Songs in another language

Started by Altairis May 28th, 2014 6:59 PM
  • 1412 views
  • 30 replies

Altairis

take me ☆ take you

Female
database database
Seen December 29th, 2022
Posted October 5th, 2018
5,170 posts
11 Years
sorry for the very unclever title
Do you like listening to songs that are sung in a language you don't speak fluently? If so, do you make an effort to know the lyrics in your own language, or do you just listen without knowing because it sounds cool? Which languages? If you don't, is it because you don't know the lyrics in your own language?

ORAS/XYBW

The Void

hiiiii

Male
MOTHA RUSSIA
Seen May 29th, 2019
Posted August 9th, 2015
1,416 posts
13 Years
Yes, I think, for example, that Japanese songs are cool. Sometimes the lyrics just dribble through your head without you having to really think about them, and it's nice.

Have you heard Let It Go in 25 languages?

I understand only like, 3 of these, but I like it almost as much as the original.

Όφις ην μη φάγη όφιν, δράκων ου γενήσεται.

Firox

eepz, come help pwease!

Age 37
Male
Seattle, WA
Seen September 15th, 2021
Posted July 17th, 2020
2,585 posts
11 Years
All the time, 80% of my music collection is in languages I don't speak (English or Spanish)
While typing this message I'm listening to Russian metal

Do you like listening to songs that are sung in a language you don't speak fluently? - yes I do, lots of the music I like is from Europe, and even if some bands do have songs in English, the ones in their native language just sound so much better in my opinion.

If so, do you make an effort to know the lyrics in your own language, or do you just listen without knowing because it sounds cool? - I mainly listen to them because the language just sounds cool with metal music, I do try and sing along at times, I'm only interested in learning what the song is about, or if possible find a translation of the song

Which languages? A quick list:
Arabic: Al Namrood, Narjahanam - نار جهنم
Danish: Fjorsvartnir
Dutch: Heidevolk
Estonian: Metsatöll
Faroese: many of Týr's songs
Finnish: Korpiklaani, a few Ensiferum songs
German: Menhir
Georgian: Ennui
Icelandic: Skálmöld
Latvian: Skyforger
Lithuanian: Obtest
Japanese: Gotsu Kotsu Totsu - 兀突骨
Norwegian: Ásmegin, many of Darkthrone and Gorgoroth songs
Romanian: Bucovina
Russian: Arkona - Аркона
Slovakian: Prarod
Swedish: Vintersorg
Thai: Wiplas - วิปลาส

edit: forgot to mention, I'm always searching for more metal bands from other countries, that sing in their own language, I don't mind if they sing in English but at least have songs that they sing in their native language too.

If you don't, is it because you don't know the lyrics in your own language? - this won't apply to me.
I ♥ Foxes and Cats!! - art i drew myself
instead of 'Catch 'em All' for me would be "gotta Pet 'Em All"
check out my arts: Jyo Espy - my discord name changes often, numbers: #0363

Male
Seen July 21st, 2017
Posted June 14th, 2017
1,333 posts
11 Years
Do you like listening to songs that are sung in a language you don't speak fluently?
Haha, yes! I'm a big fan of Xander de Buisonje, Willemijn Verkaik (both Dutch), Celine Dion (French?) and Alex Britti (Italian). I usually listen to foreign songs in the language I'm currently learning, but I sometimes like songs in languages I'm not really interested in, too!

If so, do you make an effort to know the lyrics in your own language, or do you just listen without knowing because it sounds cool?
Always. I'm always on the hunt for new phrases and words in new languages, and as a linguistic freak, this is really fun for me, lol.

Which languages?
Mainly Dutch, French and Italian. I like some songs in other languages too. I like the sound of Slavic languages, might as well find some artists, haha.

there is no fire like passion

Raine

Age 29
Female
Ontario, Canada
Seen December 16th, 2017
Posted October 5th, 2017
3,722 posts
9.3 Years
I practically live off songs that are in different languages! Hm, the attraction to other languages aren't necessarily because I want to learn the foreign language, but more so I find them more appealing in sound compared to Western music these days \: I often sing along with songs that are in Latin, Japanese, and Korean, but I've also tried Mandarin, Ukrainian, and Russian. To be honest, I think I'm relatively talented at singing in other languages so that's what triggers me to continue downloading, and listening to songs in other languages I guess XD

El Héroe Oscuro

IG: elheroeoscuro

Male
Chicago
Seen April 10th, 2022
Posted August 21st, 2021
7,237 posts
14.3 Years
Only if the track has a good beat to it to be perfectly honest. I'm not very good when it comes to quick translations in my head, so instead of just hearing gibberish I'd more key in to the rhythm and the beat to the song. That's why I like songs such as Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina." Good beat, but absolutely no clue what they are saying haha.

The Mad Blogger

"Look, whatever you're thinking,
do me a favor; don't let go."

Daily Bloggity
Twitter
My Daily Articles
My Anime
Food Fight #18
VIPQOTD #4

Gamerscore: 629,694
Female
Seen June 5th, 2014
Posted June 5th, 2014
17 posts
9 Years
I listen to Pink Martini pretty often and they sing in several different languages, China Forbes has a beautiful voice and handles foreign languages very well. Some of them are mixed with English so it's pretty easy to understand the rest of the words. I haven't had to look up any of the lyrics in order to understand their songs.

I've listened to other artists though where I've looked up the lyrics so that I could better understand what they singing about.
FC: 1392-5855-1713

BurningLanguages

Student Linguist

Age 31
Male
United States of America
Seen May 30th, 2015
Posted May 30th, 2015
193 posts
9.8 Years
When I choose to listen to songs in a different language, it's almost always in a language that I'm currently studying. Right now that would be Latin American Spanish and Russian.

