For all intents and purposes, Fumina Hisamatsu's（久松史奈）"Tenshi no Kyuusoku" (Rest for an Angel) is the only song that I know by this singer-songwriter from Nagoya, but that electric guitar has had me nostalgic for some of that early 1990s music. I'd assumed from the arrangement and the fact that Hisamatsu has always enjoyed the genre of rock music that she was part of the Being entertainment conglomerate with artists including Ohguro, Zard and B'z, but such was not the case. At the time of this particular song, she was with BMG Victor. Apparently, when Hisamatsu got her start in 1990, she was going to be marketed as an aidoru, but she rather balked at that, and instead aimed for the rock look; not surprising, considering that she wanted to emulate the style of Joan Jett and take on an American rock style in her music.
As for "Tenshi no Kyuusoku", a song of knocking down obstacles and pushing ahead in life, this was Hisamatsu's 5th single from November 1992 which first appeared on the Oricon charts at the No. 44 position before finally breaking into the Top 10 at No. 10, becoming her most successful hit and selling over half a million copies. Singer-songwriter Yukari Fujiu（藤生ゆかり）co-wrote the lyrics alongside Hisamatsu while handling the melody on her own. Ichizo Seo（瀬尾一三）took care of the arrangement. "Tenshi no Kyuusoku" was also a track on her 4th album "Birth" which came out in February 1993 and peaked at No. 9.
"Tenshi no Kyuusoku" was also the theme song for a 1992 NTV drama titled "Kirei ni Naritai"（綺麗になりたい...I Want to be Beautiful） starring Yuri Nakae（中江有里）. Ahhh...those opening credits back then...
This April, Hisamatsu will be releasing a BEST compilation "49 Forty-Nine" in which there is a more wistful version of the song.
I used to have a rocker friend that dresses just like her and rode a Vespa to work everyday. That was so cool. That was back in Tokyo, centuries ago.....
ReplyDeleteHi, LALILOo. Good to hear from you. Hope you still have contact with her. How long were you in Tokyo?
DeleteUnfortunately no. That is one of those things in life that lingers at the back of your head but pops up out of the blue every once in a long while.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog and it sure brings back good memories. I especially enjoyed reading those pages on Arisa Mizuki, Riho Makise, Rie Miyazawa. BTW, I did my studies in Tokyo between 1991-1995.
I can see your passion in your write-ups.
Thanks very much. Glad that the blog articles have stirred up some of those good memories since my own memories have also inspired the articles and vice versa.
Delete