I can't get over the perfect blend of goofiness and incredible composition work in this stuff. I'm REALLY close to starting periodic live streams where we can go wayyyy deeper for way longer and listen to a BUNCH more than I can fit into a video. Would you tune into something like that? Also, broken record here, but we have like FOUR days left in the year and you can still get the 8 course bundle for $99, which is that insane Black Friday pricing that I just decided to extend this year. Hope you all find it useful, and thank you SO much for the support!! shop.betterpiano.com/
I would LOVE if you went longer and more in-depth on live streams. Even if I couldn't catch it live, being able to go back and watch the VOD after it happened would be awesome. Also, I second going over the Deltarune soundtrack, it's in contention for my favorite video game OST.
Man, I would legit watch an episode like this on every K.K. Slider song. Sometimes I just binge these little credits/concert videos while doing chores.
It's not Nintendo, it's **ONE GUY** Kazumi Totaka may have written most of the incidental pieces in the game but Toru Minegishi wrote pretty much every K.K. Slider song
They sound even better in radio version, because you get to hear what they're actually going for beyond the KK voice. Bubblegum being a prime example, as the song you hear on social media is actually the radio version from the actual game.
Some of them even have interludes that fill gaps for one another, like K.K. Jazz which has a calm guitar melody in the bridge that gets a rad whistle so during the perfomance version, so you get a whole THIRD experience mixing then back together. ❤
The best version of a K.K. Slider song is one that uses all the parts of the live version, but with the instruments of the aircheck version. Aircheck songs usually have very short loops and omit parts.
I honestly think the only reason people think FFX is a masterpiece is because it has a legendary soundtrack that everyone knows even if they don't know it's from the game. The game actually kinda sucks I'm sorry.
@@ImPDK the absurd graphical fidelity and gorgeous cutscenes running in a ps2's early life are also incredibly impressive to be fair. Just imagine playing crash bandicoot 3 and then seeing ffx's in-game cutscenes, you'd be shocked.
they definitely do pay attention to it, you discredit your fellow humans too easily. The beauty of animal crossing’s music is how seamlessly it fits with the theme of the game - it blends perfectly with the aesthetic and they symbiotically amplify eachother. It’s like saying the game is beautiful but nobody pays attention to the graphics, they always are, it’s a constant appreciation.
It reminds me of when I'm listening to my favorite jazz albums. The best thing about jazz is the unexpected little treats even if you're pretty familiar with the song. The albums I do this "YOOOOOOO" thing to the most are Casiopea - _s/t_ and Roberto Rodriguez & John Zorn - _Aguares._
my sister and I used to look forward to KKs concerts every week. because the game is synced to real time we’d sprint to the Wii in time to be able to watch a new song. Best memories
Kazumi Totaka, his work is scattered all throughout nintendo's history. One of my favorite video game composers, just amazing writing. also K.K. the dog is named after him "Totakeke"
There's a reason there are entire channels dedicated to remixing or rearranging KK Slider music and instruments into existing classic hits. The fact someone has made a cover of Superman (the one usually associated with Tony Hawk) is amazing.
KK Slider not only keeps older Animal Crossing themes alive with every new entry, but gives us TWO VERSIONS of every song in his albums courtesy of instrumental and live perfornances. Hearing him singing the New Leaf title theme in New Horizons made me tear up a little... this little dog is such a special part of these games. 😊 And somehow triggers a nostalgic memory with CASIO KEYBOAVRD MIDI INSTRUMENTS that live rent free in my brain. Some are 2 minutes long, some are 35 second loops... it's an in universe hidden gem that keeps deliverying. It's the kind of musicality that upon listening to in the Nintendo music app remains timeless, like a pack of TimTams you remember you have in the cupboard saved for a bad day. The best part is, with all that in mind, always makes sense when I remember the same minds are responsible for the soundscape of Zelda BotW and TotK.
K.K. Cruisin' uses an EXTREMELY common chord progression in R&B and smooth jazz. It's the same chord progression as Just The Two of Us, nearly the same as All I Do Is Think Of You, etc. You see it all over the place. It's VERY fun.
ty for validating that i have good taste in music, feel like ppl scoff when "K.K. Slider is an icon" is thrown around but we really MEANT that k.k. jongara goes IN. awoo!!
My absolute favorite is K.K. Disco, and I was glad to see it make the video. K.K. was such a good sport, playing it multiple times on Saturday night for years.
Some of those K.K. songs are great, but the hourly music is also cool. The 5 am and the 12 noon hours are my faves. One is super chill and the other makes me want to dance
11:43 In the older Animal crossings this song was only played if you requested a song incorrectly. Glad you covered it, it's always been one of my favorites.
But then you miss out on K.K.'s beautiful voice. No, seriously, you're right. Although, an advantage of the live versions is that they are easier to replicate on piano and focus more on the composition, with less going on. For example, K.K. Bubblegum usually has a countermelody.
Love Animal Crossing’s music!! New Horizons was my first introduction to the series and I’ve since been making fun songs dedicated to the various villagers! Some people think it’s silly but even the music in game has such strong roots and brilliant composition like you mentioned! Glad you talked about it since it’s felt like the community has talked about the game less lately. Thanks Charles!!
