BAND-MAID - FORWARD (3-way reaction)
Added 2025-01-19 16:00:09 +0000 UTCThis is a video of how you do evolution the right way.
Every performance of this gets better. The orignal version is great to me. It's still early BM where we know Miku's guitar is still a prop, but seeing her playing in the Christmas acoustic concert and the Yokohama concert really felt like the band had come full circle.
I wanted to do this reaction because the comments under last week's YT reaction said that Akane was on cajon on this song. It's just fun to see her on something other than her drumset.
The final performance was a great way to recreate the song. A new cool intro with added double pedal from Akane and new bass filler from Misa. The video in the background honestly makes your heart fill with pride for these maids...!
Comments
I think you've talked a couple of times about how you admire the precision of Saiki's vocals. So, I think you probably know that Japanese is made up entirely of short little syllables that are all pronounced with the same speed and emphasis. Japanese has no dipthongs either (those double vowels where you slide from one vowel to another). So when they speak, for instance when they say something like "mae" (which means forward or front, and it appears many times in Forward) it doesn't sound like we would say "may" or "my", it sounds like "ma e". Two syllables, and the vowels are distinct. Also, Japanese has pitch accent. Specific syllables in words will pitch up or down. The accents vary regionally and Japanese isn't a truly tone-based language like Cantonese, so you don't actually have to learn them - but there are some words that are homophones except for the pitch, and they will sound funny to natives if you pitch them wrong. HAshi (chopsticks) and haSHI (bridge) is one example... All of this is to say that Japanese is a language that's spoken with robotic precision... or at least it's supposed to be. Realistic speech is a little sloppier than that, but even so, the way Saiki sings is just how they talk. Which is probably why she's so good at it. As for your wisdom teeth... girl, the older you get, the harder the operation is and the slower it heals. I had mine out when I was 30 and I was uncomfortable and half-starved for a couple of weeks. Make your own choices for your life, but don't put the operation off too long, unless you're gonna put it off forever.
Chris Bergsten
2025-03-13 10:23:36 +0000 UTCIf I remember correctly, I wrote in the chat of the Yokohama stream for this very song that I would love to hear them reinterpret some more songs from their earlier days in the studio with their current selves. It's debatable, I know, and it will never happen. But I've always liked Forward a lot, and it's been a real pleasure to hear this song in this more 'modern' version. What I have to say about Saiki and her teeth is simple. There can definitely be “beauty in imperfection”... Saiki is the first public person/vocalist where I really noticed this kind of teeth growth. But not for even a second in a negative way, quite the opposite. And I know I probably sound like a fanboy with the following (i don't care), and I also know that Saiki herself has struggled with it in the past, but her smile is one of the most endearing I know... Seriously, Saiki without her little vampire fangs is hard to imagine, isn't it? :)
Phaeron
2025-01-23 03:08:12 +0000 UTCI am convinced that the reason Saiki ends "O" words like Arigato with an "ah" sound is her teeth. Less stress on the inside of her lips.
Bandmaidfanatl
2025-01-19 23:16:15 +0000 UTCThe origin of the "Ice Queen" ... In the early days of BAND MAID Saiki earned the nickname the "Ice Queen". Many would say her attitude was very "tsundere" ... meaning in Japanese, a person whose character is initially cold or harsh, but gradually reveals a kinder side. Truth be told she was embarrassed about her Yaeba smile ... which is sad. It took a lot of posting and convincing by fans to persuade Saiki to believe we thought she had a beautiful smile. She now proudly displays it. It would be foolhardy to get it "fixed" anyway. Another famous singer who had a nearly identical smile as you mentioned: Freddie Mercury ... who never had anything done to his teeth because he was afraid it would affect his singing and the way he formed words with his mouth. He was probably right.
PANIC
2025-01-19 21:39:44 +0000 UTCAs for Saiki's teeth, I'm glad she hasn't fixed them. I think she looks cute with them and I love when she smiles and laughs! Often in life, it's not our perfections that draw us to one another, but our imperfections. Many of our so-called imperfections are exactly what endears us to each other. In short, celebrate your weirdness! We're all mutants in our own way, nothing wrong with that at all! Great reaction as always Miss NittPicc, arigato!
