Today’s song of the day took a bit of research. I chose this song not only because it’s good, not only because it was from one of my favorite sleeper albums from 2005 (you know, the quiet ones that never get noticed that has OK sales), but because I wanted to use this new Japanese video service I found. Because of the song’s title, I ended doing some research because the song’s name is actually a real train station in Osaka. From Aiko, it’s Mikuni Eki.

Today’s song of the day comes earlier than the usual entry because I can’t wait to share it. It’s not a real song, but it’s good enough to earn the title. I present to you: Stephen Colbert’s Korean pop song

Here’s the video he was lampooning

Today’s song of the day was originally known to me in its Chinese cover - Faye Wong’s “Cold War.” A few years ago, I found out it was originally from Tori Amos’ debut album Little Earthquakes. The song sounds simple, but unlike Cold war, which is basically about prolonged loveless relationship, Silent All These Years actually tells a somewhat more serious story. Plus, we all know that Faye Wong was actually just emulating Tori Amos anyway.

Today’s song of the day is, of course, inspired from a movie. The movie is Edmond Pang’s Beyond Our Ken, and if you’ve seen the movie, then you know which song stands out enough for me to talk about. I don’t even remember how I found this song (end credits?), but here it is nevertheless. From the album Perle, it’s Gianna Nannini’s Amandoti.

I was very pleasantly surprised by Karena Lam’s first album since she hit it big as an actress in Hong Kong. I’ve never heard of her Taiwanese pop songs, so I fully expected Starlight of 11:30pm to simply cash in on her popularity as an actress. Instead, it was a refreshing change of pace with a breezy acoustic style. Today’s song of the day is my favorite song from the album, it’s “I’m Not Afraid.”

Today’s song is a rare solo effort from Keisuke Kawata, the lead singer of Japanese pop icon Southern All Stars. Since 1978, these guys have released over 50 singles and 13 albums. It’s also a rare pick, because the single hasn’t even been released yet. The theme song for the drama Proposal Daisakusen (also known as Operation Love), it’s “Ashita Harerukana” (Will Tomorrow be Sunny?).

Why? Like many of Southern All Stars’ songs that’s been picked for Hong Kong pop hits, this one is riped for a Chinese cover. Even without his band, Kawata still manages to pen a listener-friendly yet memorable pop song without feeling outdated at all.

Here it is used in the drama, where Kawata actually makes an appearance. No word whether he’s actually in the drama or not, though.

Today comes another joke song. A song worthy of an album title, it’s Europe’s “The Final Countdown.”

Why? I’ve been watching reruns of the great TV comedy Arrested Development on TV, and its use of the song prompted me to use it today. It needs very little introduction and reason anyway. It’s more 80s greatness, courtesy of The Golden Rock and Youtube.

Here is one of the numerous uses in Arrested Development

Today’s song is a bit of a back-up for when I can’t think of any songs to put on here. From Shunji Iwai’s brilliant film Swallowtail, and from its promotional tie-in album Montage by Yen Town Band, it’s Chara’s interpretation of the classic song “My Way.”

Why? It deviates from the traditional way of interpreting the song (the American Idol, let’s scream it like you mean it way), and it’s one of the best moments of the film.

In the last entry, I mentioned Japanese pop group Dreams Come True’s double-header “Mirai Yosouzu” (Map of the Future) I and II being adapted into a film. It jumped up in my mind because “Mirai Yosouzu II” happens to be one of my girlfriend’s favorite songs. Only available in compilation albums these days (the two songs were from two different albums), today’s song(s) of the day are Dreams Come True’s “Mirai Yosouzu” - part I and II.

Why? the songs do seem like they’re riped for adaptation, as the lyrics seem to tell a story rather than expressing a feeling. Other than that, they’re pretty good songs to begin with, so why not?

Part I

Part II (Personally, I think this is the better song)

Today’s song of the day is another blast from the past. While she’s gone the “eccentric quirky pop” route with her last album “Extraordinary Machine,” Fiona Apple was even weirder and darker back then. Today’s song of the day is probably the closest thing to pop she’s done, and naturally it would be her first hit. From her debut album, it’s “Criminal.”

Why? Because it’s the easiest Fiona Apple music video to find, and before she went all Jon Brion (which I really like), I didn’t really pay attention to her music after this. So this is the best I can think of. Yeah, these songs of the day thing is getting to be a stretch.