Listening to music in different languages

Submitted by rashan688 t3_122ck69 in Music

I love listening to music in a ton of different languages whether or not I understand them. I have a series of questions out of curiosity, feel free to answer some of them or all of them!

-do you listen to music in languages you don’t understand?

-do you only stick with one other language other than your native or do you branch out a lot?

-what languages have you found the best music in?

-do you listen to a specific type of music in that language or do you listen to a lot of different genres?

-recommend songs in different languages than you think anyone could vibe with!

-in your post include if you’re interested in other people recommending certain types of songs in specific language to you!

6

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

AFCBlink t1_jdpsqx5 wrote

I listen to languages I don’t understand quite a lot. I’m a very literal, analytical thinker, and I often end up focusing on the meaning of lyrics rather than just listening to the human voice as a musical instrument. Foreign language lyrics short-circuit that pattern. I love the rhythm patterns of Japanese lyrics. Early-90s Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (Jeep, Japan, Captain of the Ship). Stereopony. Ayako Ikeda has a lovely voice. In other languages, Laura Pausini (in both Spanish and Italian).

3

Notinyourbushes t1_jdq4mya wrote

English speaker and I love listening to music in other languages for a number of reasons:

  1. Exposure to different sounds and styles.
  2. To see what they do differently when performing a song in a familiar style.
  3. Poorly written or shallow lyrics will ruin a song for me. When I can't understand what they're saying, the vocals just become an instrument and enhance the song in a different way. More concentration is put on the harmonies or emotions than the actual lyrics.

I usually stick to something rock/punk/indie/alt based, but I'm pretty open to any style and have even found non-English rap groups I liked more than their western counter parts.

I've got a few songs on my indie playlist that are in French or German. I've found a few Spanish groups (Spanish Spanish, not just singing in Spanish) that I love. I mostly stick to Japan though because they have such a massive music industry that it's easy to find a lot of different, amazing groups.

Something anyone can vibe to.

2

ReinWaRein t1_jdq61z8 wrote

I usually prefer not understanding the language, so that if it sounds good and the lyrics are mediocre/same old lovey dovey crap, I won't notice. It also makes it easier to tune out instead of focusing on meaning if it's just for background noise.

My go to is Japanese in the form of anime songs and vocaloid.

2

DreamFighter72 t1_jdqipqb wrote

  • Yes, I listen to music in languages that I don't understand.
  • I branch out a lot.
  • To me the best music is in Japanese and Korean.
  • I listen to a lot of different genres.
  • Some songs that I would recommend are:

Natural ni Koishite by Perfume https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXAlCazm3J0

Dream Fighter by Perfume https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBX5YGPNDbs

Some by Bolbbalgan4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZmoMyFXDoI

Chocolate by Bolbbalgan4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86CydIEH6I

April by mol-74 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTjiTJm7jjg

Macaroni by Perfume https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seESL1hsPas

Jeg Vil Ha' Dig For Mig Selv by Burhan G https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaAO8bCqfMM

I Will Protect You by Baek Yerin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDD5_z3kKCU

Everybody Knew by Citra Scholastika https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFLb0Gw9MDs

Nee by Perfume https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbeGeXgjh9Q

  • I would be interested in other people recommending certain types of songs in a specific language to me

'

2

Throwawaycuzawkward t1_jdprpl4 wrote

So: English is my first language, I also speak German and Spanish.

I listen to English, German, and Spanish music all the time.

Are you trying to learn languages?

I would always - and this will seem silly - recommend Sesame Street/Calle Sesame/Sesamme Strasse/ It's meant for children, but it's meant for them because it helps language skills. It's a really important program and it's available in almost ever country,.

1

rashan688 OP t1_jdpry2a wrote

English is my first language and I know russian! I’ve got some amazing russian songs and they help study the language so much ahaha, but it’s always embarrassing when you listen to children’s songs and you don’t understand 😂

2

Eirikur_da_Czech t1_jdptm7a wrote

There’s a particular Hungarian song that everyone in the world listened to and loved.

