Toki yo

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"Toki yo"
Song by Gen Hoshino
from the album Yellow Dancer
LanguageJapanese
Written2015
ReleasedDecember 2, 2015 (2015-12-02)
GenreJ-pop
Length4:15
LabelSpeedstar
Songwriter(s)Gen Hoshino
Producer(s)Gen Hoshino
Music video
"Toki yo" on YouTube

"Toki yo" (Japanese: 時よ, lit. "Time") (Japanese pronunciation: [tokiꜜ jo]), alternatively romanized as "Tokiyo", is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter and musician Gen Hoshino from his fourth studio album, Yellow Dancer (2015). It was released via Speedstar Records on December 2, 2015, as the album's lead track. Commissioned as commercial song for the distance learning program U-CAN [ja], Hoshino wrote and produced "Toki yo" with inspiration from Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Mad Pierrot" (1978). It is an upbeat pop song centered on synthesizer with a prevalent string section, featuring a more Japanese or Asian sound on an album with heavy influence from black music. The song's lyrics references the passing of time, with a forward-facing message on the lack of meaning in life.

"Toki yo" was received positively by album reviewers and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for digital sales. It reached number 21 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, charting 19 weeks from 2015 to 2017. A music video for the song, directed by Kazuaki Seki [ja] and filmed at Shōnandai Station in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, features Hoshino dressed as a train conductor, performing choreography alongside a female dancer. During concerts, Hoshino has often performed the song with the dance troupe Elevenplay.

Writing and release[edit]

The three members of Yellow Magic Orchestra in London, England, in 2008.
"Toki yo" was created after Hoshino listened to "Mad Pierrot" (1978) by Yellow Magic Orchestra (pictured).

Commissioned as a commercial song for the distance learning program U-CAN [ja], "Toki yo" was created after Hoshino listened to and was "shocked" by Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Mad Pierrot" (1978). In the song, Hoshino wanted to represent the inevitable passing of time and the strength and emotions of people who live in it. He wrote the song at the beginning of 2015, and had since the start of production imagined an analog synthesizer sound alongside a stringed melody, with percussions brought out by the synth.[1][2][3] The song was initially composed with the aim of making listeners dance on the inside without moving their bodies; as writing processed, Hoshino felt his goal took a more "physical" direction and began to aim for the song to make people dance with both their hearts and bodies.[4]

Writing of the song's lyrics occurred simultaneously with Hoshino's acting role as an obstetrician on the television drama Dr. Storks (2015–17). He felt that the show's themes on childbirth, its dangers, and the value of life would unconsciously inspire "Toki yo"; for example in the second verse, where the word 赤ちゃん (aka-chan, lit. "baby" or "infant") is used. Hoshino wanted to represent all four seasons of the year in the lyrics and researched various seasonal words. He highlighted the third verse's "Yūdachi ni nureta kimi o" ("How you got drenched in a sudden evening shower"), in which 夕立 (yūdachi, "evening shower [ja]") represents summer. The song ends with "bye-bye!", which Hoshino imagined in a light-hearted meaning, similarly to someone saying goodbye to a person they will see again next week.[3]

Hoshino announced Yellow Dancer, his fourth studio album, on October 14, 2015.[5] The album's full track listing was revealed on October 28, showing "Toki yo" as the lead track, followed by the promotional single "Week End".[6] Yellow Dancer was released on December 2, 2015, via Speedstar Records.[7] "Toki yo" was announced as a U-CAN commercial song on December 9; the series of commercials, also starring Hoshino, were to begin broadcast January 9, 2016.[1]

Composition and lyrics[edit]

