Have you ever listened to so much music that suddenly you’re being recommended stuff you’ve never listened to before? Then you zone in on the lyrics, trying to figure out what the artist is saying, and you realize that you’re listening to something in an entirely different language. Don’t worry, it’s happened to the best of us. That being said, some of my favorite music is in a different language like German, Spanish, or Japanese. K-Pop, J-Pop, and C-Pop are ever-growing genres. Plus, if you’re an anime lover like me, then you have heard an opening or an ending credit song that scratches an itch in your brain. So, I decided to compile a list of my favorite songs that are in fact, not in English.
For some context, I have taken three years of German, so the German music I listen to, I can understand on a good day and I pay attention. That being said, any other language (like Japanese) I am clueless about. Regardless, I enjoy these songs and artists no matter what. Here are my top ten that I recommend, and in no particular order:
Als ich ein Kind war - AnnenMayKantereit
- This song has a simple beat, and the main singer has a wonderfully raspy voice. Then with the gentle introduction of the guitar, it’s just a very simple, nostalgic song about being a kid.
Shinzo wo Sasageyo - Linked Horizion
- Arguably one of the most recognized songs from the anime Attack on Titan, and one that gets me fired up. Linked Horizon is very much a beloved band in my opinion.
A Dios Le Pido - Juanes
- I heard this song from my ninth grade Spanish class, and it hasn’t left my playlist since. There’s something about asking for God (even though I myself am an atheist), that just really scratches an itch. Would I call this a religious song? No, not really. But the desperation in Juanes’ voice really gets to me.
Oft Gefragt - AnnenMayKantereit
- Again, the raspy voice kinda gets me. This song is infintently more bouncy than Als ich ein Kind war, but has that same nostalgic vibe. “Oft gefragt” translates to “Often asked”.
Formidable - Stromae
- Hey, so I heard this song when I was in a middle school history class (cannot for the life of me remember which one), and my friend who was taking French had me listen to it. Like A Dios Le Pido, it hasn’t left my playlist since. This is a post-breakup song, where Stromae himself is talking to his ex.
Pleasure - WARPs UP
- This song (I believe) was written for a show anime called Fruits Basket, specifically the 2020 version. I don’t know what it is about this song, maybe it’s the mellow beat, maybe it’s the high notes, but I’m pretty addicted to this song.
Prayer X - King Gnu
- I know why I’m emotionally attached to this song, and it’s because this show it’s for tore my heart out and stomped on it. Banana Fish is a brutal show, not for the faint of heart, and then it ends with this banger of a song with a very emotionally observant animation to go along with it. Both the normal rendition, and the acoustic rendition are perfection in my opinion.
Vielleicht Vielleicht - AnnenMayKantereit
- “Maybe Maybe” is what this song title translates to. Or “perhaps perhaps,” if you’re feeling fancy. This is a yearning song. I love it. I adore it. Probably one of my favorites from this band.
Vivir Mi Vida - Marc Anthony
- This is like a song that you’re going to listen to when you’re angry at the world. Anthony, for this entire song, is saying that he is going to sing, dance, and live in spite of the bad things happening.
Mayonaka no Door / Stay With Me - Miki Matsubara
- This is a very 90s, big hair, bouncy, “I want you and I don’t want you to leave so I’m going to tell you that with background singers and a fun beat”. Genuinely just a fun song to listen to, Matsubara has a lovely angelic voice.
I've added all these songs to a playlist which you can click below! Happy Listening!
Hi everyone! I'm CJ and I am a visual communications major with a creative writing minor. I am currently a part of the blog team so I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the blog or just WUSC in general!