May J. Creates First Authentic Children's Song with Popolar Nursery School Teachers, Inspired by Children's Daily Lives
Popolar Nursery School and artist May J. collaborated to produce "High Five!," May J.'s first authentic children's song. The lyrics were inspired by children's daily lives and the thoughts of childcare workers, and the music video was released on YouTube.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 12:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 12:43 (11 min after Collected)
Popolar Nursery School (operated by Task Force Inc.) collaborated with artist May J. to produce the original song "High Five!". The music video for this song was released on May 1, 2026, at 12:00 PM on the May J. LALA SONG YouTube Channel.
This song marks May J.'s first authentic children's song. May J. herself visited childcare facilities to experience the interactions between children and childcare workers. Based on this experience, along with "memorable words and episodes from childcare" collected from over 600 Popolar childcare staff and parents, the lyrics were created.
The lyrics and music were handled by May J. and Ryosuke Imai, who has produced numerous hit songs with May J..
Music Video URL: https://youtu.be/cOBGfSNqA3w
Making-of Video URL: https://youtu.be/zig1cVScnoQ
■ Production Background — What is "truly good music" for children?
May J. gave birth to her first child in 2023, and as a mother facing her child, she re-examined "what truly good music is for children," leading to the launch of the educational children's song YouTube channel "LaLa Song" in May 2025.
Meanwhile, Popolar operates under the childcare philosophy of "Believe in 'You can do it!', turn 'I want to do it!' into 'I did it!'," practicing childcare centered on children's "wants."
The shared desire of both parties to "create truly meaningful experiences for children" led to the realization of this song production.
■ Lyrics Born from the Thoughts of the Childcare Field
A major feature is that the song was produced based on the sentiments from the childcare field.
This song was created from the overlapping feelings that childcare workers experience daily with children and May J.'s desire to deliver positive emotions through music.
Popolar collected memorable words and episodes from parenting and childcare from parents and childcare staff. May J. also visited Popolar-operated nursery schools and gathered words by communicating directly with the children.
Based on these real words born from daily life with children, May J. created the lyrics.
■ Song Design that Makes Children "Want to Participate"
"High Five!" is designed to naturally encourage children to participate, featuring:
・A rhythm that makes you want to hum along
・The catchy phrase "Parappa"
・Movements incorporating high-fives
The dance choreography was handled by MIMI (studio METRO), who has worked on many of May J.'s productions. It incorporates elements that form the foundation of children's physical abilities, resulting in an energetic dance that anyone can intuitively enjoy.
■ May J.'s Comment
"I created this song with the wish that children would challenge anything. I hope that when children stumble or lose confidence, they will remember this song and find the strength to move forward.
And not only children, but I believe adults also sometimes fear challenges or shy away from them. I would be happy if this song could give courage to such adults as well."
■ Popolar Representative's Comment
"In children's casual words and actions, there are always sprouts of 'I want to try.' This song is an initiative that captures and shapes those moments. We hope that through this song, children will find a trigger to start moving on their own."
■ About the Song Video
This song is available on May J.'s educational song channel "LaLa Song."
You can watch the video to experience the rhythm, movements, and world of the song that will make children want to move their bodies.
Video URL: https://youtu.be/cOBGfSNqA3w
■ Song Overview
Released May 1, 2026
Digital Single "High Five!"
Lyrics: May J., Rose Blueming, Ryosuke Imai
Music: Ryosuke Imai, May J.
Arrangement: Ryosuke Imai
▼Distribution URL
https://big-up.style/zM0jR5hEcP
■ May J.'s Profile
May J.
With a background of Japanese, Iranian, Turkish, Russian, Spanish, and British heritage, she has studied dance, piano, and opera since childhood, and also writes lyrics, composes, and performs piano and vocals. Her overwhelming vocal ability, powerful yet clear and delicate voice, and positive message resonate with and are supported by a wide range of generations. 20
This song marks May J.'s first authentic children's song. May J. herself visited childcare facilities to experience the interactions between children and childcare workers. Based on this experience, along with "memorable words and episodes from childcare" collected from over 600 Popolar childcare staff and parents, the lyrics were created.
The lyrics and music were handled by May J. and Ryosuke Imai, who has produced numerous hit songs with May J..
Music Video URL: https://youtu.be/cOBGfSNqA3w
Making-of Video URL: https://youtu.be/zig1cVScnoQ
■ Production Background — What is "truly good music" for children?
May J. gave birth to her first child in 2023, and as a mother facing her child, she re-examined "what truly good music is for children," leading to the launch of the educational children's song YouTube channel "LaLa Song" in May 2025.
Meanwhile, Popolar operates under the childcare philosophy of "Believe in 'You can do it!', turn 'I want to do it!' into 'I did it!'," practicing childcare centered on children's "wants."
The shared desire of both parties to "create truly meaningful experiences for children" led to the realization of this song production.
■ Lyrics Born from the Thoughts of the Childcare Field
A major feature is that the song was produced based on the sentiments from the childcare field.
This song was created from the overlapping feelings that childcare workers experience daily with children and May J.'s desire to deliver positive emotions through music.
Popolar collected memorable words and episodes from parenting and childcare from parents and childcare staff. May J. also visited Popolar-operated nursery schools and gathered words by communicating directly with the children.
Based on these real words born from daily life with children, May J. created the lyrics.
■ Song Design that Makes Children "Want to Participate"
"High Five!" is designed to naturally encourage children to participate, featuring:
・A rhythm that makes you want to hum along
・The catchy phrase "Parappa"
・Movements incorporating high-fives
The dance choreography was handled by MIMI (studio METRO), who has worked on many of May J.'s productions. It incorporates elements that form the foundation of children's physical abilities, resulting in an energetic dance that anyone can intuitively enjoy.
■ May J.'s Comment
"I created this song with the wish that children would challenge anything. I hope that when children stumble or lose confidence, they will remember this song and find the strength to move forward.
And not only children, but I believe adults also sometimes fear challenges or shy away from them. I would be happy if this song could give courage to such adults as well."
■ Popolar Representative's Comment
"In children's casual words and actions, there are always sprouts of 'I want to try.' This song is an initiative that captures and shapes those moments. We hope that through this song, children will find a trigger to start moving on their own."
■ About the Song Video
This song is available on May J.'s educational song channel "LaLa Song."
You can watch the video to experience the rhythm, movements, and world of the song that will make children want to move their bodies.
Video URL: https://youtu.be/cOBGfSNqA3w
■ Song Overview
Released May 1, 2026
Digital Single "High Five!"
Lyrics: May J., Rose Blueming, Ryosuke Imai
Music: Ryosuke Imai, May J.
Arrangement: Ryosuke Imai
▼Distribution URL
https://big-up.style/zM0jR5hEcP
■ May J.'s Profile
May J.
With a background of Japanese, Iranian, Turkish, Russian, Spanish, and British heritage, she has studied dance, piano, and opera since childhood, and also writes lyrics, composes, and performs piano and vocals. Her overwhelming vocal ability, powerful yet clear and delicate voice, and positive message resonate with and are supported by a wide range of generations. 20