Nice, more Animal Crossing breakdown from Charles is always good. 😁 This time breaking down the work of the best doggo, Totakeke. ❤ My top 5 favorite K.K. Slider songs are probably K.K. House, K.K. Bossa, K.K. Ska, Surfin K.K, and K.K. Robot Synth. (Edit: Just wanna add the timestamps of the K.K. songs) 0:21 *Bubblegum K.K.* 5:52 *K.K. Cruisin* 7:53 *K.K. Disco* 10:14 *K.K. Bossa* 11:43 *Drivin'*
Animal Crossing, ever since the GC version, has always contained some of my favorite music in gaming. It's so cozy, and there's simplicity but also somehow complexity everywhere. An absolutely perfectly made soundtrack.
speaking as someone who just made a song with the chord progression from kk cruisin, i can confirm that it's incredibly fun to solo over. the fact that it uses a lot of non diatonic notes in the chords means that the solo can too without too much effort, i highly recommend it to people just starting to write/improv their own melodies over existing songs!
KK DISCO YES!! Nobody ever talks about that one (except my mom and I). It’s so good. Plus aloha, stale cupcakes, cafe, and my fave kk dub. My favorite thing is picking out music to play around the island and the villagers singing along
I only ever played the first Animal Crossing on gamecube, but I played it a LOT. Always loved K.K. Slider's songs. Good to see they've kept it up with later games. My ex-wife and I always thought it sounded like he was singing about meat. "Oh meat now, oh meat ball, meat ball now oh, my meat ball oh..."
Got your bundle during the Black Friday sale, and I am so happy I did. You're incredible. Also, please make a longer version of this video,this is freaking incredible
My favourite kk slider song is one of the "error" songs he plays if you misspell a song when requesting him to play one. In the game files it's called Hazure 02, it's pretty clearly based on Sparkle by Tatsuro Yamashita
I don't know if charles has gone through any Yamashita songs -- I know posts of his songs seem to get taken down pretty fast, but they are such gems of songwriting.
My favorite KK song as a kid was always KK Mambo. Toru Minegishi composed basically all of these (at least all of the ones that were in the original game) and he had to do a lot of research to at least get the basic sound of each style. Musical genius. Kenta Nagata did the hourly music in the original, and the genius Shinobu Nagata (known for doing the entire Mario Kart DS soundtrack by herself) did the holiday and event music. The Animal Crossing series as a whole is a treasure trove of great music. The hourly music from all of the games (especially the original and New Leaf) makes for some fantastic focusing / studying music.
K.K. Cruisin' was the one I had constantly playing in my dinky little Animal Crossing GC house wayyyy back in the original game. I credit Animal Crossing with my early musical ability to recognize and copy melodies and interesting harmonies. And also teaching me how to read.
If you dig Animal Crossing tunes check out the Splatoon soundtracks if you haven't already. It has the same kind of vocals with a full band behind them. The different versions of 'Splattack' and 'Now or Never' are a great start.
I second this! Splatoon’s soundtracks are ridiculously good. Off the Hook’s Spectrum Obligato ~ Ebb & Flow (Out of Order), featuring DJ Dedf1sh, from Side Order is full of frisson. Also, Liquid Sunshine by The Squid Sisters feat. Ian BGM has no right being as good as it is, and is possibly the best Splatoon song ever.
I love Charles’s excitement every time he does a sountrack breakdown/review like this! Im not musically inclined but i love music theory because of you Charles
I literally just watched another video explaining all the detail that went into creating these songs! Nintendo had multiple people doing thorough research into their genre’s and there are SO many KK songs! There’s also non live versions you might find interesting as well! I personally love the “live” versions but the nonlive versions have more instrumentation going on
One of my favorite K.K. Slider songs (that you didn't play; you caught many of my favorites in this video alone) is K.K. Groove, but *specifically* the live version. He has this little guitar solo in it that goes absolutely nutty.
Gotta agree, animal crossing music hits HARD. I’ve always adored and appreciated it, whether the KK Slider songs or just the background music when running around.
OK what BANGERS! I've never played animal crossing (or too much nintendo games really) but gosh dang! Also as a guitarist... That kind of synth guitar tone was EPIC *i want it* 😂
We love you Charles! Thank u for being so thoughtful of all of us! I bought all 8 courses last year and have still been getting through intro to piano it’s that good!
So often in media, whether it be movies, shows, or games, we're introduced to characters that are supposed to be these amazing performers, and then when it comes to actually showing how great they are the music is just absolutely nothing. In Animal Crossing, your first major goal is to get the superstar K.K. to come to your island, and it's an actual reward to hear this.
K.K Bossa is my favorite song of his by far. If you ever get a chance Charles, listen to the version from the movie. It's a BEAUTIFUL rendition with guitar, piano, strings, just classic bossa and it's a dream to listen to.
