“Happiness” by Arashi (2007)

“Happiness” was released on September 5, 2007. It was Arashi’s third single of 2007 and twentieth single overall. Although Arashi went on indefinite hiatus at the end of 2020, they leave behind a well loved catalog of songs of which “Happiness” is one. Something about the perky lyrics and bright melody has lingered in the ear of the nation and “Happiness” remains a go-to song for a hearty dose of 頑張る (ganbaru or “doing your best”). There are an infinite number of covers on YouTube from popular virtual YouTubers to street piano to  high school orchestras.  Arashi performed “Happiness” on countless music shows, charity events, and four times on the prestigious New Year’s Eve musical extravaganza Kouhaku Utagassen, including their final performance on December 31, 2020. It was one of the songs they sang for the victims of the March 11, 2011 disaster in a special live performance.

Nobody could have predicted that the theme song to the drama adaptation of teen manga Yamada Taro Monogatari would turn out to be one of Arashi’s signature songs. 

Although Arashi debuted in 1999, it took the group a few years to really figure things out. They got a massive boost in popularity with member Matsumoto Jun’s starring role in the adaptation of teen manga Hana Yori Dango in late 2005 for which Arashi did the theme song (“Wish”). By the time the second series Hana Yori Dango Returns aired a year later in early 2007, Arashi were really starting to pick up momentum and come into their own both musically and career-wise. The album that “Happiness” would appear on (Dream “A” live, released April 23, 2008) was the final album before their 10th anniversary and in many ways represents the end of their youthful idol era. The next original album would be the blockbuster double disc pop masterpiece Boku no Miteiru Fukei released in 2010, an artistic and more grown up rebirth.

But at the end of 2007 they weren’t quite there yet. 

The charms of “Happiness” are still very rooted in that youthful teen idol era. The official video captures completely the charms of the boyish idol group, showing them goofing around in a sunny homey house set, rough housing and lip syncing with their whole bodies as if each of them had consumed a large caffeinated beverage and pile of candy before filming. It is extremely endearing.

The music for “Happiness” was written by the team known as Wonderland (Kitagawa Gin and Kitagawa Gyo, now working with songwriting AI company Amadeus Code) and it combines a fast moving and rhythmically complex backing track with a smooth and deceptively easy-to-sing melody line. The entire song is like listening to an entire carnival of off kilter and off beat rhythms--the melody cresting high just before plunging into one of the catchiest choruses in Arashi’s discography: 

Start running, start running

Go in the direction of tomorrow

Show me a sound that only you can make

Feel everything

Don’t stop, don’t stop

Feeling like we’re changing today

No matter how small the flower bud is

The happiness belongs to you 

The last two lines of the chorus are a welcome and meaningful call back to Arashi’s agency seniors SMAP’s beloved song “Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no hana.” 

一つだけの happiness

(世界に)​​一つだけの花

The live performances for “Happiness” were also a delight. Arashi songs, especially in this era, divide the five member group into two teams, one of two members and one of three members who sing their separate parts in unison before uniting for the chorus. The pairings vary by song although Ohno Satoshi (their strongest singer) is almost always in the two-member pairing, as he is in this song along with rapper Sakurai Sho. (The younger three members Ninomiya Kazunari, Aiba Masaki, and Matusmoto Jun make up the three member grouping.)

The choreography follows the vocal break down, dividing them into two teams before uniting in the chorus. It’s all perky box steps and full body pointing and is extremely fun to watch as they move in a barely controlled frenzy but when the chorus hits they line up single file across the stage facing the side and move their right legs as if running… while facing tomorrow. It’s the hook of the song and impossible to forget.

“Happiness” remained a concert favorite with the crowds adding their own cheer and dance steps. So pop in the CD or dial up the song on the platform of your choice and join Arashi in racing towards the future!

Filmi Girl

I’ve been a fan of Asian pop culture for over 20 years and want to help bridge the gap between East and West. There is a lot of informal (and formal) gatekeeping that goes on and I’d like to help new fans break through the gates.

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“Fight” by Nakajima Miyuki (1983)

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“Chiisa na koi no uta” by MONGOL800 (2001)