citypop glossary

This page explains words and expressions unique to Japan, such as ​music genres and musical terms associated with city pop ​(additions will be made as needed)

CITYPOP is not a so-called music genre.

It's like vibes, and it doesn't have a clear definition like Yacht ​Rock does.

Therefore, please understand that the definition of the word ​“CITYPOP” and the selected songs used on this site are based ​on my own judgment and prejudice.

At any rate, here are my criteria for determining that a song is ​CITYPOP

#1.Songs released in the 20th century (after that date, ​distinguish as NEO CITYPOP)

#2.Whether the songs are danceable or groovy (which is a bit ​of a point of difference, since what the Japanese consider city ​pop includes songs that are not danceable).

#3.Whether or not #KAYO-POP is included in CITYPOP is ​sometimes controversial, especially IDOL-POP.

I will introduce any KAYO-POP singer or IDOL-POP singer as ​CITYPOP on this site, as long as the song is not a KAYO-POP-​oriented song that is a record-company driven song that aims ​for an easy hit.( There is a lot of great CITYPOP hidden in the ​songs on the album! )

AOR stands for Adult Oriented Rock, a genre of music that ​refers to rock for adults.

It is characterized by a sophisticated sound that incorporates ​elements of jazz, soul, and bossa nova, and has an ​atmosphere reminiscent of driving, nighttime buildings, and ​the ocean.

The AOR movement began in the late 1970s and is said to ​have been triggered by Nick DeCaro's “Italian Graffiti. ​Representative artists and bands include.

Boz Scaggs, Bobby Caldwell, T.O.T.O., Chicago, Airplay, and ​Steely Dan.

The term AOR originated in Japan and is used primarily for ​adult rock.

Light mellow is a Japanglish term describing pleasant music ​and means the following

Another name for the music genre “AOR light mellow” ​proposed by music writer Hisakazu Kanazawa.

A term used to describe music for adults that is light (light) ​and has a smooth beauty (mellow)

City pop compilation that connects the 70s & 80s with the ​present

My idea of light mellow is one of the vibes in Japanglish AOR, ​like a song heavily influenced by Nick De Caro and Michael ​Franks.

But, however, its interpretation, like CITYPOP, has been ​broadening over the years.

KAYO-POP is a genre of Japanese popular music and popular ​songs.

Among these, songs published in the Showa period are also ​called SHOWA-KAYO-POP

KAYO-POP is a commercial song that is marketed with the aim ​of becoming a hit (popular). As long as it fulfills this condition, ​it can be pop or Japanese style (enka), urban or folk, idol song ​or folk song, or any other type of song. Conversely, KAYO-POP ​= popular songs encompassing all of these diverse genres.

To understand "Savannah band KAYO", you must first learn ​about its namesake, "Savannah band"!

The official name of the “Savannah band” is “Dr. Buzzard's ​Original Savannah Band"

This is their debut album, released in 1976

Their debut single, “I'll Play the Fool,” ended up at #80 on the ​U.S. charts, but their second song, “Cherchez La Femme,” ​reached #27, The album also reached a high of #22 and later ​became a gold disc.

The band was formed in 1974 in the Bronx, New York, by the ​Browder brothers (half-brothers) Stoney Jr. and Thomas, one ​year younger, as a five-piece group.

The older brother writes the music/guitar/piano, and the ​younger brother shares the lyrics/bass, but the rest of the band ​consists of Vibe, drums, and percussion. The signature ​vocalist is Miss Colin Day, who sings in a soft and fluffy way.

The orchestral arrangements in the background were done by ​Charlie Calello, who was the bassist and arranger for the Four ​Lovers, the predecessor of the Four Seasons, along with ​Stoney.

Some say it is Stoney who is wearing a chicken mask and ​waving a conductor's baton in the jacket illustration, but I think ​it is Charlie

(Charlie Calello is the producer and arranger of Tatsuro ​Yamashita's debut solo album “CIRCUS TOWN” )

Their musical style is a mixture of big band jazz (cabaret and ​dance hall brass band music) from the 1930s and 1940s, with ​elements of Hispanic music from the Caribbean and disco ​sounds. It is nostalgic “enchanting pop music” with a lot of ​tropical, “sugar-coated” and boundless sweetness.

The band's musicality also caught the attention of Kazuhiko ​Kato, a well-known pioneer of Japanese pop music, who was ​active with the Folk Crusaders and the Sadistic Mika Band.

Coincidentally, in 1976, the same year as Savannah Band's ​debut, Mr. Kato sang his hit song “Singapura” as a solo artist, ​and I can already feel a similar atmosphere!

The hit song “Modotteoide Watashi no Zikan,” sung by ​Mariya Takeuchi in 1978 as her debut song, was composed by ​Mr. Kato and arranged completely in the Savannah band style.

And this was the beginning of the creation of many Savannah ​band style songs in the world of KAYO-POP.

The birth of Savannah band KAYO

"Samba KAYO" refers to a genre of songs in the Japanese ​KAYO-POP and NEW MUSIC (City Pop) genres, which ​incorporate elements of samba and bossa nova. The style is ​diverse and spans a wide range of musical expressions.

It is also sometimes called “WA-Bossa” or “WA-Samba”

Samba KAYO was thought to have been fully explored by ​record collectors and DJs during the rare groove movement of ​the 1990s, yet even now, in the 21st century, amazing ​undiscovered tracks are still being found.

Funka-Latina is a genre that emerged in the early 1980s, ​combining American disco music with Latin influences. As ​suggested by its name, which blends 'funk' and 'Latin,' it ​became popular within the UK’s new wave dance music scene.

Bands such as Blue Rondo à la Turk, Modern Romance, Kid ​Creole and the Coconuts, Haircut 100, The Belle Stars, and ​Pigbag are well-known musicians associated with Funka-​Latina.

In the mainstream, Wham!’s 'Club Tropicana' and Culture ​Club’s 'It’s A Miracle' are classic examples of Funka-Latina.

This movement spread from the UK to the US, producing hits ​such as Elbow Bones and The Racketeers' 'A Night in New ​York.' It also triggered the second wave of the Savannah Band ​KAYO boom in Japan.

"I thought the term 'Funka-Latina' was a phrase imported from ​the UK, but it seems to be used only in Japan.

The term "killer tune" refers to a highly appealing track, one ​that is easily liked by most listeners after just one listen or has ​the energy to get the crowd excited at a concert.

It's often used to describe a song that is considered a ​signature or representative track. For a DJ, it's a record that's ​guaranteed to get the dance floor moving.

"WA" is a kanji character that represents Japan.

Therefore, "WA-BOOGIE" refers to Japanese Boogie.

It is also sometimes referred to as "WAmono-BOOGIE" or ​"WArban Boogie." "WAmono" refers to things made in Japan, ​while "WArban" is a coined term combining "WA" and "urban," ​often used to describe a type of CITYPOP-inspired boogie.

The term "double-sider" in record terminology refers to a ​single with two A-sides. In other words, it's a slang term for a ​single where both sides feature great tracks.

For a DJ, it means a vinyl record with both sides containing ​tracks that can be played in a DJ set.

New Music is a genre of Japanese popular music that ​emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. Influenced by folk songs and ​rock, it introduced a fresh musical style distinct from ​traditional KAYO-POP.

The characteristics of New Music are as follows:

• Songs incorporating elements of folk and rock.
  
• Tracks that removed the political and everyday life themes ​typical of folk music.
  
• Songs written by singer-songwriters.
  
• A sound heavily influenced by American West Coast folk ​rock.
  

And among this group, the songs created by musicians ​strongly influenced by AOR came to be referred to as ​CITYPOP.