Aw man, I wish you did a side by side comparison of the KK Slider version versus the "Aircheck" version of each track~ These songs are great both ways and have different charm; plus, it is cool to see the change in tone and vibe of each song.
k.k. cruisin is unironically my favourite kk song (it is always the first song i request to get a recording of in new saves) I tried making a cover a couple years back but i definitely didn't do it justice 😅😅
You don't know terror until you've been running around your island at night having a good ole time, looking at a meteor shower and a tarantula attacks you. KK Metal goes hard.
0:20 During this song, my brain kept blaring I IV ii V. When you played vi instead of IV I went back and listened to it again to correct my mistake. It was then I noticed you had written still wrong on the vi lmao 😂
Man, you have such an amazing ear! While I’ve been playing wind instruments for a long time, once I finally started studying music theory, I realized I have a terrible ear. So I’m always so impressed by how you can hear and play those chords. Anyway, it’s been awhile since I’ve watched your videos, so I’m wondering if you’ve tackled other video game music like Cuphead or Sonic the Hedgehog. I’ll have to go through your channel!
KK Salsa, Surfin' KK, and there is one minor sounding song which is just AMAZING....I'll get to you with the title later. STEEP HILL! is what's it called
My favorite kk slider song is kk bossa and I'm so happy you reviewed it during the video, is so good. I must say, it's amazing to see how you enjoyed so much with just the concerts, meanwhile, the versions we hear at home in the game are so good too, those are mostly kk slider whistling but the music is just, chefs kiss ✨👏
Do it. Do more Animal Crossing, you coward. I dare you. Kazumi Totaka honestly set the tone with the series from the jump. Although the hourly tunes aren't nearly as playful as they were in the first, he's consistently made this game sound like home for 20 years
This made me smile so big! I’m visually impaired and love Animal Crossing to bits primarily because of the music and sound design. I also play piano and now I want to learn these songs for it. Those chords sound like something straight out of a composition I studied for my jazz class last summer. Gorgeous and rich, and your enthusiasm Is contagious. Made my day. Love your channel
I have a request for a future video that I think a lot of people will agree with :) Have you heard any of the soundtrack from A Hat In Time? There's a huge variety of music, and all of it is incredible, including the DLCs. The game itself is amazing too (although I haven't played it myself, just watched other people play it and several of my friends love it). Here's a list of songs that I think would be the best to look at if you don't go through the entire soundtrack (copy/pasted from an old comment so I don't have to retype it): - The title theme (absolutely incredible writing, and a primary favorite), - "Welcome to Mafia Town" (I think this is a primary favorite, but I'm not fully sure), - "Dead Bird Studio", - "Train Rush" and "Trainwreck of Electo Swing" (these two have a quirk that might make the harmony tricky to analyze, but I'm not sure how you would process it. They're both primary favorites, and go together. Trainwreck is a remix of Train Rush), - "The Battle of Award 42" (this one is crazy, and is a primary favorite), - "Subcon Forest" (very atmospheric), - "Toilet of Doom" (silly title, but great music), - "Your Contract Has Expired" (this is one of the primary favorites, and is crazy), - "Alpine Skyline" (just really good), - "Clocktowers Beneath the Sea" (a beautiful and peaceful song, plus fun to find some of the main theme motifs in it. A favorite.), - "You Are All Bad Guys" (which can be divided into three major sections if you want, and is a primary favorite), - "Rush Hour" (which is from one of the DLCs, so it may or may not be included in some playlists), and - "Peace and Tranquility" (which is exactly what the title says). That was a long list, but it's worth it :) And that's only the very surface, the whole soundtrack is amazing. I'm sure if other people see this comment they'll agree :)
I was always partial to K.K. Bossa when I played on GameCube! It might have been the first song I ever got but I can't remember. I just know I had it playing in my little house all the time The music was always one of my favorite parts! The hourly songs are also amazing, like I can still remember the specific hours my favorites in the GameCube version would play because they stuck with me. 5pm, 11pm, 8am, 9am, 2am, 4pm etc. Honorable mention to 1pm because cat noises lol oh and the rainy day music! I never played New Leaf, but 7pm from New Leaf is gorgeous!
I remember the first time I came to the club on a Sunday(?) night in New Leaf. KK Slider was sitting in the middle of the club with just his acoustic guitar. He asked me what I wanted to hear. I think I chose something chill. He busts out K.K. Synth for the first time, and gives me the track. I thought it was odd at first, but it quickly grew on me. I've loved the song ever since.
my favourite kk slider song is K.K. House. i just love it. but almost every song is pretty nice. i would love to see a video where you analyse all of the KK songs
These are actually all reorchestrations/remixes of tracks that exist in the game as purchasable items for your music player. For example, the first track (Bubblegum K.K. by K.K. Slider) actually sounds like a bubblegum pop/J-Pop song in its original version.
Definitely suggest the stereo / radio versions of a bunch of these songs alongside the KK Slider version. If you compare something like KK Technopop, live is super plain but stereo is so rich with instruments. KK Technopop + DJ KK would be my picks.
