The Koda Kumi Rate: Part III, COMPLETE. See you in Q1 2020

Those ballads all sound the same...

 

Better clean those ears then.

 

Anata Dake Ga > the rest

 

Finally a just opinion.

 

Yassss!

 

47a
Dreaming Now!

Average: 7,40
Highest scorers: 9x4 (@abael, @Ana Raquel, @mi|kshake and @me!), 8,5x1 (@Music Is Life)
Lowest scorers: 4x1 (@Cutlery), 5x1 (@Yeziirl)
My score: lookie above

Spoiler: Leaderboard History

5 voters: #21, 8,10 avg.
10 voters: #31, 7,65 avg.
15 voters: #43, 7, 55 avg.
18 voters: #47, 7,40 avg.

​

Oh, so we're really just eliminating a-sides now? At least it's not another ballad. Written by Kumi and produced by Mitsu.J (SAY's "PEDARU" !!! and Gouriki Ayame's "Girls' Talkin'" !!!), the track served as 56th single and the last one before the release of "Bon Voyage". Kuu wrote the song for the Japanese team that participated in 2013's "Volleyball World Grand Champion Cup". What I can't get enough of in this one is a reggaeton inspired beat. Just love how it rolls on and on and on making me wanna move. I actually truly think this is one of Kuu's weaker a-sides, but that beat and the catchy oh-oh-oh's are what made me give this such a high score. It was also pretty great to get a dance music video from Kuu, as at the time of release it's been a while since we had one of those. Moving on to lyrics, I can't at them correcting Kuu's English in the official booklet, shady binches, dddd:

I wanna (be) dreaming now
Take one step forward
Tell me now
Strengthen our bonds and
fly away
to a new future
Let's join together

I wanna (be) dreaming now
Tell me now
about your throbbing feelings
We'll connect our courage
Fly away
Now spread out your hands
Oh, I'm sure we can do it
I say oh oh... You say oh oh...
(c) @otenkiame

Are any of you getting that winner cup she's talking about?

@Cutlery (4) wasn't really phased by this, "This doesn't hold up well in 2019. And it's not over-the-top enough, nor does it have other elements to make me enjoy it from the bottom of my heart, that's still able to appreciate a thumpy drop/slice of dated EDM"

I wonder what kind of anime @Yeziirl (5) watches, not that I'm much of an expert, anyway, "Another song that just reminds me of basic anime openings"

Our go-to interpreter @otenkiame (7,5) has a axe to grind with this one, "Let me get this off my chest: I cannot stand the English used in this song. It's distracting as nothing else. That aside, this has great beats and synths going for it. I absolutely love the "oh oh oh" portion that comes after the hooks. Especially with the synths and beats underneath."

@Music Is Life (8,5) asks permission, "BOP. Can I dance? I wanna dance." I'll allow it.

For once @abael's (9) comment is the last one, "KK and production seem to find a nice balance for this track, with the backing providing pacing and structure while not overpowering KKs performance." A solid offering, then.

Kuu perfromed this live both on TV and on tour.
​

 

Thank you. Will be dancing my ass off.
It's always weird when @abael gives a higher score than me.

 

BABY
CAN WE TRY‽
























47b
Can We Go Back

Average: 7,40
Highest scorers: 10x2 (@RUNAWAY, @Music Is Life), 9x2 (@Ana Raquel, @soratami)
Lowest scorers: 4x1 (@Yeziirl), 5x2 (@abael, @Eskiath)
My score: 8,5

Spoiler: Leaderboard History

5 voters: #49, 7,00 avg.
10 voters: #52, 6,75 avg.
15 voters: #46, 7,40 avg.
18 voters: #47, 7,40 avg.

​

Yep, a-sides it is! Written by Kumi and the trio of Adam Watts (Jesse McCartney's "Beautiful Soul"), Andy Dodd (P!nk's "White Rabbit") and Shanna Crooks (Demi Lovato's "Lightweight") and produced the the latter three, the song was Kuu's 46th single and the last one before the release of "UNIVERSE". The track was originally performed by Kelly Clarkson. Her version appeared as a pre-release bonus track for those who ordered "All I Ever Wanted" on iTunes and later appeared as a Japanese bonus track. I wonder how this happened, as usually affairs like this mean, that one party won't be releasing the song in the market of the other, but it looks like this was not the case this time. Anyway, this is good as Kumi's rock songs go. The chorus is a pleasant earworm and I can never get enough of Kuu's aggressive vocal takes in this one. BABY, CAN WE TRYYYYYYYYY‽ The music video also contains an exclusive MJ inspired break, provided by HIRO, the one and only producer of "TABOO", a.k.a. the winner of Part II of this very rate. Looping back to Kelly's version, it's as good. I wish Kuu would do the same elongated last chorus in hers though. It looks like Kuu's version has similar message as Kelly's as well:

