Noriyuki Makihara -- Namida no Christmas （涙のクリスマス）

Unlike the other Xmas-y tune, "Fuyu ga Hajimaru yo" （冬がはじまるよ） on Noriyuki Makihara's（槇原敏之）3rd album, "Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono" （君は僕の宝物) (June 1992), "Namida no Christmas" (Tearful Christmas) is another track on the album which falls firmly into the category of the sad and wistful J-Xmas song. A fellow walks along the city streets to his apartment where he used to be with someone special....probably getting just the Kentucky Fried Chicken six-pack instead of the barrel for the 24th. Ah, life.... Still, it's a nice song to listen to; I just love the sax bridge, and Makihara just seems to sing out a scene that probably a lot of men...and women...have gone through during the Holidays in Tokyo.

(cover version)