Masahiro Kuwana -- On The Highway（オン・ザ・ハイウェイ）

 

The last time that I wrote up on the late multi-genre singer-songwriter and musician Masahiro Kuwana（桑名正博）was back in 2019 for his "Dancing" song. Moreover, I did provide an article regarding his sister, Haruko（桑名晴子）, just last week, so it's high time to bring back her brother.

"On The Highway" is the lead track on Kuwana's third album "Tequila Moon"（テキーラ・ムーン）from July 1978. I'd been wondering whether this would land in the City Pop file, an area that the singer has also plied his music, but I think that this appealing start to the album is more along the lines of the country/rock edge of AOR. Written by Itsuro Shimoda（下田逸郎）and composed by Kuwana himself, it's the story of a fellow coming home to his one-and-only love after a while on the road. Not surprisingly, "On The Highway" is one upbeat tune of anticipation, powered along by the horns and the guitars. 

Kuwana passed away a decade ago at the age of 59, and his birthday is just a few weeks away, but I'm hoping that wherever he is, he is looking down on this song with some pride and joy...and perhaps lifting a mug of beer in tribute.