"Why Don't You Play in Hell?"
The single's cover, illustrated by Nanpei Kaneko. It features a poster of Hoshino (in-costume as his character from the Why Don't You Play in Hell? film) and a girl, holding swords in a wasteland, on top of a graffitied wall. Below the poster is the Japanese title written with a spray can.
Single by Gen Hoshino
from the album Yellow Dancer
LanguageJapanese
ReleasedOctober 2, 2013 (2013-10-02)
RecordedJune 2012[1]
Genre
Length3:46
LabelSpeedstar
Songwriter(s)Gen Hoshino
Producer(s)Gen Hoshino
Gen Hoshino singles chronology
"Gag"
(2013)		 "Why Don't You Play in Hell?"
(2013)		 "Crazy Crazy" / "Sakura no Mori"
(2014)
Music video
"Why Don't You Play in Hell?" (Official Video) on YouTube

"Why Don't You Play in Hell?" (Japanese: 地獄でなぜ悪い, Hepburn: Jigoku de Naze Warui, lit. "What's So Bad About Hell?") is a song recorded by Japanese musician Gen Hoshino. It was released through Speedstar Records on October 2, 2013, as the first single from Hoshino's fourth studio album, Yellow Dancer (2015). "Why Don't You Play in Hell?" is a rock and J-pop track with elements of jazz and blues, written and self-produced by Hoshino as the main theme to the Sono Shion film of the same name. Lyrically, it compares daily life to hell and sings that people must therefore take on their challenges.

The single was announced in June 2013, and released while Hoshino was on a hiatus due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage, discovered a week after he had finished writing the song's lyrics. Upon release, the single took No. 5 on Japanese singles charts and ended at No. 20 on Oricon's monthly ranking of October. It received positive reception from reviewers, who praised its theme. The music video to the song, directed by Hoshino and animated by Naoyuki Asano, was released to video platforms in September and won Best Video from a Film at the 2014 Japanese MTV Awards. It follows a hospitalized boy who fantasizes of fighting monsters as a muscular hero.

Background

Sono Shion at the 28th Tokyo InternSepational Film Festival in 2015
Why Don't You Play in Hell? film director Sono Shion approached Gen Hoshino to create the film's theme song

"Why Don't You Play in Hell?" is the main theme to the film of the same name, directed by Sion Sono. Sono approached Gen Hoshino, who was already working on the film as a cast member, to write its theme song.[3] Hoshino's immediate idea was to recycle the "age-old" concept of creating a theme song bearing the same title as its tie-up work, and aimed to "properly incorporate" the world of the film into the track. Musically, he wanted to "explore and build on [his] roots", such as on the soul and jazz music he had often listened to when younger.[4] Hoshino wrote the lyrics to the song in June 2012, while hospitalized for temporary inspection of a subarachnoid hemorrhage he had suffered earlier in the year. A week after he had finished the lyrics, the inspection revealed a relapse in the hemorrhage, putting Hoshino into hiatus from activities.[5][4]

Promotion and release

The song was announced as a single release in June 2013, along with a preview in a trailer for the Why Don't You Play in Hell? film. Upon the release of the trailer, Sono commented on the song: "Gen Hoshino has become my love. He is me; and I am him."[3] Further details, such as packaging and contents, were unveiled leading up to the single's October release.[6]

Why Don't You Play in Hell?, the film, was premiered on September 28, 2013.[7] The single, also titled "Why Don't You Play in Hell?", followed on October 2, 2013, issued under the Victor Entertainment label Speedstar Records.[2] It is Hoshino's sixth single overall, released while he was still on hiatus due to his hemorrhage. The single features the titular track and its karaoke (instrumental) version, included since Hoshino wanted listeners to hear the "interesting" recording.[1] The cover art, created by Nanpei Kaneko, features an illustration of Hoshino in-costume as his film character. First editions of the single included Tanoshī Jigoku da yori (楽しい地獄だより, lit. "From the Fun Hell"), a DVD video directed by Santa Yamagishi. The video compiles the music video for the song "Bakemono", live performances from the tours Hoshino Gen One-Man no Aki and Hoshino Gen no Shiwasu, and a behind-the-scenes documentary to "Why Don't You Play in Hell?"'s recording and music video.[8]

