Kazuko Matsumura - Kaette Koi yo (1980)

Artist: Kazuko Matsumura / 松村和子
Title: Kaette Koi yo / 帰ってこいよ
Released: April 21, 1980
Oricon Peak Rank: 5
B-Side: やん衆哀歌

(download)


Kazuko Matsumura was somewhat of a flash-in-the-pan when she came into the music world plucking merrily on her shamisen in her debut song "Kaette Koi yo" (Come Back, My Love); a veritable youngster at the age of eighteen for a singer of an Enka tune. The song slowly grew on the Japanese populace through the end of 1980 and well into 1981. Although one may consider this to be a more pop-friendly kind of Enka song, the slightly melancholy aspect of the lyrics washed over in its rollicking melody, and the shamisen twanging away not in yearning, but just as accents. Regardless, the song proved popular enough to grant her a coveted spot in the New Year's Eve Red-White Song Competition in 1981, and that was the capstone for her musical career. Although she would continue recording into the decade, she is best known for this song, one of Japan's most treasured one-hit wonders.

帰ってこいよ (Kaette Koi yo)

Music: Noboru Ichidai / 一代のぼる
Lyrics: Tadao Hirayama / 平山忠夫

きっと帰って　くるんだと
お岩木山で　手を振れば
あの娘は小さく　うなずいた
茜の空で　誓った恋を
東京ぐらしで　忘れたか
帰ってこいよ　帰ってこいよ　帰ってこいよ

白いリンゴの　花かげで
遊んだ頃が　なつかしい
気立てのやさしい　娘だったよ
お前の嫁に　欲しかったねと
おふくろ今夜も　ひとりごと
帰ってこいよ　帰ってこいよ　帰ってこいよ

可愛いあの娘の　帰る日を
お岩木山で　今日もまた
津軽の風と　待っている
忘れはしまい　あの約束の
こんなにきれいな　茜空
帰ってこいよ　帰ってこいよ　帰ってこいよ

Hiromi Go - Otokonoko Onnanoko (1972)

Artist: Hiromi Go / 郷ひろみ
Title: Otokonoko Onnanoko /
男の子女の子
Released: August 1, 1972
Oricon Peak Rank: 8
B-Side: 夢をおいかけて

(download)

Hiromi Go possesses one of the most enduring careers in Japanese music, and has so far today not shown signs of slowing down just yet. Even so, it is still worth looking at how he once started, during the formative years of Japanese idols. He was the most junior (in terms of career) of the "The New Big Three" [新御三家], a trio of male singers in the 1970s, that comprised of him, Goro Noguchi, and Hideki Saijo, though none of them were ever truly alike in singing styles, Goro was primarily a ballad singer, Hideki was the slightly edgier rock-ish one, while Hiromi captured the pop world's attention. Yet, he was the first of the three to score the major hit. His debut single "Otokonoko Onnanoko" (Boy and Girl) certainly evokes that teen pop attitude, with its catchy refrain and light arrangement. Here, his voice had that quality common in young male Japanese singers: high, slightly nasal, and without significant depth. It would take some time for his voice to mature to that of a high, slightly nasal man. However, the song's appeal was strong enough in itself to garner Hiromi Go a Newcomer's Prize in the 14th Japan Record Awards, as well granting him his first of many appearances in the Red-White Song Competition.

男の子女の子 (Otokonoko Onnanoko)

Music: Kyohei Tsutsumi / 筒美京平
Lyrics: Tokiko Iwatani / 岩谷時子

君たち女の子　僕たち男の子
ヘイヘイヘイ　ヘイヘイヘイ　おいで遊ぼう
僕らの世界へ　走って行こう

幸福さがすのは　まかせてほしいのさ
ヘイヘイヘイ　ヘイヘイヘイ　夢があふれる
一度の人生　だいじな時間

アアアア　青空に
アアアア　陽が光る
明るい風の中　髪をなびかせて
GO GO GO GO

ほほえむ女の子　みつめる男の子
ヘイヘイヘイ　ヘイヘイヘイ　愛の雨降る
一度の人生　だいじな時間

泣いてる女の子　ふりむく男の子
ヘイヘイヘイ　ヘイヘイヘイ　胸がふるえる
一度の人生　だいじな時間

アアアア　あの瞳
アアアア　好きなんだ
花火があがるんだ　ふたりで手をとり
GO GO GO GO

男と女の子　心がふれあえば
ヘイヘイヘイ　ヘイヘイヘイ　おいでいそごう
僕らの世界へ　はだしで行こう

Mako Ishino - Ookami Nanka Kowakunai (1978)

Artist: Mako Ishino / 石野真子
Title: Ookami Nanka Kowakunai /
狼なんか怖くない
Released: March 25, 1978
Oricon Peak Rank: 17
B-Side: ひとり娘

(download)

The Nippon Television Network talent show Star Tanjou! [スター誕生!] (A Star is Born!) has produced a significant number of highly successful singers that graced the Japanese charts during the 70s and 80s, two of them have been featured here in this blog: Hiromi Iwasaki , Akina Nakamori and Momoe Yamaguchi. We'll be looking at another one of the show's successful alumni: Mako Ishino.

Despite her homely appearance and slightly crooked teeth (Asian dentistry wasn't so great at the time), her cute image and decent singing (of a Japanese cover of a Danièle Vidal tune) won the judges over, among them the lyricist Yuu Aku, who would later pen the words to several of Mako's earlier songs. She signed onto the Victor Entertainment label and released her debut single "Ookami Nanka Kowakunai" ("I Ain't Afraid of Wolves"). The song is a breezy number playing up the metaphor of men as wolves in the game of love. As per habit for Japanese singing, the song had its own trademark moves, in this case Mako pursing her right hand to imitate a wolf's head when singing the chorus. Her singing character straddles between the voice of the typical pop teen voice and that of a feminine and mature woman, giving her the potential for versatility in song material that is not very common for most singers. Needless to say, her producers took advantage of that, the results we'll see when we get back around to her again later on.


