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Say What?
Misheard Lyrics in Korean punk |
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Watching a punk band play, my first instinct is to sing along. Maybe it’s my hardcore training, having mics shoved in my face or all those singalongs, but it’s hard to restrain myself even if I don’t know the lyrics. This is especially true for those bands that I’ve see or heard many times, and Rux is most definitely one of them. Their songs are catchy, memorable, and you will always find a crowd of kids shouting the chorus. Originally I had planned to just translate one of their songs, but I had so much trouble deciding which one that I finally settled on three. So stop making up words and check out what they are really saying! 우리는 한마음 (Our Minds are all the Same)This is probably the most recognizeable songs for foreigners, partly because of the English chorus. It is also from that chorus that we are quick to form our own ideas on what the song may be about. The lyrics have always confused me a bit, so I sat down with Jonghee to ask him about it. “Basically it’s about the punx and the idea of being a rebel. We are all rebels so we are the same in that regard and we shouldn’t split up, at least not in Korea. We have seen scenes in other regions breaking apart over really stupid reasons and I don’t want to see that happen here. We should all unite together and gather our strength.” A bit of wisdom and a positive message!
처음부터 신념 따윈 나에게는 없었어 정말 아무 생각 없었어
언제나 이 자리에서 (Standing My Ground)This song is extremely catchy and always has all the Koreans singing along. RUX strikes that chord in people, singing lyrics about the scene or heartfelt lines that all the Korean punks relate to. “Standing My Ground” is no exception: a slightly melancholy but extremely positive song with the message, “Don’t stop what you are doing. Don’t stop what you were doing. You had your own passion in the beginning and that’s what’s really important. Don’t forget that.”
덤벼라 (Dare Me)This is one of my personal favorites. Written by Rux’s old bassist Lee Joohyun. I can’t explain how excited this song makes me! Once again Jonghee’s words make the perfect introduction, “This was written when RUX was very young and had a lot of anger towards society. We didn’t do anything wrong but were made to pay for certain things and for just being the way we were. We admit that this is the way we have to live but sometimes you just need to spit it out: FUCK YOU ALL!”
Chorus:
나 멋대로 세상 살아왔지 날 반겨 주지 않는 세상에서 살기 위해
Coming to Korea and hearing bands sing in Korean oddly enough reminds me of high school--singing along to Bad Religion: “cats, sports, porn, hardcore?and wondering?“Is that what they’re really saying??With all the misheard English lyrics it gets even more confusing when I can’t figure out what language is being spoken! I want to use this space to translate (or mistranslate) all those songs that foreigners hear and try to sing along to but have no clue as to what’s really being said. Hopefully this will help us understand each other better or at least realize that, “wow, that part wasn’t in English after all!?
I’d like to start everything off with a song we all know (and are quick to jump in with the English chorus): Suck Stuff’s “Just Like A Punkrocker.?According to lead singer Yoo Chul-Hwan, “There’s no special meaning…it’s just about living as a punk rocker?and staying true to your beliefs.?Despite all the shit thrown at us everyday we should resist the temptation to sink back into the crowd (like some we see around us) and instead live our lives with dignity and pride. Although the verses point out some of that suffering around us the chorus, “just like a punkrocker?becomes a valiant cry for an ideal. A nice positive message for a damn fun song! Just Like a Punk Rockerby Suck StuffHere’s a song we all know (and are quick to jump in with the English chorus): Suck Stuff’s “Just Like A Punkrocker.” According to lead singer and guitarist, Yoo Chul-Hwan, “There’s no special meaning—it’s just about living as punk rocker—and staying true to your beliefs.” Despite all the shit thrown at us everyday we should resist the temptation to sink back into the crowd (like some we see around us) and live our lives with dignity and pride. Although the verses highlight the suffering around us, the chorus becomes a valiant cry for an ideal. A nice positive message for a damn fun song!
Lee Myong Bakby Vicious NerdsThe Vicious Nerds have been gaining a large following recently with their comical songs and onstage antics mixed with a super tight brand of premature ejacula-core. I just about pissed myself laughing the first time I saw singer Yim Hyeong-gyu running around with his eyes bugging out. Their onstage banter is often the best part (something foreigners unfortunately tend to miss). Many Vicious Nerds songs are pretty straightforward; however, I was intrigued by “Lee Myeong Bak,” named after Seoul’s current mayor. He has spent his time in office trying to transform the city and create a lasting legacy for himself. One of his many megalomaniac plans for Seoul is to reconstruct the downtown, destroying small businesses and the homes of many long-time residents in favour of more skyscrapers.
너 싫어 땍끼놈
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