[Oshi no Ko] The lyrics to "Sign wa B" are amazing because they skillfully subvert the standard composition of idol songs
Since the passion for [Oshi no Ko] hasn't cooled down even two months after the anime finished airing, I've decided to talk about the insert song "Sign wa B," albeit a bit late.
*The following contains spoilers up to the final episode of the anime's first season.
"Sign wa B" is a song by the idol unit "B-Komachi," which is key to the story (and descriptively, likely one of their signature songs), and it has been passed down from the era of Ai Hoshino to the new B-Komachi led by Ruby and the others.
While the original "Ai Solo Ver." was created with the atmosphere of an early 2000s idol group, the "New Arrange Ver." that Ruby and the others performed live has a more modern arrangement, and both have turned out to be highly addictive songs.
Now, there is one part of the lyrics to "Sign wa B" that I personally really like. It is the following section, which is the beginning of the first chorus.
It doesn't matter if there are people there or not (Fu-fu!)
I don't care if the venue is big or small (Fu-fu!)
What makes it good is the gap between the image evoked by this part alone and the meaning revealed when connecting it to the subsequent phrases.
Let's delve into this specifically below.
First, if you extract just these two lines starting with "It doesn't matter if there are people there...", it can be interpreted as "words of an idol in the midst of growth encouraging herself". Something like, "The customers aren't coming at all. I'm only allowed to perform in small venues. But I'll do my absolute best."
In fact, this kind of monologue-style lyric where an idol "encourages herself" can be seen in many idol songs, both 2D and 3D.
Let's list a few similar examples.
It's frustrating, still No Brand
I'm not known yet, No Brand
Everything is from now on, a hot feeling
There were days I cried on the way home
because I was the only one who couldn't dance
There were days I lost confidence
because I couldn't sing as I wanted
My rivals always looked like they were shining
Am I not cut out for this?
I'm unfriendly, too
There's no other idol like me
But I'll definitely, definitely make them regret it
As you can see, lyrics in the style of "an idol talking about herself while struggling through difficulties" are a frequently occurring composition in idol songs (furthermore, this composition has the effect of stirring up the protective instincts of fans who want to support the girl who is trying her hardest).
In the midst of this, how did B-Komachi, featuring the genius Ai Hoshino, steer the ship here?
Whether people are there or not, it doesn't matter (Fu-fu!)
I don't care if the venue is big or small (Fu-fu!)
I can see you clearly(Oh hi! Oh hi!)
Your glow stick(Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi!)
In other words, while it appears to be a determined declaration from a humble girl saying, 'I'm still unknown, but I'll do my best,' it is actually a message of love saying, 'I'm a popular star who can fill such a huge venue, but I can still feel your support,' and it is an agape sent equally to all fans from an idol standing at the pinnacle. It clearly conveys that these lyrics could only have been written because of Ai Hoshino, a once-in-a-generation genius.
Thinking about it this way, I feel that Ruby, who inherited Ai's talent, is the one who suits this song best in the 'new' group. Well, I'm a Kana Arima fan no matter what.