"Toki yo"
A sample to the song's final chorus. An upbeat pop song, "Toki yo" features an electronic sound through synthesizer alongside a prevalent string section on violin, viola, and cello. Music critics analyzed the lyrics as forward-facing with references to the reasonless passing of time.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Toki yo" has a runtime of 4 minutes and 15 seconds.[8] It is set in a tempo of 176 beats per minute and primarily composed in the key of F major with a switch to G-flat major in the ending, according to sheet music published by Yamaha Music Entertainment.[9] The song was written and produced by Hoshino, who also performed on vocals and guitar. It features Eiko Ishibashi on synthesizer and background vocals, Ryosuke Nagaoka on electric guitar, Hama Okamoto on bass, and Noriyasu Kawamura on drums and cowbell. An ensemble of ten conducted by regular collaborator Mio Okamura play violin, viola, and cello. Takahiro Uchida is credited as the track's mastering engineer.[10][11]

Musically, "Toki yo" is an upbeat[12] pop song centered on the electric sound of Ishibashi's synthesizer, backed by Okamura's prevalent string arrangement and Hoshino's fast-paced vocals.[13][7][11] Takanori Kuroda for Cinra described the synth as oriental and reminiscent to the electronic music of early-era Yellow Magic Orchestra,[11] and CDJournal reviewers found the track's melody Japanese-like.[7] Music critics noted "Toki yo" as different in style to the other tracks on the black music-inspired album. Tomoyuki Mori, analyzing Yellow Dancer for Real Sound, felt that the song's flat beat, hard bassline, and "crazy" stringed instrumentation provided a different taste to the album's concept of "black-based yellow music",[14] whereas Tower Plus staff writer Naho Sadahiro identified "Toki yo" as without audible black music influence.[15] Akimasa Munekata, also a writer at Real Sound, found that "Toki yo" had a different impression than standard rock music, with a guitar that rarely appears at the front of the sound.[13]

The CDJournal staff regarded the lyrics to "Toki yo" as forward-facing with a message of time passing without meaning, matched by the song's fast melody.[7] Tower Plus' Sadahiro noted the lyrics' allusion to the four seasons and felt that the final line of "bye-bye!" contrasted to earlier lyrics such as "Ugoki dase, hari o mawase" / "Tsugi no kimi ni tsungare" ("Move and rotate the hands of the clock" / "So that it will lead to your next self") in a way that makes listeners think about the future.[15] Mori at Real Sound held a similar interpretation to the staff of CDJournal, analyzing the line "Toki yo, bokura nosete" / "Tsuzuiteku, imi mo naku" ("Time goes on, moving us forward" / "Without meaning") as a comparison of the lack of particular deep meaning in life to the reasonless passing of time.[14]

Music video[edit]

The railway platform of Sagami Railway's Shōnandai Station in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan, as pictured in April 2009.
The music video to "Toki yo" was filmed at Shōnandai Station in Fujisawa, Kanagawa.

On November 27, 2015, Hoshino announced in a listening video for "Week End" that a music video for "Toki yo" would be released.[16] The music video was released on November 30, directed by Kazuaki Seki [ja], who had previously been in charge of the video for the album's single "Sun" (2015). Intersected by an album trailer with an advertisement for the limited edition DVD contents, the music video features Hoshino dressed as a train conductor and a female dancer performing together at the railway platform and paid area of an empty metro station, with choreographic references to railway crossings and the salutes of conductors.[17][18][19] According to an official location guide published by Sagami Railway, the music video was filmed at Shōnandai Station in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.[20] Haruka Wakada at Real Sound wrote that the video continues a theme from the "Sun" music video of turning everyday locations into dance stages.[21]

Reception[edit]

"Toki yo" was received positively by album reviewers. Real Sound's Mori wrote that the song gives a taste of Hoshino's specialty in "crazy stringed sound" and called its "blunt" lyrics the true essence of Gen Hoshino.[14] A short review of Yellow Dancer by Hirama of Tower Records Japan praised the melody on "Toki yo" as catchy and praised its track order with "Week End" and "Sun". Hirama also complimented the music video, which he wrote would put listeners' hearts into movement.[22] Tomoko Ishisumi of Skream! magazine felt that "Toki yo", the acoustic "Kuchizuke", and the instrumental "Nerd Strut" – featuring performance from Yellow Magic Orchestra's Haruomi Hosono – formed a "distinct point" in the album.[23] A review of the song by the staff of CDJournal described "Toki yo" as a good-feeling pop tune with a memorable Japanese-like melody, featuring a warm sensation provided by the string section.[7] Commercially, "Toki yo" opened on Billboard Japan's Hot 100 chart dated December 14, 2015, placing at number 62. It reached its best position during the week of January 18, 2016, when it rose to number 21. It charted for 19 weeks total, making its final appearance on the chart dated January 28, 2017.[24] In February 2017, "Toki yo" was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for 100,000 digital sales.[25]

