Makihara Noriyuki (槇原 敬之) is a well-known Japanese pop singer/ songwriter, … Read Full Bio ↴Makihara Noriyuki (槇原 敬之) is a well-known Japanese pop singer/ songwriter, nicknamed "Mackey" by his fans. He was born on 18 May 1969.
Makihara was first discovered by 坂本龍一 (Ryuuichi Sakamoto) in November 1985 on his radio show, Sound Street during a segment where he played demo tapes submitted by aspiring music makers. Upon winning the Axia Music Audition '89 in March 1990 with his song "NG", he signed with Warner Music Japan and made his debut in October 1990. His first album was a moderate success, peaking at top 50 on the Oricon Weekly Album Charts. With the breakout of "Donna Toki Mo." selling more than one million copies in 1991 alone, he gained his first appearance on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Achieving his first million-seller in 1992 with "Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono" and making even more hits like "No. 1" and "SPY" into the mid-1990s, he has became one of the most popular singer-songwriters in Japan. Being arrested for possessing amphetamines in 1999, his career's success came to a standstill and despite making a comeback the subsequent year, his sales dipped and he entered a career slump. In 2003, upon writing the massive three-million-seller hit, "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" for SMAP, he had a second career breakout and has stayed successful ever since. He was subsequently put under arrest in 2020 for possessing stimulants but made a successful comeback in October 2021 with "Yosoro" and has recently concluded a 2-month tour around Japan for the album. Pulling through public opinion and homophobia after being forcibly exposed to having a male partner, he is currently the third best selling male solo act in Japan and has a stable and relatively big fanbase.
One could arguably compare him to Western pop stars such as Elton John, both in terms of musical ability and talent, and continued longevity despite playing to an intensely fickle industry. The two also seem to have shared something of a similar career path in terms of personal ups and downs, public scrutiny and survival through the years in spite of it all.
Makihara has managed to endure and maintain a healthy level of popularity in Japan and other nations worldwide, due to his soothing, appealing voice quality and flair for catchy melody. Not just your average manufactured pop star, real talent can be found in Mackey's work to this day.
It's interesting to note how, as the years have passed, the quality of Makihara's voice has deepened, bringing him into a soulful, velvety range that might remind one of Barry White or Luther Van Dross. Much of his music's lyrical content has revolved around the subject of romantic love, though themes of profound joy, reminiscence, gratitude and deeper spiritual aspects of the human condition have become predominant in recent years. When not more slowly paced and romantic, his tunes are bright and upbeat, and though certainly dated, even his albums from the 90's are still enjoyable and worth a listen. Remarkably, the cheesy, early 90's pop style lends an immortal charm to his early work, though he has been known to update and bring back old hits, such as "Donna Toki Mo.", which can be found currently as a B-side to his 2007 single, "Green Days."
To sum it up, Macky's an extremely good vibe, quality artist. The messages in his music are extremely positive, which only adds to the beauty of his arrangement and vocal appeal. If you haven't already, check him out! You won't be sorry.
Makihara was first discovered by 坂本龍一 (Ryuuichi Sakamoto) in November 1985 on his radio show, Sound Street during a segment where he played demo tapes submitted by aspiring music makers. Upon winning the Axia Music Audition '89 in March 1990 with his song "NG", he signed with Warner Music Japan and made his debut in October 1990. His first album was a moderate success, peaking at top 50 on the Oricon Weekly Album Charts. With the breakout of "Donna Toki Mo." selling more than one million copies in 1991 alone, he gained his first appearance on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Achieving his first million-seller in 1992 with "Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono" and making even more hits like "No. 1" and "SPY" into the mid-1990s, he has became one of the most popular singer-songwriters in Japan. Being arrested for possessing amphetamines in 1999, his career's success came to a standstill and despite making a comeback the subsequent year, his sales dipped and he entered a career slump. In 2003, upon writing the massive three-million-seller hit, "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" for SMAP, he had a second career breakout and has stayed successful ever since. He was subsequently put under arrest in 2020 for possessing stimulants but made a successful comeback in October 2021 with "Yosoro" and has recently concluded a 2-month tour around Japan for the album. Pulling through public opinion and homophobia after being forcibly exposed to having a male partner, he is currently the third best selling male solo act in Japan and has a stable and relatively big fanbase.
