Country Girls – “Ranrarun ~Anata ni Muchuu~” [PV]

I talk a lot about how Country Girls are the perfection of saccharine filled idol love. Every bit of the group’s charm oozes “kawaii” , and “Ranrarun ~Anata ni Muchuu~” takes that charm and amplifies it with another time-traveling piece. As the variety entry in the last Country Girls single “Boogie Woogie LOVE / Koi wa Magnet / Ranrarun ~Anata ni Muchuu~” took a bit of a risk by choosing a song lacking in the kind of bluster one normally expects. Then again, the energy of the lead track on the release, “Boogie Woogie LOVE”, takes up the slack in energy, which frees this piece to charm us all without forcing itself. And, charm is the word for this promotional video!

Songwriters fascinate me, and “Ranrarun ~Anata ni Muchuu~” boasts a particularly interesting story. The song covers the 1961 hit “I’ve Told Every Little Star” by Linda Scott. You might remember “I’ve Told Every Little Star” from David Lynch’s 2001 film Mulholland Drive. Adding to the story, the song from 1961 is in itself a version of the 1932 song penned by musical giants Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II for the musical Music in the Air. You can hear a version from 1945 by Bing Crosby. Speed things up a little, throw in some cute Japanese girls, and you’ve got a hit!

Perhaps paying homage to the song’s 1932 origins, the promotional video for “Ranrarun ~Anata ni Muchuu~” cleverly sets itself as the kind of silent film you would see coming out of turn of the century Europe complete with fabricated props straight from fabulous stage productions. Set pieces for the paris local include the clearly constructed Eiffel Tower, a Parisian cityscape, and a crescent moon. My vocabulary on such sets doesn’t really do the PV justice; if you want to know whatt I’m talking about you can check out Georges Méliès 1902 film “Le Voyage dans la lune”

Before I get too long in the tooth, I love this concept, I love this song, and I love this PV. The video simply features crossdressing Ozeki Mai, Morito Chisaki, Funaki Musubi, and Yanagawa Nanmi courting and chasing the three older girls- Tsugunaga Momoko, Yamaki Risa, and Inaba Manaka.

Chase the girls around the outdoor cafe? Let’s go!

Pick ’em up at the park? OK!

Until a frustrated Manaka throws a tantrum lol

How about a Maypole Momochi? Done!

Momochi all wrapped up

OK, Manakan takes things into her own hands. That’s what kind of gal she is.

Yamakki on the moon, fishing for her guy.

OOOH!!!

The girls dance on their starlit Parisian night with the Eiffel Tower and the moon standing sentinel. This is a quality set piece! The frilly, overbearingly girly outfits worn by the members serve the concept well and complement each girl. The frilled socks especially catch my eye because kawaii is right.

I’m just over the moon with Yamaki Risa on the crescent. That’s lovely.

I have to mention the heart filled pupils. I think there are mixed feelings about this effect. Personally, I think these eyes make plenty of sense in the PV. And, they give you another excuse to look deeply into the girls’ eyes. I highly recommend you click this next set of photos for the full effect!
Momoko

Risa

Manaka

Chisaki

Mai

Musubu

Nanami

As I delve into this third Country Girl release, I find it a perfect mix of tracks. The songs vary in style and feel, yet still feel linked. Hopefully most of you have looked into “Boogie Woogie LOVE / Koi wa Magnet / Ranrarun ~Anata ni Muchuu~”; and if you haven’t given it a fair listen, what are you waiting for?

And, scene.

You can buy Country Girls “Boogie Woogie LOVE / Koi wa Magnet / Ranrarun ~Anata ni Muchuu~” at CD Japan
Limited A

Limited B

Limited C

Regular A

Regular B

Regular C