An already very known song gets a new meaning in light of the current situation surrounding COVID-19. PIKOTARO, who achieved global fame for the hit PPAP, also known as Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen, in 2016, has decided it was a good idea to update this song. It is updated in a way that he will encourage people around the world to stay safe during the current global crisis.
PIKOTARO recorded the new version of PPAP at the home of his producer and the music video shows the comedian parodying his tune by adding a catchy chorus of “Wash! Wash! Wash!” with probably giving the inspiration to get people to wash their hands thoroughly. In addition to the updated lyrics, the abbreviation of PPAP has a new meaning as well, namely, Pray for People And Peace.
The original version of PPAP achieved over 135 million views on YouTube and made PIKOTARO a worldwide sensation. There are several versions of the song as well and they have amassed over 500 million views combined. Interesting to know: PIKOTARO holds the record as the only Japanese artist to date to hit #1 on the YouTube Global music video chart, staying at the top for 3 weeks in a row. He also received the Guinness World Record in 2016 for the shortest song to enter the Billboard Hot 100.
But what about the new version of the song? It already got more than 1 million people watching. The song is short as how we already know, but the new additions of lyrics, where the focus is on washing hands with PIKOTARO showing how it is done might feel ridiculous at first but it seems that this entertainer is maybe a good example to share around and inspire people to wash their hands. It directly makes me think of the viral Vietnamese promotional video about washing your hands including a catchy song and dance and it might be that PIKOTARO thought it might be a good idea to follow this idea. Since he is already known worldwide, the broadcast of the important and good message of washing hands and ending it up with “We will win!” might go much faster, since it is in English.
There is not much more to say than this was a smart step of PIKOTARO to make, to make people aware of the current situation in combination with the positive and silly vibe that we already know from PIKOTARO. It is not a new song, although there are some alterations made to make the “Wash! Wash! Wash!” part more fitting, but it is a quite catchy song! And that might make the people remember when they are washing their hands. Stay safe!
Rating: 70/10
