Where do I even begin...? This is one of the most self-indulgent things I've ever done, in the entire time that I've been playing music. There will be a tangent.
So, let's start here: my favorite anime series of all time is The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. I discovered Aya Hirano's music through her role as Haruhi, and fell in love with her punky j-pop vibes.
And, since TMoHS is my favorite anime of all time, sometimes I post about it on the internet. And someone who always replies to my tweets about the series, every time, without fail, is Octomammoth. So when I re-discovered my love for this song a few weeks ago, and they replied to my tweets about wanting to cover it, it only seemed fitting to ask them to collaborate with me. I fell in love with the results, big shout-out to them.
I wasn't sure if it'd be more cringe for me to attempt to sing in Japanese, or attempt to make it singable in English while keeping the original vibe of the lyrics in fact. I attempted the latter, because I was scared to reveal how very nerdy I can be. But now I'm telling you all that I could've sang it in Japanese anyway, so, y'know, whatever.
I hope we kept Aya's intended vibes in tact. Lyrics in ALL CAPS are her unaltered/original lyrics that were sung in English.
lyrics
ONE TWO THREE, READY, GO! FOLLOW ME
Let's skip out on work
HERE WE SAY, YO
There's pressure in my chest, with no words to express
SORRY, DON'T LEAVE, BERRY GUYS
HEY! HEY! HEY!
Now suddenly
A rush overtakes me
Simply accepted decisions you made
That you never gave thought to, til today (OH BABY)
Red hot, my heart's on the brink of a blaze
SO KILL YOU, LOVE YOU, OKAY?!?
SHOOT A CRAZY GUN (AT) MY HEART
Did you mean it when you said I should walk out the door today?
You'll have to force me out, maybe even strike me down, least then I won't (HEY!)
Have to (HEY!)
Cry anymore
SOUL IS SCREAMING TRUTH
Someday I'll have the strength to say it, straight to your face
I won't lose to myself, and I won't lose what we held
I can feel it
YOU GIVE ME LOVE AND GUN
IT'S ABOUT TIME
CAN YOU GUESS WHAT I WANNA SAY? AHA
LET'S CHECK IT OUT, YO
These days, my smile's nothing but a goddamn joke
(YOU) ALWAYS SAID, DON'T BE ALONE
HEY! HEY! HEY!
Show me a love that isn't doomed or broke
Standing my ground in the face of the sound
Of your sweet voice that haunts me every day (CATCH ME BABE)
Spellbound, I'm hell-bound, will I see you on the way?
SO MILKY, HONEY, [redacted]
OH YEAH!
SHOOT A CRAZY GUN (AT) MY HEART
I wish I was never so honest, it's sad but it's true
And yet, I'm raising my voice, so I can hear myself over the past, (HEY!)
The pain, (HEY!)
Weighing on me
SOUL IS SCREAMING TRUTH
You always said I'm soft, I'll have you know I made it through
Still, when I make it out, I'm alone, even in a crowd
I'M A TARGET
So pierce through me, LOVE AND GUN
Simply accepted decisions you made
That you never gave thought to, til today (OH BABY)
Red hot, my heart's on the brink of a blaze
SO KILL YOU, LOVE YOU, OKAY?!?
SHOOT A CRAZY GUN (AT) MY HEART
Did you mean it when you said I should walk out the door today?
You'll have to force me out, maybe even strike me down, least then I won't (HEY!)
Have to (HEY!)
Cry anymore
SOUL IS SCREAMING TRUTH
Someday I'll have the strength to say it, straight to your face
I won't lose to myself, and I won't lose what we held
I can feel it
YOU GIVE ME LOVE AND GUN
credits
released October 6, 2023
Vocals/Ukulele/Cover Art: Brianna Carmel
Synth: Octomammoth (@ongbakari on IG, @8Mammoth on twt)
Mixing: Kaylon (@lucyloveskouta on IG + twt)
DIY singer-songwriter with a folk punk soul. Mainly a vocalist who enjoys fucking around on guitar and ukulele. 1/2 of Blooming Heads + 1/3 of little tiny knife.
The new EP from Steve Gunn pairs the guitarist with Mdou Moctar, Circuit des Yeux, Bing & Ruth, and more for five evocative songs. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 7, 2022