Also a Korean one.

1

NukeHand t1_jdqvu5g wrote

Gotan Project - Queremos Pas, Aural Vampire - Dark Wave Surfer, Rammstein - Ich Tu der weh, Jean Tonique - En Voilier. Some of the many songs I’ve loved in different languages over the years (Spanish, Japanese, German, French). Spanning every kind of genre and I’ve translated each. I recommend them all (world music, electro, industrial, and funk are their genres in order).

1

RickJLeanPaw t1_jdr34tm wrote

German and Latin for me; it’s a mix of the exotic/not knowing about what drivel the lyrics are, plus a fun way to learn some old, virtually useless forms of the languages!

1

rashan688 OP t1_jds0ge6 wrote

I’ve never heard a latin song, do you have suggestions?

1

RickJLeanPaw t1_jds4eo5 wrote

Tons of old ecclesiastical stuff & medieval songs (I’m proper down wit da yoot!). As for recent ones, not sure actually. Wasn’t there a trend in Iceland recently of bars holding Latin speaking nights? I might have a Google and see if anyone did some actual new songs. I’ll get back to you….

2

RickJLeanPaw t1_jds65dw wrote

Good old Reddit!

Google seems to have the wrong end of the stick, as it suggest a Mr B Bunny as a good fit for contemporary Latin music ;-)

1

RickJLeanPaw t1_jds7ve4 wrote

As for actual suggestions, was listening to Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana today (André Previn & London Symphony Chorus gets my vote). Tons of gambling, sex, drinking…and a roasting swan lamenting his fate coz, why not?

You’ll know a few of them, but get a translation off the web and enjoy!

1

arnaldo_tuc_ar t1_jdrypts wrote

Most people (if not all) I know, doesn't pay attention to lyrics when listen to music. And doesn't matter the language, even in their on language (I'm from a Spanish speaking country).

I do, I like to look for the lyrics and know what they say.

1

agnoth t1_jdsgc7o wrote

I am an English speaker and I love Brazilian and Cuban music. My favorite is Roberta Sa. Her voice is so expressive even if I don't understand the words.

1

No_Rip_4667 t1_jdt04n3 wrote

I only listen to songs in English. Lyrics matter a lot to me and I can't appreciate good lyrics if I don't understand the language. I almost exclusively listen to various types of metal. I can't say I have much interest in music written in other languages, because, as I said, I'm a lyrics guy.

1

WillysJeepMan t1_jdt058r wrote

I do. My favorite streaming station, LuxuriaMusic plays a lot of non-English music. Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, German, French, and others that I don’t recognize. I can sometimes pick up some of the words, but the musical accompaniment and the emotion in the vocals convey the meaning.

In a way, not understanding the lyrics gives an opportunity to feel the music (if that makes any sense).

1

ComputerWax t1_jdx8anh wrote

Yes. Spanish, Italian, Russian, Ukrainian, German, Japanese, Korean... Best music is between Korean Pop and Russian Witch House. Genres and artists I could go for days. Recommend me everything. BIG BANG, they're Korean, IC3SP3AK who is Russian and pro ukrainian, also Little Big, Mr. Oizo rocks French.

1

Agbb433 t1_jdy7v94 wrote

German - ramstein and Nina Korean - girls generation and maybe 1 twice song Japanese - BABYMETAL, scandal, classic anime songs like songs by Asian kung fu generation etc. Also galynerius and x japan. Miki Matsubara

1

Bugslugs47 t1_je1xj2j wrote

Absolutely adore Francois Hardy - French is the nicest of all languages. Lola Beltran in Spanish is also good and some songs in Italian. Everything else, especially German - except for 99 Luftballon: no thanks.

Oh...and Llorando or Crying by Rebekah Del Rio in Spanish is out of this world and puts all other versions to shame.

https://youtu.be/P1-_k3qjhw0

Beat that K.D. Lang!

😻

1