(Hit Studio Night [夜のヒットスタジオ])

狼なんか怖くない (Ookami Nanka Kowakunai)

Music: Takuro Yoshida / 吉田拓郎
Lyrics: Yuu Aku / 阿久悠

あなたも狼に変わりますか
はじめてのルージュの色は
紅過ぎてはいけない
大人の匂いがするだけでいい
唇をすぼめたままで
くちづけは出来ない
鏡に向かってあれこれ思う
鼻が邪魔だと誰かがいってたわ
古いと映画の台詞(セリフ)だったかしら

あなたも狼に変わりますか
あなたが狼なら怖くない
あなたも狼に変わりますか
あなたが狼なら怖くない

ハイヒール両手に下げて
逃げたりしちゃいけない
片目をつぶって 見るだけでいい
あのひとはいいひとだから
傷つけたり出来ない
その日を思ってあれこれ悩む
熱が出るわと誰かがいってたわ
ヒットソングの言葉だったかしら

あなたも狼に変わりますか
あなたが狼なら怖くない
あなたも狼に変わりますか
あなたが狼なら怖くない

Saori Minami - Jyunana Sai (1971)

Artist: Saori Minami / 南沙織
Title: Jyunana Sai / 17才
Released: June 1, 1971
Oricon Peak Rank: 2
B-Side: 島の伝説

(download)


Saori Minami was at the forefront of a shift in the early 1970s towards giving attention and exposure to artists at younger ages, usually around 14 to 16 years old. Prior to that, in the 1960s and before, it is expected for singers to start around that age, but only reach their stride by the time they were in their late teens or early twenties through a few years of climbing up the ranks. However, with the growing trends of youth culture getting a stronger influence in Japan, their new stars now had to hit the ground running, thus giving rise to the first generation of "idols".

Saori's debut single "Jyunana Sai" (Seventeen Years Old) is appropriately titled, as she was to turn 17 the month after the single's release date. On first listen, it is clear that composer Kyohei Tsutsumi was heavily influenced by "Rose Garden" by country singer Lynn Anderson from the year before. The story goes that with Tsutsumi in charge of writing the music to Saori's songs (as was also soon becoming a trend for songwriters and lyricists to be tasked to write songs almost exclusively for a suite of artists), he asked her what she liked to sing, and "Rose Garden" was her answer, thus he gave her his own way of writing a "Rose Garden"-esque song. Paired with Mieko Arima's coastal-themed lyrics, the song rose to 2nd on the Oricon charts winning a couple prizes from the Japan Record Awards and Kayo Grand Prix for that year. The song soon became one of her standards, as well as a standard in the Japanese songbook, inspiring many other songwriters in the coming years to use 17 as a special age in their songs, reinforcing the prevalence of teenagerhood that was sweeping the nation. Saori Minami's strong start in her singing career set a high bar for future singers who wish to make their mark in music.


(22nd NHK Red White Song Competition [第22回NHK紅白歌合戦])

17才 (Jyunana Sai)

Music: Kyohei Tsutsumi / 筒美京平
Lyrics: Mieko Arima / 有馬三恵子

誰もいない海
二人の愛を　確かめたくて
あなたの腕を　すりぬけてみたの
走る水辺のまぶしさ
息も出来ないくらい
早く　強く　つかまえに来て
好きなんだもの
私は今　生きている

青い空の下
二人の愛を抱きしめたくて
光の中へ　溶けこんでみたの
ふたり　鴎になるのよ
風は大きいけれど
動かないで　おねがいだから
好きなんだもの
私は今　生きている

あつい生命にまかせて
そっとキスしていい
空も海も　みつめる中で
好きなんだもの
私は今　生きている
私は今　生きている . . .

Momoe Yamaguchi - Hito Natsu no Keiken (1974)

Artist: Momoe Yamaguchi / 山口百恵
Title: Hito Natsu no Keiken / ひと夏の経験
Released: June 1, 1974
Oricon Peak Rank: 3
B-Side: 太陽の友達

(download)


The most famous and successful Japanese idol of the 1970s started out with humble origins. One of three girls who gotten top marks at the famous Star Tanjou! television talent show, she grew in the hearts of the Japanese with her sullen image yet mature and powerful singing. "Hito Natsu no Keiken" (A Summer Experience) was her first smash hit, even though it was her 5th single to be released. As was typical at the time, many lyricists would often push their lyrics, very sensual and sometimes lurid to the point of scandal, onto these singers, who are only in their mid teens. For example, the beginning lyrics of the song "あなたに女の子の一番 / 大切なものをあげるわ" translates roughly to "I'll give you the most precious thing a girl has" and the end of the chorus "誰でも一度だけ　経験するのよ / 誘惑の甘い罠" means "Everyone experiences it at least once, The sweet trap of temptation". Even though the lyrics for this song were suggestive, she chose this as the song to sing in the New Year's Eve gala Red-White Song Competition since it was one of the least suggestive songs in her repertoire! Regardless, this song, with its soaring melody and ardent momentum, won her prizes in the Japan Record Awards and Kayo Grand Prix, and firmly planted her in the world of Japanese music, her career just getting ready to run into full blossom.


(25th NHK Red White Song Competition [第25回NHK紅白歌合戦])

ひと夏の経験 (Hito Natsu no Keiken)

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

あなたに女の子の一番
大切なものをあげるわ
小さな胸の奥にしまった
大切なものをあげるわ
愛する人に　捧げるため
守ってきたのよ
汚れてもいい　泣いてもいい
愛は尊いわ――
誰でも一度だけ　経験するのよ
誘惑の甘い罠

あなたに女の子の一番
大切なものをあげるわ
綺麗な泪色に輝く
大切なものをあげるわ
愛する人が喜ぶなら
それで倖せよ
こわれてもいい　捨ててもいい
愛は尊いわ――
誰でも一度だけ　経験するのよ
誘惑の甘い罠

Nana Okada - Jogakusei (1975)

Artist: Nana Okada / 岡田奈々
Title: Jogakusei / 女学生
Released: August 25, 1975
Oricon Peak Rank:
B-Side: 放課後

(download)


Nana Okada was one of the minor idol singers of the 1970s, a product of the TV talent show circuit, she gained recognition as an actress, photo model, and a singer, all simultaneously (nowadays wrapped together in the term "tarento"). Her 2nd single (and we seem to be talking quite a bit about those aren't we?) "Jogakusei" (Schoolgirl) typifies the cute girl image her production company cultivated around her. Frankly I don't know much about the content of the lyrics to justify it, but just listening to the song along, the swinging momentum, the matter-of-fact singing, and the general "innocentness" of the music in the song brings out in the mind a girl in a sailor suit singing about some sort of secret love. Nevertheless, the unadorned and honest sound to the song speaks out to those who finds contentment in simple things.

