Akiko Yano -- Donna Toki mo, Donna Toki mo, Donna Toki mo （どんなときも、どんなときも、どんなときも）

On "Hitotsudake", the BEST selection of Akiko Yano's（矢野顕子） songs, this tune with the obsessive-compulsive title, "Donna Toki mo, Donna Toki mo, Donna Toki mo"(No Matter When x 3) just followed her big hit single of "Harusaki Kobeni"（春咲小紅） on the track list. And I thought it made for a good thematic sequel for it as well. The fun and frenzy of "Harusaki Kobeni"seemed to reflect a girl's joy/panic at getting that date with the handsomest boy in class while "Donna Toki mo x 3" was at the end of the date when that tired but still happy lass realized her new beau had been just as nervous; she could now take the driver's seat and calm him down.

Little did I know that Yano and Shigesato Itoi（糸井重里） had written the lyrics from the boy's point of view according to the pronouns used. I guess Yano's sweet breathy voice and the coquettish melody had me thinking otherwise. It is still very much an adorable love song from the guy to his girl with Yano singing at the very end that the lass will always be wonderful no matter when, no matter when, no matter when.

The guys from Yellow Magic Orchestra are backing her up here, and there is this great steel guitar by Hiroki Komazawa which comes during the bridge and the end which neither makes "Donna Toki mo x 3" sound Country nor Hawaiian, but it does add to the marvelous world of whimsy that Yano inhabits. The song was never released as an official single but is a track on her 6th album, "Ai ga Nakucha ne"(愛がなくちゃね....Gotta Have Love, Eh?), which was released in June 1982.

Perhaps I should've made this one the Valentine's Day entry.