Mariya Takeuchi -- Ashita no Watashi（明日の私）

My friend and former contributor to "Kayo Kyoku Plus", JTM, and I were having a chat last night about a number of things including "The Last Jedi" and last week's annual Kohaku Utagassen. As I've mentioned before, the show didn't earn all that much in the ratings department so the two of us were talking about the future of the show. Well, I think it will continue to slog on unchanged for the most part perhaps until 2020 since NHK has declared that it would keep the same theme of "Let's Sing A Dream" until the Tokyo Olympics are done. On the other hand, perhaps some more ambitious producers may decide to renovate once the new reign period begins with the accession of the new Emperor near the middle of 2019.

So, "Ashita no Kohaku"? Not sure at all. However, let me try to segue smoothly to "Ashita no Watashi" (The Me of Tomorrow), Mariya Takeuchi's（竹内まりや）23rd single from March 25th 1994. The timing was good for this release since April is seen on the Japanese calendar as the start of not just a new financial year but basically a fresh start for pretty much everybody.

Takeuchi's husband Tatsuro Yamashita（山下達郎）produced this bouncy and optimistic entry about leaving the old hometown and heading to strike it big in the city. Although Mariya's lyrics talk of making those new friends, having those long phone calls and aromatherapy sessions, and not coming back until she makes a success of herself, the music is still more reminiscent of getting out somewhere on the beach. Mind you, Tokyo has got a pretty nice beachfront thanks to Odaiba.

"Ashita no Watashi" managed to peak at No. 19 on Oricon. According to J-Wiki, the song has only been placed on one album thus far which is "Impressions", her 2nd BEST album from July 1994.

(karaoke version)