女学生 (Jogakusei)

Music: Shunichi Tokura / 都倉俊一
Lyrics: Takashi Matsumoto / 松本隆

あなたの写真をそっと
定期入れにかくしたら
放課後友達にふと見られました
恋人でしょうと聞かれ
夢中で奪りあううちに
破けてしまいます　あなたの笑顔

いつでも逢えないと
淋しさばかり
写真にくちびる　そっと寄せます
誰にも秘密
言えない秘密
心にめざめます

夕暮れ通りでバスを
待ってる横顔みつけ
人影かくれて遠く見つめました
制服姿の私
あなたに見られたくない
そんなはじらいさえ　知らされました

あなたに逢うたびに
変わるの私
恋する想いがあふれそうです
誰にも秘密
言えない秘密
心にめざめます

The Checkers - Namida no Request (1984)

Artist: The Checkers / チェッカーズ
Title: Namida no Request /
涙のリクエスト
Released: January 21, 1984
Oricon Peak Rank: 2
B-Side: あの娘とマッシュポテト

(download)

Much like in the rest of the world during the early and mid 1980s, there was a wave of nostalgia for the 1950s. This was just as so in Japan at the time, although unlike the more genuine "5-10 years lag" that created actual songs of that vein, it became a form of pastiche in the 1980s. In comes the The Checkers. After Rats & Star (formerly Chanels), The Checkers were the most visible of retro groups in 1980s Japan, and was wildly popular with the young girls at the time. As can be seen in the EP cover here, they commonly sported checkered blazers to help reinforce their image associated with the name. Their breakthrough came with their 2nd single "Namida no Request" (Tears of Request) which exemplified the the 50s pastiche a great deal, replete with simple chord structure, wailing saxophones, and rebellious-then-but-tame-today tones, an earnest love song in the backdrop of a sock hop. By the end of 1984, this single became the 4th most popular song, giving them the base to further stardom (much like how Akina Nakamori had with her 2nd single in the post previous).


(The Top Ten [ザ・トップテン])

涙のリクエスト (Namida no Request)

Music: Hiroaki Serizawa / 芹澤廣明
Lyrics: Misao Urino / 売野雅勇

涙のリクエスト 最後のリクエスト

最後のコインに 祈りをこめて Midnight D.J
ダイヤル回す あの娘に伝えて まだ好きだよと
トランジスタのヴォリューム上げて 初めて二人
躍った曲さサヨナラなんて
冷めたすぎるね ヒドイ仕打ちさ
オレの送った 銀のロケット
今では違う 誰かの写真
イイサそいつと 抱き合いながら
悲しい恋を 笑ってくれよ

涙のリクエスト 最後のリクエスト
涙のリクエスト 最後のリクエスト for you

波間に消える まぶしい夏さ 引き際せめて
カッコつけるぜ あのメロディ 口笛にして
もしも あいつに ふられた時は 同じ歌を
ダイヤルしろよ 夜中の街を
おまえをむかえに 駆けて行くから
愛を誓った メモリーリング
曲に合わせて 海に投げるよ
サヨナラがわり 二人に送る
悲しい恋のリクエストだよ

涙のリクエスト 最後のリクエスト
涙のリクエスト 最後のリクエスト for you

Akina Nakamori - Shoujo A (1982)

Artist: Akina Nakamori / 中森明菜
Title: Shoujo A / 少女A
Released: July 28, 1982
Oricon Peak Rank: 5
B-Side: 夢判断

(download)


The other prominent figure in Japanese music during the 1980s aside from Seiko Matsuda was Akina Nakamori. In the popular imagination, the two of them were often pitted against one another in a light/dark dichotomy, with Seiko being the innocent "girl-next door" idol, while Akina was the mature and expressive adult singer. Even if neither of them took those labels seriously, the songs they've sung tend to reflect that attitude. This was the case with Akina's second single "Shoujo A", the one that started her path to stardom.

Her first single "Slow Motion" was cut from the usual idol mould, a typical love song done in an agreeable and pleasing pop style. What inspired the shift in mood for her second single is unknown to me, but somehow her producers thought a new style would be a better fit. The songwriting team of Hiroaki Serizawa and Misao Urino, mostly known for their rock-inspired pop songs, had originally planned a song for flashy rock-pop singer Kenji Sawada titled "Lolita", but when he didn't pick that up, they switched the lyrics gender roles and retitled it "Shoujo A" and offered it to Akina. The song's rousing tempo and rock affectations were a stark contrast to her previous single. Most notably different between the two songs was her use of her deeper singing voice (what she would later be identified with the most), granting the song a mature overtone that would've been lost had used a more girl-like voice. The lyrics, detailing the hungry lust of a seventeen year old teen for a biker, were risque at their time, enough to nearly have the song banned from the Japanese airwaves. Nevertheless, the song was a major success, and set Akina towards her own path to music stardom.