My favourite KK slider song was always Jongara. I like how fast-paced and eclectic the radio version sounds, and the way he sings it in the Saturday performances and adds the little howls makes it so fun
My exposure to animal crossing was briefly playing city folk and getting bored of it, so I only learned about the KK slider stuff by proximity, but I randomly stumbled across some and was like "wait, this is a fully structured song, to a grade of quality that could easily be produced and on-album of any current pop artist"
My favorite is Animal City/The City Theme from Animal Crossing City Folk. It's a gorgeous track. ESPECIALLY in K.k's cover of it (Called 'Animal City' in the OST of New Horizons)
I really wished you made a video about KK and you've done it. Thank you ! One of my favorite is Bubble Gum. The main composer studied music from all over the world to keep the "quintessence" of plenty of styles and the result is so good.
You know, the aircheck version of K.K. Hypno gets a bad rep, because of its involvement in a popular horror story, but the live version is absolutely magical.
this video was so fun! i'd love to see more, and i think you should def. check out the "studio recording" versions you can listen to on the animal crossing radio as well - maybe even compare the live with them? the records have so much more added flavour imo!
Can't wait for you to take a look at Animal Crossing City Folk's music. That soundtrack has always felt like the best of the bunch to me, especially with entries like The City Folk main theme (City Day) and The Roost.
I can't get over the perfect blend of goofiness and incredible composition work in this stuff. I'm REALLY close to starting periodic live streams where we can go wayyyy deeper for way longer and listen to a BUNCH more than I can fit into a video. Would you tune into something like that? Also, broken record here, but we have like FOUR days left in the year and you can still get the 8 course bundle for $99, which is that insane Black Friday pricing that I just decided to extend this year. Hope you all find it useful, and thank you SO much for the support!! shop.betterpiano.com/
I'm soooooo there if you start doing in-depth lives!!!
Happy new year.
Please do Kirby's triumphant return.
I'd love longer and more in-depth streams, especially for games with larger sound tracks like Deltarune or Omori that may warrant it
I would LOVE if you went longer and more in-depth on live streams. Even if I couldn't catch it live, being able to go back and watch the VOD after it happened would be awesome. Also, I second going over the Deltarune soundtrack, it's in contention for my favorite video game OST.
Yes! I would love to be able to be in the chat too, i enjoy these alot from a guitar theory brain!
when K.K. said "wey mi mi, wey mi mi" in K.K. Cruisin, i felt that
Amen, me too
I've listened to K.K. Good Day so many times that I was surprised to not hear Ice Cube rapping along
Yes. Felt it too
"man loses his mind over the Animal Crossing music" is my favorite genre of commentary
That should be the title of this video
Same though!!
最高😂❤
Man, I would legit watch an episode like this on every K.K. Slider song. Sometimes I just binge these little credits/concert videos while doing chores.
yes please keep them coming
yep
yes!!!
100% almost all of them are worth discussing musically
Yup amazing
Nintendo's composers go hard dude. They have incredible talents under their roof.
And they aren't even mentioned in the music app or the SMB movie (except for Kondo).
Indeed
It's not Nintendo, it's **ONE GUY**
Kazumi Totaka may have written most of the incidental pieces in the game but Toru Minegishi wrote pretty much every K.K. Slider song
@Purbinder03 Minegishi wrote most, but not all of them. He composed all of the original ones in Animal Crossing (GC).
I respect Nintendo composers. The Legend of Zelda soundtracks are HUGE inspiration to me!
They sound even better in radio version, because you get to hear what they're actually going for beyond the KK voice.
Bubblegum being a prime example, as the song you hear on social media is actually the radio version from the actual game.
Some of them even have interludes that fill gaps for one another, like K.K. Jazz which has a calm guitar melody in the bridge that gets a rad whistle so during the perfomance version, so you get a whole THIRD experience mixing then back together. ❤
The best version of a K.K. Slider song is one that uses all the parts of the live version, but with the instruments of the aircheck version. Aircheck songs usually have very short loops and omit parts.
There are some that are better when Kk sings them. Jongara? Is best when it’s sung
The song is played on the in-game tvs too - the dance competition little clips
Animal crossing wouldn't be the same without the music, its just such a huge part of it even tho most people dont pay attention to it
I honestly think the only reason people think FFX is a masterpiece is because it has a legendary soundtrack that everyone knows even if they don't know it's from the game.
The game actually kinda sucks I'm sorry.
@@ImPDKDon't be sorry. You're absolutely right.
@@ImPDK thats a cool one just a special one
@@ImPDK the absurd graphical fidelity and gorgeous cutscenes running in a ps2's early life are also incredibly impressive to be fair. Just imagine playing crash bandicoot 3 and then seeing ffx's in-game cutscenes, you'd be shocked.
they definitely do pay attention to it, you discredit your fellow humans too easily. The beauty of animal crossing’s music is how seamlessly it fits with the theme of the game - it blends perfectly with the aesthetic and they symbiotically amplify eachother. It’s like saying the game is beautiful but nobody pays attention to the graphics, they always are, it’s a constant appreciation.
