COME ON BABY! AMERICA!
There’s a new pop song that is all the craze in Japan, but it is not, as you might expect, a cookie cutter love song, instead, it’s a ridiculously cheesy and nonsensical retro dance track dedicated to the U.S.A.
Released on June 6, “U.S.A.” is a new single by the Japanese “boy band” Da Pump and it has captured the attention of fans thanks to what has been described as its “cheesy cool” vibe.
So what’s so great about “U.S.A.”? And why has its music video racked up almost six and a half million views since its release less than a month ago? For one, the song surprised many with its decidedly retro feel. While the lyrics were for the most part changed, “U.S.A.” is actually a cover of a a somewhat obscure ’90s dance track by the eurobeat artist Joe Yellow. Eurobeat is a genre of electronic dance music, which traces its roots back to Japan’s ’80s club scene and is known in the West in part for its use in the popular anime series Initial D. Check out the original below
Joe Yellow – U.S.A.
Another factor that has led to the popularity of “U.S.A.” is its music video. Released last month, the video has sparked one of the goofiest dance crazes in recent history. At the forefront of this dance sensation is the Ii ne Dance, which involves rhythmically and exaggeratedly doing a thumbs up/hitchhiking-type motion to the beat of the music (ii ne is the term used to refer to the Like/Thumbs Up button on Facebook).
Everybody do the ii ne
Apart from the thumbs up move, many have also latched onto the cheesy YMCA-style poses that the Da Pump guys do during the chorus. According to the members, the “A” pose was modeled after none other than the Statue of Liberty herself (see below).
Statue of Liberty pose
Yet another dance move, which has gotten some attention, is what has been dubbed the “Invader Dance.” Named after the classic arcade game Space Invaders, the move is supposed to resemble the sideways motion of the enemy aliens in the game and seems to be inspired by MC Hammer’s trademark rapid sidestep move.
Dancing like an alien
Learn how to do the MC Hammer dance
Many on Japanese social media and YouTube, including comedians like Naomi Watanabe and others, have jumped on the “U.S.A.” bandwagon, posting videos of themselves performing Da Pump’s “uncool” dance moves.
A group of comedians from the Yoshimoto entertainment conglomerate dancing to “U.S.A.”
Further adding to the “U.S.A.” fever is the song’s thoroughly confusing lyrics. For example, take a look at the translations of the two stanzas below, the first one seems to be some kind of commentary on the U.S.’s changing relationship with Japan and perhaps even the rest of the world, while the second one seems to, for the most part, be a series of unconnected and difficult to understand phrases.
The rhythm was shocking
Over several tens of years, the relationship
Seems to have changed a lot
But we are earthlings
We are travelers all on the same planet
That girl’s hair was flowing in the wind
Located just a quick flight over the Pacific Ocean
My heart always flies first class
Clinking the glasses known as dreams
Swearing love & peace
C’mon, baby America
The ally of success, organizer
When asked what’s next during a recent television interview, the Da Pump members expressed their desire to perform “U.S.A.” in the U.S.A. Although that would certainly be a sight to see, it seems a bit on the unlikely side. For now though, it would appear that a performance of “U.S.A.” will almost undoubtedly happen at this year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Year-end Song Festival) on NHK. Come on baby, indeed.
Source: iLyrics Buzz, Natalie Music
Image: DA PUMP / U.S.A. (Avex YouTube)