Hoshino gave a debut performance of the song at the Budokan in February 2014, as part of touring for the album Stranger (2013). It was the final song on the setlist, performed during encore following a cover of Akira Fuse's "Kimi wa Bara yori Utsukushī".[9] Later in April, Hoshino performed the song as the second-to-last song on his Fukkatsu Live Tour, celebrating his full recovery from the hemorrhage.[10] "Why Don't You Play in Hell?" was included as the seventh track on Hoshino's fourth studio album, Yellow Dancer, released December 2, 2015.[11] He embarked on the Yellow Voyage tour, performing "Why Don't You Play in Hell?" and other tracks from the album.[12] In 2023, a hikigatari  performance of the song from 2015 was featured in the concert film Gen Hoshino Concert Recollections 2015–2023; the performance was also uploaded for viewing on YouTube.[13]

Composition and lyrics

"Why Don't You Play in Hell?" is a Japanese rock and pop song[2] that lasts for 3 minutes and 46 seconds.[14] According to sheet music from Shinko Music, it is set in an allegro tempo of 126 beats per minute and primarily composed in the key of E minor, with a switch to F minor in the outro.[15] The song was written, arranged, and produced by Hoshino, who also provided vocals, marimba, tambourine, and clapping. Satoru Takeshima assisted in clapping and played tenor saxophone, Diachi Ito (co-member to Hoshino in the instrumental band Sakerock) played the song's drums, Ryosuke Nagaoka provided the song with guitar, and Suga Dairo played the piano. Four musicians, including Yu Sugino, collectively played violin, and two others provided viola performance. Other credits include Naofumi Takimoto on trombone, Taichiro Kawasaki on trumpet, and Wataru Iga of the band Benzo for bass vocals.[16]

CDJournal wrote that "Why Don't You Play in Hell?" mixes a feeling of "drifting" and "fluttering" with old-style blues, whereas the lyrics combine "realistic experiences with fantasy".[2] It is a jazzy track, led by a "frantically bouncing" beat throughout lively piano and horn sections, accompanied by Hoshino's upbeat vocals.[17][5] Real Sound's Akimasa Munekata noted a New Orleans-style throughout the song.[18] Daisuke Koyanagi of Rockin'On Japan wrote that it is a tough song with a mad beat for "surviving hell with laughs".[17]

The lyrics to the song describes day-to-day life, filled with "unresistable difficulties", as hell. It asserts that people must therefore "boldly" take on challenges, according to analysis from Tower Records Japan writer Hamaguchi.[19] Elio Mitsushima, in an article for BadCats Weekly, wrote that the song's "mad" chorus (with lyrics such as "In my dreams, I am always running from pain / I remember only that girl's naked warmth") illustrates a truly insane world where life is constant hell but with occasional good happenings, rather than a life that is only occasionally hell. She continued that the implications of these lyrics "immediately" changed when considering Hoshino's hospitalization.[5] Hoshino wrote about the song on his website (referring to his hiatus due to the hemorrhage): "This song, while the theme to the movie, is also my personal [theme song]. [...] I wrote it before anything happened, but its lyrics somehow expressed my current situation."[4]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Hoshino and animated by Naoyuki Asano, known for work on Doraemon and Saint Young Men. The video was released on September 20, 2013, to Victor Entertainment's YouTube channel and Hoshino's newly-created Niconico account.[20] It follows a hospitalized middle school boy, who fantasizes of a world where he is a muscular action hero that fights monsters and is popular with women. The video is intersected with a trailer for Tanoshī Jigoku da yori, and ends with a real-life shot of a cameraman asking Hoshino – in a hospital bed recovering from his hemorrhage – if he is okay; in response, Hoshino lifts a trembling arm and gives a peace sign.[5][20] The video won the award for Best Video from a Film at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards Japan.[21]