I love how much Charles genuinely gets giddy when he heard something unexpected. Such love for music is instantly engaging
It reminds me of when I'm listening to my favorite jazz albums. The best thing about jazz is the unexpected little treats even if you're pretty familiar with the song. The albums I do this "YOOOOOOO" thing to the most are Casiopea - _s/t_ and Roberto Rodriguez & John Zorn - _Aguares._
my sister and I used to look forward to KKs concerts every week. because the game is synced to real time we’d sprint to the Wii in time to be able to watch a new song. Best memories
Kazumi Totaka, his work is scattered all throughout nintendo's history. One of my favorite video game composers, just amazing writing.
also K.K. the dog is named after him "Totakeke"
Totaka did some of these somgs, but a bunch of these (especially the newer ones) are written by other composers like Manaka Kataoka and Atsuko Asahi!
He's also the VA of Yoshi
He also composed the famous mii theme and wii shop theme
And they gave K. K. Slider his eyebrows.
@@TicTacToeCraft And, I think, Birdo.
0:22 Bubblegum K.K.
5:53 K.K. Crusin'
7:53 K.K. Disco
11:40 Drivin'
10:13 is K.K. Bossa
thanks!
What i love about that second song (KK Cruisin') is that those first four chords are basically "Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai
Holy shit, I can hear it.
I can hear the phantom "...made of, virtual insanity..."
Oh God, I can already imagine all the furniture in my house moving. 😂
I hear Something About Us by Daft Punk
There's a reason there are entire channels dedicated to remixing or rearranging KK Slider music and instruments into existing classic hits.
The fact someone has made a cover of Superman (the one usually associated with Tony Hawk) is amazing.
and just the two of us
KK Slider not only keeps older Animal Crossing themes alive with every new entry, but gives us TWO VERSIONS of every song in his albums courtesy of instrumental and live perfornances. Hearing him singing the New Leaf title theme in New Horizons made me tear up a little... this little dog is such a special part of these games. 😊
And somehow triggers a nostalgic memory with CASIO KEYBOAVRD MIDI INSTRUMENTS that live rent free in my brain. Some are 2 minutes long, some are 35 second loops... it's an in universe hidden gem that keeps deliverying.
It's the kind of musicality that upon listening to in the Nintendo music app remains timeless, like a pack of TimTams you remember you have in the cupboard saved for a bad day.
The best part is, with all that in mind, always makes sense when I remember the same minds are responsible for the soundscape of Zelda BotW and TotK.
The Nintendo Music app shouldn't require an NSO membership, end of story
Even better, air checks sound different on different music players
Fun fact you can find the animalese lyrics online
K.K. Cruisin' uses an EXTREMELY common chord progression in R&B and smooth jazz. It's the same chord progression as Just The Two of Us, nearly the same as All I Do Is Think Of You, etc.
You see it all over the place. It's VERY fun.
Someone earlier mentioned Jamiroquai's Virtual Insanity, which I would say still counts, since a lot of Jamiroquai's music is R&B Dance music.
circle of fifths babey
Also giving me bossa nova vibes.
It has a Disco/Jazz sound, sort of like City Pop. It also sounds similar to "What You Won't Do for Love" by Bobby Caldwell, too.
ty for validating that i have good taste in music, feel like ppl scoff when "K.K. Slider is an icon" is thrown around but we really MEANT that
k.k. jongara goes IN. awoo!!
PLEASE YES! Please just go through the KK Slider songs. Like go through them 5 at a time. He’s got such a great catalog!
My absolute favorite is K.K. Disco, and I was glad to see it make the video. K.K. was such a good sport, playing it multiple times on Saturday night for years.
Some of those K.K. songs are great, but the hourly music is also cool. The 5 am and the 12 noon hours are my faves. One is super chill and the other makes me want to dance
11:43 In the older Animal crossings this song was only played if you requested a song incorrectly. Glad you covered it, it's always been one of my favorites.
You should listen to the airchecks. Those are more like how the songs were meant to be played, on multiple instruments
But then you miss out on K.K.'s beautiful voice.
No, seriously, you're right. Although, an advantage of the live versions is that they are easier to replicate on piano and focus more on the composition, with less going on. For example, K.K. Bubblegum usually has a countermelody.
Or to vgm jazz covers by bands like The Consouls - vgm sounds great played on real instruments
@cooldebt A lot of VGM is performed on real instruments already.
@@TicTacToeCraft True, I was thinking of the old 8-bit stuff 😅
Love Animal Crossing’s music!! New Horizons was my first introduction to the series and I’ve since been making fun songs dedicated to the various villagers!
Some people think it’s silly but even the music in game has such strong roots and brilliant composition like you mentioned!
Glad you talked about it since it’s felt like the community has talked about the game less lately. Thanks Charles!!
Nice, more Animal Crossing breakdown from Charles is always good. 😁
This time breaking down the work of the best doggo, Totakeke. ❤
My top 5 favorite K.K. Slider songs are probably K.K. House, K.K. Bossa, K.K. Ska, Surfin K.K, and K.K. Robot Synth.
