Takao Kisugi -- Goodbye Day

"Goodbye Day" was singer-songwriter Takao Kisugi's（来生たかお） 10th single released in May 1981. Since his debut in 1976, Kisugi has been known for his soothing melodies of which "Goodbye Day"is a representative example. And for this and all of his other songs, his sister, Etsuko（えつこ）, has been the lyricist. Takao has stated that his influences have been The Beatles and Gilbert O'Sullivan, and certainly his voice has a passing resemblance to the latter singer. I first came across this song on a compilation tape that I'd bought in Chinatown, and initially pegged him as the Perry Como of Japanese pop music. Even in person, he has that rather relaxed expression that Como had.

There have been various arrangements of "Goodbye Day"over the years. This is one which is a bit more heavy on the strings. I actually prefer the original as depicted in the other video which is somewhat less florid, for a lack of a better word.

"Goodbye Day" wasn't a hit although his fans (me included) acknowledge that this is one of his most famous works. It was also released on his 6th album, "Sparkle", in July 1981. The song was also used as the theme for a police show shown on Fuji-TV in the same year, starring Group Sounds legend, Yuzo Kayama（加山雄三）, as a detective.