YOLO (Band-Maid song) explained

"YOLO" is the second single by Japanese rock band Band-Maid. Released in Japan on November 16, 2016, by Crown Stones, it is the band's first single on a major record label.^[1] The title track is featured as the theme song of the video game Valiant Knights.^[2]

Composition

In 2019, as Band-Maiko, they released an alternate version of "YOLO" (retitled "YOLOSIOSU"), with traditional Japanese instruments and lyrics rewritten in the Kyoto dialect.^[3]

Background and release

The single was released in two versions: a standard edition, and a limited edition, which contains the CD and a music sheet for the song "YOLO", enclosed in a sleeve. Both editions of the single feature the b-sides "Unfair Game" and "Matchless Gum", along with an instrumental version of the title track. The artworks were designed with the motif of the headbands that Saiki (Limited Edition) and Miku Kobato (Regular Edition) wear usually on the stage.^[4]

Critical reception

Trent Cannon of Rice Digital called the title track "High energy and forceful" and that it "...features an incredible guitar riff that really highlights Tono’s skills as well as the harmonies between Atsumi and Kobato’s voices."^[5]

Music video

The music video for the title track was released on October 1, 2016.

Live performances

"YOLO" was debuted at the "Brand New Maid Release Tour Final" show at Tsutaya O-West on October 1, 2016.^[6] "Matchless Gum" was debuted at the "Brand New Maid Release Tour Final additional service" at Shimokitazawa Garden on October 23, 2016.^{[7] [8]} "Unfair Game" was debuted at the "YOLO Release Out-store mini-service" at Club Vijon on December 7, 2016.^[9]

To promote the release of the single, the band performed "YOLO" on December 3, 2016, at Tower Records, Shibuya as a part of the "Tower Records Maid 'YOLO' Release Memorial ~ Mini Service ~ event".^{[10] [11]} The band also played "YOLO" and "Unfair Game" at the "1st Full Album" Just Bring It "Pre-Release One-man ~ New Year's First Serving Start ~" at Akasaka Blitz in Tokyo.^[12] Footage of "YOLO" taken from this concert was released in a bonus DVD for the limited edition of their third single "Daydreaming/Choose Me".

Credits and personnel

Band-Maid members

• Misa – bass
• Miku Kobato – vocals, guitar
• Saiki Atsumi – vocals
• Akane Hirose – drums
• Kanami Tōno – guitar

Recording and management

• Recorded at Nasoundra Palace Studio
• Recording Engineer: Masyoshi Yamamoto
• Mixed at Mix Forest
• Mix Engineer: Masahiko Fukui
• Mastered by Shigeo "MT" Miyamoto (form The Master)
• Art Direction: Masashi Nakazato (Number NC)
• Photograph: Riu Nakamura
• Stylist: Mayako Shigeta

Credits adapted from "YOLO" single liner notes.^[13]

Charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Japan (Oricon)[14]	36
Japan Top Singles Sales (Billboard)[15]	42

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Edition(s)
Japan[16]	November 16, 2016	CD, digital download		Standard edition
		CD with music sheet		Limited edition
Worldwide[17]		Digital download		Standard edition

External links

• Discography – Band-Maid official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Band-Maid、「YOLO」ジャケットで"メイド×ロック"を表現. barks.jp. Japanese. Band-Maid, expressing "Maid x Rock" with "YOLO" jacket. September 8, 2016. May 20, 2017.
2. Web site: ヴァリアントナイツ1周年記念イベント「バリナイフェス」開催決定！. v-knights.com. Japanese. Valiant Knights 1st Anniversary Event "Balinese Festival" decided!. https://web.archive.org/web/20161219152048/http://v-knights.com/topics/0027/. December 19, 2016. dead. May 20, 2017.
3. Web site: Band-Maiko - Band-Maiko. Jame World. April 6, 2019. October 20, 2021.
4. Web site: The New Anthem from Band-Maid! Check Out the MV for their Major Debut Song "YOLO". Tokyo Girls Update. October 1, 2016. May 13, 2017.
5. Web site: Cannon. Trent. The essential Band-Maid. Rice Digital. November 30, 2021. March 13, 2022.
6. Web site: 【渋谷】Band-Maid 『Brand New MAID』Release Tour Final Series. Mixi. Japanese. 【Shibuya】Band-Maid 『Brand New Maid』Release Tour Final Series. May 6, 2016. May 21, 2017.
7. Web site: Band-Maid announced release of 1st major album at additional service.. spice.eplus.jp. Japanese. October 24, 2016. May 13, 2017.
8. Web site: Band-Maid rock with maid dresses in nationwide tour finals...... In January 2017 full album "Just Bring It" will be released. October 24, 2016. Billboard Japan. Japanese. May 13, 2017.
9. Web site: "YOLO" Release Out-store Mini service at Club Vijon. December 7, 2016. Akane Band-Maid Twitter. Japanese. May 13, 2017.
10. Web site: Band-Maid "YOLO" release memorial in-store event ~ Mini service ~. October 24, 2016. tower.jp. Japanese. May 13, 2017.
11. Web site: In store · Mini service at Tower Records Shibuya store. Akane Band-Maid Twitter. Japanese. December 3, 2016. May 13, 2017.
12. Web site: Band-Maid, Akasaka One Man at the beginning of the "Pigeon Year". January 10, 2017. Natalie. Japanese. May 13, 2017.
13. YOLO. Band-Maid. 2016. CD liner notes. Crown Stones.
14. Web site: YOLO(初回限定盤) Band-Maid. Oricon. ja. October 18, 2021.
15. Web site: Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales: 2016/11/28 付け. Billboard Japan. ja. November 23, 2016. September 5, 2021.
16. Web site: Band-Maid、「人生一度きり」の思い込めたメジャー1stシングル. August 31, 2016. Natalie. japanese. Band-Maid to release first major single YOLO. August 6, 2017.
17. Web site: "iTunes – Music – YOLO – EP by Band-Maid".. November 16, 2016. iTunes. May 27, 2017.