Aug 3, 2010

Seiko Matsuda - Aoi Sangoshou (1980)

Artist: Seiko Matsuda / 松田聖子
Title: Aoi Sangoshou / 青い珊瑚礁
Released: July 1, 1980
Oricon Peak Rank: 2
B-Side: TRUE LOVE~そっとくちづけて


(download)


The new era of Japanese popular music was ushered in with those sweeping strings introducing the soaring voice of a nascent superstar in the first few lines of the song. "Blue Lagoon", Seiko Matsuda's second single quickly reached the second spot of the charts, and would be her last single to not reach No. 1 for years to come.

The song paints a bright picture of a seaside with a glittering coral reef, and the budding romance the singer shares with her love, comparing her feelings of love in the chorus to the rush of the south wind. Musically, the song is a good example of the transition from the 70s pop style to the 80s pop style, with tighter arrangements, more use of electric instruments and emphasis on a steady beat, but elements of more traditional song-making such as the the strings used still remain. The expressively reaching chorus and the more intimate verses display the melodic contrast used to help emphasize the tone of the lyrics. Matsuda's singing here is unabashed, strong, and yet at the same time exhibit a lighter touch when needed, elements that would show up in a more developed form later in her career.

By 1980, the previous era of pop stars, dominated by the likes of Momoe Yamaguchi and Pink Lady was fading fast, and while there were many fresh faces in the couple years prior, none had brought in the paradigm shift in music that Seiko Matsuda and her contemporaries did, creating a new song that would bring about what many would define the decade as the golden age of idols.


(Drif's Big Laugh [ドリフ大爆笑])

青い珊瑚礁
(Aoi Sangoshou)


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

あゝ私の恋は南の風に乗って走るわ
あゝ青い風切って走れあの島へ

あなたと逢うたびに
すべてを忘れてしまうの
はしゃいだ私は little girl
熱い胸聞こえるでしょう
素肌にキラキラ珊瑚礁
二人っきりで流されてもいゝの
あなたが好き!
あゝ私の恋は南の風に乗って走るわ
あゝ青い風切って走れあの島へ

涙がこぼれるの
やさしい目をして見ないで
うつ向き加減の little rose
花びら触れて欲しいの
渚は恋のモスグリーン
二人の頬が近づいてゆくのよ
あなたが好き!
あゝ私の恋は南の風に乗って走るわ
あゝ青い風切って走れあの島へ

Aug 2, 2010

Ikue Sakakibara - Al Pacino+Alain Delon < Anata (1977)

Artist: Ikue Sakakibara / 榊原郁恵
Title: Al Pacino+Alain Delon < Anata
アル・パシーノ+アラン・ドロン<あなた
Released: October 1, 1977
Oricon Peak Rank: 22
B-Side: U.S.航空便


(download)

For those of middle age who watch television in Japan, Ikue Sakakibara has been around since they started growing up. Though now a well-seasoned tarento, who can put various roles under her belt, her early career was that of a singer. Her slightly boyish looks and sweet voice that belies her firy personality endeared her to fans early on. Her fourth single was a breakthrough hit, placing in the Top 40 of Oricon and sending her around the television circuit for heavy promotion.

"Al Pacino Plus Alain Delon aren't as Great as You" was a rather provocative and lengthy title for a song. From the pen of a young Yukinojou Mori (a.k.a. Joe Lemon), the song's slightly teasing nature melds in well with its heartfelt verses. The singer compares her boyfriend to that of actors Al Pacino and Alain Delon, then quite popular names in the late 1970s, claiming that the two are still actors playing roles and couldn't possibly measure up to him who is more genuine. The music is breezy, punctuated by an accordion that gives it the atmosphere of something of a vignette. Sakakibara's singing is straightforward and unembellished, contributing to the sense of liberty of mind the song evokes. While it may not be a number one hit, the song proved to be a great testing ground for both a budding songwriter and a budding singer.

アル・パシーノ+アラン・ドロン<あなた
(Al Pacino+Alain Delon < Anata)

Music & Lyrics: Yukinojou Mori / 森雪之丞

アル・パシーノのまねなんかして
ちょっとニヒルに 笑うけど
あなたらしさ 感じられなくて
この恋 醒めちゃいそう

坂の上のカフェで紅茶飲んでる時も
あなた片肘ついて気取りすぎだわ
恋の注意信号 あの日みつけた
やさしさ今は よく見えないの

アラン・ドロンのふりなんかして
甘い言葉 ささやくけど
きっとあなたが 望んでるもの
探せやしないでしょう

「君はこの頃変だ」なんて口をとがらせ
あなた怒りだすけどわかってほしい
うわべだけの まぶしさだけじゃ
二人の恋もそのうちこわれてしまう

アル・パシーノもドロンもいいわ
だけど 信じて 誰よりも
とてもてれやの あなたが好きよ
あなたが 大好きなの

アル・パシーノもドロンもいいわ
だけど 信じて 誰よりも
とてもてれやの あなたが好きよ
あなたが 大好きなの