Long time, no see Takako Okamura（岡村孝子）. Nice to have you back on KKP.
Back in 2019, I posted an article on the singer-songwriter's March 1986 3rd single "Haguresou na Tenshi"（はぐれそうな天使）, one of her most famous tunes and a song that had quite the mysterious and even thrilling arrangement about a woman who was about to fall in love. Well, I have the B-side here and that is "Hitoribocchi no Kokoro wo Dakishimete" (Embrace a Lonely Heart) which could have been the thematic sequel to the A-side since it deals with a woman who has just fallen out of love but still hasn't quite gotten over it yet in a "Awww...you need a hug" sort of way. It's a straight-ahead lush piano ballad that likely has had listeners reaching for the 2-ply Kleenex.
The main lyricist was Toshie Nakaniwa or Nakaba（中庭とし江）with Okamura providing some assistance on the words while the latter took care of the melody. I had never heard of the lyricist before and that is probably because the song itself was concocted on one of Okamura's radio programs perhaps through a contest involving a listener trying her hand on songwriting.
Loooove Takako. This song is very typical of her style. Perhaps a bit predictable, but Takako's voice is beautiful enough to listen to all the way through :) -si02
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate the sweet and delicate songs that she has provided over the years. Perhaps predictable, but I can never imagine Takako-san swinging and smashing an electric guitar while singing death metal. :)
DeleteThe previous post from Anonymous echoed my thoughts — I love Takako! Great song from her with a lovely chorus.
ReplyDeleteI think it's at this sort of time heading into the Holiday season that her music is especially appreciated in a non-Xmas sort of way.
DeleteI instantly became a fan after hearing Takako Okamura’s [Yume wo Akiramenaide] ! Where and when I do not remember. This song seems to have debuted a year before the previously mentioned song, and as Anonymous mentioned it has Takako's trademark style. That's okay as I do not think I will ever be tired of listening to her voice. J-Canuck thank's for giving this one a write up.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's nice to post up a Takako song after so long.
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