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Is Piko Taro about to go from one-hit wonder to 20-hit wonder?

It’s pretty safe to assume that Japanese comedian Kosaka Daimaou has never been more squarely in the spotlight than he is right now. “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen,” the song Daimaou performs under his Piko Taro musical persona, has become an international hit, and now he’s riding that wave of popularity to the release of his first full album.

While it’s titled PPAP, there’s more to the album than just the title track. In total, 20 songs are planned to be part of the collection, featuring both previously released works and brand-new tunes.

The list of currently confirmed songs is:
● Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen
● Romita Hashimikov
● Piko Taro’s Theme
● PLEASE LET ME BORROW THEM
● NEO SUNGLASSES
● I Love Daikon Pickled in Salted Rice Yeast
● Hey…
● Get the Sweets Together and Become a Star
● Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen – Long Version

Let’s take a look at a few of them, in case you’re not familiar with Piko Taro’s non-“PPAP” library. Like the artist’s biggest hit, “NEO SUNGLASSES” is pretty easy to sing along to, since it only has two lyrics: kurai (“dark”) and akarui (“bright,” but, with the characteristic Piko Taro panache, officially rendered as “dazzling” in the video).

At one minute and 35 seconds long, “PLEASE LET ME BORROW THEM” is an epic ballad compared to Piko Taro’s briefer songs, but that’s because it has so much to say.

The lyrics translate to:

Please let me borrow 100,000 yen (US$970)
I’ll pay you back 50,000 yen
I’ll pay you back next weekend
I’ll pay you back 50,000 yen

Please let me borrow your car
I’ll sell it on Yahoo! Auctions
I’ll pay you back 50,000 yen
With the money I get from selling it on Yahoo! Auctions

Two versions of the album will be offered, one with the CD by itself, and the other bundled with a music video DVD. However, if you’re a true Piko Taro fan, you’ll want to get both releases, since the CD-only album includes a special 30-minute track, “The Piko Taro One-Man At-Home Concert.” Meanwhile, the CD/DVD bundle comes with Piko Taro dress-up mustache stickers and a kids’ size Piko Taro costume apron (preordering gets you an adult-sized apron too).

A release date has yet to be announced, but the album’s producers are no doubt looking to strike while the iron is hot. As such, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the album on sale by the end of the year, which would make it a great Christmas gag gift, or a serious one if you happen to know someone who earnestly appreciates Piko Taro’s musical stylings.

Source: Comic Natalie via Jin
Top image: YouTube/公式ピコ太郎歌唱ビデオチャンネル