Happiness

Single Review
ARASHI – Happiness

Happiness is ARASHI’s 20th single. It was released on September 5, 2007, and reached #1 on the oricon weekly singles chart. It sold a total of 285,465 copies as of 2008, and was the 15th best-selling single of Japan that year. Happiness was used as the theme song for the series, Yamada Taro Monogatari.

tracklist:
01. Happiness
02. Still…
03. Happiness (Karaoke)/Snowflake*
04. Still… (Karaoke)

[*] available only on the limited edition.

I never really liked Hapiness before because I thought it was too loud for me. But, after a few more listens, I learned to like it. I didin’t find it to be so loud now, and I learned to love everything about it. The song opens with some aggressive guitar riffs that is joined by the guys singing the ever catchy “yeah! yeah! yeah!” lines. It is then followed by the verses, and quickly following it is the chorus. Just by looking at the title, you’ll know already how this song would sound, so upbeat, and very energetic. Well, it is. The choruses were very catchy and the voices of the group members blended in well too. What I liked most about this song is the cheery atmosphere it has because It’s the one thing that keeps the song so alive. It is also the most appealing thing about this song since it’s the one dragging the person into listening to it. All in all, Hapiness  is a good song. I know that many people will love it once they try it, like I did.

The first b-side, Still…, which in my opinion, sounds a lot like the less-rock version of Happiness, is one of the better songs of the group.  It features a great melody, and the song doesn’t sound messy at all. It also keeps the listener from skipping the track because it gives the listener a great time listening to it. It is another great song by ARASHI, if we put it in short.

The next b-side, Snowflake, which is present only in the limited edition, screwed up a bit. It screwed up because the group sounded like someone died or anything. It sounded like the down-tempo(ed) version of Still… because both had the same tune and counts but, I’d have to say it took a down step because it sounded a bit rushed. Anyhow, even though their singing was a bit of the problem here, the rest could still be enjoyable, not as much as the other tracks on this single though.

Favorite Tracks:
Happiness

Shuffle rating!
A-