Reception

"Why Don't You Play in Hell?" received positive reception from critics. Daisuke Koyanagi (Rockin'On Japan) praised Hoshino's songwriting for creating a track with cogency that could only be made from "complete understanding."[17] Hagamuchi, in a short review for Tower Records Japan, recommended the song to people who presently face many troubles. Taking away from the song, he wrote: "It isn't just you. We are all living in the same hell."[19] Elio Mitsushima (BadCats Weekly) selected "Why Don't You Play in Hell?" as the song that best showcases the person and celebrity of Hoshino. Mitsushima wrote that, throughout its stupidity, the song meets the definition of entertainment by giving people courage, and praised Hoshino as an entertainer.[5] CDJournal opined that the song's "heart-plucking" mix of "old blues" was its main appeal, and called its lyrics fun for blending reality with fantasy.[2]

Commercially, "Why Don't You Play in Hell?" sold 25,355 copies in its first week of release, opening at a peak position of No. 5 on Oricon's weekly Singles Chart.[22] It was the 20th best-selling single that October.[23] In September, the single had debuted at No. 49 on Billboard Japan's Adult Contemporary Airplay chart and at No. 73 on the Hot 100; upon its October release, it rose to No. 3 and 5, respectively. In total, it charted for six weeks on the Hot 100 and seven weeks on the airplay chart.[24][25] On Billboard's Top Singles Chart, it made five appearances and peaked at No. 3.[26] It continued to chart on Oricon's ranking, reaching 37,200 total sales, before making its final appearance within the top 200 in June 2014. It charted for 17 weeks in total.[22]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Gen Hoshino.

Regular edition
  1. "Why Don't You Play in Hell?" – 3:46
  2. "Why Don't You Play in Hell?" (Karaoke) – 3:39
Total length: 7:25
First edition (DVD – Tanoshī Jigoku da yori)
  1. "Bakemono" (Music Video)
  2. "Hoshino Gen One-Man no Aki: Zepp Tokyo-hen" (Live)
  3. "Hoshino Gen no Shiwasu" (Live)
  4. "Recording & Music Video Making, nado" (Documentary)

Personnel

Credits primarily adapted from Apple Music.[16]

Performing musicians

Technical and production

Charts

Chart performance for "Why Don't You Play in Hell?"
Chart (2013–14) Peak
position
Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100)[25] 5
Japan (Oricon)[28] 5
Japanese Adult Contemporary Airplay (Billboard Japan)[24] 3

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Why Don't You Play in Hell?"
Region Date Edition Format Label Catalogue code Ref(s).
Japan October 2, 2013 Standard CD Speedstar Records VICL-36835 [29]
First / limited CD+DVD VIZL-590 [2]
Worldwide Standard
— [14]

