Japanese singer and voice actress Aki Toyosaki recently covered her favorite Beatles song, “Hey Jude,” and now the Internet has ruled that this is possibly the worst Beatles cover of all time. If you didn’t know who Toyasaki was, a quick play of the video above will make it obvious: she’s got a voice made for anime, something that weeaboos can only dream of having. Apparently it’s not a good enough voice to sing like Paul McCartney.
Speaking as someone with a high pitched voice (especially when I whine or want something really bad, like donuts), I’m taking the Internet’s side. This is a pretty awful cover. For one thing, I can barely understand what she’s saying. Listen, I know she’s singing in another language but I can usually pick up the words, especially if it’s from a well known song. Not here. She could be speaking in Korean for all I know, and I’m fluent in Engrish. (No, really. I am. Have you read the emails from my mom?)
Also, nothing can be gained by ramping up the cuteness factor in a Beatles song. There is nothing cute about “Hey Jude.” It’s about comforting children, parents divorcing and turning all that sad stuff into happy stuff. I think. I’m not an expert. But what I do know is that “Hey Jude” isn’t a song to squeal Kawaiiiiii over. Unless this is all for her new album where she sings famous songs about serious matters in a cutesy anime voice. If that’s the case, may I suggest the following for her:
- Johnny Cash – “Folsom Prison Blues”
- Bob Dylan – “Hurricane”
- N.W.A. – “Fuck Tha Police”
- Nine Inch Nails – “Closer”
If Toyosaki does naturally talk like this, heaven help the person who has to have a serious conversation with her, like her lawyer or doctor or insurance agent.
So what do you think? Worst cover of a Beatles song over? Or is she too kawaii for words?
