A few years ago, I posted the late Yutaka Ishio's（石尾豊）B-side to his 1986 single "Non-Stop Freeway", "Onna ni Juku shite Kaettekina"（オンナに熟して帰ってきな）, with its snazzy brand of City Pop night life.
Well, compared to the heavy smoke-filled atmosphere of clinking glasses of Old Parr and nightclub hostesses from "Onna ni Juku shite Kaettekina", Ishio's "Non-Stop Freeway" is a much more refreshing ride in the convertible. Nope, I don't think the A-side is really City Pop...more a mix of pop and rock; however, that underlying synth rhythm does remind me of some of the music that I was hearing on Canadian radio back in those mid-1980s. Lyricist Konosuke Fuji（藤公之介）and composer Kingo Hamada（浜田金吾）, who took care of the B-side, were also responsible for the A-side which is really quite the breezy drive away from Roppongi and Shinjuku.
I am not sure why I have not heard of this song before! But, I do not think I will ever forget this one! This is super catchy! It may be too early for me to say this but I think this might be the best song I have heard this week but because it is only Sunday morning in my next of the woods I better not say that. However, I guess it can be my song of the month seeing as this is last day of May.
ReplyDeleteActually, I remember which song "Non-Stop Freeway" reminds me of. It's called "Missing You" by John Waite.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9e157Ner90
Now, that you mention this song does really have those "Missing You" vibes!
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