Chage & Aska’s “Yah Yah Yah” — A 90s Anthem of Encouragement
Chage & Aska’s “Yah Yah Yah” is one of the most iconic Japanese songs of the early 1990s. Released in 1993 as the theme for the drama “Looking Back, There He Is,” it became a massive hit, selling over 2 million copies. With Aska’s distinctive vocals and powerful, uplifting lyrics, the song continues to inspire listeners decades later.
A Huge Hit of the Early Heisei Era
The song I’m introducing this time is Chage & Aska’s “Yah Yah Yah”. Released on CD on March 3, 1993, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Looking Back, There He Is” and became a massive hit in Japan, selling over 2 million copies. It truly represents the early Heisei era and ranks 9th in sales for the entire Heisei period. Aska Ryo wrote both the lyrics and the music, giving the song a personal and distinctive touch.
Lyrics That Encourage and Inspire
Listening to the song, it’s unmistakably an anthem of encouragement. The lyrics embody the spirit of a rallying cry, yet stand out with unusual and striking lines. For example:
“Shall we go punch someone together right now? Shall we go together from here on out?”
It’s hard to imagine another song ever using the phrase “shall we go punch someone?” in quite this way. Hearing it, I remember feeling inexplicably encouraged, as if the song gave me courage and pushed me forward.
Other memorable lines include:
“If you're hurt, bare your fangs, to keep from losing yourself.”
“As long as that little bit of strength doesn't sink, tears can always be shaken off.”
These lines are aggressive in tone but never violent—they inspire strength and resilience. I felt these expressions were truly wonderful and deeply stirring.
More Than Just a Love Song
Chage & Aska are often perceived as a duo of love songs, like their famous track “Say Yes.” However, “Yah Yah Yah” is an uplifting anthem throughout, making it a rare and remarkable piece in their repertoire.
When this song came out, I was around middle school age. Being still a child, I remember how encouraging the track felt. Its up-tempo rhythm made my heart leap, and the lyrics made my chest feel clear and open—purely uplifting music.
The Unique Vocal Style
Chage & Aska is a twin-vocal unit, with Aska as the primary singer and Chage handling backing vocals and non-lead parts. Aska’s distinctive nasal delivery is strong and unique, and I recall it being widely imitated by impersonators. This vocal style adds a signature sound to the song that is instantly recognizable.
A Song Worth Remembering
While it might seem like an obvious choice because of its fame, I personally prefer anthems like this over love songs. This is why I felt it would be a shame not to include this 90s classic in a discussion of memorable uplifting tracks.
Watch ”Yah Yah Yah”by Chage &Aska on YouTube!!
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