Sailor Moon Sailor Stars Merry Christmas (CD 1996)
The songs below are actually from two albums, but many of the tracks overlap, and I don't have double copies of them all.
Technically, the music is performed by Peach Hips, which is one of the names for the musical group made up of the voice actors from Sailor Moon. It may be silly, but this is some of my favorite new music I acquired this year. In general I find these songs sweet and bouncy, and just plain enjoyable to listen to, even if I'm not sure what they're saying.
Also, I find it easier to visualize the Sailor Scouts/Soldiers (pick your translation) singing exuberant Christmas tunes than some of the other characters on these Novelty Albums.
Track List:
Additional Songs from Sailor Moon SuperS Christmas For You (1995)
I really like a lot of these songs. I looked up some translations, and for the most part they follow the gist of each original song. The dialogue bits in many tracks I can almost follow without translation, just because it's so characteristic of Sailor Moon. They chat about wanting boyfriends, or Usagi falls asleep while talking about staying up to see Santa, etc.
This is the best version of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus I've ever heard. I hate this song, in general, because it seems to me to be unfunny, patronizing, and downright creepy. As I suspected, when I checked the translation, the lyrics on this version come right out and say in the last line of the verse that this Santa was Papa, with the implication that the singer (daughter) finds being in on the joke sweet and romantic.
I find it amusing that a couple of songs that we don't think of as holiday tunes are in here as well. Usagi (Kotono Mitsuishi) sings When the Saints Go Marching In, which includes some new winter-themed lyrics, and Rei (Michie Tomizawa) sings When You Wish Upon a Star, which in this adaptation is firmly about dreams fulfilled and finding love. When You Wish Upon a Star also picks up a nice jazzy beat in the translation.
My favorite tracks, though, are the original songs. Or, what I'm guessing are original songs. Sailor Moon Christmas is a super-fun song in which each character gets to sing a little, and it seems to be about preparing for a party. It's just got great energy. Koibito ga Santa Claus might be the best thing on either album, though. Apparently the title translates to 'A Sweetheart is Santa Claus' or 'My Love is Santa Claus', depending on who you believe. It's got a great beat, it sounds like Sailor Moon music, and is about how you meet the real Santa Claus when you find your sweetheart.
There is one track from each album that is sung in English, although there is English scattered in the other songs as well. These tracks - Last Christmas and White Christmas - are both performed by Michie Tomizawa. I have to admit, Last Christmas sung sweetly in a Japanese accent is one of the most adorable things I've listened to in some time. Is that the Sailor Moon opening bell I hear in the background of the intro, too?
It doesn't hurt that all the ladies have lovely singing voices, fully capable of carrying things like Ave Maria.
Best Songs: Koibito ga Santa Claus, When You Wish Upon a Star, The Christmas Song
Worst Songs: When the Saints Go Marching In (It's not that terrible, but really out of tone with all the other tracks), Les Anges dan nos Compagnes (Just nothing too special about this one)
I really like this music. A lot. However, if for some weird reason you don't get pleasure in being able to identify the actresses from Sailor Moon by voice, or don't find it really fun to listen to familiar songs in Japanese, your mileage may really vary.
Of course, this is definitely one of those cases in which the music is worth a thousand words, so take a listen:
Technically, the music is performed by Peach Hips, which is one of the names for the musical group made up of the voice actors from Sailor Moon. It may be silly, but this is some of my favorite new music I acquired this year. In general I find these songs sweet and bouncy, and just plain enjoyable to listen to, even if I'm not sure what they're saying.
Also, I find it easier to visualize the Sailor Scouts/Soldiers (pick your translation) singing exuberant Christmas tunes than some of the other characters on these Novelty Albums.
Track List:
- Sailor Moon Christmas
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- When the Saints Go Marching In
- Jingle Bells
- The Christmas Song
- Les Anges dan nos Compagnes (Hark the Herald Angels Sing)
- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
- When You Wish Upon a Star
- Silent Night
- Koibito ga Santa Claus
- Last Christmas
Additional Songs from Sailor Moon SuperS Christmas For You (1995)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Here Comes Santa Claus
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town
- White Christmas
- Ave Maria
I really like a lot of these songs. I looked up some translations, and for the most part they follow the gist of each original song. The dialogue bits in many tracks I can almost follow without translation, just because it's so characteristic of Sailor Moon. They chat about wanting boyfriends, or Usagi falls asleep while talking about staying up to see Santa, etc.
This is the best version of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus I've ever heard. I hate this song, in general, because it seems to me to be unfunny, patronizing, and downright creepy. As I suspected, when I checked the translation, the lyrics on this version come right out and say in the last line of the verse that this Santa was Papa, with the implication that the singer (daughter) finds being in on the joke sweet and romantic.
I find it amusing that a couple of songs that we don't think of as holiday tunes are in here as well. Usagi (Kotono Mitsuishi) sings When the Saints Go Marching In, which includes some new winter-themed lyrics, and Rei (Michie Tomizawa) sings When You Wish Upon a Star, which in this adaptation is firmly about dreams fulfilled and finding love. When You Wish Upon a Star also picks up a nice jazzy beat in the translation.
My favorite tracks, though, are the original songs. Or, what I'm guessing are original songs. Sailor Moon Christmas is a super-fun song in which each character gets to sing a little, and it seems to be about preparing for a party. It's just got great energy. Koibito ga Santa Claus might be the best thing on either album, though. Apparently the title translates to 'A Sweetheart is Santa Claus' or 'My Love is Santa Claus', depending on who you believe. It's got a great beat, it sounds like Sailor Moon music, and is about how you meet the real Santa Claus when you find your sweetheart.
There is one track from each album that is sung in English, although there is English scattered in the other songs as well. These tracks - Last Christmas and White Christmas - are both performed by Michie Tomizawa. I have to admit, Last Christmas sung sweetly in a Japanese accent is one of the most adorable things I've listened to in some time. Is that the Sailor Moon opening bell I hear in the background of the intro, too?
It doesn't hurt that all the ladies have lovely singing voices, fully capable of carrying things like Ave Maria.
Best Songs: Koibito ga Santa Claus, When You Wish Upon a Star, The Christmas Song
Worst Songs: When the Saints Go Marching In (It's not that terrible, but really out of tone with all the other tracks), Les Anges dan nos Compagnes (Just nothing too special about this one)
I really like this music. A lot. However, if for some weird reason you don't get pleasure in being able to identify the actresses from Sailor Moon by voice, or don't find it really fun to listen to familiar songs in Japanese, your mileage may really vary.
Of course, this is definitely one of those cases in which the music is worth a thousand words, so take a listen:
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