Charles Coleman
2025-01-19 21:18:09 +0000 UTCWow, that was excellent! A fun way to spend an hour Po! Forward is one of my favorite Band Maid songs and it always hits the emotions. Anything from chills to tears, it's just a great, powerful emotional song. I am so glad they had it in the setlist at Yokohama. They had me crying when they started into it and they always do such a great job with their intros, it's a real strength of theirs. I love all three versions for various reasons and I can't pick a favorite either. It is amazing how strong Saiki's voice was in this at Yokohama Arena, especially when you realize that it was near the end of a 3 hour 40 minute show! These ladies are simply amazing!
Charles Coleman
2025-01-19 21:14:26 +0000 UTCFirst thing first, They should release Live YOKOARI version. When you listening to YokoAri version, did you aware of the big screen behind them. I love when they do that ( when I started following them, I listened a lot of BEFORE YESTERDAY bcuz I really like MV). I really like this Forward go into Endless Story( if you got time maybe watch it again or watch it on your own). When they arrange Forward and Endless Story as the last two songs of their 10 years Final Anniversary was well thought for these ladies.Just by looking at the titles of these two songs. I don’t know what&why I’m babbling about(I’m writing this around 7am which normally my sleeping time bcuz I work pm shift). I just hope you get to see Band Maid in Japan.Thank you for wonderful reactions & thank you for Band Maid. Oyasumi (perfect time when you said you wanna learn Japanese- the best one is anime which you already started anime’s reaction. Always watch sub and if you got time do rewatching)
M.and.PofB-M
2025-01-19 20:42:40 +0000 UTCI’m so glad you sent that message! I always check before I record so it’s helpful!
NittPicc
2025-01-19 20:23:55 +0000 UTCI think I would rather teach tired kids than well rested kids ... but I am a novice :p . This photo collage has a bit of a back story and it plays to exactly what you are talking about. I had a channel subscriber ... fiercely loyal, always commenting. I never thought I would do a collage to this song but he asked me to directly and waited a few weeks until I could get it into my schedule. He was very gracious. I was not sure my format would fit with a ballad ... and was really reluctant to get started. It turned out to be one of the most popular videos I MAID ... and it even made a reactor friend of mine cry.
PANIC
2025-01-19 20:14:44 +0000 UTCSame thoughts! I know I am still working through the MiJ album, but hearing this one felt like BM. 100% I need to check out that commentary some time.
NittPicc
2025-01-19 19:54:55 +0000 UTCNo need to worry, you look adorable as always and your inner joy always shows up strong Po!
Charles Coleman
2025-01-19 19:52:58 +0000 UTCWhen I first got hard into Band-Maid I went through a chronological listen and when I hit this song I just said "That's it! That's the first Band-Maid song!". Not to knock the others on this this album but this song I could hear clearly the Band-Maid sound, how I describe as doing too much but in the best possible way. The harmonies, Kanami is doing interesting and complex work, Akane just going off in her fills, and that powerful Misa low-end just coming straight through. Also I love the acoustic version, when you watch with the commentary from the girls you find out they aren't using a click track on this one and there's a moment when Akane leans forward and looks straight at Saiki because she has to get her cue to come back in from Saiki's vocal line. I love it every time.
Eloy Martinez
2025-01-19 19:16:22 +0000 UTCThank you! 🙏
NittPicc
2025-01-19 18:51:06 +0000 UTCPlease listen - kiku kudasai.
Glenner7
2025-01-19 18:50:02 +0000 UTCOooo! I had no idea it was a Spanish cajon. …and maybe I got the energy from the music? 😅
NittPicc
2025-01-19 18:43:12 +0000 UTCWow! An hour of analysis. Are you sure you're low on energy?, lol. Good job! In the beginning, they were supposed to form a band with twin vocals and in MIJ there is something of that, Miku and Saiki share verses. Their journey has taken them far from that and now the roles that each of the five girls play are very professionally distributed with the sole purpose of making the best song possible. In the commented version of the Christmas acoustic, Akane made reference to the fact that she used a LaRosa Sensation cajón flamenco, a Spanish product of which I feel national pride! The arrangement of the Yokohama Arena concert elevated this little song to a level that I could not have even imagined. I would love for you to comment on that concert for your Patreon family, or at least some part of it, after all it lasts three hours, lol. Thanks!!