(Edit: Just wanna add the timestamps of the K.K. songs)
0:21 *Bubblegum K.K.*
5:52 *K.K. Cruisin*
7:53 *K.K. Disco*
10:14 *K.K. Bossa*
11:43 *Drivin'*
Animal Crossing, ever since the GC version, has always contained some of my favorite music in gaming. It's so cozy, and there's simplicity but also somehow complexity everywhere. An absolutely perfectly made soundtrack.
speaking as someone who just made a song with the chord progression from kk cruisin, i can confirm that it's incredibly fun to solo over. the fact that it uses a lot of non diatonic notes in the chords means that the solo can too without too much effort, i highly recommend it to people just starting to write/improv their own melodies over existing songs!
KK Cruisin' was the very first vgm jazz cover I heard from The Consouls. Vgm is great played as jazz as evidenced by the band's 400+ covers
KK DISCO YES!! Nobody ever talks about that one (except my mom and I). It’s so good. Plus aloha, stale cupcakes, cafe, and my fave kk dub. My favorite thing is picking out music to play around the island and the villagers singing along
I only ever played the first Animal Crossing on gamecube, but I played it a LOT. Always loved K.K. Slider's songs. Good to see they've kept it up with later games. My ex-wife and I always thought it sounded like he was singing about meat. "Oh meat now, oh meat ball, meat ball now oh, my meat ball oh..."
I can't un-hear that now. Thank you.
What can you say, the guy's really passionate about his spaghetti toppings.
Got your bundle during the Black Friday sale, and I am so happy I did. You're incredible. Also, please make a longer version of this video,this is freaking incredible
My favourite kk slider song is one of the "error" songs he plays if you misspell a song when requesting him to play one. In the game files it's called Hazure 02, it's pretty clearly based on Sparkle by Tatsuro Yamashita
sweet yvette young pfp
I don't know if charles has gone through any Yamashita songs -- I know posts of his songs seem to get taken down pretty fast, but they are such gems of songwriting.
Ah, a fellow Hazure enthusiast! Can’t wait to hear the air check in the next game.
My favorite KK song as a kid was always KK Mambo.
Toru Minegishi composed basically all of these (at least all of the ones that were in the original game) and he had to do a lot of research to at least get the basic sound of each style. Musical genius.
Kenta Nagata did the hourly music in the original, and the genius Shinobu Nagata (known for doing the entire Mario Kart DS soundtrack by herself) did the holiday and event music.
The Animal Crossing series as a whole is a treasure trove of great music. The hourly music from all of the games (especially the original and New Leaf) makes for some fantastic focusing / studying music.
K.K. Cruisin' was the one I had constantly playing in my dinky little Animal Crossing GC house wayyyy back in the original game.
I credit Animal Crossing with my early musical ability to recognize and copy melodies and interesting harmonies. And also teaching me how to read.
If you dig Animal Crossing tunes check out the Splatoon soundtracks if you haven't already. It has the same kind of vocals with a full band behind them. The different versions of 'Splattack' and 'Now or Never' are a great start.
I second this! Splatoon’s soundtracks are ridiculously good. Off the Hook’s Spectrum Obligato ~ Ebb & Flow (Out of Order), featuring DJ Dedf1sh, from Side Order is full of frisson. Also, Liquid Sunshine by The Squid Sisters feat. Ian BGM has no right being as good as it is, and is possibly the best Splatoon song ever.
Agreed reactions to Splatoon sound track would be amazing
omg you did bossa and drivin… two of the best kk songs in my opinion. love it sm
I love Charles’s excitement every time he does a sountrack breakdown/review like this!
Im not musically inclined but i love music theory because of you Charles
I literally just watched another video explaining all the detail that went into creating these songs! Nintendo had multiple people doing thorough research into their genre’s and there are SO many KK songs! There’s also non live versions you might find interesting as well! I personally love the “live” versions but the nonlive versions have more instrumentation going on
5:55 this was the song I had playing in my house for the entire time I played Wild World back in high school. Incredible memories
One of my favorite K.K. Slider songs (that you didn't play; you caught many of my favorites in this video alone) is K.K. Groove, but *specifically* the live version. He has this little guitar solo in it that goes absolutely nutty.
Gotta agree, animal crossing music hits HARD. I’ve always adored and appreciated it, whether the KK Slider songs or just the background music when running around.
8:41 YOU'VE BEEN GNOMED
You have brought me and my girlfriend so much joy at the slap happy hour of 2 am. Thank you.
Was reading this comment seconds before that part played lol
If K.K. was a real-life musician, he would legit be a top 100 artist.
OK what BANGERS! I've never played animal crossing (or too much nintendo games really) but gosh dang!
Also as a guitarist... That kind of synth guitar tone was EPIC *i want it* 😂
K.K. Bossa at 10:13 will always feel like "home" to me. I've played this franchise since Wild World, and it's my fav K.K song ever.
We love you Charles! Thank u for being so thoughtful of all of us! I bought all 8 courses last year and have still been getting through intro to piano it’s that good!
I've been waiting for this episode since I started following you. Infectious enthusiasm, just love this ongoing video game music series 👏👏🤩
So often in media, whether it be movies, shows, or games, we're introduced to characters that are supposed to be these amazing performers, and then when it comes to actually showing how great they are the music is just absolutely nothing. In Animal Crossing, your first major goal is to get the superstar K.K. to come to your island, and it's an actual reward to hear this.