References

  1. 1 2 "星野 源、10月にリリースする6thシングル『地獄でなぜ悪い』の詳細を発表" [Details released for Gen Hoshino's 6th single, "Jigoku de Naze Warui", to release in October]. Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). September 6, 2013. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "星野 源 / 地獄でなぜ悪い [CD+DVD] [限定]" [Gen Hoshino / Jigoku de Naze Warui (CD+DVD) (Limited)]. CDJournal (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "園子温監督『地獄でなぜ悪い』の血まみれ予告編公開、主題歌は星野源の書き下ろし" [Blood-filled trailer for Sono Shion's Why Don't You Play in Hell? released. Main theme written by Gen Hoshino] (in Japanese). Cinra. July 31, 2013. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Hoshino, Gen (July 2013). "「地獄でなぜ悪い」について" [About "Jigoku de Naze Warui"] (in Japanese). Victor Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Mitsushima, Elio (February 19, 2020). "【この一曲】"地獄でなぜ悪い"が垣間見せた、星野源というエンターテイナーの魂" ["Jigoku de Naze Warui" gives a glimpse into the soul of the entertainer that is Gen Hoshino]. BadCats Weekly (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  6. ↑ "星野源、ニューシングル初回盤DVDは「楽しい地獄だより」" [First edition to Gen Hoshino's new single will include Tanoshī Jigoku da yori]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). September 6, 2013. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  7. ↑ "地獄でなぜ悪い" [Why Don't You Play in Hell?] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "星野 源の「地獄でなぜ悪い」に、ベネチアから園子温監督「最高にしびれる曲を本当にありがとう。恩にきるぜ！」" [Shion Ono thanks Gen Hoshino for "Jigoku de Naze Warui" from Venice: "For this most wonderful song, I can't thank you enough!"]. Barks (in Japanese). September 8, 2013. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  9. ↑ "「幸せですね」星野源、満員の初武道館ワンマンで完全復活" ["This is happiness, isn't it?" Gen Hoshino returns with first one-man performance at the Budokan to a packed crowd]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). February 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  10. ↑ "星野源「復活アアアアア！」念願NHKホールで無事"了"" [Gen Hoshino successfully finishes NHK Hall Fukkatsu tour]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). April 11, 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  11. ↑ "星野 源 / YELLOW DANCER" [Gen Hoshino / Yellow Dancer]. CDJournal (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  12. ↑ "星野 源/Live Tour"YELLOW VOYAGE"〈2枚組〉 [DVD]" [Gen Hoshino / Live Tour Yellow Voyage (2 Disc Set)]. CDJournal (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ "星野源が武道館で弾き語る「地獄でなぜ悪い」映像公開" [Video uploaded of Gen Hoshino playing "Jigoku de Naze Warui" in hikigatari at the Budokan]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). August 31, 2023. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  14. 1 2 "地獄でなぜ悪い – Single" [Jigoku de Naze Warui – Single] (in Japanese). Apple Music. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  15. ↑ "地獄でなぜ悪い" [Jigoku de Naze Warui] (sheet music) (in Japanese). Shinko Music. August 18, 2016. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023 – via At-Elise.
  16. 1 2 "Why Don't You Play in Hell? – Gen Hoshino". Apple Music. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 Koyanagi, Daisuke (September 30, 2013). "「地獄」を生き抜くための歌" [A song for surviving hell]. Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  18. ↑ Munekata, Akimasa (December 14, 2015). "星野源が『YELLOW DANCER』で成し遂げた快挙 チャート1位作の音楽的達成を読む" [The achievements of Gen Hoshino on Yellow Dancer. Let's take a musical look at the number-one charting work]. Real Sound (in Japanese). p. 2. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  19. 1 2 Hamaguchi. "地獄でなぜ悪い＜通常盤＞" [Jigoku de Naze Warui (Regular Edition)] (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "星野源、新シングル"地獄でなぜ悪い"のPVをYouTube&新設ニコニコチャンネルで公開" [PV for Gen Hoshino's new single "Jigoku de Naze Warui" premiered to YouTube and Hoshino's new Niconico channel] (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. September 20, 2013. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  21. ↑ "ミュージック・ビデオの祭典「MTV VMAJ 2014」、受賞作品を発表" [2014 MTV Video Music Awards announces winners]. Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). June 16, 2014. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  22. 1 2 "地獄でなぜ悪い" [Jigoku de Naze Warui] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  23. ↑ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service "You Taiju"] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  24. 1 2 "Billboard Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  25. 1 2 "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 9, 2013. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 9, 2013. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  27. ↑ 星野源 – 地獄でなぜ悪い (Official Video) [Gen Hoshino – Jigoku de Naze Warui (Official Video)] (video description). Victor Entertainment. September 20, 2013 – via YouTube.
  28. ↑ "地獄でなぜ悪い" [Jigoku de Naze Warui] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  29. ↑ "地獄でなぜ悪い 通常盤" [Jigoku de Naze Warui – Regular Edition] (in Japanese). Victor Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
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