Songs to get people into J-Pop

[inthezone]

What would you guys recommend to people who don't listen to J-Pop? Like what are the signature J-Pop songs

[Andrenekoi]

I aways start with stuff similar to what those people like...

Like dance-pop divas? I give them dance-pop divas... Like rockish music? I try rockish music, and so on...

[Delicious n Bold]

Give them the Memorial Address EP
Almost every genre on there.

[kimmeh]

You should try some songs that are intros or endings on animes. They usually appeal to a lot if people !

[Corybobory]

I bet YUI would be a good call as she's rocky and pop-y, and has been featured in popular anime, and is generally quite catchy... my husband likes her

[SURREAL__RAINBOW]

I'm sorry but I wouldn't start with YUI at all lol She's so boring I would rather start with Utada in that case.

I would obviously introduce kuu, ayu and namie as well.


So Utada's Passion or the entire HEART STATION album, ayu's (miss)understood album, kuu's upbeat and rockish songs, and namie's stuff from her last album since some of the songs were in English.

[chikocchi]

Utada would probably be your safest bet, as I have yet to find someone who has disliked her
Then Ayu if they like more rocky-songs
Namie for more dancey-songs
And Kuu for more poppy-songs

[NintendoHTF1242]

Utada Hikaru, Namie Amuro, Koda Kumi, Ayumi Hamasaki

The big four are the safest ways to get people into Japanese music. I usually play "SAKURA Drops" by Utada Hikaru for people; since it's gorgeous and stuff like that. Or "Be My Last" or "HEART STATION". A lot of Utada Hikaru's music is good for attracting non-J-Pop fans.

[koumori]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

I aways start with stuff similar to what those people like...

This. It really depends. I've found that going out of my way to "get them into" J-Pop never really works either, I have to sneakily play the songs.. and eventually they'll ask "Oh, I've heard this before. It's not bad. Who is it?"

If you're asking for good pop recommendations that are pretty likeable by the majority, I also agree with the 'big four' - Namie, Ayu, Koda, Utada - since their music fits pretty well in Western standards too, and won't give the listener too much to get used to. Maybe stay away from Ayu's squeakier songs at first though..

Also, I actually do agree with the YUI suggestion. Her music is pretty laid-back and she has some really catchy songs, so it's an easy listen even for those who aren't a fan of J-Pop.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by Koumori

This. It really depends. I've found that going out of my way to "get them into" J-Pop never really works either, I have to sneakily play the songs.. and eventually they'll ask "Oh, I've heard this before. It's not bad. Who is it?"

If you're asking for good pop recommendations that are pretty likeable by the majority, I also agree with the 'big four' - Namie, Ayu, Koda, Utada - since their music fits pretty well in Western standards too, and won't give the listener too much to get used to. Maybe stay away from Ayu's squeakier songs at first though..

Also, I actually do agree with the YUI suggestion. Her music is pretty laid-back and she has some really catchy songs, so it's an easy listen even for those who aren't a fan of J-Pop.

Yeap... Keep it Rainbow onwards...

[Yooku]

I would ask first what kind of music they like and maybe some favorite bands/artists as well.

Choose something that isn't too complicated at first listen. Many of my friends thought all asian music sounds like anime stuff and singing style is very high-pitched.

[Kouyou]

When I was trying to get my boyfriend into J-Pop (it worked, by the way!), I paid close attention to the songs that he was interested in while I was listening to them. I actually played the "History of Ayumi Hamasaki" video for him on YouTube and he picked out his favorite snippets. All I can say is, don't just recommend songs you like to your friend if he/she doesn't like the same type of music. My boyfriend doesn't like ballads or slow songs at all so I wouldn't put a song like fated (which happens to be my favorite Ayu song ever) on a playlist for him.

[Ayus angel]

utada and kuu attract a lot of non j-pop fans

if you would like to start with ayu make them listen to M

[CatGirl]

Sexy little things and until that Day by Ayu have always worked for me... Now my boyfriend has appreciated Ayu enough to blast "progress" while driving and recognize a song by her whenever it comes on AND my friend is now super into Kuu and Color the Cover is her favorite thing ever

[LONJJONG]

I introduced Kana Nishino to my non-Jpop-listener friends and they liked it