This particular song here (along with any other kayo kyoku dealing with the titular place) has taken on a further poignancy considering that between the time of its release in 1975 and the last several years, the big boss airport for the Tokyo area had been Narita all the way out in the wilds of Chiba Prefecture for many many years while Haneda Airport was the faded glory as more of a domestic hub (although flights were there between Japan and Taiwan). However, up to around the mid-1970s, Haneda had been the mighty airport of destiny in many a song and it was my first entry into Japan in 1972.
"Doyoubi no Yoru wa Haneda ni Kuru no" (I'm Coming to Haneda on Saturday Night) is the B-side to vocal group Hi-Fi Set's（ハイ・ファイ・セット）far more famous "Sky Restaurant"(スカイレストラン) that was released in November 1975 as their 4th single. Created by the same team behind the A-side: lyricist Yumi Arai（荒井由実）, composer Kunihiko Murai（村井邦彦）and arranger Masataka Matsutoya（松任谷正隆）, "Doyoubi no Yoru wa Haneda ni Kuru no" continues that dreamy urban and urbane atmosphere that began at that rooftop restaurant in downtown Tokyo and takes it Haneda Airport a few kilometres away. A woman goes there to remember an old flame who has long since headed for a place overseas perhaps with a new lady on his arm. I'm not sure if her visit to the airport is a one-off or something she does on a weekly basis; I'm hoping that at least she's taking the subway or monorail there instead of a pricey taxi.
As I stated earlier, there seems to be a musical link between the A and B sides but with "Doyoubi no Yoru wa Haneda ni Kuru no", though the arrangement retains the wistful feeling, there is also a sweeter hope that sort of wins out over any bitterness. The lady in question is perhaps ready to move on with her life. In addition, there is also some fine harmonizing with the soft scatting among the Set.
In the last thirteen years that I've been back in Canada, I've managed to visit my old stomping grounds in Japan in 2014 and 2017, and I've gone through the new-and-improved Haneda Airport which has become a bustling transportation centre once more. Restaurants and shops abound galore.
Wow, you first visited Japan in 1972!? How, I envy you I wish I could have seen Japan durning the showa period in person and I think you got to do so two or three times. I first arrived in Japan about 20 years after in 2001. I have used Haneda airport a lot although never for international flights at least not yet.
ReplyDeleteHello, Brian. Happy Holidays and thanks for your good wishes via the Contact Form. Good to hear from you again. How are you spending the end of the year?
DeleteYep, the first visit was in the summer of 1972 when I was but a wee lad. Got to know my first Shinkansen ride, Japanese toilet and how to throw up in a Japanese taxi. :)
Sounds like you had some very vivid memories and you got to Japan even before Dave Spector did! David Spector won the Chicago Japanese speech contest in 1970 and again 1971 (I think). I am not sure what he was in doing in 1972, but I he didn't get to Japan till at lest 8 years in 1983 later I believe.
ReplyDeleteHi, Brian. Spector is certainly more proficient and outgoing with the Japanese language than I ever was. He's been a tarento for decades now.
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