc. 2013-06-21. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  31. ↑ "7月15日〈MJ〉特番にベビメタ、しゃちほこ、FTISLAND、赤い公園、在日ファンクら". Tower Records Online (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan Inc. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  32. ↑ Axl Rosenberg (2014-02-10). "Video: Babymetal Performs with Chthonic". MetalSucks. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  33. ↑ "【Kawaii girl Japan/ライブレポート】BABYMETAL降臨!<SUMMER SONIC 2013>を興奮の渦へ". Barks (in Japanese). Japan Music Network, Inc. 2013-08-12. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  34. 1 2 3 "BABYMETAL Announces Brand New Single Release "Megitsune"". Retrieved 2015-03-03.
  35. ↑ Megitsune (CD liner notes). Babymetal. BMD Fox. 2013. p. 2.
    Megitsune (Limited "Tsu" edition) (CD liner notes). Babymetal. BMD Fox. 2013. p. 2.
  36. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales│Charts│Billboard JAPAN". Billboard Japan. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  37. ↑ "Billboard Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay│Charts│Billboard JAPAN (2013/07/01 付け)". Billboard Japan. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  38. ↑ "World Digital Songs". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 2015-01-16. Billboard.biz charts are only accessible by subscription; searching "Babymetal" on "Charts", they performance can be found.
  39. ↑ "BABYMETAL". iTunes JP. Apple Inc. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  40. ↑ "Babymetal". iTunes US. Apple Inc. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
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