Sukiyaki Kyu Sakamoto US/Japanese 60s Music

Singaporeans still remember the song today but some do not know the history behind this international 60s hit. It was number one in 1963 for Kyu Sakamoto and 6 weeks on the US Chart.

The song was initially released in Japan in 1961, and after a British record company heard the Japanese version, had one of their artistes record it under the title Sukiyaki, a title which had absolutely nothing to do with the song. Again, the yearning for anything Eastern struck a chord with the West because Sukiyaki is actually a Japanese beef meal, popular in the west.

The actual title is Ueo Muite Arukou which means, "I Look Up When I Walk". It tipped the US chart because a disc jockey, Rich Osborne (KORD radio) in Washington State, who heard the British version, had started playing the original record by Sakamoto.

Sakamoto, born in Kanagawa, Japan in 1941, died in a crash on Japan Airlines 747, flight 123 near Tokyo on August 12, 1985. He called his wife two minutes before the crash to say goodbye. 43 years old at the time of his death, he made his debut in show business in 1960.

Sakamoto was also known as Kyu Chan for his charming smile and sincere nature. He recorded many other songs which became just as popular at home and internationally but Sukiyaki remains the biggest international hit by a Japanese singer to this day.

Many artistes have covered it in Japanese, English, French, Dutch and the artistes include, The Blue Diamonds, The Fabulous Echoes and others. Lyricist is Rokusuke Ei and music by Hachidai Nakamura.

References:

(1) Info: Kazuyo Yoshida/Yumiko Hosokawa Website - 1995.
(2) Image: http://www.loti.com/
(3) http://www.peterfrancis.com/trivia/archive

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.