The Japanese setting, the “Noh” masks, and the “shamisen” playing give it an international flavour.

Monkey Majik + Yoshida Brothers – “Change”

“Change” (2011)

Two bands of brothers (that is, 2 brothers in each band, from 2 far-off hemispheres), got together for a 3rd time to create this catchy song. The one band is the alt pop/rock band Monkey Majik, led by the 2 Plant brothers from eastern Canada, and the other is the “Tsugaru-shamisen”  playing Yoshida Brothers, from northern Japan. 

Driving Change

While “Change”  is essentially a pop-rock tune in the Western tradition, the setting of the vid on Japanese streets, the “Noh”  masks, and the spirited “shamisen”  playing all work together to give it an international flavor.   

On Japan’s Oricon weekly music charts, “Change”  reached #52. The song was also used in a Honda commercial, as well as on a TV news show.    _{(Image source)}

Monkey Majik

Monkey Majik is a rock band based in Sendai, Japan. The band is essentially led by the 2 founding members, brothers Maynard and Blaise Plant.  

Beyond Gold

In the early Naughties, the band played regular gigs in and around Sendai, and released an EP and 2 full-length albums.

In 2006, their 3rd album sold close to 100,000 copies during its initial pressing. Their subsequent recordings have gone gold, and one even went platinum.   

Monkey Majik has collaborated with the Yoshida Brothers on 2 singles.   

Good Will  

In 2009, Monkey Majik members were named Canadian-Japanese Goodwill Ambassadors, on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of Canada–Japan Friendship.   _{(Image source)}

Yoshida Brothers  (吉田兄弟)

Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida – aka The Yoshida Brothers – play the “Tsugaru shamisen,”  a traditional Japanes stringed instrument from Aomori, in northern Japan. Compared to the standard Japanese shamisen, the “Tsugaru shamisen”  is a larger and more robust instrument.   

Parellel Lives

Like Monkey Majik, the Yoshida Brothers started performing around the turn of the millennium. Their first album sold over 100,000 copies, and they have since gone on to further acclaim in Japan, and onwards to international renown.   

Apart from their vigorous performances with Monkey Majik, the Yoshida Brothers have also incorporated synthesizers and drums into their music. On their traditional instruments, they have even done a cover of a Radiohead song.    _{(Image source)}

You had your wishes but you threw them away
It made you happy yeah for more than one day
But now you're lost and cannot figure a way
To get out of this lie that comforts you
And you know that I would lie to comfort you

Renew your wishes get on out of this fray
You'll never change if you keep running away
A little time, you need to figure a way
'Cause you know it doesn't lie in front of you
And you know it doesn't lie in front of you

I need a change
'Cause it's all gone wrong for me
Somebody else to lead me now
I need a change
'Cause it's all gone wrong for me
Somebody else to lead me now
(I want) Somebody else to lead me now
(I said) Somebody else to lead me now

Brothers on the top. pressing all the melodies
Never can stop. 'cause it's a necessity
You like the way the northern brothers
They make ya dance
I think we're changing the sound of sweet romance
Time to party,   12 本の腕    (Juni-hon no ude)

Everybody
Everybody wants to get started
Takatantan!!! Sweet sound of the shamisen
Tsugaru style, if you know where they're coming from
Wouldn't it be nice if the whole world got along
Even on a small scale, change is possible
We keep saying these things
Don't even know what they mean
As if we had never seen
The other end of the street
Start travelling, communicating, educating
Sing them your song
You'd be surprised how many people wanna hear what you're saying
Apples are red
But taste the same as green, WOOO!!

I need a change
'Cause it's all gone wrong for me
Somebody else to lead me now
I need a change
'Cause it's all gone wrong for me
Somebody else to lead me now
(I want) Somebody else to lead me now
(I said) Somebody else to lead me now

I need a change
'Cause it's all gone wrong for me
(I want) Somebody else to lead me now
I need a change
'Cause it's all gone wrong for me
(I want) Somebody else to lead me now
I need a change
'Cause it's all gone wrong for me
(I want) Somebody else to lead me now
I need a change
'Cause it's all gone wrong for me
(I want) Somebody else to lead me now
(I want) Somebody else to lead me now
(I said) Somebody else to lead me now
Lyrics by Maynard Plant / Blaise Plant, courtesy of – Genius.com
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Generasia.com

Into your ears … through 5 channels

 The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}
         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
         2 – “Cover Versions”
         3 – “Honor Roll”
         4 – “Documentaries”
         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Music to Your Ears” ...

          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 1–20"
          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 21–40"

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”  

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"  
          Vocab-Ability – "Index"  to all Chapters and Sections  

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"  
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"