Live performances[edit]

Hoshino performed "Toki yo" during his Yellow Voyage tour, the headlining tour for Yellow Dancer, and featured it on the live video album Live Tour: Yellow Voyage (2016).[26] On setlists, it was the final song before encore. He performed the song's choreography alongside dance troupe Elevenplay, ending with Hoshino in salute.[27][28] A report of the Osaka-jō Hall performance by Natalie.mu staff wrote that "Toki yo" and "Week End" created a happy atmosphere before Hoshino departed the stage in preparation for the encore.[29] During the second and final day of Hoshino's Yellow Pacific concert at the start of 2017, "Toki yo" was featured as the second of three songs on the encore. Alongside a cover of Akira Fuse's "Kimi wa Bara yori Utsukushī [ja]" (1979), Hoshino performed the song as his alter ego character Akira Nise, his first time singing two songs as the character. Again dancing to the music video's choreography, Hoshino sang the song with a louder and longer tone, indicative of Nise.[30][31]

Hoshino's 2017 tour Continues' theme of connecting music history was inspired by the influence of "Mad Perriot" on "Toki yo". Setlists opened with Martin Denny's "Firecracker" (1959), the song which inspired Yellow Magic Orchestra's Haruomi Hosono to form the band and subsequently write "Mad Pierrot" on their eponymous debut album. Hoshino sang "Mad Pierrot" as the concert's twelfth song, moving directly into a performance of "Toki yo" alongside Elevenplay.[2] Real Sound's Haruka Wakada felt that the song's lyrics were announcing of the concert's theme.[32] During the 2019 dome tour promoting his fifth album Pop Virus (2018), Hoshino sang "Toki yo" during encore after a closing introduction of his touring members. Singing, Hoshino performed the song's choreography in symmetry to Akira Nise, played by dancer Shingo Okamoto [ja].[33] Performances of the song were included on the respective video releases, Live Tour: Continues (2017) and Dome Tour: Pop Virus at Tokyo Dome (2019).[34][35]

Personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from Apple Music.[10]

  • Gen Hoshino – vocals, guitar, songwriter, producer
  • Ryosuke Nagaoka – electric guitar
  • Hama Okamoto – bass guitar
  • Eiko Ishibashi – synthesizer, background vocals
  • Noriyasu Kawamura – drums, cowbell
  • Mio Okamura – violin
  • Yu Sugino – violin
  • Kiyo Kido – violin
  • Osamu Iyoku – violin
  • Miho Shimokawa – violin
  • Motoko Fujiie – violin
  • Mikiyo Kikuchi – viola
  • Reiichi Tateizumi – viola
  • Ayano Kasahara – cello
  • Toshiyuki Muranaka – cello
  • Takahiro Uchida – mastering engineer

Charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Toki yo" (2015–17)
Chart (2015–17) Peak
position
Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100)[24] 21

