Sukiyaki (Japanese love song) - Kyu Sakamoto
The song went to number one on the American Billboard pop charts for three weeks in 1963-- the only song sung entirely in Japanese to ever do so.
The song's original title, Ue o muite arukō ("I Look Up When I Walk") was considered too difficult for American audiences to pronounce and remember, so they changed the name to Sukiyaki which is a type of Japanese food.
The lyrics when translated tell the story of a man who looks up and whistles while he is walking so that his tears won't fall. The verses of the song describe him doing this through each season of the year.
The singer, Kyu Sakamoto, is considered one of Japan's most influential musicians. He died in a Japan Airlines crash in 1985. Before the plane crashed, he was able to write a farewell note to his wife.
I hope you like it as much as I do.
XOXO,
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2 comments:
That is an absolutely beautiful song! I am so happy you pointed it out.
I have heard a more recent version sung in English that I didn't care for at all...but this really is beautiful.
~Emily
I'm totally buying that song. LOVE it. I've been obsessed with this song for many months now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhJMhJZII8E&feature=related
Golden Teeth And Silver Medals
Anybody tell you that there is no resale value when your romance goes to hell you better say farewell to what you thought was wealth
Ever get the feeling that the paint has started peeling
Are you staring at the ceiling of your castle dreaming that you're someone else
Would you like to meet me in this song
I've been hoping to
Would you like to come and prove me wrong
No, I'll agree with you
Golden teeth and silver medals
Beauty marks and scars
That is what we got
Raindrops in a reservoir
And minutes in a jar
That is what we got
Maybe if I had another drink I'd see the pattern in the blinking of the traffic lights, do you think you're happy, Nikolai
I don't know the answer, Nina
Life is like a melody
A pendulum that swings between the major and the minor it's a lullaby
Now I'm so glad I met you in this song
It's just a breath I'll throw
I'm so glad you're here to sing along
My voice into the flow
Golden teeth and silver medals
Beauty marks and scars
That is what we got
Raindrops in a reservoir
And minutes in a jar
That is what we got
I'm a little worried that the worst is yet to come
I'm afraid they'll leave us out here, melting in the sun
We'll be second best until we know
We have won
But until we do, we'll sing this song
Till we know we've won
We'll sing until our need for it is gone
We'll be singing this song
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