"C'mon, baby, America!" An old-fashioned eurobeat song featuring a dance dubbed the "iine" (like) dance, which you can't forget once you've seen it -- that's "U.S.A." covered by boy band DA PUMP.
The song is undoubtedly this year's No. 1 hit in Japan. The seven-member group also released a best-of album, "THANX!!!!!!! Neo Best of DA PUMP," on the Sonic Groove label earlier this month.
The song and dance group, whose name means "the jump," was formed in Okinawa Prefecture and made its debut in 1997. The group became instantly popular due to vocalist Issa's crystal-clear voice and the members' sharp dancing. They appeared on NHK's "Kohaku Utagassen" (Red & White Year-end Song Festival) on New Year's Eve five times in a row, from 1998 to 2002, before returning to the show this year.
After overcoming the departure of some members and Issa being seriously injured, they relaunched in 2008 with nine members, reforming in 2014 as the current seven-member group.
The group recently gave an interview to The Yomiuri Shimbun, talking about "U.S.A." and the secret behind the song's origin, as well as what it is like being "dasa-kakkoii" (tacky and cool).
The Yomiuri Shimbun: You'll be appearing in the "Red & White Year-end Song Festival" on NHK for the first time in 16 years.
Issa: I'd like to thank everyone who has supported us. It's been a while since we started performing with the current members. We started again from scratch, holding free events at shopping malls. We are all mentally strong, so none of us gave up even when our hearts were almost broken.
Yori: Now I feel my dream is coming true, and at great speed. I'm happy every day!
U-Yeah: I don't feel like it's about me. It's like the song went up and up on its own.
Daichi: I was convinced once again of the great power of music.
Issa: The president of our management company told us to listen to a European song, and that's how ["U.S.A."] started. He said, "I want to listen to this in Issa's voice." Eurobeat was in vogue again, but it came as a surprise to me, and I was like, "Are we going to do that, too?" But when we recorded a test version, I was all serious and did it the way I'd do it in a real recording.
Kimi: When I listened to the demo, I went, "Wow ... !"
Yori: Those refrains of "U.S.A." and that line, "Dochiraka no yoru wa hiruma" (The night on one side is the day on another), they are all so powerful.
Tomo: In our previous song, "New Position," we worked really hard on the choreography. But this time we relaxed and just enjoyed it. Kenzo and I made the grand plan, and we all discussed the rest in a fun atmosphere.
The Yomiuri Shimbun: The choreography [for "U.S.A."] has an impact from the very beginning. You are all lined up in a row with your backs facing the camera, then you turn around.
Kenzo: "A hero enters" is the idea. Heroes turn back, don't they? I thought, it'd look cool if seven of us turn around while stomping our feet.
Yori: I think it was a great idea from Daichi to name the dance for the refrain the "iine" [like] dance.
Daichi: Giving a thumbs-up means OK or "like" [on social media], so I thought, "Yeah, it's the 'iine' dance!"
Kimi: It really has got that kind of vibe. It was born out of a casual conversation -- it's all due to our having had daily communication with each other for 10 years.
Tomo: The "iine" dance is based on the shoot dance out of the United States. You bend one arm and jump while arching your upper body. That fun mood is perfect for this song, so we decided to adopt it.
U-Yeah: The "Invader formation," where we quickly move sideways together, also gets huge applause from the audience at concerts. At first, I was a bit surprised, thinking, "Why this part?"
Kimi: Only we can do that.
Yori: You're puffing up your chest suddenly! The feeling of "we were waiting for this" from the audience really makes me happy.
Kenzo: The point is to keep our heads still. Kimi-san saw the whole thing and said, "Don't we look like the Invaders?" [in old video games].
Clothing becomes talking point
The Yomiuri Shimbun: In addition to the music style and choreography, your costumes are also described as "dasa-kakkoii," or tacky and cool. Was that part of the plan?
All: No, not at all!!
Kenzo: We checked high-brand fashion magazines and were all serious while choosing the attire! In spite of that ...
U-Yeah: We put so much effort into the CD cover, and it was laughed at big time on social media by people saying, "How tacky," and "What is this?"
Yori: Was it two days after the release of the photo? Our stylist came to our rehearsal looking deadly pale.
Kenzo: I remember that!
Yori: He made a 90-degree bow and said, "I apologize for causing such a furor."
U-Yeah: He came to us to make a serious apology.
Yori: But I was happy that it became a talking point. So we thanked him together.
The Yomiuri Shimbun: But honestly speaking, Kenzo-san's costume is a bit ...
Kenzo: Why not! It's damn popular in the Harajuku area to wear an Off-White brand belt over a shirt, with it hanging down long.
The Yomiuri Shimbun: Is that so? The costume U-Yeah-san wears looks like a safety vest worn by workers at a construction site.
U-Yeah: Ugh. (Looking disappointed)
Yori: It's OK. You look fabulous!
Kenzo: Construction site ... actually, fluorescent orange lines on a camouflage print is a fashion trend among dancers this year!
Issa: The problem is Tomo's goggles.
Tomo: I wore them for no reason, and put them on sideways. I know it's odd.
Issa: I'd never do that.
Kenzo: We crammed in all the latest street fashion, and the result turned out to be tacky and cool.
The Yomiuri Shimbun: What are your goals for the New Year?
Yori: I want to have many dreams, like doing a dome tour and performing at Nippon Budokan.
Issa: We could be recognized as a team who can do anything. I hope to release original works that say, "This is also DA PUMP," and not "This is DA PUMP." Stay tuned!
An album of memories
The new best-of album "THANX!!!!!!! Neo Best of DA PUMP" is filled with each member's fond memories. Here are their most recommended songs.
Issa: All the numbers
"We put our everything in all the songs. Now that I'm 40, I think my emotional expression and singing style have changed greatly since when I was in my late teens and just building momentum. I hope you'll listen to both and feel the difference."
Yori: "Purple The Orion" (2001)
"It's a powerful ballad. Since when I was a fan [of DA PUMP], I used to sing this song at karaoke. I sang it with Issa only one time at a concert, and that was very moving."
Tomo: "We can't stop the music" (1999)
"When I was 18 and going to a dance school, I always practiced to this song. It makes me emotional now when I dance the same choreography onstage."
Kimi: "U.S.A." (2018)
"After all, it's our new signature song. I want even more people to listen to it. This song is like our business card."
U-Yeah: "If ..." (2000)
"This song has a dramatic melody, and Issa's singing is perfect. Recently, we've had more opportunities to perform it on TV, and I honestly think this is a great song."
Kenzo: "New Position" (2014)
"The release of this song was finalized after we finished performing at shopping malls, and it brought the forces of us seven together. It's a punchy song with a solid format to sound truly cool."
Daichi: "Gokigendaze! -- Nothing But Something" (1998)
"I love it, including the title. To me, it's the most positive phrase, and it makes me happy. Please listen to this song when you feel down."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
