I've spoken a number of times about some of the so-called long-lost songs in the mists of my memories...those old kayo that I used to hear but never knew their singers or titles. However, certain excerpts of it have stuck in my brain since forever. Well, last night, another mystery was solved after decades, and all I had to do was flip the side of a 45" which has one of the most internationally famous songs from Japan.
Well, as soon as the needle hit the vinyl, and those first bars came through, my long-term memory engrams exploded in recognition. It was one of my lost boys coming back to roost in my brain. I remembered those frenetic violins and the rest of that old-style brassy orchestra flying away as this high-pitched voice collaborated to create what sounded like a really upbeat song that could have been a showstopping Broadway piece midway through the musical.
Instead "Ano Ko no Namae wa Nanten kana" was a short comical number partnered with one of the most famous if bittersweet kayo in Japanese music history. It was definitely a tough act to follow which might explain why it hasn't gotten much attention all these years. But it was still Sakamoto, it was still created by the same songwriters behind "Sukiyaki", Hachidai Nakamura and Rokusuke Ei（中村八大・永六輔）, and it's still fun to listen to.
Basically, Kyu is singing about a fellow who falls for some lady while seeing the back of her from a distance, presumably in some department store for reasons that will become evident within a few sentences. As those hearts flutter around the suddenly heads-over-heels lad, he starts wondering what she would way at any courtship attempts and, more importantly, he also takes a shot at figuring out what her name is. Is it Hanako? Midori? Misasa? The sky's the limit. And by the end of the song, he finally gets the gumption to approach the lass...only to find out it's a mannequin! Hey, I'm not judging here.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any actual stage performances of "Ano Ko no Namae wa Nanten kana" on YouTube but I would think that it would have had to have been performed on TV since I could easily envision a comical rendition with matching choreography. When I still just had that excerpt of the song in memory all those years, I had assumed it was actually Kiyoko Suizenji（水前寺清子）because of the sharp high voice and just the really happy nature of the song.
Now I can happily cross another long-lost song off my list and proudly consider it found.😃
I understand about the memories; I remember pestering my mom to play "Sukiyaki" over and over in the diner jukebox :) Question: a lot of Japanese wax is colored; I have red, dark red, white, picture discs ....... even "Valentine Kiss" on yellow (never seen it on - hello - RED ?!). Do you know what the philosophy was as to what and when to issue on colored vinyl? A lot of Kayama Yuzo was issued as colored, and kids records / anime (a bit more understandable). Any thoughts as to the significance ?
ReplyDeleteHello, T-cat.
DeleteThe copy of "Sukiyaki/Ano Ko no Namae wa Nanten kana" that I have is actually red. And from what I read on J-Wiki about Kokusho's "Valentine Kiss" is that it even said that the first edition of the single came out on yellow without any reason given.
I actually tried to find the reason and apparently one such reason is that record companies wanted to have their artists' works stand out more, although like you, I don't quite understand why "Valentine Kiss" would come out in yellow instead of red. You can take a look at the article here: http://www.rarerecords.net/record-info/colored-vinyl-records/
So far, among the 45" collection, I've got mostly black but a few reds (wine?).
Good heavens! Did your local diner jukebox have "Sukiyaki"? That would be amazing!
The early 60's were a good time for music: we had Sukiyaki from Japan, Millie Small from Jamaica, everything from England, Motown, and still "oldies". Sukiyaki got a lot of airplay down here by New York. Got to say the finest picture disc I've seen is もしもタヌキが世界にいたら・ユミ not to mention a very soothing listen (both versions).
DeleteMotown is definitely one genre that has been a fine legacy from the 1960s. I still remember hearing "Stop in the Name of Love" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" as a toddler.
DeleteJapan embraced some of the US bobbysoxer pop and country during the 1960s, and of course Group Sounds were all about following The Beatles and other bands from American and England.
So funny: just a few minutes ago I went through the perfect replay of your experience. I went for a quick call at a bank I never went before, as my usual branch was off dutt for a black-out. On my way there, I crossed a little temporary street market of no interest, except for a stall with a few vintage record on display. I usually never pay attention to such offers, for the simple reason that … i’ve got everithing. I mean, every vintage record I dream to possess is already safe in my collection. Most of them, from the origin, as first buyer and owner and the rest as a result of almost half a century of scouting around the globe, thanks to the fact that I’ve been travellng as an airline crew for more than 30 years. Much to my surprise I found this copy of Sukiyaky, with the friendly smiling face of good old Kyu (r.i.p.) . on it watchong right into my eyes. Saying I’ve got a collection of ALL the records I I WANT to have, does not mean I own a million of vinils. I make selections at my discretion, as any relaxed collector should do, in order to satisfy my fantasy and curiosity and not my anxiety of possession of showing it off, or just for the envy of others. So, for some reason I can’t explain, despite the fact that I love that tune… I never wanted to buy it those many times I had the canches to do it. Even if it was one of my odest memories and even if I can remember it since I was four y.o. , in 1961 and it never stopped giving me good vibrations and good feelings. Actually, tje truth is that I never wanted to take that disc as a part of the family, because I did not want to betray a friend. Who? I did not know. That was the probem. I only knew a strange japanese tune i heard, probably om the radio, but also on tape rcorder of… who knows who friend of my older brother. I can only say it was a sudden enthusiasm and my first and possibly, only, love in Nippon pop music. Never known the singer, never known the title. But I’ve been singing that tune for six decades now. Nobody could help me: Japanese friends, experts, wikipedia, youtube… never I had the chance to hear it on the radio. No hope to Shazam it. So, I told myself I would never divert to anything ( vintage ) japanese if don’t solve my mistery before.All In respect of the unknown song. But today, when I saw that cover blinking om that desk, I felt like Ryu could talk to me, telling me… Go for it ! Break your promise, I can give you permission and you will soon be learning why. I Rushed home and I found my daughter Cecilia. We have just recovered from his hidden nest in the basement the old turntable of my youth. A bit scratching, but still faithfully serviceable. It is almost a week we are engaged in an unstoppable friendly but fierce competition on finding out the best discovery among hundreds of semi-fotgotten song, songeriters and singers under the patient arm and pick up of the old record player. Until, minutes ago, I came back home with this latest finding. I told her: let me just hear and find out what’s on the back side of this Sukiaki. D’ya remember? It’s that japanese hit I once told you… Next thing she could hear and see after the first notes playing, was me screaming and jumping, beating my chest as an overexcited gorilla and shouting: After sixty yars ! That’ it ! That’s it !!! We are still in search of our innocent and scary kitten, probably hidden on top of fhe higest tree in the garden, with its fur like porcupine.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you found your song after so long.
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