Boku instead of Watashi?

Question

I listen to a lot of J-pop, and I'm also studying Japanese. I know that "Boku" is mainly for boys and men, but I hear a lot of female singers use it. How come?

Answer 1

I think, in most cases, either 1) the song was originally wrtten for a male singer (you can't just change boku to watash because it would upset the meter); or 2) she's singing a man/boy's line, like 'he said 'I can't go on any more'".; or 3) she's putting herself in a man/boy's position and singing.

Answer 2

It just sounds better with the rest of the song. If you listen to English songs, perfect or fitting English isn't always used. They sacrifice that in order to make things fit the beat better.

But do just remember that "boku" is mainly for boys (it's somewhat childish for men to use it, IMO) and "watashi" is much more common.

Answer 3

Woman often use boku in order to be viewed as either boyish, or cute. or the woman is singing through the character of a boy.

that is often the case.

but really. i think it's because they get tired of saying atashi and watashi.

Answer 4

Probably because it's perceived as cool in the native country. Every bit the same having a tatoo in kanji is much, much more interesting than having some clown ink "Serenity" in English instead.