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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)
Comments
Something I've never heard of. Such a sad song.
- Author
Really? I thought everyone knew of the song although they may not have known the lyrics or story behind the song and Kyu. I've always loved the song. It's so pretty.
KCC, I'd never heard of the song or the artist before, totally news to me. It like the image of walking and looking up to avoid the tears from falling, it's very poetic. Would you please post a link to the video here in the comments? Or will I find it in the official page?
Thanks for the translation! Love it.
- Author
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- Author
Hopefully, that link will work for you, Elena. Until yesterday, I had no idea what the Americanized words were. I've heard the song all my life and thought it was beautiful. I found the entire story fascinating as I began to research it yesterday.
Glad you enjoyed it Frieda!
Thanks for reminding me of this lovely song. I can't remember when or where I heard it, but it was instantly recognisable and yes -- even if we don't understand the words, it's poignant.
Now I was sure I had not heard of this song but as soon as I played the yotube I remembered it. I would have been 11 at the time. Memories. Sad story also.
Sad story. Loved the song....nice to hear it in the original language. I remember it . It was very popular in the 60s. How are you doing with your Hub Challenge?
Oh... that brings back memories! But you know, I didn't know this tragedy that happened to him. Very sad. This was a great Hub KCC Thank you!
- Author
Thanks Teresa, I think many will recognize it when they hear it. I've always been curious about it. I'm glad I finally took the time to research it. Then it was too interesting not to share.
Ethel, I'm glad you remembered it. It is a sad song and sad story. But, such a pretty song. I'm glad I was able to find the video.
Alekhouse, I'm glad you remembered it. You have a new avatar. I like it. I completed the hub challenge last week. I agreed to 30 hubs, but had a personal goal of 35 hubs to make my 100 total. This hub is my 36th in the challenge and 101 total. Thanks for asking!
AM Gwynn: Glad you enjoyed the hub. I learned quite a few things I didn't know either when I did the research.
Thanks to all for stopping by and commenting.
*whistle, whistle, whistle, whistle....* This song is gonna be in my head all day.. I'm even typing in r h y t h m t o t h e s o n g . . . Yeah! Thank you for the words, now I can sing in Japanese!!!
- Author
LOL....it is fun to follow along in Japanese now, isn't it, Candie?
I remember hearing this when I was little. Far out! Thanks for sharing.
- Author
It is cool to hear something you haven't heard in a long time, isn't it Paper Moon? I might just have to write another hub about another song I just thought of.
I can remember the tune to the song, my teacher used to hum it in class. I wished I had asked then, what was that song he were humming, alas, he was a meanie, and I was surprised he could even do anything other than give F's. I enjoyed this hub so, a great read, and the video was perfect, as I played the song, as you recommended, as I read.
- Author
Awwww...thank you, AIDY for playing it as you read. I thought it was one you could do that on since you couldn't sing along. Although, now that I've provided the words, you can. Now you know the song he was humming. But, that is sort of the point to this hub. So many of us have heard it and have never know what it is called because we don't know any of the words to look it up either. I stumbled on the video in another hub and then had enough info to do the research.
Love the song - never knew the history or tragedy behind it - thanks KCC!
- Author
I'm glad you enjoyed it Shalini! It is beautiful, isn't it?
loved the song I had never heard it before it was great trying to sing along in Japanese. thanks for another interesting hub.
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Glad you enjoyed it Maggs! Thanks for stopping by!
I remember this from Diana Yukawa's album, I actually dug it out to listen again - Its a very beautiful track. I hear that Diana is releasing another album later this year although i dont think its clasical from what I can see.
- Author
I haven't heard Diana's version yet. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Little Dom!
I know the 80s and the 90s versions of this songs and that the wong is a Japanese pop song. But I think the English versions that I know have modified lyrics. I think they start with
"It's all because of you
I'm feeling sad and blue
You went away and now my
life is such a rainy day..."
Cool, thanks for sharing this :D
- Author
When doing some of the research for this hub I think I found the lyrics you are talking about. I have never known the lyrics even though I've known of the song since I was small child. I need to hunt down the newer versions and listen to them. Thanks for sharing the info Cris!
hello my name is lelle.and my first reckord was just the suikiyaki song and my dad was a sailorman and he get it from japan in 1965 Ithink.now lam 55 and lmissing the record from my dad. it is a nice son even that is a sad song.best regards from sweden.
- Author
Hi, Lelle! Thank you for sharing your memories of the song. I agree that it's a really nice song even though it is a sad song. All the way from Sweden, huh? Who would have thought a 40+ yr old Japanese song could bring a Texas gal and someone in Sweden together in a conversation?
I'll forget that song, 1963 calumet high, gary, Ind.
reminds me of Andrea Blicher my girl at the time...Andie where ever you at...I'll always remember you!
- Author
I think you meant to say "I'll NEVER forget that song". :) Isn't it funny how songs conjure up memories from the time period you used to listen to them? Have you tried looking for Andrea on Facebook or Classmates.com?
I like sukiyaki when i was young,best of my life.
has anyone ever heard the letter he wrote to his wife?
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