One could arguably compare him to Western pop stars such as Elton John, both in terms of musical ability and talent, and continued longevity despite playing to an intensely fickle industry. The two also seem to have shared something of a similar career path in terms of personal ups and downs, public scrutiny and survival through the years in spite of it all.
Makihara has managed to endure and maintain a healthy level of popularity in Japan and other nations worldwide, due to his soothing, appealing voice quality and flair for catchy melody. Not just your average manufactured pop star, real talent can be found in Mackey's work to this day.
It's interesting to note how, as the years have passed, the quality of Makihara's voice has deepened, bringing him into a soulful, velvety range that might remind one of Barry White or Luther Van Dross. Much of his music's lyrical content has revolved around the subject of romantic love, though themes of profound joy, reminiscence, gratitude and deeper spiritual aspects of the human condition have become predominant in recent years. When not more slowly paced and romantic, his tunes are bright and upbeat, and though certainly dated, even his albums from the 90's are still enjoyable and worth a listen. Remarkably, the cheesy, early 90's pop style lends an immortal charm to his early work, though he has been known to update and bring back old hits, such as "Donna Toki Mo.", which can be found currently as a B-side to his 2007 single, "Green Days."
To sum it up, Macky's an extremely good vibe, quality artist. The messages in his music are extremely positive, which only adds to the beauty of his arrangement and vocal appeal. If you haven't already, check him out! You won't be sorry.
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SMILING ～THE BEST OF NORIYUKI MAKIHARA～
槇原敬之 Lyrics
2つの願い 今朝からずっと雨音の すきまに耳をすましてる TVドラマの電話と 間違えないように 内緒で二人 5泊6日 国際線の窓で見…
Answer あの日地下鉄の改札で 急に咳が出て 涙にじんで止まらなくなった 君と過ごしてたさっきまで 嘘みたいだね もう帰る時間だよ…
MILK こんなに遅くたずねてごめん なんとか一人でやってみたけど どうしてもうまくいかなくて とてもとてもこわくなってしまった …
NG ボタンが取れているだけで 着れないシャツを持ったまま 君がもうこの部屋にいないことを 確かめていたけれど 忙しい日々の隙…
No.1 One, two, one, two, hoo! お互いのことをもう さぐるのはやめよう もうわかっている 君は僕が好…
SPY おあずけになったデートに がっかりしていたけど 偶然君を見かけた なんて運命的な2人 おめかしと言うよりちょっと 変装に…
どうしようもない僕に天使が降りてきた 勢い良くしまったドアで 舞いあがった枕の羽 今夜はついに彼女を 怒らせてしまった 昔の恋人のくれた目覚まし時計を 何度言…
どんなときも。 僕の背中は自分が 思うより正直かい? 誰かに聞かなきゃ 不安になってしまうよ 旅立つ僕の為に ちかったあの夢は 古ぼけた…
もう恋なんてしない 君がいないと 何もできないわけじゃないと ヤカンを火にかけたけど 紅茶のありかがわからない ほら朝食も作れたもんね だけ…
ズル休み 帰り道のコンビニには なんでもそろってるけど 二人をもとに戻す 接着剤はないらしい 日曜出勤から つかれてもどる僕は …
僕の彼女はウェイトレス 留守番電話のメッセージ バイトの途中耳にしたのが 2人で聴いた最初の曲で 急に声が聞きたくなって オーダーとるのも忘れる…
冬がはじまるよ 8月の君の誕生日 半袖と長袖のシャツを プレゼントしたのは 今年の冬もそれからもずっと 僕らが一緒に過ごせる為の おま…
北風～君にとどきますように～ 今 君がこの雪に気付いてないなら 誰より早く教えたい 心から思った 小さなストーブじゃ窓も 曇らないような夜 毛布を鼻…
彼女の恋人 僕の車にそんな風に かんたんに乗れるんだね 確かにちゃんと家まで 送るつもりだけど 僕とあいつの間にいつか 入り込んで…
遠く遠く 遠く遠く離れていても 僕のことがわかるように 力いっぱい 輝ける日を この街で迎えたい 外苑の桜は咲き乱れ この頃にな…
雪に願いを 大事な人を数えたら けっこうたくさんいて そんな自分は照れる程 幸せだなって思った 今夜会いたい人だって やっぱりたく…