Sukiyaki Song-See If You Remember It

If you're like most people, you're probably familiar with this 1963 song, but could never quite remember the name of it or who sang it, and you sure couldn't sing along even though you have wanted to. 

I'm referring to "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto. Click on the video below to hear the beautiful song while you continue reading the fascinating story about the song and the artist.  I'm sure you'll recognize it if you're a Baby Boomer. 

Kyu Sakamoto was born Hisashi Oshima on December 10, 1941 in Kawaski, Japan.

He was the youngest of nine childeren. His nickname "Kyu" means nine.

In 1958 he joined the Japanese pop-band "The Drifters" as a singer.

In 1971 he married Yukiko Kashiwagi and they had two daughters, Hanako and Maiko.

Kyu Sakamoto's most popular song, was Ue o muite arukō ("I Look Up When I Walk") and known as "Sukiyaki" in the United States. It topped the pop charts for three weeks in 1963. it is the only song sung entirely in Japanese to do that.

The song tells the story of man who looks up while he walks and whistles to avoid letting his tears fall. The word "Sukiyaki" was chosen because it was a Japanese word known to American audiences that they thought Americans could pronounce and remember. It actually had nothing to do with the song at all. According to Wikipedia, "a Newsweek columnist noted that the re-titling was like issuing "Moon River" in Japan under the title "Beef Stew."

"Sukiyaki" has since been performed by "A Taste of Honey" in 1981. It reached #3 on the Hot 100 and remained in the Hot 100 chart for 24 weeks. It was also in the US Top 10 being performed by R&B vocal group "4 P.M. (4 Positive Music) in 1994.

Probably the most touching is solo violinist Diana Yukawa who recorded the "Sukiyaki" song on her bestselling debut album (known as Elegy in the UK and La Campanella in Japan). She has also performed it at various times on the mountainside where her father, Akihisa Yukawa, died in the Japan Airlines Flight 123 crash together with Kyu Sakamoto on August 12, 1985.

Just twelve minutes into the flight the plane experienced difficulties and signaled there was a problem. Approximately thirty minutes later the plane crashed. Before the aircraft hit the ground, Kyu Sakamoto was able to write a farewell note to his wife.

All 15 crew members and 505 out of 509 passengers died, resulting in a total of 520 deaths and 4 survivors.

It remains the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history.

ue o muite arukou

I look up when I walk

So the tears won't fall

Remembering those happy spring days

But tonight I'm all alone

I look up when I walk

Counting the stars with tearful eyes

Remembering those happy summer days

But tonight I'm all alone

Happiness lies beyond the clouds

Happiness lies above the sky

I look up when I walk

So the tears won't fall

Though my heart is filled with sorrow

For tonight I'm all alone

(whistling)

Remembering those happy autumn days

But tonight I'm all alone

Sadness hides in the shadow of the stars

Sadness lurks in the shadow of the moon

I look up when I walk

So the tears won't fall

Though my heart is filled with sorrow

For tonight I'm all alone

(whistling)