[ASS] #7 – You don’t have to fear this love

· by · in Anime Song Syndrome, Music. ·

[BLOOD+ ED] This Love by Angela Aki

It’s Friday, so it’s ASS time again! You might have noticed that this sort of post is kind of becoming more frequent these days. Well, I thought I should at least make this series weekly, just so this blog will have some new content at least once a week, even if I won’t be able to write anything relevant to anime.

Readers, you might have already heard of Angela Aki from BLOOD+, for which she performed this beautiful ED. And that might mean that you have/had at least seen the anime, or some of its episodes. But it isn’t the case for me. To be honest, I haven’t even gotten around to watching even an episode.

Then, how did I know of this wonderful song? Straightforward answer: I only happened to stumble upon a Kpop blog which had an auto-play music widget. I fell in love at first listen.

Just click and play the video above (which is a live performance, by the way, so it sounds a bit different from the studio recorded, aka .mp3, version). What is there to not love, especially when Aki chose to perform in front of many spectators just in humble clothings–a pair of sneakers, jeans, and T-shirt?

Thankfully, the video is English subbed, so we can understand what the lyrics are (Japanese lyrics here, buddy). While watching the performance, goosebumps were all over my arms.

It moved me so much. Perhaps the sung phrases that hovered and echoed in the concert hall felt so much stronger because of the life Aki had breathed into this. You can literally see her giving it her all, that she seemed to want to stand up and perform this piece with passion. I just love this to bits. I hope you love this, too.

This post is an entry to the Anime Song Syndrome series. 

43 responses to “[ASS] #7 – You don’t have to fear this love”

  1. Wow. What a beautiful and powerful song!!!

    I was curious so I checked out Blood+ and apparently its quite dark, sad and solemn, which is potentially a hit-or-miss for me, bc it could turn out either very boring or very emotional. Nonetheless, I might consider watching it in the future.

    Thanks for sharing the song btw, it literally took away all my stress from school stuff haha

    • I know, right? It’s too beautiful to let it pass! That’s why I had to share it in some way, and featuring it in ASS is just the best means to do that, I thought. 🙂 I’m glad to hear that it made you feel better.

  2. That’s a good song.

    If I recall she spent quite a while somewhere at the top of the charts with Tegami

    And speaking of letters… it reminds me of Saori Yuki, but I digress…

    • Wow. That was a pretty track, but I had trouble connecting the bridge with the rest of the song. I think I need some more listening to get used to it. Anyway, Tegami reminded me a lot of KOKIA’s Soyokaze ga sougen wo Naderu you ni

      A Japanese oldie song! She has a beautiful voice! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Oh my gosh OH MY GOSH!!! I LOOOOOOOOVE this song. It’s one of the most-played on my phone. Well, I love most of Angela Aki’s songs. She’s a great musician! I heard some years ago that she went to the Philippines to compose some songs for a Filipino singer, but I forgot the specifics. I don’t even know the name of that Filipino singer. I think this is before Angela Aki became, you know, a big star in Japan.

      • No problem, Miha-chan. Hmmm. I’m not really sure about it, though. I just came across the info from a J-pop culture years ago. I don’t even know if it’s true or not. Well, that’s how it is about hearsays. Hope it’s true, though.

        • You know what, I kinda remember reading something like that… long ago. And so, I did some searching on Google and found this (of course):

          In 2002, she composed two tracks for “Let It Fall” by Dianne Eclar, a teenage pop singer from the Philippines.

          from Wiki. I’m not sure about the claim’s credibility, since there’s no citation. And yes, I remember that singer’s name from reading the same Wiki page. Sadly, there’s no YouTube of the song. 😦

        • Dianne Eclar? Is she famous? I don’t know her. I have limited knowledge of Filipino singers, especially since it’s been so long since I visited Philippines. I only know Regine Velasquez, Jaya, etc. Is that Eclar on the same level as them?

        • Besides remembering that I’ve read her name on that Angela Aki Wiki article, I don’t recall any singer with that name. I bet she was sort of a nameless artist who, unfortunately, didn’t make it to the limelight of Filipino pop music. And I’m not the most knowledgeable when it comes to local artists, though I have a few favorites because they make really good music, and not sell music with their *cough* looks *cough*.

