Junko Sakurada - Watashi no Aoi Tori (1973)

Artist: Junko Sakurada / 桜田淳子
Title: Watashi no Aoi Tori /
わたしの青い鳥
Released: August 25, 1973
Oricon Peak Rank: 18
B-Side: 恋人になって!

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We've already been introduced to Momoe Yamaguchi and Masako Mori, two of the three middle-schoolers who graduated from the Star Tanjou! talent program together as the "Hana no Chusan Trio". Junko Sakurada was the second of the three to make her official debut, but unlike her fellow graduates took a bit longer to reach popular and critical acclaim. Her third single "Watashi no Aoi Tori" [My Bluebird] is a well-contained song, with Junko's clear voice singing the melody with an ease and strength not heard in her earlier two singles. It was at this point she became more confident with her abilities and asserted her sound directly. The song takes on one of the more common conceits of romantic Japanese writing, comparing one's love to a bluebird, although lyricist Yuu Aku took certain liberties by using the "coo-coo" sound, which is not realistic but plays the point across portraying Junko as the girl singing for her bluebird to come. As such, it was a critical success, netting Junko the Best Newcomer at the 15th Japan Record Awards.

わたしの青い鳥 (Watashi no Aoi Tori)

Music: Yasushi Nakamura / 中村泰士
Lyrics: Yuu Aku / 阿久悠

ようこそここへ　クック　クック
わたしの青い鳥
恋をした心にとまります
そよ風吹いて　クック　クック
便りがとどけられ
誰よりもしあわせ感じます
どうぞ行かないで　このままずっと
わたしのこの胸で
しあわせ歌っていてね
クック　クック　クック　クック
青い鳥

ようこそここへ　クック　クック
わたしの青い鳥
夢のような心に誘います
くちづけされた　クック　クック
木ノ実のなる下は
天国の花園の香りです
どうぞとばないで　この手のひらで
しあわせ抱きしめて
わたしを見つめていてね
クック　クック　クック　クック
青い鳥

どうぞ行かないで　このままずっと
わたしのこの胸で
しあわせ歌っていてね
クッククック　クック　クック
青い鳥