BAND-MAID - GIOVANNI REACTION | ENGLISH LYRICS VIDEO | DRUMMER REACTS

[@otobokegaijin6218]

They played this song a couple times in Japan before going on the US tour, but not at the shows I saw. "Giovanni" originally is the main character in a famed, highly allegorical novel "Night on the Galactic Railroad" by Kenji Miyazawa first published 1934, later made into an anime. Miku said the song is a film (映画) in words. Some of the verses of "Giovanni" might be seen as film-like, conveying by words flash-backs, flash-forwards, freeze-frames, maybe slow-motion (tempo seems to slow). Places in the lyrics hint at Buddhism, such as 死せず何度も生まれ変わる (referring to rebirth) and perhaps "Which is your way" -- evokes the どの道にする "Which way to choose?" of "After Life" -- which could be a reference to the 六道 (Six Ways) of Buddhism -- or maybe not. Who knows but Miku? There are Buddhist elements in some of Miku's song lyrics. The original author of "Galactic Railroad" Miyazawa was from a Buddhist family and that religion's influence on his work is clear-one way to look at the Galactic Railroad is as the "One Vehicle" of the Lotus Sutra, which Miyazawa was very fond of (this is for anyone interested in Japanese literature). Anyway, Miku's Japanese lyrics are generally very very good. Mixing English into the lyrics is a long-standing practice in Japanese popular music.

[@realdocloco]

Very complete 👍. I bought the anime's dvd because of this song. Trivia: I think Wednesday Campanella also get their name from "Night On the Galactic Railroad" (Campanella being Giovanni's friend)

[@otobokegaijin6218]

@@realdocloco Thanks Doc. In Japan over the years there have many many artists in various genres-not only music but also literature, fine arts-who've taken that name (or "Giovanni"), also businesses and shops and restaurants, etc., in many cases no doubt directly inspired by the novel and/or anime.

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Awesome info as always! Thanks!

[@surfingasongwave]

@@otobokegaijin6218 Do you know of any good translations of the original novel to English?

[@otobokegaijin6218]

@@surfingasongwave I think there are at least 5 or 6 English translations. I've never read an English translation, only the original. I personally think it's untranslatable, as it's loaded with neologisms and sometimes obscure references to Buddhism, Christianity, philosophy, rural Japan of the early 20th century, even onomatopoeia. An annotated translation would be best, and my friend who's read translations by Roger Pulvers and Sarah Strong says "Night of the Milky Way Railway" by Strong especially had some very helpful explanatory notes.

[@Davey-Boyd]

The instrumental version of this is absolutely incredible! What Kanami is doing behind the vocals is insane! There is also a video of the instrumental version (it came with the ltd edition album version).

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@Kevin6059]

Agree - I don't prefer one or the other because they're somehow like two different songs. You can hear so much more of the instrumental parts without the vocals, but I love the vocals too, especially that ooh ooh ooh in the background.

[@Davey-Boyd]

@@Kevin6059 Yeah, I love both versions too!

[@JazzFatcho]

"Is there an eye there? Do you have an eye?" is mistranslation, I think.　"is there love?, or there is no love?" is correct.

[@jwoodjapan]

When I checked the lyrics, Miku used the katakana アイ, which could be translated as the English "eye" or even "I" but it could also mean the Japanese word for "love." She seems to like playing around with アイ in songs (Cluppo's "With You" is a good example). I agree with Jazz that "love" is far more likely than "eye."

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Thanks!

[@otobokegaijin6218]

The term アイ is not uncommon in the lyrics of Japanese artists. A few examples are Glay, Motohiro Hata, Mai Fukui. "Love" or "I" is the probable meaning in "Giovanni"-maybe simultaneously-not "eye". In the "Giovanni" lyrics there is a reference to a mask, but which probably doesn't link to "eye". The other アイ candidate could be "indigo", the color the character "Giovanni" has in the anime. But "love" or "I" seems more likely.

[@dariuszstefan1890]

Regards. An instrumental version is circulating online as an addition to the album. All the flavors are fantastic.

[@GlassMoonGaming]

I'll definitely check it out!

[@dariuszstefan1890]

@@GlassMoonGaming Search on the Chinese equivalent of You Tube or Bilibili. There are practically all the songs they released in the instrumental version, even Oset divided into musicians.

[@waynebenedict4609]

The instrumental version of this song is off the charts great! You will appreciate your comment Kanami is soloing through the whole song will be more obvious 😉! Not to be missed! Full Mincho mode warning!

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Awesome! I'll check it out!

[@MSIContent]

Just adding my vote for a reaction to the instrumental version. Not only can you really hear what they are all doing, you can see it in detail. It’s a different song!

[@GlassMoonGaming]

I'll definitely react to it at some point!

[@tinyhato]

Their magnum opus and my favourite song.

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Thanks!

[@Kevin6059]

It really is fabulous - I would be betraying the other 30 or so favorite BM songs to say this is my favorite, but it's tied for 1st with those other 30!

[@reesereese2524]

Someone may have already mentioned this , the instrumentals of several of the songs offUnseen world are very good .. Great reaction / review GMG

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Thanks! I'm gonna check out the instrumental version at some point!

[@UltraHD.7]

Giovanni - Honkai - Black Hole, the insane trinity right at the end of Unseen World 🙂 You might do yourself a favor and watch the instrumental video of this song, it elevates the musicianship to even a whole other level.

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Thanks! I'll do that!

[@elevown]

Im suprised you hadnt heard the word about the instrumental version they did with the album. Most fans are of the opinion you MUST listen to it too, as part of understanding the song. I agree- it is MUCH easier to understand what they are all playing- the MV with it also lets you see them playing. Lots of people dont get Giovanni till theyve seen it too.

[@GlassMoonGaming]

I have heard the word for sure. I'll be reacting to it as well at some point, don't you worry!

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Crazy good! Let me know your thoughts. Don't forget to Like and Subscribe! Check out the NEW Amazon links in the description!

[@billb.5183]

Amazing song. You need to listen to the instrumental version. The vocals hide so much Mincho awesomeness.

[@surfingasongwave]

Every time I hear Giovanni it takes me back to the very first time I heard "Unseen World." Immense. Staggering. Immersive. Cinematic. Incredible. How do you take it all in? Lean back. Close your eyes. Become one with this flood-stage river of sound. It is an experience. It is art.

[@randymcmillen647]

Listening to Giovanni is like riding a rollercoaster!!!!!

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Hopefully without the nausea!

[@kisaragi075]

Look at Giovanni's instrumental. It should be on You Tube. It's hard to hear the guitar sound, covered by SAIchan's vocal. It's hard to understand the guitar sound but mincho's guitar is busy! You will be surprised when you see it! You can see how well mincho arranges his songs!

[@GlassMoonGaming]

Awesome! I'll check it out if I can find it! Thanks!

it's a beautiful train wreck

[@GlassMoonGaming]

LOL Good description!