"Na Niboo Na Way Way!!"
Lyrics to live by...
I truly believe KK Slider is the most cultured video game character bar none. The guy has more musical stylings under his belt than humanly possible!
I really love. K. K. Stale Cupcakes, it would be awesome to see a video of you reviewing that song!
K.K Bossa is my favorite song of his by far. If you ever get a chance Charles, listen to the version from the movie. It's a BEAUTIFUL rendition with guitar, piano, strings, just classic bossa and it's a dream to listen to.
0:12: I would liken KK Slider to Nintendo's resident Vocaloid/virtual idol.
1:51 Right int… WOAHH WHAT? Oh…
Aw man, I wish you did a side by side comparison of the KK Slider version versus the "Aircheck" version of each track~ These songs are great both ways and have different charm; plus, it is cool to see the change in tone and vibe of each song.
k.k. cruisin is unironically my favourite kk song (it is always the first song i request to get a recording of in new saves)
I tried making a cover a couple years back but i definitely didn't do it justice 😅😅
His job is really to listen to whatever you tell him to and find something nice to say about it that makes you feel good for liking it.
You don't know terror until you've been running around your island at night having a good ole time, looking at a meteor shower and a tarantula attacks you. KK Metal goes hard.
K.K. Condor is my favourite, always gotta get that one as soon as I can when playing a new Animal Crossing game
0:20 During this song, my brain kept blaring I IV ii V. When you played vi instead of IV I went back and listened to it again to correct my mistake. It was then I noticed you had written still wrong on the vi lmao 😂
thank you for making the course so affordable for real I just started it last weekend (the improv course) and I am loving it so far
k.k.drivinは日本のバンドのCymbalsに影響受けてますね。コード進行だけで泣けます。
大好きな曲です！解説ありがとうございます！
Man, you have such an amazing ear! While I’ve been playing wind instruments for a long time, once I finally started studying music theory, I realized I have a terrible ear. So I’m always so impressed by how you can hear and play those chords.
Anyway, it’s been awhile since I’ve watched your videos, so I’m wondering if you’ve tackled other video game music like Cuphead or Sonic the Hedgehog. I’ll have to go through your channel!
5:55 is my favorite K.K. song, i play it so much my neighbors sing it (would’ve loved to see the excitement at the modulation in K.K. Crusin!)
KK Salsa, Surfin' KK, and there is one minor sounding song which is just AMAZING....I'll get to you with the title later.
STEEP HILL! is what's it called
Steep Hill I have on repeat on the Nintendo Music app. It’s awesome.
KK Cruisin is one of my FAVORITE tunes to play on the piano. So glad that tune grabbed you!
This is so joyful to watch!! I always adored K.K. Slider and collecting all the little tracks. Love to hear them being so appreciated here!
My favorite kk slider song is kk bossa and I'm so happy you reviewed it during the video, is so good. I must say, it's amazing to see how you enjoyed so much with just the concerts, meanwhile, the versions we hear at home in the game are so good too, those are mostly kk slider whistling but the music is just, chefs kiss ✨👏
just to make sure, everyone's heard the mashup of the second song (kk cruisin) with Today Was A Good Day by ice cube, right? we all know about that?
KK is also how I got introduced to many different genres like Jongara!
Do it. Do more Animal Crossing, you coward. I dare you.
Kazumi Totaka honestly set the tone with the series from the jump. Although the hourly tunes aren't nearly as playful as they were in the first, he's consistently made this game sound like home for 20 years
This made me smile so big!
I’m visually impaired and love Animal Crossing to bits primarily because of the music and sound design. I also play piano and now I want to learn these songs for it. Those chords sound like something straight out of a composition I studied for my jazz class last summer. Gorgeous and rich, and your enthusiasm
Is contagious. Made my day. Love your channel
K.K. Slider is a poet.
LITERALLY MY FIVE FAVORITE KK SONGS
I HAVE MADE LYRICS FOR ALL FOUR THAT DIDNT HAVE ALREADY POPULARIZED LYRICS HOLY COW MAN.
I recently learned about another game Totaka made music for - Mario Artist: Talent Studio, the soundtrack is absolutely insane
Stale Cupcakes is my favorite 💕 I spent forever finding the perfect gyroids to go with it. It just makes me feel at peace
animal crossing really has some bangers, even i jam to them for my drum practice sessions
I have a request for a future video that I think a lot of people will agree with :) Have you heard any of the soundtrack from A Hat In Time? There's a huge variety of music, and all of it is incredible, including the DLCs. The game itself is amazing too (although I haven't played it myself, just watched other people play it and several of my friends love it).
