Momoe Yamaguchi - Aoi Kajitsu (1973)

Artist: Momoe Yamaguchi / 山口百恵
Title: Aoi Kajitsu / 青い果実
Released: September 1, 1973
Oricon Peak Rank: 9
B-Side: おかしな恋人

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Momoe Yamaguchi's big break came with her second single "Aoi Kajitsu" [Green Fruit], her first Top Ten hit. As mentioned previously, she was slated to be the mature one of group, as a contrast to the conservative Masako Mori and the innocent Junko Sakurada. Much of the work done during her early days to cultivate that persona was due to lyricist Kazuya Senke, whose suggestive wording can turn heads in interest. He could transform what would otherwise be a typical pop number into something very different. If the title of the song didn't give you the metaphor up front, let's just say that it hints at the lyrical content concerning illicit romance at a young age. The chorus itself, repeated three times, does enough explaining: "You can do what ever you want with me; it's alright if rumors spread that I'm a bad girl". To put it in context, Momoe was only fourteen when the single was released, although, unlike France Gall, she was very aware of the nature of the lyrics she sang. During her early career she had little artistic control over her music. Eventually she grew to dislike this song saying that "it wasn't her". By the time her career matured, "Aoi Kajitsu" was rarely performed live.


(A Star is Born! [スター誕生!])

青い果実 (Aoi Kajitsu)

Music: Shunichi Tokura / 都倉俊一
Lyrics: Kazuya Senke / 千家和也

あなたが望むなら
私何をされてもいいわ
いけない娘だと
噂されてもいい

恋した時に　躰の隅で
別の私が　眼を覚ますの
大きな胸に　抱きとめられて
きれいな泪　こぼすのよ
側に居れば　側に居れば
誰も恐くない

あなたが望むなら
私何をされてもいいわ
いけない娘だと
噂されてもいい

恋した時に　心の中で
別の私に　生まれ変わる
恥しそうに　薄眼をあけて
初めて秘密　打ちあける
側に居れば　側に居れば
何もほしくない

あなたが望むなら
私何をされてもいいわ
いけない娘だと
噂されてもいい