Does the definition of a "good love song" change with the times? A love song conversation between former GO!GO!7188 member Yu and KAWAII LAB. producer Misa Kimura

Ever since a friend recommended them to me in junior high school, GO!GO!7188 was the band I listened to the most during my youth, so I'm happy to meet you today. I'm a bit nervous (laughs).

I'm happy.

When it comes to love songs by GO!GO!7188, the first one that comes to mind is "Koinouta." I listened to it a lot.

People often say to me, "I used to listen to it a long time ago," but at the time, it didn't really feel like that at all. I'd heard that there was a popular spell that if you set "Koino Uta" as your ringtone, your love would come true, but the people who listened to it were like, "Really?" (laughs).

I remembered. There was an image of handwritten lyrics, and I used to have the image of the lyrics of "Koinouta" as my wallpaper.

I didn't know that existed (laughs). It really makes you feel the times. I'm currently in a band called Chilinuruwowaka, and we often play against younger bands, and many people tell me they were copying us. So now I finally realize that a lot of people were listening to GO!GO!7188.

"Koinouta" is a really important song to me. It's not a song that sounds too brooding, but it clearly conveys her will with lines like "I'm sure there's no one better than you for me right now," and I feel like that suits the times we live in.

Akko (formerly GO!GO!7188 bassist and vocalist) wrote the lyrics, but I also thought this song was a straightforward love song, so I remember wanting the melody to have a straightforward love song feel to it as well. I've always written the lyrics first. In the latter half of the song, I started writing the music more often, but for me, the melody would come to me as I was reading the lyrics.

I was really taken aback by the line, "Please tell me, God, what is that person looking at? What are they thinking? Who do they love? For whom are they getting hurt?" I felt like this song accurately described what love feels like, and the moment the chorus started, I started thinking about love myself.

It's true that the lyrics here may change your perspective a little.

So even now, when I listen to this song, I remember my childhood love. "Kasugai" from Chirinuruwowaka, released in 2005, was also a big shock to me at the time. The last line, "I'll even accept you even if you let go of my hand," conveys the ultimate love, and I thought it was amazing.

Wow, you listened to Chirinuruwowaka too.

Yes. This was written by Yu, right? I really like this song.

When asked what makes a good love song, the song that comes to mind is "Star Love Letter" by THE BOOM. I know the "I love you" part of the chorus, but the "Do whatever you want" that follows is a simple line that you wouldn't normally say, yet it's so pure. Do you know this song?

No. It was a song before I was born, so this is the first time I've heard it. It's a wonderful song.

Maybe love songs reflect a generation rather than an era. Young people might not get it if they listen to Showa-era love songs, but I think love songs have the role of "locking up memories." That's why I think there are love songs that each generation desires.

It's not like the ringtone I mentioned earlier, but I remember listening to this song on my way home, and I had an iPod Classic at the time. The scenery you see is different depending on your generation.

Personally, I feel like the music I make with my band is something that people of my generation can easily relate to, but the idol group you're currently producing has a wide fan base, from children to older people. Isn't it very difficult to create songs that resonate with people of all ages?

I don't really think about making songs that resonate with everyone. With the groups I produce, if I had to say, I value making sure they "resonate with the members." I'm always thinking about whether the lyrics and worldview of the songs are something the girls in the group can accept without feeling uncomfortable.

This may also be close to the idea of "capturing the memories of today's generation in songs." This may also be the reason why KAWAII LAB.'s group has a large number of female fans of the same generation as the members, despite being idol groups.