Hiromi Ohta - Amadare (1974)

Artist: Hiromi Ohta / 太田裕美
Title: Amadare / 雨だれ
Released: November 1, 1974
Oricon Peak Rank: 14
B-Side: 白い季節

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Fusion acts weren't uncommon during the 1970s as changing styles can often blend into one another. Hiromi Ohta is one such example of that fusion, between the worlds of pop music and that of the singer-songwriters that dominated the New Music scene. Having already launched her showbusiness career as a member of the singing and dancing youth troupe in the variety show Stage 101, she eventually became the most successful of the former members during her solo career. Though she didn't write her debut single "Amadare" (Raindrops), her input was noted by Kyohei Tsutsumi, who devoted a significant role in the song to the piano, her primary instrument. The motif of rain is present in the lyrics and in the music, from the small flourishes of the piano to the descending strings in the chorus. The minor key of the song gives it an air of somberness, her voice: gentle, a little frail, yet clear and persistent, deepens the effect of the lyric's description of separation and longing (seemingly a common trope in Japanese lyrics). Though released late in 1974, it eventually garnered enough attention the following year, earning her a respectable Top 20 hit in the charts as well a nomination for "Best New Artist" in the Japan Records Awards in 1975.


(17th Japan Record Awards [第17回日本レコード大賞])

雨だれ
(Amadare)

Music: Kyohei Tsutsumi / 筒美京平
Lyrics: Takashi Matsumoto / 松本隆

ひとり　雨だれは淋しすぎて　
あなた　呼びだしたりしてみたの　
ふたりに傘がひとつ　
冬の街をはしゃぐ風のように　
寒くはないかと気づかうあなたの　
さりげない仕草に気持がときめく　
淋しがりやどうし　肩よせあって　
つたえあうのよ　弾む恋の芽ばえ

何故か　あなたに甘えたくなって　
そっと　腕を組んだ街角よ　
ふたりの影はひとつ　
いつか愛に優しく包まれて　
見つめる瞳にふれあい探すの　
心がほのかに高まってゆくのよ　
淋しがりやどうし　そっと寄りそい　
感じあうのよ　熱い恋の芽ばえ

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

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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