The Cro-Magnons' "JAMBO JAPAN Love Theme" is so endearing that I can no longer stop my love for "Love Themes" in general

The Cro-Magnons released their live album "The Cro-Magnons Tour JAMBO JAPAN 2025-2026", and I've been devouring it for the past few days as a matter of course, but there is one point that is overwhelmingly hot!

That is the fact that the song titled Opening (JAMBO JAPAN Love Theme), which was played as the entrance music (SE) at the start of the live show, is officially included!!!

The closing of the preamble right before the main show starts.
At the cue of the single line, "Introducing! The Cro-Magnons!"
this song starts to flow suddenly.

Along with the rhythmic percussion that prompts the audience, whose voltage is rising rapidly, to shout "Oi Oi Oi Oi!"
(presumably) the four members of The Cro-Magnons are taking turns muttering,
"Jambo..."
"Jambo Japan..."
If you listen closely, you can even hear something like faint groans or strange noises...
At the same time, it has a somewhat modest and simple atmosphere, and it also exudes a free-spirited vibe that makes you think it was definitely recorded in one take based on the mood of the moment...
It is a primitive and surreal song in which all band members participate.
Such an SE creates an exquisite atmosphere between the enthusiasm in the venue that only The Cro-Magnons can produce.

It's just irresistible from the very beginning...!

I've become so fond of this song that out of all 24 tracks included, it currently has the highest number of plays by far (of course, I'm listening to the other 23 tracks properly too...).

On the day of the actual live show, I was so absorbed in the sight of the four of them appearing on stage that I had no memory at all of what kind of SE was playing in the background, so I'm really glad I could fill in the gaps in my memory. I am sincerely grateful that this song was also officially included.

The lineage of all-member participation numbers & love themes

And what's hot about this song is this.
When you have a title like "Love Theme" combined with a primitive and surreal all-member participation number, you inevitably end up thinking of the two songs The High-Lows' "flip flop" rare track collection, Asia (Love Theme) and Black Hawaii (Love Theme).

Asia (Love Theme) and Black Hawaii (Love Theme), just like JAMBO JAPAN Love Theme, are all-member participation numbers, and they are extremely surreal songs that make you feel a sense of freedom and primitivity.

I wrote in this article just the other day that I arbitrarily associate these two songs with Mondo films such as Jacopetti's "Mondo Cane", but if I may say so, this JAMBO JAPAN Love Theme is also the latest type of Mondo film-like song that follows this lineage.

Also, the two High-Lows Love Theme songs are credited to The High-Lows for lyrics and composition.
As for JAMBO JAPAN Love Theme, the credit for lyrics and composition is blank for this song alone.
This might mean that, following the two High-Lows songs, it is effectively credited to The Cro-Magnons (I'll just interpret it that way for my own convenience).
*As an aside, the

High-Lows Theme, which became the basis for the call "GO! High-Lows! GO" at the start of High-Lows' live shows, is also an all-member participation number, and the lyrics and composition are credited to The High-Lows.

Why is it that all-member participation numbers that seem to have been created by all the band members with momentum and the mood of the moment feel so endearing...!

Furthermore, The Cro-Magnons also have a song called "Kisu made ikeru" included as a coupling track on the single Toppu Yaro ~Love Theme~.
This one has lyrics and music by Mashima.
It is a medium-tempo tune delivered by the four of them playing naturally, with dignified lyrics and not a hint of turbidity.
It's a wonderful song, so I look forward to its inclusion on the next rare track disc and an early release.
Regarding this Toppu Yaro ~Love Theme~, it is a unique "Love Theme" that does not conform to the lineage of all-member participation numbers from The High-Lows (sorry for calling it unique on my own...).

JAMBO JAPAN Love Theme is The Cro-Magnons' first all-member participation number & Love Theme, following the flow of the two "Love Theme" songs from the High-Lows era.
This is an epoch-making event that is no less shocking than "Mashima sang lead for the first time in a long while!" (maybe that's an exaggeration!?)

The theory that every "Love Theme" is a masterpiece that will go down in history

There are quite a few songs titled "Love Theme" throughout history.
When I researched them again, I was surprised to find that they are all gems of masterpieces.

Since the "theory that every 'Love Theme' is a masterpiece that will go down in history" seems easy to prove, I'd like to list them below.

The Godfather Love Theme

First of all, this is it. It's the one that everyone recognizes immediately after hearing the first phrase, saying, "Ah, yes, yes."
It is an overwhelming song that can be an icon in the field of film music, powerfully coloring the story of the super-cool mafia.
The super-cool handsome middle-aged men of Japan, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, have also covered it.

Lupin the Third Love Theme

The anime "Lupin the Third" also has a love theme.
The composer is Yuji Ohno, who unfortunately passed away the other day.
When you listen to this again, isn't it a masterpiece that is hard to choose between it and The Godfather?

Cinema Paradiso Love Theme

And this one! A masterpiece film that continues to be revived in theaters around the world even now, nearly 40 years after its release"Cinema Paradiso".
The composer is the film music legendEnnio Morricone.
Just listening to the song makes my eyes well up with emotion.

Following the three songs from film works, now let's move on to game music.

Final Fantasy IV Love Theme

A masterpiece RPG game released to the world as a Super Famicom title shortly after the console's launchFFIV. It is an unforgettable title that captivated elementary school students at the time. This elegant and bittersweet, unforgettable melody that plays from the opening of this game is indeed the love theme.

Next, the love theme by The Hair Maries, a band previously formed by Ryohei Shima of The Dresscodes, who was the conversation partner with whom Hiroto passionately discussed the appeal of Jacopetti in this article.

The Hair Maries Love Theme

Wow, what a great song...
The cast appearing in the music video is exquisitely luxurious.
The music video seems to be a complete homage toThe Beatles'"Hey Jude", but I also feel a touch ofThe Monkees'"Daydream Believer", and the way it ends feels likeOasis'"Whatever", making it a song that contains all the universal rock 'n' roll anthems.

And finally, here is the last one.

Mondo Cane Love Theme

Yes, here it is,Jacopetti.
From the soundtrack of the film"Mondo Cane" (the first song in the video), here is the love theme. The song itself is an elegant and beautiful piece where you can hear a flute-like tone backed by strings. I haven't seen the film, but this sense of balance, which seems disproportionate to the title "Mondo Cane," is what makes it Jacopetti. After all, Jacopetti is perfect for a love theme.

When you list them like this, you can see why I'd want to propose the theory that "wherever you look, love themes are all historical masterpieces"! (Of course, this includes the love themes of The High-Lows and The Cro-Magnons)

In this way, my love for "love themes" in general has become unstoppable, and it's just irresistible...

So, please be sure to fully enjoy the latest live album where you can hear The Cro-Magnons'"JAMBO JAPAN Love Theme","The Cro-Magnons Tour JAMBO JAPAN 2025-2026", starting right from the opening!

All right! Rock 'n' Roll!