Learn Japanese Through Song

Learning a song in another language is a wonderful thing. You can practice listening comprehension, in addition to learning about the culture from which the song came! In Japan, the best way to learn (or re-learn) a song is through カラオケ and without a doubt, one of the most popular songs to sing is リンダリンダ by The Blue Hearts. リンダリンダ Grammar and Vocab Additional Songs  

リンダリンダ

↑ Listen/watch the music video!

Thanks to the front man's endless energy (and simple grammar), this song is both fun and entertaining! Let's look at the lyrics:

ドブネズミみたいに美しくなりたい

I want to be beautiful like a rat

写真には写らない美しさがあるから

Because you have a beauty that can't be reflected in pictures

リンダリンダ　　リンダリンダリンダ

Linda Linda    Linda Linda Linda

リンダリンダ　　リンダリンダリンダ

Linda Linda    Linda Linda Linda

もしも僕がいつか君と出会い話し合うなら

If someday I get the chance to speak with you

そんな時はどうか愛の意味を知ってください

Won't you please me the meaning of love at that time

リンダリンダ　　リンダリンダリンダ

Linda Linda    Linda Linda Linda

リンダリンダ　　リンダリンダリンダ

Linda Linda    Linda Linda Linda

ドブネズミみたいに誰よりもやさしい

You're nicer than anyone, like a rat

ドブネズミみたいに何よりもあたたかく

You're warmer than anything, like a rat

リンダリンダ　　リンダリンダリンダ

Linda Linda    Linda Linda Linda

リンダリンダ　　リンダリンダリンダ

Linda Linda    Linda Linda Linda

もしも僕がいつか君と出会い話し合うなら

If someday I get the chance to speak with you

そんな時はどうか愛の意味を知ってください

Won't you please tell me the meaning of love at that time

愛じゃなくても恋じゃなくても君を離しはしない

Even if it's not love, even if it's not passion, I can't let you go

消して負けない強い力を僕は一つだけ持つ

(As long as) I hold great strength that can never be defeated

リンダリンダ　　リンダリンダリンダ リンダリンダ　　リンダリンダリンダ

OH! Linda Linda    Linda Linda Linda Linda Linda    Linda Linda Linda (x3)  

Grammar and Vocab

Here's a list of the grammar and vocab seen in the song, by order of appearance:

Additional Songs

Here's a list of popular songs that are easy to learn, most of which my friends and I regularly sang at カラオケ in Japan.

上を向いて歩こう - Sakamoto Kyu (Ue wo muite arukou, also dubbed  'Sukiyaki')

明日があるさ - Sakamoto Kyu (Ashita ga aru sa)

世界に一つだけの花 - SMAP (Sekai ni hitotsu dake no hana)

キセキ - Greeeen

３月９日 - Remioromen

風が吹いている - Ikimonogakari (Kaze ga fuiteiru)

サヨナラじゃない - Funk Monkey Babys (Sayonara janai)

夜の踊り子 - Sakanaction (Yoru no odoriko, lyrics here)

And songs with links to youtube videos:

AM 11:00 - HY

手紙 - Angela Aki (Tegami)