It’s time for another Battle of the Songs! Sorry for the delay! I developed really bad styes in both of my eyes last week. I looked like someone punched me in the face. I had to rest for a while. Plus, I went on a weekend trip to Nishio City, which is about an hour away from Nagoya.
Lately, I have been listening to a lot of old school Korean pop songs from the 90s. I have loved Korean pop since 2002, but I really love songs from the 90s. In today’s battle, I will feature two legendary 90s Kpop girl groups: S.E.S. and Baby Vox.
S.E.S. – “Dreams Come True”
“Dreams Come True” is a song from their second album, released in 1999. Every time I listen to the song, I keep on thinking on thought: What would happen if Ace of Base produced “The Sign” in 1999? It would be something akin to “Dreams Come True”. Maybe I am just basing that on the main instrumental melody in between the verses. But, doesn that instrumental piece sound something by Ace of Base?
(BTW, the S.E.S. song is a cover of the 1996 song (Like a Fool) by Swedish girl group Nylon Beat. This sounds like a future battle in a making, hmmm….)
Despite the eerily similarities, “Dreams Come True” is a relaxed tune. The instrumental and vocals are soft. The pace is also slowed down in order to create a magical effect on the song’s mood. But also, each girl’s vocal tones fit the song really nicely. Eugene and Shoo sing each line in the chorus and verses with a balanced softness. And then Bada comes in with a beautiful melody during the middle 8. Though each member has different vocal tones, they come together perfectly in this song.
Do you sense that “Dreams Come True” has a magical vibe to it? Tell me in the comments below!
(BTW, you should. It is simply magical!)
Baby Vox – “Meorihaneun Nal”
“Neorihaneun Nal” isn’t a typical Baby Vox song. In fact, the album that the song is found on — their debut album EQUALIZEHER — is quite different than the popular Baby Vox sound. The sounds found in their debut album were much rawer and harsher than their popular cute and sexy images. The sounds found in their first album didn’t catch the attention of the mainstream Korean audience, so the producers changed the group’s sound from street-like to cute-like. Also, members changed between the first and second albums as three first-generation members quit, thus changing the sound completely.
Jung Shi Woon starts “Neorihaneun Nal” with an energetic, street-style rap. I love her rapping because of the way she delivers the words, it is so good. It is also interesting how she styles each phrase in how uses tones, rolled sounds, and the use of elongating words.
Although Jung Hyun Jun is the main vocalist in this song, the true star is Cha Yumi. Her voice, compared to the others, fits the song just perfectly as the tone is not too airy or deep. And, she doesn’t use a lot of pizzazz or vibrato to sing her lines.
Although it is not a typical Baby Vox song, “Neorihaneun Nal” is a great listen for it’s street-style raps and cool vocals. What do you think of “Neorihaneun Nal”? Tell me in the comments below!
Song Lyrics
Here is a translation of the lyrics, thanks to
(I paid close attention to a lot of thoughts
After thousands of worries, I ended up in this conclusion)
Until the confirmation of the break up,
do you know how much I suffered?
You don’t know I’m like this
when I was cutting my attractive long hair
I wailed
(My determination will sway
I was pledging my consciousness)
Your two eyes become big
You look at me without saying a word
You can’t close your wide mouth
what is happening?
you start to ask
While you are startled
instead of an answer you crossed your arms
you open the door of the coffee shop for me
like you always do
Together watching a movie
eating dinner
a light beer
what is so good that you’re smiling?
there’s no way
you didn’t know that it was the ending
Sorry
I gave to the clueless you
a break up
(Why are people like this?
the treasured
cherished grow
hair
I understand why they give them up and cut them)
If you make them short,make them as short as they can get
the sadness will become lighter
will become expectation
if you cut your hair, cut them as much you can otherwise
the past days with endless sadness
can find you again)
Let’s go a little further
you hate breaking up
you hold me
you keep on insisting
I’m in front of my house
I still hope
tears flow
I can’t say a word
like we will meet tomorrow
I send you away
when you find out about break up
you’ll understand the reason
I cut my hair
with your grief
my happiness was obtained
to me more than love
the temptation for a stable life was getting bigger
when you find out about break up
you’ll understand the reason
I cut my hair
with your grief
my happiness was obtained
to me more than love
the temptation for a stable life was getting bigger