(Hit Studio Night [夜のヒットスタジオ])

少女A (Shoujo A)

Music: Hiroaki Serizawa / 芹澤廣明
Lyrics: Misao Urino / 売野雅勇

上目使いに　盗んで見ている
蒼いあなたの　視線がまぶしいわ
思わせぶりに　口びるぬらし
きっかけぐらいは　こっちでつくってあげる

いわゆる普通の　１７才だわ
女の子のこと　知らなすぎるのあなた
早熟なのは　しかたがないけど
似たようなこと　誰でもしているのよ

じれったい　じれったい
何歳(いくつ)に見えても　私　誰でも
じれったい　じれったい
私は　私よ　関係ないわ

特別じゃない　どこにもいるわ
ワ・タ・シ　少女A

頬づえついて
あなたを想えば
胸の高鳴り　耳があゝ熱いわ
鏡に向って　微笑みつくる
黄昏れ時は　少女を大人に変える

素肌と心は　ひとつじゃないのね
ルージュの口びる　かすかに震えてるわ
他人が言うほど　ドライじゃないの
本当は憶病　分かってほしいのあなた

じれったい　じれったい
結婚するとか　しないとかなら
じれったい　じれったい
そんなのどうでも　関係ないわ

特別じゃない　どこにもいるわ
ワ・タ・シ　少女A

じれったい　じれったい
何歳(いくつ)に見えても　私　誰でも
じれったい　じれったい
私は　私よ　関係ないわ

特別じゃない　どこにもいるわ
ワ・タ・シ　少女A

Seiko Matsuda - Hadashi no Kisetsu (1980)

Artist: Seiko Matsuda / 松田聖子
Title: Hadashi no Kisetsu / 裸足の季節
Released: April 1, 1980
Oricon Peak Rank: 12
B-Side: RAINBOW～六月生まれ

(download)


The origin of Seiko Mastuda's debut single was one of serendipity. During a cover shoot and filming of a commercial for the Shiseido cosmetic line, Seiko was supposed to be one of the models, but was later rejected due to her dimples. However, they instead had her sing the theme song for the commercial (good talent doesn't go to waste). Despite her nerveousness during the recording, the song proved to be a good debut hit. Even though it never cracked the top 10 in the Oricon charts, she received much positive publicity in the weeks and months ahead. This song was the beginning for her long and highly successful career as an idol and paved new paths for a new generation of singers that would later shape and define the music scene of 1980s Japan.


(Hit Studio Night [夜のヒットスタジオ])

裸足の季節 (Hadashi no Kisetsu)

Music: Yuichiro Oda / 小田裕一郎
Lyrics: Yoshiko Miura / 三浦徳子

白いヨットの影　渚をすべり
入江に近づくの　手を振るあなた
夢の中のこととわかっていても
思い切りこたえる私です

エクボの秘密あげたいわ
もぎたての青い風
頬をそめて今走り出す私
二人ひとつのシルエット

誘われた映画はまぶしすぎたの
背のびする季節と言われたけれど
ハラハラし通しのエピローグには
思わずうつむいた私です

エクボの秘密あげたいわ
もぎたての青い空
愛をめがけ今走り出す私
二人ひとつのシルエット

エクボの秘密あげたいわ
もぎたての青い風
頬をそめて今走り出す私
二人ひとつのシルエット

Matsuyama Chiharu - Kisetsu no Naka de (1978)

Artist: Chiharu Matsuyama / 松山千春
Title: Kisetsu no Naka de / 季節の中で
Released: August 21, 1978
Oricon Peak Rank: 1 (6 weeks)
B-Side: 青春II

(download)


Chiharu Matsuyama is one of the major singer-songwriters in Japanese popular music. His style is in line with the New Music movement that arose in the 1970s, although he has written and sung in various other styles as well. His most famous song "Kisetsu no Naka de" (In the Middle of the Seasons) was a distinct departure from his usual style, incorporating the then-current and popular disco sounds in its chorus. Whether or not this nod to common tastes led to its immense popularity in both 1978 (26th overall) and 1979 (24th overall). By then the song heralded Matsuyama's peak period where he wrote many more hits before trends went against him in the mid-1980s. Regardless, this song remains a timeless classic, now amongst the annals of popular Japanese song.


('79 Super Jam ['79 スーパージャム])

季節の中で (Kisetsu no Naka de)

Music/Lyrics: Chiharu Matsuyama / 松山千春

うつむきかけた貴方の前を
静かに時は流れ

めぐるめぐる季節の中で
貴方は何を見つけるだろう

海の青さにとまどう様に
とびかう鳥の様に
はばたけ高くはばたけ強く
小さなつばさひろげ

めぐるめぐる季節の中で
貴方は何を見つけるだろう

昇る朝日のまぶしさの中
はるかな空をめざし
はばたけ高くはばたけ強く
貴方の旅がはじまる

めぐるめぐる季節の中で
貴方は何を見つけるだろう

Takashi Hosokawa - Kokoro Nokori (1975)

Artist: Takashi Hosokawa / 細川たかし
Title: Kokoro Nokori / 心のこり
Released: April 1, 1975
Oricon Peak Rank: 1 (4 weeks)
B-Side: 泣きぐせ

(download)

Takashi Hosokawa is one most successful Enka singers in Japan, despite coming into the genre at a time when new talent in Enka was on the start of a downturn. His wildly popular debut single "Kokoro Nokori" (Heart Pieces) stayed at the top of the Oricon charts for 4 weeks and ranks 8th overall for 1975. It is a strident song about abandoned love and regret, carried along in its doo-wop styled music. By the year's end, he has won many awards with his song including "Most Excellent Newcomer" in the 17th Japan Record Awards (日本レコード大賞) and the 3rd FNS Song Festival (FNS歌謡祭), "Broadcast Music New Member Prize" in the 6th Japan Song Grand Prix (日本歌謡大賞), and a "New Member Prize" in the Japanese Television Music Festival (日本テレビ音楽祭). Both Hosokawa and his debut song have become established standards in the Japanese music world.

