Original Sukiyaki Song

When I read about airplane crashes, I remember "Kyu Sakamoto" always.

The most world-wide famous Japanese song is still Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto now. Do you know he died in the worst air plane acctident in Japan in 1985.

In the U.S. I remember Sukiyaki got popular againg as 4pm and taste of Honey also covered Sukiyaki. However the lyrics of  Sukiyaki in English are so different. It is good, such a nice love song. To be popular, that change was good I think.

But still I like the original one. The Original one's title is "Ue wo muite aruko" (I look up when I walk.)

I look up while I walk
So the tears won't fall
Remembering those spring days
But tonight I'm all alone
I look up while I walk
Counting the stars with teary eyes
Remembering those summer days
But tonight I'm all alone
Happiness lies beyond the clouds
Happiness lies above the sky
I look up while I walk
So the tears won't fall
I cry while I walk
For I am alone tonight
Remembering those autumn days
But tonight I'm all alone
Sadness hides in the shadow of the stars
Sadness hides in the shadow of the moon
I look up while I walk
So the tears won't fall
My heart is filled with sorrow
For tonight I am alone
For tonight I am alone

Sound is very simple, up tempo and light, but the lyrics are a little painful to express the moment he has just gives up and released something important. A sort of dry feeling with a full of tears. Those all combination can be good for when I need to cry. Tears are important when you recover, to forget something right?

Sukiyaki was created by composer Nakamura Hachidai(including 8 in his name), lyrics Ei Rokusuke (including 6 in his name), and sing by Kyu Sakamoto (including nine in his name), This 689 trio made good songs.

Comments

[Suzy Bae]

This song is so sad... Japan's music industry lost a legend when he died in a plane crash.

http://www.trial-law.com/aop/plane-crash-attorney

[hogan scarpe]

Oslo, Norvegia, gli edifici del hogan scarpe governo norvegese, vicino al centro di 22 ora locale una grande esplosione. Poco dopo, circa 40 chilometri a ovest di Oslo, l'incidente sparando i., un killer travestiti da agenti di polizia dopo l'atterraggio hogan scarpe improvviso nel Partito laburista norvegese campeggiatori estivi della Gioventù campo League colpo.
http://www.hoganuomo2011.com

[eLLe]

I Luv his voice, truly cute. Unfortunately, I reach out he was dead by air plane crased information. I tried to get to know him for my whole life. It's not a good new. :-(

[eLLe]

That one of my favorite songs, this song sung by different artist. That's sound so lucky! I can find the original artist here.
Kyu Sakamoto's "Sukiyaki" I luv dis one the best.

[RICK]

On August 12th, while watching TV in a hotel in dowtown Tokyo, the story of a plane that was undergoing an emergency began being broadcast. As the next 35 minutes played out, discriptions of the harrowing event began to unfold. The plane was able to fly but could not be controlled. When finally the report was made that it had crashed into a hillside and all but 4 people were killed, a deep sadness enveloped me. That sadness grew as it was later reported that people aboard were keenly aware of their fate and took the last moments of time on this earth to write, as best they could, letters to their loved ones. It was also repoted that Mr. Sakamoto was on that plane.

In 1963, I was 9 years old and recall clearly listening to the radio station at night. I lived in a rural area 22 miles South of Pasco Washington where the meloncholy melody and a gentle lilting voice conveyed a sadness that was felt but not understood. KORD radio, an obscure station in an obscure part of the United States was the first sentinal for the song Sukiyaki. I am honored to be one of the first of Millions in the United States to ever hear that song. It rests among my most vivid memories as a youth and has remained with me my entire life.

[Wolf]

I think that one of my favorite songs to listen to when I am sad and want to cheer up is "Over The Rainbow / Wonderful World" by Brother Iz.

[Peter Bruni]

Kyu Sakamoto's "Sukiyaki" has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it as a child. Singing original lyrics by Rokusuke Ei, Kyu-chan expresses feelings of the heart most beautifully, weaving souls from around the world together in song, revealing the spirit common to us all.
Thank you, Mari, for this wonderfully linked site honoring Kyu Sakamoto, a man whose music and style should never be forgotten but often imitated.

[jj]

Mari-chan---hajimetmashite! Can you give me all of the lyrics to 上を向いて歩こう in romaaji? I used to know the song by heart, but I think my memory is fading...

Shiawase wa...la la laaaa...la la laaa...something something something...Hitori boochi no youru...la la laaaaa....

Doomo o-sewa ni narimashita!

jj

[nicole]

I remember learning the words to the original Sukiyaki 'ue o muite arukou' back in high school Japanese class!! I like it much better than the other versions too :)

[robert]

I love the picture with the story..it adds some sort of serendipity. like a million teardrops falling from the sky..I am sorry to hear about the plane crash. It is sad. I can only say that I hope their death was swift. I wonder if I will die in such an accident one day? It makes you want to examine what you would leave behind. Your legacy, so to speak, how would people remember you? It is the same with relationships I think. Not to say you can always make the most amicable of breaks, but at least, perhaps there is a way to end without that purely soul shattering dissolution. It is a hard pain..but then I wonder if a clean break is not the best way, like pulling off a bandaid. It hurts like hell, but when it's over, it's over...no more lingering doubts.Music is always the surest way to feel in synch with our emotions, but it can be a trap to self pity. Still I love the sukiyaki, and the loss of Kyu is something worth remembering. nice post Mari! ^_^