Why is X JAPAN’s “Kurenai” so commonly used as a cheer song in high school baseball?

favorite_borderLast updated:2024/8/4

• Studio Rag Staffkinya
  We are rehearsal studio staff located in Kawaramachi-Sanjo, Kyoto. Our rehearsal studios feature dead acoustics ideal for band practice. Professional music lessons are also available. Reservations are accepted online 24/7! We will continue to pursue the unique “Studio Rag style” to become your number-one choice.

Speaking of classic songs for high school baseball cheering, X JAPAN’s “Kurenai.”

This is X JAPAN’s “Kurenai.”

This is “Kurenai” as a cheering song.

Why is X Japan’s “Kurenai” so common as a high school baseball cheer song?

Search for X JAPAN Kurenai

View on AmazonView on RakutenSearch for sheet music

I couldn’t find a clear answer even after looking into it, but it seems the first time it was used was around the peak of X JAPAN’s popularity.

It is said that the origin of contact between the two parties dates back to 1992, when the Hiroshima Toyo Carp cheering squad used the first single “Kurenai,” released in 1989, as the cheer song for their then-core hitter, Tomo Etten (Eto).

Cheer squads are artists in the stands who unite a team's fans into one and lead cheers that resonate with the hearts of the players and the team.

[Mystery] Why is X JAPAN’s “Kurenai” used as a cheer song in high school baseball? [Why, please explain]

It may have once become established within high school brass band clubs and been passed down as a set piece, along with the score and sheet music.

If anyone in the brass band knows, please let me know (lol).

It remains an ever-deepening mystery why X JAPAN—who at the time had spiked hair, dressed flamboyantly, and played destructive music—became established as a cheer song for high school baseball.

For now, I’ve put together a few episodes related to “Kurenai.”

X JAPAN 'Kurenai' Episode

At one point, it had even become a scrapped/rejected song.

This is an episode from early 1987, around the time hide had just joined X.

I thought the song itself was good, but the arrangement was kind of so-so.

I liked Kurenai and such too, but with the arrangements back then, it was just plain kayōkyoku.

It was just fast, without any truly rock-like approach or edge.

So when I joined, there was a period when Kurenai wasn’t performed.

So why don’t you do it? I said, “That song is a good one,” and I brought it back to life for you (laughs).

by hide

At the time he composed “Kurenai,” was YOSHIKI a second-year high school student?!

X JAPAN (then known as X) is a band that was formed when the leader, YOSHIKI, was in his second year of high school.

It seems that when the group was first formed, most of their live performances were held mainly at school festivals.

Although the current arrangements differ, the prototypes of “Kurenai” and “X” had already been completed. (You can clearly tell from recordings taped at school festivals and live houses, especially in parts like the intro and guitar solos.)

What is YOSHIKI (What is Yoshiki) [Word Article] – Nico Nico Pedia

The melodies that flowed through our high school days might resonate with today’s high school baseball players as well.

By the wayYOSHIKI was also in the brass band club when he was in junior high school.It seems that was the case.

Covered around the world

If you search for 'Kurenai cover' on YouTube, you'll see that a lot of results come up.

It’s a song that has been covered not only in Japan but also by overseas artists, and it is still loved by many people today.

Lastly

By the way, I also remember performing “Kurenai” with my band back in high school’s light music club (lol).

I don’t know the detailed musical-theory perspective, but isn’t it a powerful song that’s loved by many people?