Back in May, hit Japanese female metal band, BABYMETAL, collabed with German electronic-metal band, Electric Callboy for their song RATATATA.
Who are BABYMETAL?
Originally, there were part of an idol group called Sakura Gakuin. These idol groups are formed whenever a student joins a club (an after-school activity) and they are taught music with like-minded individuals ran by talent agencies rather than the schools.
A club can have multiple members. With Sakura Gakuin, there were approx 10–12 members at any one time. Within these clubs, there would be ‘units’.
This would be a collection of specific students who perform together under a dedicated name. In 2010, the “Heavy Metal Club” was formed with 3 of the Sakura Gakuin club, Suzuka Nakamoto (12), Yui Mizuno (11) and Moa Kikuchi (11). This would become BABYMETAL. The girls would perform under the names of Su-metal, Yui-metal and Moa-metal.
Traditionally, idol music tends to be very ‘poppy’, ‘positive’ and ‘light-hearted’. A clear example of this would be AKB48’s Colorcon Wink (below).
Like Sakura Gakuin, AKB48 is an idol group with a lot more members, and they would be older. AKB48 would be one of, if not the most popular idol groups in Japan. So much so, they have many many many spinoff groups using the 48g name. AKB means Akihabara, which is an area in Tokyo, Japan. (Seriously, the rabbit hole on 48g groups goes very, very deep)
In 2018, Yui departed from the band due to poor health. In 2023, former Sakura Gakuin member, Momoko Okazaki joined the band. She performs under the name of Momo-metal.
BABYMETAL also have a backing band, “Kami Band” who are not officially recognised as members, but they are recognised and appreciated at their live concerts.
In the west, BABYMETAL became popular for their performances from their music videos and the fact that most bands in the west are 16+, when these girls were 12 and 13 when they broke America.
WWE featured their song KARATE for their show NXT Takeover: The End back in June 2016. They announced last night at WWE Summerslam, that BABYMETAL’s RATATATA will be the official theme for their upcoming show WWE Bash in Berlin on August 31st 2024.
Who are Electric Callboy?
Electric Callboy (fka. Eskimo Callboy) are an ‘electronicore‘ band from Germany. They were also formed in 2010 and are known for creating comedic songs, shows and videos.
In 2021, they submitted their song “Pump it” for the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, but they were not included.
Lyrics:
Every night when the sky turns red up above
I feel the beat in my veins
And I’m searching for love
You know that hips don’t lie
I leave you hypnotized
Just give me one more try
To make you feel that vibe
And it goesRa ta ta ta ta ta!
My body is a weapon
Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
We’re gonna hit the floor
Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
We’re gonna make it happen
Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
Now gimme some moreI will push it to the limit
And everybody’s feeling the sound of the night
I don’t wanna stop
We push it to the limit
Together we will crash the morning lightブ·チ·ア·ガ·レ!
Bun Bun Bun Moving
Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
Bun Bun Bun Shaking
Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
Bun Bun Bun Jumping
Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
Bun Bun Bun StompingBun Bun Bun Bun Bun
アゲ!
キラっとしちゃうアゲ!
フワっとしちゃうアゲ!
ドキっとしちゃうアゲ!
小悪魔しちゃうけど大丈夫?
瞳に映した 笑顔の魔法で罠に誘い込むAnd it goes
Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
My body is a weapon
Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
We’re gonna hit the floor
Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
We’re gonna make it happen
Ra ta ta ta ta ta!
Now gimme some moreI will push it to the limit
And everybody’s feeling the sound of the night
I don’t wanna stop
We push it to the limit
Together we will crash the morning lightブ·チ·ア·ガ·レ!
Bun Bun Bun Moving
Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
Bun Bun Bun Shaking
Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
Bun Bun Bun Jumping
Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
Bun Bun Bun Stomping
Bun Bun Bun Bun BunI’m here for the moment
Here for the beat
Here for the love
And the friends I need
You know that I’ll be there for goodI’m here for the moment
Here for the beat
Here for the love
And the friends I need
You know that I’ll be there for goodRA TA TA TA!
I go fucking crazy ‘cause I’m waiting for the drop
Are you ready?
Let’s GO!
So tell me baby can I get a
Fu! Fu!
So hear me now
Fu! Fu!
You know what I want
Fu! Fu!
Now everybody’s getting downI will push it to the limit
And everybody’s feeling the sound of the night
I don’t wanna stop
We push it to the limit
Together we will crash the morning lightブ·チ·ア·ガ·レ!
Bun Bun Bun Moving
Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
Bun Bun Bun Shaking
Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
Bun Bun Bun Jumping
Bun Bun Bun Bun Bun
Bun Bun Bun Stomping
Bun Bun Bun Bun BunEverybody!
Fu! Fu!
Out of control
Fu! Fu!
Everybody!
Fu! Fu!
Out of control
Fu! Fu! Fu! Fu!
Now everybody’s getting down
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