I think along with "arigato"(ありがとう)and "onegaishimasu"(お願いします), the one other phrase that folks who want to start communicating with the Japanese should internalize is "osewa ni narimashita". That expression means "Thank you for your hospitality/help", and if you've had a service provided to you by friends or host family, this is the phrase to use.
But it was Sakai's old bandmate from The Spiders(ザ・スパイダース), Jun Inoue(井上順), who sang the original version as his 2nd single from September 1971 after his successful solo debut of "Kino - Kyo - Ashita"(昨日・今日・明日). Michio Yamagami(山上路夫)provided the lyrics about a fellow who is going after his dreams but also gives his thanks to the people who had taken care of him in the neighbourhood such as the landlady of the boarding house he lived in.
According to J-Wiki, Tsutsumi based the song on Inoue's own character with some influence from the happy-go-lucky opening theme song to the anime "Sazae-san"(サザエさん)that he also created (good golly, I forgot about that one...Tsutsumi has composed everything!). "Osewa ni Narimashita" peaked at No. 17 on Oricon.
Tsutsumi also did right by Inoue's buddy, Sakai, by giving him his own hit single.
I just watched my recording of this "Uta Kon" episode. You're right, Tsutsumi composed EVERYTHING. I didn't think that many of the popular kayo from the 70's and aidoru stuff from the 80's came from him.
ReplyDeleteCan't say I've heard of the phrase "Osewa ni Narimashita", but it seems important so I'm glad to have learnt it here. As for the song, I can't think of a better song to represent Inoue. Just catchy and jolly tune sung by an adorable fellow.
Hi, Noelle.
DeleteI've got a feeling that a blog can be created just focusing on Tsutsumi's output alone.