I do have Japanese music that I like, because I will be studying Japanese in the future. I use it mostly for academic reasons but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the music, because I do. The music from kyary Pamyu Pamyu is awesome :).

Ririchio-san

LoVe yOur EneMIeS. IT mAkES tHem So dAMneD mAd '.'

Age 24
Female
Heaven :P (India)
Seen December 21st, 2022
Posted October 4th, 2014
24 posts
9.1 Years
I just love listening to songs sung in foreign languages (which is a bit sad)....
And yes, I do try to understand the meaning of the lyrics but not always , and surprisingly, I even remember the lyrics(even if I don't understnd them) I'm not sure why but I guess it's becuz I have a habit of either humming or singing with the song
:) .
Um, I mainly listen to Japanese and Korean songs .
I'm mainly into tune so I can listen to songs sung in any language , but just the beat and tune should match, :).
Kork Play :pink_confused:

Flushed

never eat raspberries

Seen November 4th, 2017
Posted May 18th, 2017
2,301 posts
9.7 Years
I don't seek out music in different languages, but I don't instantly reject such music either. Off the top of my head I only have a couple foreign artists: Veltpunch (Japanese) and Kent (Swedish/English). Most songs I get because of the rhythm and sounds as opposed to the linguistics, so I don't mind songs in other languages at all.

Sonata

Don't let me disappear

Age 27
Male
Indiana
Seen 8 Hours Ago
Posted March 25th, 2023
13,619 posts
10.2 Years
I like to listen to Rammstein which is German. I don't understand much, but it's nice.

Starry Windy

Everything will be Daijoubu.

Male
Liberty Garden
Seen April 28th, 2020
Posted April 28th, 2020
9,307 posts
10.4 Years
I often listen to Japanese songs, especially if it's related to anime songs, even though I don't get them most of the time. However, I'm starting to know what they meant a bit.
Brazil
Seen December 8th, 2014
Posted June 3rd, 2014
78 posts
13.9 Years
I do like songs in foreign languages, even if I don't understand fully, because for me music is not about the lyrics, but about rhythim (or what it makes me feel, like nostalgy). I never get when people ask "how can you listen to this, it's in japanese!", as if the only thing that matter was the lyrics. Actually even when I listen to songs in english I don't understand everything, but I still like it ^-^

People are SO into lyrics that there basically no instrumental songs anymore... but at the same time, most people say they do like classical songs (like piano songs from Mozart). So contradictory.

Edit: as Heartouch remembered, anime songs are the only japanese songs I listen to! xD Rurouni Kenshin, Yuyu Hakusho, Inuyasha... old school animes were the best lol

acatfrommars

Male
Seen February 5th, 2023
Posted January 9th, 2023
3,870 posts
9.6 Years
If dubstep counts as a different language then yes. If not, then not really unless I'm listening to anime openings or watching anime. I prefer music in America because I like to focus on lyrics as well as the audio. Also, English is the only language I know fluently.

Livewire

Male
Sunnyshore City
Seen December 3rd, 2022
Posted August 2nd, 2019
14,091 posts
13.8 Years
The only songs I have that are in a foreign language are by Rammestein and Megahertz, German heavy metal bands. If you have a basic understanding of Germanic languages then you can pick up on the overall meaning of the songs pretty quickly, I think. I also think I have the one song in Japanese, (lol) which I believe was the theme song from the Zoids anime, if you remember that from way back in the day!

Unless you count some instrumental/trailer music/classical that has Latin choir singing or chanting. Got some of that too.

Brendino

The Ruins of Alph
Seen 5 Days Ago
Posted April 6th, 2023
8,567 posts
13.5 Years
I was both surprised and not surprised at the same time seeing that I had songs in 8 different languages (English, French, Arabic, Finnish, Korean, Japanese, Swiss German, and Spanish) represented on my iPod. Aside from English and French though, I've got maybe 2 or 3 songs for each language tops- generally from the same artist.

I'm not usually one that goes out of my way looking for songs in foreign languages, but it's a nice surprise hearing them pop up now and again if I'm shuffling through my music.

Hiatus

Seen 6 Days Ago
Posted July 24th, 2021
12,283 posts
10.8 Years
Whatever I listen is mostly English, but all in all, though, I'd listen to pretty much any song--regardless of what language it is--as long as it sounds good to my ears. :] I've heard a few Bollywood and West Bengal songs before, and each and every one of them were equally as fantastic. One of my most favorite would be this; very soothing.

Candy

Age 26
Female
In OJ Land
Seen 1 Week Ago
Posted August 22nd, 2020
3,813 posts
14.3 Years
I have listened to Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English (surprise surprise).

I'll be honest, those songs are much more earworming than Indonesian songs.

But Japanese is my #1 language when it comes to music. As for lyrics, I am at least knowledgable enough in Japanese to translate bits of the songs. English is my first language though, so I have to trouble with them. Chinese and Korean... not so much. xDD
_
Zhuang Zi
Crash Fever

Eevee

╰( ´・ω・)つ━☆゚.* ・。゚

Age 28
Female
Canada
Seen July 7th, 2016
Posted July 4th, 2014
678 posts
9.7 Years
I listen to many songs in different languages. In fact, they take up about 70% of my iPod. I find them more catchy than the Western music nowadays.

At the moment, I'm listening to French, Japanese and Swedish music. I definitely try to find translations of the songs to find out what they mean. I love languages and I find them fascinating.


Esper

California
Seen June 30th, 2018
Posted June 30th, 2018
I don't usually care about lyrics. They're kind of filler in a lot of ways. Sometimes they're catchy or unusually interesting, which is great, but as long as they aren't so bad that they're a distraction I'm not too concerned about them or what language they're in.

I just like hearing the music and vocals that go well with the music.