Juan San
2025-01-19 18:39:16 +0000 UTCWelcome in! I just discovered them around this time last year. I’m in deep! The BM community welcomes you, PO! 🕊️ …and thank you! It’s fun to keep learning about them through their music. They have so many little intricacies that are fun to find.
NittPicc
2025-01-19 18:01:27 +0000 UTCI discovered BM in late June of last year, have gone down the pigeonhole. The way Saiki's voice has matured is awesome. All 3 versions of this are great, the Yokohama version is the cherry on top. Thanks for the dive into this song, made me appreciate it that much more. PS - if it went longer, it would be all good :).
David Cousins
2025-01-19 17:53:17 +0000 UTCWhat a special day for us today - wisdom teeth and headphone hair insights. Don't talk to me about wisdom teeth, though - grrr. I had been a fan of Band-Maid for a long time before I ever heard Forward, and I lost my mind when I discovered it. When they did it for the Christmas acoustic, I was in heaven, and then I went to a place better than heaven for the Yokohama Arena version. When I saw you had started to look at Maid In Japan, I began to prepare to request the actual three way reaction you ended up doing! But with you likely not knowing about the Yokohama Arena version, I felt yesterday that it was my duty to message you about it. I didn't really think you'd add it in, but I'm so glad you did, and I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it as much as you did. Sunlight in winter is always a good thing (and I'm not necessarily talking about your studio space).
Glenner7
2025-01-19 17:51:48 +0000 UTCYo! Then this makes me feel better about my little snuggle tooth on my bottom row of teeth. Like I said, I think perfect teeth are overrated.
NittPicc
2025-01-19 17:43:20 +0000 UTCThat’s so cool! I had no idea.
NittPicc
2025-01-19 17:42:26 +0000 UTCOof. Then don’t watch my So Hyang video…😅😅😅 I’m a blubbering mess in that one.
NittPicc
2025-01-19 17:41:36 +0000 UTCSaiki's "yaeba" or crooked teeth are considered attractive in Japan. There are women who actually consider oral surgery to acquire crooked teeth. Different cultures.
Bill Hallisey
2025-01-19 17:38:27 +0000 UTCHow many band's would consider the last version of "Forward" as their masterpiece, where it is considered just one more excellent song in their extensive catalog.
Bill Hallisey
2025-01-19 17:25:30 +0000 UTCIn Japan, at least, Saiki's pronounced K-9 teeth are looked at as a beauty point and rare. One reactor has come to refer to Saiki as The Vampire Queen, and that kind of fits. Just like everything else in Band-Maid I couldn't imagine Saiki any other way!
Wayne B
2025-01-19 17:16:18 +0000 UTCI sure hope you are doing better after doing this song! I really don't know how you couldn't be, it's just so good and uplifting!
Wayne B
2025-01-19 17:11:37 +0000 UTCI'd be a perfect wrap up for MIJ.
Bandmaidfanatl
2025-01-19 17:08:26 +0000 UTCYou should really do a full watch along of the Engadget acoustic concert in 2014. Just trust me.
Bandmaidfanatl
2025-01-19 17:07:00 +0000 UTCYou can honestly say that they’ve made a name for themselves and have climbed their way to the top by hard work and grit!
NittPicc
2025-01-19 17:01:42 +0000 UTCBandMaid aren’t KPop idols, they are professional musicians- that’s what makes them special!
Daniel Morgan
2025-01-19 16:58:44 +0000 UTCI was wondering since the live version and acoustic version were different via vocals. I thought I was crazy.
NittPicc
2025-01-19 16:54:59 +0000 UTCThat is Miku on the second verse. In their earlier recordings, they switched off vocals quite a bit.
Bill Whitaker
2025-01-19 16:40:37 +0000 UTCI know…I know! I feel bad that I edited it and it came out this long. I will try to keep it shorter. But this one came with a live surprise that I didn’t know I had in my library. 😅
NittPicc
2025-01-19 16:37:10 +0000 UTCAn hour!?! Honestly, may not be long enough. 🤣
Bandmaidfanatl
2025-01-19 16:35:47 +0000 UTC