心のこり (Kokoro Nokori)

Music: Yasushi Nakamura / 中村泰士
Lyrics: Rei Nakanishi / なかにし礼

私バカよね おバカさんよね
うしろ指 うしろ指 さされても
あなた一人に 命をかけて
耐えてきたのよ 今日まで
秋風が吹く 港の町を
船が出てゆくように
私も旅に出るわ 明日の朝早く

私バカよね おバカさんよね
大切な 大切な 純情を
わるい人だと 知っていながら
上げてしまった あなたに
秋風の中 枯葉がひとつ
枝をはなれるように
私も旅に出るわ あてもないままに

私バカよね おバカさんよね
あきらめが あきらめが 悪いのね
一度はなれた 心は二度と
もどらないのよ もとには
秋風が吹く つめたい空に
鳥が飛び立つように
私も旅に出るわ 一人泣きながら

Linda Yamamoto - Dounimo Tomaranai (1972)

Artist: Linda Yamamoto / 山本リンダ
Title: Dounimo Tomaranai /
どうにもとまらない
Released: June 5, 1972
Oricon Peak Rank: 3
B-Side: 青い月夜は

(download)

Linda Yamamoto started her career as a teen model, often referred to in fashion circles as the "Japanese Twiggy" for her thin build. She turned to singing and scored her first hit with "Komacchau na" in 1966. However, her fame as a singer was rather middling soon after that and she continued her modeling career. She didn't see another musical success until 1972 when she released her smash hit "Dounimo Tomaranai", which ranked 32nd overall in the 1972 Oricon charts. This exotica-infused number by Shunichi Tokura and Yuu Aku with its incessant conga drumming reshaped Linda Yamamoto from a teen sensation to an star idol. And it didn't hurt that she combined it with her stage dress, slashed low-rise flares and a blazing red shirt tied up to reveal her midriff (or as the Japanese termed it then the "heso-dashi"), giving her performances a provocative sexual appeal in an otherwise conservative society. Regardless, the song proved popular enough to grant her a spot in the 23rd Red-White Song Competition in New Year's Eve of the same year.

どうにもとまらない (Dounimo Tomaranai)

Music: Shunichi Tokura / 都倉俊一
Lyrics: Yuu Aku / 阿久悠

うわさを信じちゃいけないよ
私の心はうぶなのさ
いつでも楽しい夢を見て
生きているのが好きなのさ

今夜は真赤なバラを抱き
器量のいい子と踊ろうか
それともやさしいあのひとに
熱い心をあげようか

あゝ蝶になる　あゝ花になる
恋した夜はあなたしだいなの
あゝ今夜だけ　あゝ今夜だけ
もう　どうにも　とまらない

港で誰かに声かけて
広場で誰かと一踊り
木かげで誰かとキスをして
それも今夜はいいじゃない

はじけた花火にあおられて
恋する気分がもえて来る
真夏の一日カーニバル
しゃれて過ごしていいじゃない

あゝ蝶になる　あゝ花になる
恋した夜はあなたしだいなの
あゝ今夜だけ　あゝ今夜だけ
もう　どうにも　とまらない

Hiromi Iwasaki - Mirai (1976)

Artist: Hiromi Iwasaki / 岩崎宏美
Title: Mirai / 未来
Released: May 1, 1976
Oricon Peak Rank: 2
B-Side: 夏からのメッセージ

(download)


We start with one of my favorite artists, Hiromi Iwasaki. Presented here is her fifth single "Mirai" (The Future) which is one of her more energetic songs, influenced strongly by the burgeoning disco music that would define much of popular music throughout the world in the 1970s. There really isn't much to explain about this song, other than its uplifting melody, tight arrangement, and it's rather inviting beat. While it was highly successful, chart-wise, it was not one of her most defining songs in her repertoire. We will find out which ones are when we come back to her later.


(Hit Studio Night [夜のヒットスタジオ])

未来 (Mirai)

Music: Kyohei Tsutsumi / 筒美京平
Lyrics: Yuu Aku / 阿久悠

あゝ 私の未来はあなたと同じ
あゝ あなたの未来は私と同じ

あなたの甘いくちづけが
私の未来を決めるのよ
愛されてしまったの
小さいけれどしあわせを
あげるとあなたは抱きしめる
うなづいてしまったの
まぶしさにおぼれて
悲しみも見えない
二人だけ 白い部屋

あゝ 私の未来はあなたと同じ
あゝ あなたの未来は私と同じ

小指が話す約束が
私を夢中にさせるのよ
酔わされてしまったの
何もかも あずけて
その腕にぶらさがり
二人だけ青い径

あゝ 私の未来はあなたと同じ
あゝ あなたの未来は 私と同じ . . .

What is Classic J-Pop?

I've mentioned in the first post that this blog will primarily deal with Japanese music from the 1960s through the 1980s (and some ventures into the first few years of the 1990s), so we will be seeing music as diverse as Kyu Sakamoto's 1961 hit "Ue wo Muite Arukou", which later charted at number one two years later in the USA as "Sukiyaki" to the middle stages of singers and groups like Dreams Come True and X-Japan, which border at the point where people into J-Pop will start to hear familiar sounds.

J-Pop for the most part, is not much different from popular music elsewhere, and is also full of the subgenres typical to current popular music, such as folk, rock, bubblegum, dance music and so forth. There is a Wikipedia article on J-Pop that is decently informative, but I think is poorly organized and is not broad enough in scope.

As is said in the article, various influences shaped the sound of Japanese popular music, drawing both from traditional sources from the country to foreign sounds like jazz or rock and roll. After WWII, the general term for most popular songs in Japan was Kayoukyoku (歌謡曲), which to this day still has a concrete definition. It ranges from "music with lyrics" to excluding other song forms like Enka. From the 1960s, much of the music dominant at the time were similar in sound to what may be considered "pop standards" today, akin to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Doris Day. There was also the emergence of Enka (演歌), a particular brand of traditional pop music driven by melancholy and complex romances. By the late 1960s, stronger influences from folk and Western rock music gave rise to the Group Sounds genre, patterned after the British invasion, as well as seeing the first of Japanese Rock such as The Mops and Happy End.

The pop sound of the turn of the 1970s were heavily influenced by European pop music and sounded much like mid 60s American music at the time (for the most part, Japan usually had a 5 to 10 year lag behind the Anglo-American musical front, but that difference diminished significantly in the 1980s). That period also saw the beginnings of the fickle and intense Idol culture that would dominate Japanese music for the next two decades. Artists from the time such as Agnes Chan and Momoe Yamaguchi would later become commonplace in the Asian music world. The rise of New Music and the singer-songwriters like Yosui Inoue and Yumi Matsutoya (neé Arai) and the appropriation of Disco in the middle of the decade showed how quickly the J-Pop sound evolved and adapted to changing tastes.