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Toki yo"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[25] Gold 100,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "星野源「時よ」が本人出演ユーキャンCMソングに" [Gen Hoshino's "Toki yo" to Feature in U-CAN Commercial Starring Hoshino Himself]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). December 9, 2015. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "星野源、自身の音楽ルーツ込めたツアー「Continues」6万人熱狂のたまアリで幕" [Gen Hoshino Expresses His Musical Roots in Tour Continues - Closes at the Saitama Arena to Audience of 60,000]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). September 11, 2017. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Hoshino, Gen (December 2015). "2015年の圧倒的名盤『Yellow Dancer』 その全曲を語りつくす完全保存大特集!" [Yellow Dancer - Complete Special Feature Going Into Every Song on 2015's Masterpiece Album!]. Musica [ja] (Interview) (in Japanese). Vol. 104. p. 37. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Sakihara, Kōta (January 29, 2016). "秋元康と亀田誠治が"ダンス偏重のJ-POP"について語りあう 「『流行歌』であり『歌』なんだということを叫び続けたい」" [Seiji Kameda and Yasushi Akimoto Discuss Dance-Focused J-Pop: "I will continue arguing that they are both pop songs and songs"]. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). p. 1. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  5. ^ "星野源、2年7カ月ぶり新アルバム「Yellow Dancer」リリース決定" [Gen Hoshino to Release First Album in Two Years with Yellow Dancer]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). October 14, 2015. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "星野源ニューアルバム初回盤に22曲入り「ひとりエッジ」ライブ映像集" [Gen Hoshino Will Include 22-Song "Hitori Edge" Live Footage in First Editions to New Album]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e "星野 源 / Yellow Dancer" [Gen Hoshino / Yellow Dancer]. CDJournal [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "Yellow Dancer – Album by Gen Hoshino". Apple Music. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  9. ^ "時よ" [Toki yo] (sheet music) (in Japanese). Yamaha Music Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024 – via Print-Gakufu.
  10. ^ a b "Tokiyo – Song by Gen Hoshino (from Yellow Dancer)". Apple Music. Archived from the original on March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Kuroda, Takanori (December 1, 2015). "一躍お茶の間の存在となった星野源。音楽家として何がすごい?" [Gen Hoshino Suddenly Became a Household Name. What Makes the Artist So Great?]. Cinra [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "星野源、「時よ」MVでダンサブル車掌になる" [Gen Hoshino Becomes a Danceful Train Conductor in "Toki yo" Music Video]. Barks [ja] (in Japanese). November 30, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Munekata, Akimasa (December 14, 2015). "星野源が『Yellow Dancer』で成し遂げた快挙　チャート1位作の音楽的達成を読む" [The Achievements of Gen Hoshino on Yellow Dancer: Let's Take a Musical Look at the Number One Charting Work]. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). p. 1. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Mori, Tomoyuki (December 1, 2015). "星野源の新作『YELLOW DANCER』が心と体に響くワケーー収録曲の音楽的アプローチから分析" [Why Gen Hoshino's New Yellow Dancer Reaches the Heart and Body: A Musical Dissection of the Track Listing]. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). p. 2. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Sadahiro, Naho (June 12, 2020). "星野源『Yellow Dancer』わたしたちの想像をかるくダンスしながら飛び越えてくる大名盤" [Gen Hoshino's Yellow Dancer Is A Masterwork That Lightly Dances On and Exceeds Our Imaginations] (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2024 – via Mikiki.
  16. ^ Hoshino, Gen (November 27, 2015). 星野源 - Week End (星野源と聴く試聴動画) [Gen Hoshino - Week End (Listen with Gen Hoshino)] (in Japanese). Event occurs from 0:16 to 0:32. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via YouTube. 今回ですね。アルバム『Yellow Dancer』リリースになるということで、「ミュージックビデオあるんです？」。それはですね。「時よ」という曲でミュージックビデオを作りたいと私思いまして [So now, as were are to release the album Yellow Dancer, "is there a music video?" For that, I decided to create a music video for the song "Toki yo" (...)]
