Hiromi Iwasaki - Nijuushou (Duet) (1975)

Artist: Hiromi Iwasaki / 岩崎宏美
Title: Nijuushou (Duet) /
二重唱 (デュエット)
Released: April 25, 1975
Oricon Peak Rank: 19
B-Side: 月見草

(download)

While we're looking at debut singles, let's go to Hiromi Iwasaki's beginnings as a singer. She entered the Star Tanjou! talent competition in 1974 with her rendition of the hit ballad "Anata" (originally by Akiko Kosaka). Her performance there garnered interest from scouts from eight different record labels, but she eventually went with Victor Records and underwent preparations for her official entrance as a professional. "Duet" was your generic pop tune, a safe and catchy song to test the waters for the sixteen year-old. It wasn't entirely ordinary, however. The song displayed Hiromi's vocal range that would eventually be one of her leading qualities, and despite her youth, her voice already has the mature edge to its tone that would improve as she develops her style. The arrangement by Mitsuo Hagita was also well integrated and one of the best-sounding in its time. It's showing on Oricon hit the Top 20, which isn't bad for a first song. However, compared to her entire output, it is probably the song that is the least like her style (another distinction shared with "Slow Motion" by Akina Nakamori).

二重唱 (デュエット) (Niijuushou [Duet])

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

あなたがいて 私がいて
ほかに 何もない
ただ秘密の匂い たちこめるだけ
あなたが好き ほんとに好き
二人それだけを
ただ小鳥のように くり返すだけ

くちづけするのなら
素早く盗んで
返事などさせないで 泣いてしまう
誰かに少しねたまれそうな
あなたと 私の恋の時

あなたの手が 私の手を
強くにぎりしめ
もうはなさないよと ささやいている
あなたのため 心をみな
見せてあげたいと
今せつないほどに 私は思う

ふるえているけれど
おびえていないわ
しあわせがかけめぐり とまらないの
何かをいうと 涙になるの
あなたと 私の恋の時

あなたがいて 私がいて
ほかに 何もない
ただ秘密の匂い たちこめるだけ
あなたが好き ほんとに好き
二人それだけを
ただ小鳥のように くり返すだけ

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 . . .