By the 1980s, the Idol genre was at its peak churning out dozens of potentials but only producing a handful of superstars such as Seiko Matsuda and Akina Nakamori. The tunes became even poppier and the average pitch of female singers began to rise (a trend that doesn't appear to be stopping soon). Mid-decade, the increasing portability of music and increasing connectivity of media worldwide made sure Japanese popular music tastes would not be far behind from the West. During that time, dance-pop from both America and Europe would heavily influence artists that would craft their music in that style, as seen by the likes of Yoko Oginome and Miho Nakayama. As we get to the turn of the 1990s, the J-Pop sound has entered into somewhat familiar territory, and that is where the scope of this blog ends, as there are plenty of resources for music from that point forward.

As for how the content of this blog will be done, a majority of the entries will showcase a single song with statistics as well as lyrics and a video clip if applicable. There may also be entries focusing on a single genre or an artist, when the time seems right for that. Otherwise, the format will be generally free-form, as I doubt there are many English language sites that cover what I'm covering to that extent.

Now we begin the fun part: exploring the genre!

Mission Statement

Hello and welcome to the Classic J-Pop blog, where you will find information and others resources concerning Japanese popular music (pop, folk, rock, and enka) from the 1960s to the late 1980s.

This period of Japanese popular music is for the most part and unknown territory, even to those who enjoy J-Pop and J-Rock today thanks to its inclusion with video games and Japanese animation as well as the growing fanculture surrounding them. For the most part, the music of that period never left Japan or even Asia for that matter, and a few handful across the Pacific have real access to it.

Regardless, where I come in is to help create an easy-access and understandable portal where those interested and curious about classic J-Pop can learn more about the genre and hear new things.

I hope you will enjoy the music that makes up this vast and fascinating period of Japanese popular music, as it is the foundation which led to what most would understand as contemporary J-Pop.

J-Pop Requests

I'll just use this post here to list songs I've encountered, but was unable to obtain a good mp3 copy of it. If you happen to possess a good mp3 copy of the song, I will be much obliged!

Songs listed here can be found as A-Side singles, unless otherwise noted.

アリス - Alice
エスピオナージ [Espionage]

アン・ルイス - Ann Lewis
白い週末 [Shiroi Shuumatsu]
ハッピーヨコハマ [Happy Yokohama]
わかりません [Wakarimasen]
フォー・シーズン [Four Season]
恋のおもかげ [Koi no Omokage]
ごめんなさい [Gomennasai]
ラストコンサート [Last Concert]
女にスジは通らない [Onna ni Suji wa Touranai]

杏里 - Anri
インスピレーション [Inspiration]
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
SURF & TEARS
Back to the BASIC

安西マリア - Maria Anzai
サヨナラ・ハーバーライト [Yokohama Harbor Light]

あおい輝彦 - Teruhiko Aoi
一人の旅 [Hitori no Tabi]
君がいても [Kimi ga Itemo]

新井薫子 - Kaoruko Arai
虹いろの瞳 [Nijiiro no Hitomi]
赤い靴 [Akai Kutsu]
OH!新鮮娘 [Oh! Shinsen Musume]

朝倉理恵 - Rie Asakura
坂の上のアパート [Saka no Ue no Apaato]

チェリッシュ - Cherish
愛の終末 [Ai no Shuumatsu]

ダウン・タウン・ブギウギ・バンド - Downtown Boogie Woogie Band
山谷ブルース [Yamatani Blues]

フォーリーブス - Four Leaves
若いふたりに何が起る [Wakai Futari ni Nani ga Okoru]
ハートブレイク急行 [Heartbreak Kyuukou]

ふきのとう - Fukinotou
冬銀河 [Fuyu Ginga]
メロディー [Melody]
涙のらぶれたあ [Namido no Love Letter]
ひとりの冬なら来るな [Hitori no Fuyu Nara Kuruna]
雨に濡れて [Ame ni Nurete]
12月の雨 [Jyunigatsu no Ame]
季節の夕暮れ [Kisetsu no Yuugure]
星空のページェント [Yozora no Pageant]

布施明 - Akira Fuse
旅愁～斑鳩にて～ [Ryoshuu - Ikaru Nite]
陽ざしの中で [Hizashi no Naka de]
愛よ飛べ [Ai yo Tobe]

郷ひろみ - Hiromi Go
天使の詩 [Tenshi no Shi]
魅力のマーチ [Miryoku no Match]
モナリザの秘密 [Mona Lisa no Himitsu]
わるい誘惑 [Warui Yuuwaku]
悲しきメモリ [Kanashiki Memory]
もういちど思春期 [Mouichido Shishunki]
純情 [Junjou]
美貌の都 [Bibou no To]
ロマンス [Romance]
シャトレ・アモーナ・ホテル [Chartres Amona Hotel]
ヤクシニー [Yakushinii]

浜田朱里 - Juri Hamada
18カラトの涙 [18 Carat no Namida]
本気半分エキストラ [Honki Hanbun Extra]

原田真二 - Shinji Harada
ストロベリー・ナイト [Strawberry Night]

畠田理恵 - Rie Hatada
花と小父さん [Hana no Ojisan]

ハイ・ファイ・セット - Hi-Fi Set
素直になりたいDON'T YOU TELL HIM? [Sunao ni Naritai DON'T YOU TELL HIM?]
熱帯夜 [Nettaiya]
Rainbow signal

光GENJI - Hikaru Genji
笑ってよ [Waratte yo]
風の中の少年 [Kaze no Naka no Shounen]
奇跡の女神 [Kiseki no Megami]
GROWING UP
TAKE OFF
この秋‥ひとりじゃない [Kono Aki . . . Hitorijanai]

弘田三枝子 - Mieko Hirota
恋はノン・ストップ [Koi wa Nonstop]

堀ちえみ - Chiemi Hori
暗くなるまで待って [Kuraku Narumade Matte] (Album)

今井美樹 - Miki Imai
どしゃ降りWonderland [Doshaburi Wonderland] (Album)
Anytime Manytimes (Album)

いしだあゆみ - Ayumi Ishida
小雨の思い出 [Kosame no Omoide]