  17. ^ "星野源、New ALよりダンスシーン満載のMV"時よ"公開＆「ひとりエッジ」の映像も" [Gen Hoshino Releases Dance-Filled Scenes and Trailer to Hitori Edge Tour in Music Video to New Album Song "Toki yo"]. Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). November 30, 2015. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  18. ^ "車掌姿の星野源が無人の地下鉄駅でダンス、関和亮監督の新PV" [A Conductor-Dressed Gen Hoshino Dances in Empty Metro Station in New Music Video, Directed by Kazuaki Seki]. Cinra [ja] (in Japanese). November 30, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  19. ^ Akino, Aya (June 1, 2017). "星野源のダンスを"踊りたくなる"理由 「恋」「Sun」「化物」「夢の外へ」の共通点を考察" [Why Gen Hoshino's Choreography Makes You Want to Dance: Taking a Look at the Similarities Between "Koi", "Sun", "Bakemono", and "Yume no Soto e"]. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). p. 1. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "過去の主なロケ実績一覧" [List of Past Notable Uses as Filming Location]. Sotetsu Location Guide (in Japanese). Sagami Railway. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2024. Click 2015年
  21. ^ Wakada, Haruka (December 20, 2016). "星野源はなぜ"踊る"のか? 逃げ恥「恋ダンス」で示した、新たなポップスター像" [Why Does Gen Hoshino Dance? The New Image of a Pop Star Shown with the Koi Dance]. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). p. 1. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  22. ^ Hirama. "Yellow Dancer <通常盤>" [Yellow Dancer (Regular Edition)] (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  23. ^ Ishisumi, Tomoko (December 2015). "『Yellow Dancer』 - Disc Review" [Yellow Dancer - Disc Review]. Skream! (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). January 13, 2016. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Japanese digital single certifications – 星野 源 – 時よ" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2017年02月 on the drop-down menu
  26. ^ "星野 源 / Live Tour 'Yellow Voyage'" [Gen Hoshino / Live Tour: Yellow Voyage]. CDJournal [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  27. ^ Ozura, Nobuaki (February 5, 2016). "星野源 新作『Yellow Dancer』を引っ提げたツアーをレポート / ライブレポート" [Report of the Tour to Gen Hoshino's New Yellow Dancer / Live Report] (in Japanese). Excite Music. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  28. ^ Hirokazu, Koike (March 22, 2016). "星野源、極上のエンタメツアー「Yellow Voyage」大団円! 武道館公演を完全レポート" [Final Day to Gen Hoshino's Ultimate Yellow Voyage! Full Report of Budokan Show]. Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  29. ^ ""ニセ明"が飛んだ! 星野源「Yellow Voyage」ツアー城ホールで大団円" [With a Flying Nise Akira, Gen Hoshino Ends Yellow Voyage Tour at the Osaka Jo Hall]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). March 22, 2016. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  30. ^ Ozura, Nobuaki (February 1, 2017). "星野源 会場全体で"恋ダンス"も! 2017年初ライブは大盛況 / ライブレポート・セトリ" [Gen Hoshino Livens Up the Stage in First 2017 Concert, Putting the Entire Venue Into the Koi Dance! / Live Report & Setlist] (in Japanese). Excite Music. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  31. ^ Wakada, Haruka (February 8, 2017). "星野源は日本のポップミュージックの歴史を前に進めるーー新春ライブ『Yellow Pacific』レポ" [Gen Hoshino Moves to the Front of Japanese Pop Music History - Report of the Spring Concert Yellow Pacific]. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  32. ^ Wakada, Haruka (September 28, 2017). "星野源は"音楽の歴史"をつないでいく　アリーナツアー『Continues』追加公演を観て" [Gen Hoshino Connects with Music History - Look at the Extra Shows of the Arena Tour Continues]. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  33. ^ "星野源、33万人動員5大ドームツアーで見せた「Pop Virus」の世界" [The World of Pop Virus Shown on Gen Hoshino's Five Dome Tour]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). March 11, 2019. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  34. ^ "星野源 / Live Tour "Continues" [2DVD+ブックレット] <初回限定盤>" [Gen Hoshino / Live Tour: Continues (2 DVDs + Booklet) (First Limited Edition)] (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  35. ^ "星野源 / Dome Tour "Pop Virus" at Tokyo Dome <通常盤>" [Gen Hoshino / Dome Tour: Pop Virus at Tokyo Dome (Regular Edition)] (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
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