Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai - Depictions of the US in Foreign Music

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Depictions of the US in Foreign Music

Hey guys!

I hope this is in the right forum.

I currently have to take a class about American culture (United States) as a requirement for my school. We have a presentation and paper coming up soon and we can pick any topic we want. I really want to talk about how other countries view and try to portray the US and specifically through songs. Does anyone know any songs (or music videos would be cool too!) that depict the US or its culture but is not in English? Any other language would be awesome! I was thinking of possibly showing Ayumi Hamasaki's "Wake me up," but the only American thing about it is the fact that the music video was shot in Los Angeles (I think).

Both positive AND negative portrayals of the US are welcome. I want to give a true vision of how other countries' medias show the US :).

Thanks everyone!

I've always seen Koda Kumi's Boom Boom Boys as being "American" music inspired. Same with Ayu's Startin'.

You might also be able to use the cover for Kumi's Birthday Eve too :D

This definitely came to mind:

I'm not really a Namie fan but she seems to have a very westernized style in general. It's worth looking into.

^I believe Rock Steady video goes even deeper on the american influence...

Namie Amuro - Rock Steady - 2008

Mylène Farmer - California (couldn't get the official video :( ) - 1995

Lulu Santos - De repente, California (Suddenly, California) - 1982

Spoiler:

Tim Maia - Somos America (We are America) - 1987

Spoiler:

Os Incríveis - Era um garoto que como eu amava os Beatles e os Rolling Stones (Was a boy that just like me loved the Beatles and the Rolling Stones) - 1967 (discovered it is a version of a italian song called "C'era un ragazzo che come me amava i Beatles e i Rolling Stones"

Spoiler:

Ayumi Hamasaki - Bold & Delicious - 2006

Ayumi hamasaki - Audience at Dome Tour 2001

Lee Hyori - U-Go-Girl

girl next door - Drive away

Wonder Girls - Nobody But You

trf - Brand New Tomorrow

Hope these are ok?

I put Mylene's California but didn't put the translation! xD

Here: http://lyricstranslate.com/en/califo...ifornia.html-0

One more brazilian song (I'm only picking songs by big stars):
Chico Buarque - A Aurora de Nova Iorque (The dawn of New York) - couldn't find the year

Spoiler:

And this may be an interesting thing to your project:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...y-translation/

Usually in Brazil USA is portrayed either as a land of dreams, on a very hollywood inspired take or as a giant militaristic capitalistic imperialistic monster.

Does this include the adult scene as well? Just look at Ayu's Sparkle PV.

^is that really about the US? Seemed more about Japan to me.

NEXT LEVEL is all Southern California Scenery~ Not really a portrayal though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delicious n Bold (Post 2995818)

Does this include the adult scene as well? Just look at Ayu's Sparkle PV.

Sparkle PV aesthetic is directly taken from japanese fetish porn movies... "Movie", actually, as there is an specific one... Noidea was banned for posting it here on the forum.

In my defence, there's a duality of the Sparkle PV. The first part is the parody of Japanese culture. The second one may be about the porn parody in itself, making fun of American? porn. I don't know what country the movie is from. Does anyone know? My bet is not Japan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delicious n Bold (Post 2995980)

The movie (and yeap, I'm talking about the latex part) was from Japan... Actually, it was pretty common porn by japanese standarts :V

Edit: Not japanese, but have japanese performers... I will send you a page with the info (and the info only xD) on PM.

Thanks for the great suggestions so far everyone; they're all extremely helpful! My boyfriend also suggested some, which I'll post here for those interested in the topic :)!

Inglish Vinglish - Manhattan

Nancy Ajram - Mashy Haddy

There is also a (pretty hilarious actually) parody of American culture by a South African rap group named Die Antwoord in their video, "Fatty Boom Boom." But I don't know if it's appropriate to post it here ><.

OMG! I LOVE Mashy Haddy! Gotta start listening to Nancy's discography properly! >_<

And I believe the Die Antwoord video would put you in trouble with the mods xD