Can we go back to the way we used to be
The butterflies will return now
Can we abandon everything?
Giving up what used to be is easy
It shouldn't be like it is now
Yeah, back to the way we used to be
(c) @otenkiame

Can we really though?

@Yeziirl (4) chose his side, "Kelly did it better, sorry, girl!"

Kuu's delivery couldn't pull @abael (5) out of his impression, "The song is somewhat monotonous, and drags on by the point of the final runthrough of the chorus."

Did... did @Eskiath (5) just made a little pun? "Bleh hate it, sounds so lame and uninspired, but the chorus has gotten stuck in my head enough times to give it a higher rating than I used to." Yep, they did, even if unintentional.

@Cutlery (7) thought this was aight, "Never heard Kelly's original (oops) but this is serviceable enough. Single-worthy, though? Not so much"

@otenkiame (8) was right... again! "I've heard a lot of people saying Kuu's vocals aren't as good as the original's, but I don't care? This makes for a good pop/rock track with a dramatic atmosphere to make it feel a bit dark. Plus, Kuu vocals suit rock, so she gives this song the performance it deserves."

@RUNAWAY (10) was stanning as he usually does, "the fact that she released a Kelly Clarkson BONUS TRACK as a single is iconic in itself, but it’s also so much BETTER than Kelly’s version. It really fits Kumi and her new lyrics are fantastic."

And lastly, @Music Is Life (10) considered this for his 11 at some point, "It’s so random that she covered this iTunes pre-release bonus track by Kelly but I fucking love this song in any form and it rocks so much. Love her voice on this and I bop so hard. Love this and it’s a definite possible 11. That chorus is just so undeniable in any language."

This is one of the tracks that could use a bit more representation live, but it did have its share of TV performances.

​

 

The next 4 tracks are from one category. Any guesses?

 

Okay what the fuck people?!
Glad I didn't I guess, but this deserved to stick around. And anyone shading Queen Kelly can GET OUT.

 

Singles. Are there even 4 ballads left? Because it could very well be that...

EDIT: Actually, it might be extras. Fishbowl, Got to Be Real, Trap and Good Day are all acceptable eliminations

 

Dreaming Now! is a bit annoying and wasn't the best single choice.

Still, I'm surprised it left so soon.

 

Looks like someone guessed it...​

46
Say Her Name

Average: 7,47
Highest scorers: 10x1 (@vague), 9x3 (@Love Deluxe, @Eskiath, @Music Is Life)
Lowest scorers: 5x2 (@Coming Century, @abael), 6x1 (@Osiris)
My score: 7

Spoiler: Leaderboard History

5 voters: #69, 6,20 avg.
10 voters: #47, 6,95 avg.
15 voters: #49, 7,30 avg.
18 voters: #46, 7,47 avg.

​

So who's here for an extra special cull? Written by Kumi and produced by Andre Lindal (Britney Spears' "Tik Tik Boom"), Geir Hvidsten (Miranda Cosgrove's "Brand New You") and the one and only Ina Wroldsen (numerous hits of the recent years as well as her own songs), the track was a b-side for Kuu's 52nd single "Love Me Back". A stripped back guitar and strings R'n'B affair is pretty reminiscent of the 2010s and even earlier with its approach. It pretty cute, but in the end there is not enough meat here for me to give this a higher score. Kumi's performance is serviceable, although I feel like she should have been a lot more emotive here. I'll say that I like this lyrically, as Kumi rarely acknowledges cheating and breaking up in such straight-forwadly manner:

It wasn't me who you noticed
But the girl next to me. Hey who is she??

Say her name to my face
Was it only me feeling like that?
Say her name to my face
It's not too late, so tell me it's a lie
(c) @otenkiame

I THINK YOU ALREADY KNOW MY NAAAME! SAY!

@abael (5) got bored pretty quickly, "Alright in the beginning, but doesn't go anywhere from then on."