石川秀美 - Hidemi Ishikawa
Every Night

石川さゆり - Sayuri Ishikawa
おもいで [Omoide]
白い手袋・ささの舟 [Shiroi Tebukuro, Sasa no Fune]
あなたの私 [Anata no Watashi]
霧のわかれ [Kiri no Wakare]
沈丁花 [Jinchouge]
砂になりたい [Sunani Naritai]
流氷 [Ryuuhyou]
命燃やして [Inochi Moyashite]
傷だらけの恋 [Kizudarake no Koi]
天の川情話 [Amanogawa Jouwa]
あなたのためなら [Anata no Tamenara]
港の潮 [Minato no Shio]

石野真子 - Mako Ishino
思いっきりサンバ [Omoikkiri Samba]

伊藤麻衣子 - Maiko Ito
September Summer〜リア・ウインドウに残った夏〜 [Rear Window ni Nokotta Natsu]
Love Shooter
純情ワル [Junjou Wall] (Album)

伊藤敏博 - Toshihiro Ito
親不知情景 [Shinfuchi Joukei]
愛・リフレイン [Ai Refrain]
君にもう一度 [Kimi ni Mouichido]

伊藤つかさ - Tsukasa Ito
クリーム星人 [Cream Boshi Jin] (Album)

五木ひろし - Hiroshi Itsuki
待っている女 [Matteiru Onna]
夜汽車の女 [Yogisha no Onna]

岩井小百合 - Sayuri Iwai
いちごの片想い [Ichigo no Kataomoi]
水色のラブレター [Mizuiro no Love Letter]
パラレルガール [Parallel Girl]
早春メモリー [Soushun Memory]

かぐや姫 - Kaguyahime
酔いどれかぐや姫 [Yoidore Kaguyahime]
ひとり寝のかぐや姫 [Hitori ne no Kaguyahime]
田中君じゃないか [Tanaka Kun Janai ka]

狩人 - Karyudo
白馬山麓 [Shirouma Sanroku]
ブラックサンシャイン [Black Sunshine]
いつも夕暮れ [Itsumo Yuugure]
カルチェラタンの空 [Quartier Latin no Sora]

柏原芳恵 - Yoshie Kashiwabara
ガラスの夏 [Glass no Natsu]
黄昏のダイアリー [Tasogare no Diary]
毎日がバレンタイン [Mainichi ga Valentine]
女ともだち [Onna Tomodachi]
愛しただけよ [Aishita Dakeyo]

片平なぎさ - Nagisa Katahira
二人の青春 [Futari no Seishun]
ウィークエンドは雨ばかり [Weekend wa Ame Bakari]
渚の出来事 [Nagisa no Dekigoto]

鹿取洋子 - Yoko Katori
グッドナイト・ドール [Goodnight Doll]
星のデジャ・ブー [Hoshi no Déjà vu]

葛城ユキ - Yuki Katsuragi
SEASIDE DANCING
沖縄Aサインブルース [Okinawa A Sign Blues]
心からイエスタデイ [Kokorokara Yesterday]
好きやねん [Sukiyanen]

ケメ - Keme
薄化粧 [Usugeshou]
ふたり [Futari]
あの太陽もっと幸あれ [Ano Taiyou Motto Miyuki Are]

研ナオコ - Naoko Ken
一年草 [Ichinen Kusa]
オヽ神様 [O Kamisama]
みにくいあひるの子 [Minikuiahiru no Ko]
くちぐせ [Kuchiguse]
夢枕 [Yumemakura]
別離の黄昏 [Betsuri no Tasogare]
ふられた気分 [Furareta Kibun]
Lonely Way
名画座 [Meigaza]

木元ゆうこ - Yuko Kimoto
ペガサス・ハネムーン [Pegasus Honeymoon]
べつにシンドローム [Betsu ni Syndrome]

木の実ナナ - Nana Kinomi
恋は宝 [Koi wa Takara]
水中花 [Suichuuka]

来生たかお - Takao Kisugi
疑惑 [Giwaku]
ほんのノスタルジー [Hon no Nostalgie]
吐息の日々 [Toiki no Hibi]
美しい女 [Utsukushii Onna] (B-Side)
ゆるやかに愛が [Yuruyaku ni Ai ga] (B-Side)

古都清乃 - Kiyono Koto
長良川夜曲 [Nagaragawa Yakyoku]
天龍育ち [Tenryuu Sodachi] (B-Side)

黒木真由美 - Mayumi Kuroki
銀のめがね [Gin no Megane]

桑名正博 - Masahiro Kuwana
そこからがパラダイス [Sokokara ga Paradise]

ザ・リリーズ - The Lilies
パパ キケン! [Papa Kiken!]
シェルの涙 [Shell no Namida]

松原みき - Miki Matsuhara
ハロー・トゥデイ～Hello Today

松本典子 - Noriko Matsumoto
感性のままに [Kansei no Mama ni] (B-Side)

黛ジュン - Jun Mayuzumi
涙でいいの [Namida de Iino]
バスを降りたら [Bus wo Oritara]
風の大地の子守唄 [Kaze no Daichi no Komori Uta]
男はみんな華になれ [Otoko wa Minna Hana ni Nare]
たとえば鳥 [Tatoeba Tori]

三原順子 - Junko Mihara
ホンキでLove me Good!! [Honki de Love Me Good!!]
悲・GEORGE [Kana GEORGE]
氷河期 [Hyougaki]

森進一 - Shinichi Mori
男ばなし [Otoko Banashi]
悲しいけれど [Kanashii Keredo]
夜行列車 [Yakou Ressha]

森川美穂 - Miho Morikawa
ブルーな嵐 [Blue na Arashi]
サーフサイド・ブリーズ [Surfside Breeze]
Real Mind
心のパーキングゾーン [Kokoro no Parking Zone]
LOVIN' YOU
目覚めたヴィーナス [Mezameta Venus]
翼にかえて [Tsubasa ni Kaete]
君が君でいるために [Kimi ga Kimi te Irutameni]

森田健作 - Kensaku Morita
青春の旅 [Seishun no Tabi]
若い涙はみな熱い [Wakai Namida wa Mina Atsui]
若者たち [Wakamono-tachi]
青春のバラード [Seishun no Ballad]

森田公一&トップギャラン - Kouichi Morita & Top Gallant
沿線名画座 [Ensen Meigaza]