Here's a list of songs that I think would be the best to look at if you don't go through the entire soundtrack (copy/pasted from an old comment so I don't have to retype it):
- The title theme (absolutely incredible writing, and a primary favorite),
- "Welcome to Mafia Town" (I think this is a primary favorite, but I'm not fully sure),
- "Dead Bird Studio",
- "Train Rush" and "Trainwreck of Electo Swing" (these two have a quirk that might make the harmony tricky to analyze, but I'm not sure how you would process it. They're both primary favorites, and go together. Trainwreck is a remix of Train Rush),
- "The Battle of Award 42" (this one is crazy, and is a primary favorite),
- "Subcon Forest" (very atmospheric),
- "Toilet of Doom" (silly title, but great music),
- "Your Contract Has Expired" (this is one of the primary favorites, and is crazy),
- "Alpine Skyline" (just really good),
- "Clocktowers Beneath the Sea" (a beautiful and peaceful song, plus fun to find some of the main theme motifs in it. A favorite.),
- "You Are All Bad Guys" (which can be divided into three major sections if you want, and is a primary favorite),
- "Rush Hour" (which is from one of the DLCs, so it may or may not be included in some playlists), and
- "Peace and Tranquility" (which is exactly what the title says).
That was a long list, but it's worth it :) And that's only the very surface, the whole soundtrack is amazing. I'm sure if other people see this comment they'll agree :)
I was always partial to K.K. Bossa when I played on GameCube! It might have been the first song I ever got but I can't remember. I just know I had it playing in my little house all the time
The music was always one of my favorite parts! The hourly songs are also amazing, like I can still remember the specific hours my favorites in the GameCube version would play because they stuck with me. 5pm, 11pm, 8am, 9am, 2am, 4pm etc. Honorable mention to 1pm because cat noises lol oh and the rainy day music!
I never played New Leaf, but 7pm from New Leaf is gorgeous!
K.K. Cruisin' is my FAVORITE. I listen to it like it's a regular song.
I remember the first time I came to the club on a Sunday(?) night in New Leaf. KK Slider was sitting in the middle of the club with just his acoustic guitar.
He asked me what I wanted to hear. I think I chose something chill. He busts out K.K. Synth for the first time, and gives me the track.
I thought it was odd at first, but it quickly grew on me. I've loved the song ever since.
my favourite kk slider song is K.K. House. i just love it. but almost every song is pretty nice. i would love to see a video where you analyse all of the KK songs
These are actually all reorchestrations/remixes of tracks that exist in the game as purchasable items for your music player. For example, the first track (Bubblegum K.K. by K.K. Slider) actually sounds like a bubblegum pop/J-Pop song in its original version.
Definitely suggest the stereo / radio versions of a bunch of these songs alongside the KK Slider version. If you compare something like KK Technopop, live is super plain but stereo is so rich with instruments.
KK Technopop + DJ KK would be my picks.
My favourite KK slider song was always Jongara. I like how fast-paced and eclectic the radio version sounds, and the way he sings it in the Saturday performances and adds the little howls makes it so fun
5:57 - ahhh~ K.K Cruisin' - My absolute favorite!
3:03 that sounds like a guitar played through a Miku Pedal 😂
My favorite as a kid was K.K. Rider, and I still use it often in my house. Still a favorite ever since City Folk.
5PM from new leaf is my favorite, I had to learn it
K.K. Metal, a fantastic metal track
K.K. Bossa and K.K. Cruisin are all time favorites for me. Forest Life, K.K. Gumbo, K.K. Stroll and K.K. Cafe are also up there.
My exposure to animal crossing was briefly playing city folk and getting bored of it, so I only learned about the KK slider stuff by proximity, but I randomly stumbled across some and was like "wait, this is a fully structured song, to a grade of quality that could easily be produced and on-album of any current pop artist"
My favorite is Animal City/The City Theme from Animal Crossing City Folk. It's a gorgeous track. ESPECIALLY in K.k's cover of it (Called 'Animal City' in the OST of New Horizons)
The air check version of that with the accordion makes me feel like I'm walking down a street in Paris 😅
I really wished you made a video about KK and you've done it. Thank you !
One of my favorite is Bubble Gum. The main composer studied music from all over the world to keep the "quintessence" of plenty of styles and the result is so good.
I’m so happy you’re going over these! I love the Animal Crossing music
Fun video! My favorite KK song is Stale Cupcakes. Would love to hear more K.K. Slider analysis
STALE CUPCAKES IS MY FAVE TOOOOOO
You should check out the aircheck versions of kk’s songs. They are great too. I need to watch you react to all kk slider’s songs pls
drivin blew the mind the first time i heard it and im so glad you covered it in this videooo 😭❤️
Im gonna intentionally put this in everyone's minds. Kk slider is a vocaloid, prove me wrong-
what have you done
K.K. Lament is my favorite.
You know, the aircheck version of K.K. Hypno gets a bad rep, because of its involvement in a popular horror story, but the live version is absolutely magical.
I liked Go K.K. Rider the best.
I loved Power Ranger type shows when I was a young lad, and it recreated that feeling so well.
this video was so fun! i'd love to see more, and i think you should def. check out the "studio recording" versions you can listen to on the animal crossing radio as well - maybe even compare the live with them? the records have so much more added flavour imo!
Can't wait for you to take a look at Animal Crossing City Folk's music. That soundtrack has always felt like the best of the bunch to me, especially with entries like The City Folk main theme (City Day) and The Roost.