@otenkiame (8) is a softy, "A track I've always had a soft spot for. Love the R&B sound with the acoustic guitar, and the way Kuu sounds so over this dude. She been done wrong, but she's going to have the last word. I kinda want her to write a follow up letting us know what happened to the girl after she got the name outta him." I wouldn't mind something like that.

@RUNAWAY (8) is... I don't even know, "don’t kill me but this is so much better than Love Me Back….sorry sis." Are you on drugs? Are you on fucking drugs?

@Cutlery (8) likes the combo of the instruments, "Brewing up some heartbroken rhythm n blues with violins"

@Yeziirl (8,5) has some really keen hearing, "that sounds so circa 2000-2010, I like it, but who the fuck is doing some unnecessary ASMR tapping percussion on the backing track"

For better or for worse, this remains in the "to be performed live" pile.

​

 

45
Outside Fishbowl

Average: 7,56
Highest scorers: 10x1 (@RUNAWAY), 9,5x1 (@Music Is Life)
Lowest scorers: 5x1 (@Coming Century), 6x1 (@Yeziirl)
My score: 6,5

Spoiler: Leaderboard History

5 voters: #62, 6,50 avg.
10 voters: #47, 6,95 avg.
15 voters: #44, 7,52 avg.
18 voters: #45, 7,56 avg.

​

Would you look at that, managed to climb 10 places higher than her cuter sister. Just like "Inside Fishbowl", this was written by Kumi and produced by Niclas Lundin and Joakim Hahlin. I actually never expected this outcome, as I always liked "Inside Fishbowl" more and I never noticed any of the fans saying that they liked "Outside Fishbowl" better... guess it's official now, huh? I actually don't even know why I never warmed up to this one. Maybe I just liked the initial listen of "Inside Fishbowl" so much, that I subconsciously thought that I don't even need a second take on it. As I mentioned in the first write-up, this is lyrically opposite of "Inside Fishbowl":

On the night when that sun sleeps​

and loses its glow...
I'm gonna try!

I want to leave this fishbowl, growing old
I don't want to be hindered
Cause I am meant to fly
It won't end like this
(c) @otenkiame

We all are growing old in the end, huh?

@Yeziirl (6) might be onto something, "Oh yeah I was annoyed by the pitch of her voice (ohmigosh are those songs inside/outside album foreshadowing from 8473 years ago) (The best thing about gossip candy is that tacky cover, yas!)"

@abael (7) was incorrect, but what can you do, "The better of the two Fishbowl tracks. Vocal changes are the greatest improvement over the other."

@Eskiath (7) had questions, "Actually decent but why does it exist." We just don't know.

@otenkiame (7) couldn't help, but to decipher the meaning, "As the rockier version of the fishbowl series, I find myself gravitating much more to this. The whole wanting to be set free theme is pretty great, though I have to admit that the whole "fishbowl" theme is a bit...tacky. Not horrible, but it just sounds unimpressive to me. Still, it's an enjoyable track overall." Never found it tacky, to be honest.

As you might imagine, @Music Is Life (9,5) loved this, "Pop-rock BOP. Love the production, especially the drums and guitar, and little electronic flourishes throughout." Same, only it was better on "Inside Fishbowl".

@RUNAWAY (10) reminded me of a nice detail with his commentary, "yas. this is the better Fishbowl and she is slaying on this song. wasn’t this like….the theme song to like...Prison Break in Japan or something? so random but this song is fucking awesome." Yes, this indeed was used as an ending theme for Season 3 of "Prison Break" in Japan.

Kuu performed "Outside Fishbowl" live mainly during the "Dream Music Park" performances (accompanied by a freaking T-Rex), but it also managed to snuck into a medley during the "JAPONESQUE Tour".

​

 

This is the better Fishbowl.

 

Well, not for me!

 

I'll be there for you!










44
Good☆day

Average: 7,58
Highest scorers: 10x2 (@vague, @Music Is Life), 9x4 (@otenkiame, @Remorque, @RUNAWAY and @me!)
Lowest scorers: 4,5x1 (@Yeziirl), 5x1 (@Coming Century, @Osiris)
My score: lookie above

Spoiler: Leaderboard History

5 voters: #44, 7,20 avg.
10 voters: #47, 6,95 avg.
15 voters: #46 7,40 avg.
18 voters: #44, 7,58 avg.

