Greatest Japanese Song Ever

[EndlessWire]

Kyu Sakamoto did not write this song, but he sang it in 1963. Poor guy died in a plane crash years ago, but his song lives on. You can find all sorts of renditions of it, and alternate lyrics. It is a great song.

It is particularly poignant now. Here is a You Tube version for your scrutiny:

[Mr.Bill]

1. I remember a time when you could not turn on the radio without hearing that song.

It was just before the Beatles came to America.

[Irish_Dem]

2. This song was an important part of my childhood.

Loved it then, still love it now.
Reminds me of my years in Japan.

[Iliyah]

3. I love the song! .. ..

Thanks!

[blm]

4. ❤️❤️❤️

[Straw Man]

5. Fabulous song!

We owe Japan an apology for the fact that it was known in this country as "The Sukiyaki Song," which, as one critic pointed out, would be like releasing "Moon River" in Japan under the title "Beef Stew." Then there's the fact that the Taste of Honey version thought it necessary to completely change the original lyrics, which are beautiful in Japanese or in translation.

Ue o muite arukō
Namida ga koborenai youni
Omoidasu haruno hi
Hitoribocchi no yoru
Ue o muite arukō
Nijinda hoshi o kazoete
Omoidasu natsuno hi
Hitoribocchi no yoru
Shiawase wa kumo no ueni
Shiawase wa sora no ueni
Ue o muite arukō
Namida ga koborenai youni
Nakinagara aruku
Hitoribocchi no yoru
Omoidasu akino hi
Hitoribocchi no yoru
Kanashimi wa hoshino kageni
Kanashimi wa tsukino kageni
Ue o muite arukō
Namida ga koborenai youni
Nakinagara aruku
Hitoribocchi no yoru
Hitoribocchi no yoru

I look up while I walk
So the tears won't fall
Remembering those spring days
But tonight I'm all alone
I look up while I walk
Counting the stars with teary eyes
Remembering those summer days
But tonight I'm all alone
Happiness lies beyond the clouds
Happiness lies above the sky
I look up while I walk
So the tears won't fall
I cry while I walk
For I am alone tonight
Remembering those autumn days
But tonight I'm all alone
Sadness hides in the shadow of the stars
Sadness hides in the shadow of the moon
I look up while I walk
So the tears won't fall
My heart is filled with sorrow
For tonight I am alone
For tonight I am alone

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/kyusakamoto/sukiyakiuewomuitearukou.html

[LiberalLoner]

6. Heard it so often as a child, always loved this song.

[lostnfound]

7. This song had political meaning for youthful protestors of corruption and militarism

https://www.npr.org/2013/06/28/196618792/bittersweet-at-no-1-how-a-japanese-song-topped-the-charts-in-1963

It was popular in Japan, then topped the charts in America for several weeks.

The songwriter was wistful at the lost cause of the college youths who occupied the Diet, hoping to stop a security treaty that was signed under anti-democratic circumstances, which represented a move toward Japanese military industry. Trying to remain hopeful by looking forward at a brighter tomorrow, but sad at what was lost.

[malaise]

8. I didn;t even have to click this to know which song it was

Lovely

[Trailrider1951]

9. Yeah, Sukiaki

Kyo Sakamoto sang that song. I was 12 years old, and that was my favorite song the summer of 1963.

[triron]

10. I love that song. My significant other is Japanese.

[PufPuf23]

11. Had a wind up 45 RPM record player in the early 60s as a small child.

The records I can recall off hand are Sukiyaki and Presley's Hound Dog song.

Thank you.

[moreland01]

12. Is it just me

or are all of these singers GORGEOUS!!!???!!!

Love that song!

[Delmette2.0]

13. I recognized the song from the music.

I have always wondered about the translation.

I'm not crying, dammit.

[Wounded Bear]

14. Always wondered what the lyrics meant in translation....

Thanks a lot. I remember it well from many years ago.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

15. Love this tune, nostalgia sets in.

[ancianita]

16. So sweetly, beautifully done. Thank you for this.

Such hope and positivity in the faces, it brings tears.

[Jack-o-Lantern]

17. What a beautiful song to make me smile in these uncertain times...

I was dating a Chinese girl at the time and that beautiful song was everywhere...ah, the memories.

[PurgedVoter]

18. Thank you, this is the song I think of when I think of Japanese music from my childhood.

I never knew the words. I just heard it in every Japanese restaurant.
I am however a serious fan of Japanese music especially if it is sung by Hyashibara Megumi. But then, I was an anime fan from the first time I saw Astro Boy.

[abqtommy]

19. Yes! This is the song I remember from 1963, with a different arrangement and known

then in the U.S. as "Sukiyaki". It was on The Top 100 for a loooong time! Thanks for the
memories!