For those who don’t know, Vocaloid is a voice synthesizer program that allows users to have their very own virtual singers perform songs; just give them a tune and some lyrics, and the voicebank will sing for you! Of course, making them sound good requires a lot of time and effort in addition to patience when using the program, but when you manage to put in the work, you can get amazing results. I’ve been a fan of Vocaloid since my middle school years, so I’ve had a lot of time to listen to the old and new songs put out by Vocaloid producers and experience the wonderful stories they make. Here are some of my favorite songs that definitely have the potential to get newcomers hooked too!
1. Luka Luka Night Fever
Vocals: Megurine Luka
Music and lyrics: samfree
You want hype? Well this song gives it! The techno beat, dramatic WHOOs, and the late producer samfree’s lyrics offer a huge energetic effect. One of the more famous Vocaloid songs, Luka Luka Night Fever can get anyone jumping around and singing absurdly to the Japanese words (in my case BUTCHERED Japanese), and in all honesty, you’ll never get the song out of your head.
2. Crescent Moon
Vocals: KAITO
Music and lyrics: Kurousa-P
The perfect song for those looking for angsty love and stunning artwork. KAITO is one of the oldest Vocaloids, and in my opinion, has a very unique sound to his voice, which might not be for everyone. It took me awhile to get used to him myself, but when I listened to Crescent Moon, I instantly fell in love. His voice is able to portray the heartbreak of a man desperately clinging to a love that seems to be out of reach. In this song, he hangs onto his love even as he or she drifts farther and farther away, pledging to always be there whenever he is needed. Someone pass the tissues please!
3. Senbonzakura (One Thousand Cherry Trees)
Vocals: Hatsune Miku
Music and lyrics: Kurousa-P
Like Night Fever, this song’s beat is rapid and exciting. The instrumental is a mix of an oriental sound with piano, drum, and epic guitar! But don’t let the fast pace and cute visuals fool you. Senbonzakura has rather dark undertones (mentions of the guillotine and the wailings of people going unheard). Many speculate that Kurousa-P made this song to lament the changes in Japan during the Meiji Restoration, which resulted in the loss of traditional Japanese culture. Yet, the contrast between this song’s sound and potential meanings add to its charm and appeal. The addicting music won’t ever get tiring as you keep replaying to try and figure out what the heck is going on!
4. magnet
Vocals: Kagamine Len and Rin (originally sung by Hatsune Miku and Megurine Luka)
Music and lyrics: minato
No matter how much I listen to it, I can’t get over how beautiful the instrumental is. The piano is especially irresistible. Originally sung by the female voicebanks Hatsune Miku and Megurine Luka, magnet is a song about forbidden love and the pain that comes with it. Lovers who know that society does not accept them cannot help but meet in secret, nurturing a love they believe and feel is right, all the while crying together, fearing discovery. It’s a song that makes your heart ache for the two characters. I chose to put Kagamine Len and Rin’s version on the list because it’s my personal favorite (Kagamine biased), though the original is just as good.
5. Servant of Evil
Vocals: Kagamine Len
Music and lyrics: mothy
This was one of my first Vocaloid songs, and the reason I fell in love with the Kagamine twins. Unlike most other Vocaloids, Kagamine Len and Rin were released as a pair, like a two-in-one deal. Both have the same voice provider, but Len is pitched lower than his female counterpart, Rin. In the story of Servant of Evil, Rin is a wicked queen filled with selfishness and greed, which causes her kingdom to revolt and come after her life. However, her twin brother, Len, saves her by switching their clothes and taking her place at the guillotine. Rin, in the crowd watching the execution, witnesses the death of her brother, the only one who loved her unconditionally. The tragic end of Len and how it changes Rin afterwards makes this song one of my favorites. In addition, Servant of Evil is a part of a song series which expands upon the storyline, making it engaging and leaving you wanting more!
6. The Lost One’s Weeping
Vocals: Kagamine Rin
Music and lyrics: Neru
A rock song that screams about the issues with school systems. Neru manages to use Rin’s voicebank to her fullest potential, making her sound so desperate and emotional and utterly at a loss at what to do. When did grades and results in school matter more than the student’s dreams and aspirations? When did they mean more than a student's own health? The Lost One’s Weeping follows a boy who has reached his breaking point; he has no idea what to do with himself because there is no help available. There is only one path: do well academically and prove your worth by doing something someone else wants you to do. For those struggling with their future, with the stress that school always manages to bury them under, this is the song for them. The song that puts all that frustration into words.
7. World is Mine
Vocals: Hatsune Miku
Music and lyrics: ryo
Time to turn away from the angst and end it on a happy note! World is Mine is all about that cheesy romance man. Here, Miku sings about what she demands from her partner, all the things that would make her happy and feel loved, from noticing her new haircut to holding her hand. Of course, paying attention to your girlfriend is important and Miku deserves all the love she wants, but you can’t help but feel bad for the boy being pulled around as she monopolizes his attention. In the end though, they end up as a cute and happy couple.
While at first, Vocaloid may take a bit of getting used to (the robotic qualities of their voices are quite different than humans), many songs performed by Vocaloid are fun, interesting, and artistic! I hope that my list made you consider trying a few songs out, and if you get into them, who knows? Maybe you’ll be the next big Vocaloid producer!