森高千里 - Chisato Moritaka
夜の煙突 [Yoru no Entotsu]

中原めいこ - Meiko Nakahara
眠り姫 [Nemuri Hime] (Album)

中村由真 - Yuma Nakamura
さよならの冒険者たち [Sayonara no Boukensha-tachi]

夏木マリ - Mari Natsuki
裸の青春 [Hadaka no Seishun]
裏切り [Uragiri]
誘惑されて-LIPS・SCANDAL- [Yuuwaku Sarete LIPS SCANDAL]

西田佐知子 - Sachiko Nishida
夜霧のむこうに [Yogiri no Mukouni]
気になるあなた [Ki ni Naru Anata]

小川知子 - Tomoko Ogawa
ドライブイン物語 [Drive-In Monogatari]
恋旅行 [Koi Ryokou] (duet w/ 久保浩 - Hiroshi Kubo)

奥村チヨ - Chiyo Okumura
ああ結婚 [Aa Kekkon]
いつかの約束 [Itsuka no Yakusoku]
川の流れのように [Kawa no Nagare no Youni]
風の慕情 [Kaze no Bojou]
何かありそな西銀座 [Nanika Arisona Nishi Ginza]

大西結花 - Yuka Onishi
好きにして. . . [Suki ni Shite]
MIDNIGHT TV
チューリップの蕾 [Tulip no Tsubomi]

RCサクセション - RC Succession
三番目に大事なもの [San Banme ni Daiji na Mono]

佐良直美 - Naomi Sagara
ギターのような女の子 [Guitar no Youna Onnanoko]
肝っ玉かあさん [Kimottama Kaasan]

西城秀樹 - Hideki Saijo
恋の約束 [Koi no Yakusoku]
涙と友情 [Namida to Yuujou]
至上の愛 [Shijou no Ai]
セクシーロックンローラー [Sexy Rock n' Roller]
エンドレス・サマー [Endless Summer]
漂流者たち [Hyouryuusha-tachi]
哀しみのStill [Kanashimi no Still]
Do You Know
ミスティー・ブルー [Misty Blue]
約束の旅 – 帰港 – [Yakusoku no Tabi - Kikou - ]
心で聞いたバラード [Kokoro de Kiita Ballad]
Blue Sky
夏の誘惑 [Natsu no Yuuwaku]
リバーサイドで逢いましょう [Riverside de Aimashou]

坂口良子 Ryoko Sakaguchi
青い山脈 [Aoi Sanmyaku]

堺正章 - Masaaki Sakai
明日の前に [Ashita no Mae ni]
小さな声で [Chiisana Koe de]
今では遅すぎる [Ima de wa Oso Sugiru]
SONGOKU
遥かなるレディー・リー [Harukanaru Lady Lee]
メリーゴーラウンド [Merry-go-round]
倖・せ・な・女 [Shiawa-se-na-Onna]
二十三夜 [Nijuu Sanya]

榊原郁恵 - Ikue Sakakibara
真夏のファンタジア [Manatsu no Fantasia]

坂本九 - Kyu Sakamoto
そして想い出 [Soshite Omoide]

沢田研二 - Kenji Sawada
アリフ・ライラ・ウィ・ライラ 〜千夜一夜物語〜 [Alif Layla wa-Layla -Senya Ichiya Monogatari-]
女神 [Megami]
きわどい季節 [Kiwadoi Kisetsu]
CHANCE
Muda
ポラロイドGIRL [Polariod GIRL]
DOWN
世界はUp & Fall [Sekai wa Up & Fall]
SPLEEN 〜六月の風にゆれて〜 [Rokugatsu no Kaze ni Yurete]
そのキスが欲しい [Sono Kiss ga Hoshii]
HELLO

世良公則 - Masanori Sera
TOKYO指輪 [TOKYO Yubiwa]

島田奈美 - Nami Shimada
愛を走らせて [Ai wo Hashirasete]

庄野真代 - Mayo Shono
おでかけブギ [Odekake Boogie]

少女隊 - Shoujotai
バランスシート [Balance Sheet]
ナポレオンのくしゃみ [Napoleon no Kushami]

杉田二郎 - Jiro Sugita
八ヶ岳 [Yatsugatake]

立花理佐 - Risa Tachibana
こっちからJoker [Kocchikara Joker]
NEXT

谷山浩子 - Hiroko Taniyama
銀河系はやっぱりまわってる [Gingakei wa Yappari Mawatteru]

田山雅充 - Masamitsu Tayama
人恋しくて [Hitokoishikute]

宇沙美ゆかり - Yukari Usami
SHOCK!
アルカリ少年 [Alkali Shounen]
ツライ・キライ・クライMAX [Tsurai Kirai Kurai-MAX]
風のプリマドンナ [Kaze no Primadonna]

渡辺満里奈 - Marina Watanabe
もう夢からさめないで [Mou Yume Kara Samenaide]

八神純子 - Junko Yagami
幸せの時 [Shiawase no Toki]

山本リンダ - Linda Yamamoto
トンボのメガネ [Tonbo no Megane]
涙は紅く [Namida wa Akaku]
真っ赤な鞄 [Makkana Kaban]
私の恋人,たいやきくん! [Watashi no Koibito, Taiyaki-kun!]
太陽の落し子 [Taiyou no Otoshiko]
失恋蝙蝠男 [Shitsuren Koumori Otoko]

八代亜紀 - Aki Yashiro
港町絶唱 [Minatochou Zesshou]
うしろ影 [Ushirokage]

由紀さおり - Saori Yuki
愛したもうことなかれ [Aishita Mouko to Nakare]
悲しい悪魔 [Kanashii Akuma]
シングルナイト [Single Night]
このままがいいの [Konomama ga Iino]
矢車草～夢二のおんな～ [Yagurumasou -Yume Ni no Onna-]


Definite Rarities (probably doesn't exist in digital formats):

秋川淳子 - Junko Akikawa
南南西 [Nan Nan Sei]

岡崎ひとみ - Hitomi Okazaki
ひとこと言えば [Hitokoto Ieba]

北野ルミ - Rumi Kitano
ギターのように愛されたい [Guitar no Youni Aisaretai]