​

And with that the whole "Can We Go Back" single and the last of the extra tracks from the "UNIVERSE" era is gone. Written by Kumi and composed by one of main Hamasaki Ayumi producers, Nakano Yuta, the song was a b-side for the said single. This is delightful. The happiness is bursting at the seams on this one and I love that feeling of warmth and love for your loved one that is so prevailent here. Love how fast Kumi sings the Japanese lines in the chorus. I would love for it to have one last big chorus or maybe a key change at the end, but it pretty perfect as it is. The lyrics? You already know it by now:

I'll be there for you
You'll stay with me after this
I'll be there for you
So I want to wrap you up in tenderness
I'll be there for you
I feel like I'm being blown away by the cold wind, but
Just I'm fallin' in love...YOU!
(c) @otenkiame

Will you be there for me? Anyone? Please?

@Eskiath (6) liked the lack of annoyance, "It's cute without being annoying!"

@abael (8) used the commentary for this one to go deep and reminisce about the past winners, "Has all the ingredients to make something great, but something about this track is a bit under-done. There’s a lack of energy from either KK or the production team, an issue that has been a recurring one that I hope doesn’t last too long. The spark of originality from the previous winning tracks that had me seeking this rate out hasn’t appeared yet."

@otenkiame (9) would definitely like a word with our lower scorers, "Just a wonderful, fun and bright pop song. There really isn't anything not to love about this. It's the perfect amount of cute and infectious melodies, definitely giving the impression of a good day. Can't imagine not at least liking this."

@RUNAWAY (9) claimed this deserved more, "this song was wasted as a b-side. it’s so good, it definitely should have been on the album!" Actually, this could have been switched with "SUPERSTAR" pretty easily, for instance.

@Music Is Life (10) mentioned someone I don't know and Britney in one comment, "The handclaps remind me of Brit’s Boys, which is never a bad thing. This song actually does feel like something Britney could have done, so of course I’m going to love it dddd. Seriously the production is a lot of fun, and the “I’ll be there for you” hook is immaculate."

Kumi performed the song live for the first time in a medley during the "UNIVERSE Tour". It got its own performance, even with a live band, at a fanclub live "Let's Party Vol.2".
​

 

Candy...
Baby...
Lick, lick, lick...









43
Black Candy

Average: 7,68
Highest scorers: 10x2 (@Love Deluxe, @Music Is Life), 9x2 (@soratami and @me!)
Lowest scorers: 4,5x1 (@Yeziirl), 5x2 (@Coming Century, @abael)
My score: lookie above

Spoiler: Leaderboard History

5 voters: #52, 6,90 avg.
10 voters: #46, 7,00 avg.
15 voters: #40, 7,57 avg.
18 voters: #43, 7,68 avg.

​

And there we go. Written by Kumi and produced by Matthew Tishler (Amuro Namie's "Red Carpet"), Liz Rodrigues (Nicole Scherzinger's "Casualty"), Erik Alcock (Celine Dion's "Courage") and Adam Royce (Kumi's "Under"), the track was a b-side to Kuu's 49th single "POP DIVA". This is ace! That dirty rock-ish instrumental is to die for and Kumi's vocal layering is amazing here, as it doesn't let the track to go stale. She also bring some needed attitude to the party, while the chorus has one of the catchiest melodies in her discography. The lyrics are about Kumi wanting to be taken by a man or something:

In the moon's glow, round and sweet
I ripen more
I won't let you easily take a taste
Getting a hold of me is not easy

Take money, take body
Making a woman say that, you rude man
(c) @otenkiame

It's a crime only three of you provided commentary for this.

And one of the comments, the one by @abael (5), is pretty hurtful, "Effortless pop, in that this required no effort by anyone at any point." The door is over there.

In contrast, @otenkiame (8) knows what's up, as we learned over the course of this rate, "No surprise, but I've always been a fan of this slightly dark and mysterious number with its rock influences. It's oozing in sensuality, but is much more subtle about it compared to her other sexy songs. Kuu carries the song well, too."

@Cutlery (8) enjoys the chorus and the guitars, thank you very much, "A fresh dose of guitars and Kuu serving hooks"

I was so glad that she performed this during "Dejavu Tour". The witchy set-up worked like a charm.
​

 

Tomorrow we have another one of our favorite ties and coming up to the middle of the rate... someone is losing their precious 11.