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.
Background on Kyu Sakamoto
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.
Sukiyaki
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.
Great Links
- Nippop | Kyu Sakamoto
Kyu Sakamoto has the distinction of being the only Japanese artist to ever to score a #1 hit internationally. His song "Ue o Muite Aruko", known outside Japan as "Sukiyaki", went to #1 in the US Billboard charts. - Sukiyaki (Ue o muite arukoo)
- Kyu Sakamoto Memorial
- Japanorama: Kyu Sakamoto Profile & Sukiyaki Lyrics
- Kyu Sakamoto's Official Website
Japanese Lyrics
ue o muite arukou
namida ga kobore naiyouni omoidasu harunohi hitoribotchi no yoru ue o muite arukou nijinda hosi o kazoete omoidasu natsunohi hitoribotchi no yoru shiawase wa kumo no ueni shiawase wa sora no ueni ue o muite arukou namida ga kobore naiyouni nakinagara aruku hitoribotchi no yoru whistling omoidasu akinohi hitoribotchi no yoru kanashimi wa hosino kageni kanashimi wa tsukino kageni ue o muite arukou namida ga kobore naiyouni nakinagara aruku hitoribotchi no yoruAmericanized Lyrics
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)