        • I see. Oh well. I thought she was famous. I was thinking of writing a post about it, but seeing as she’s basically an unknown singer, I don’t see the reason for writing a post about her anymore.

          Hahaha! Well, that industry is one of the most superficial in the world. Even if you can’t sing, if you have good charisma plus great looks, you’ll do well enough.

        • Too bad she wasn’t famous, ’cause I also wanted to listen to that song composed by Aki. Only popular Filipino stuff make it to Youtube.

          True.

        • That’s true. Sadly, I’m not updated with the latest Filipino songs. I usually hear songs by Apo Hiking Society, Asin, Aegis, etc. in our house because they’re my dad’s favourites, and I know that these are old. Haha. Oh well.

        • I love those oldies as well, especially Asin!

          Then, let me recommend you some OPM bands/artists you can check out on YouTube!
          – Up Dharma Down (my top favorite OPM band. They’ve got a distinct style that makes them stand out from the rest of non-mainstream OPM scene)

          – Yeng Constantino (A ‘solo’ artist who’s got a good sense of making music with lyrics that hit home)

          – Bamboo

          – Rivermaya

          – Silent Sanctuary

        • Wow! Maraming salamat, Miha-chan!

          I’m not familiar with Up Dharma Down, but I’ve heard about the reset. Up Dharma Down reminds me somewhat of Bob Marley’s song. And I’m (kind of) a fan of Bamboo. I heard some of their songs like “Tatsulok”. I really like that song because it’s so meaningful. As for Rivermaya, I know that my uncle is a fan.

          I’ve also heard of Yeng Constantino, but I don’t know many of her songs. I only know “Hawak Kamay” and “Salamat” because they’re on my phone. That’s it.

          As for Silent Sanctuary. I think I’ve heard about them before, but I’m not sure. I’m thinking perhaps I saw a video of them from facebook? Hmmm. Not sure.

          Anyway, thanks for the recommendations. Uhm, do you know any good Tagalog ballads sung by singers with high & powerful voices? Like maybe Celine Dion-ish?

        • You’re welcome!

          Hmm, I’m not really into solo artists, to be honest. The only ones I know are Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, Angeline Quinto.

          I don’t think any of them can come close to Celine Dion’s level. Haha. Or maybe I’m just biased.

        • I completely agree with you. I adore Celine Dion. I know Regine, of course, a bit of Christian Bautista and I hear a lot about Sarah Geronimo because many of friends & family friends rush to the movie theatres whenever a Filipino movie is played here and Sarah is on it. I’m not familiar with Angeline Quinto. I’ll try checking her out on Youtube. Thanks!

        • I’m not familiar with KZ Tandingan. Checked her out on Youtube. Nice voice. Quite powerful. Thanks for the recommendation.

  5. Oh my gad. Before blood+ Id proudly say that I was already in love with her. My first ever song of her that I memorized and a favorite also is Home haha >_< I also like her Japanese renditions of Without You, Honesty and Were All alone.. Oldies song turned epic! Oh and when I watched If I Stay sometime ago.. There was song this in the movie and I kept on telling myself wheeeere did I heard this first ?? Hahaha then I remembered that Angela has a version of it also, that song Today xD

    She has this powerful voice ..that feels like she could reach any sort of notes!! And she is definitely beautiful as well. Love her so much 🙂

    • I didn’t expect you to be quite a fan of Angela Aki! 😀 Thanks for mentioning those songs! I should check them out, shouldn’t I?

      Listening to her voice is a nice break from the usually high-pitched Japanese singing. 😀 And yes, she’s definitely beautiful. Mixed blood bijin

    • Thanks for sharing your opinion on the series! I’ve always been meaning to watch it since I discovered this song, b-but… Yeah, I think I never really prioritized it. Hehehe. Your opinion kind of pushed it up my queue, though.

    • I figured, that at least one of you will feel nostalgic when you listen to this now. XD I bet I’m the only one who doesn’t really associate it with the anime.

      I’m not up-to-date with her activities, but considering that she did a (not really) recent ED for Space Bros, maybe she’s doing fairly well.

    • Yeah, I agree! But I’ve yet to check out her other songs. I’m ashamed to say that I have only listened to two songs from her. Both of which are from anime (Blood+ and Space Bros).

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