He was born Minoru Ōno (大野 穣), in a little town in Hokkaidō, to a fisherman. He was very poor because of the effects of World War II, and he was forced to work while he studied.
When he was about to graduate from high school, he decided to become a singer. His debut single was called "Bungacha-Bushi," which was released in 1962.
He has many famous songs, including "Namida Bune" (1962), "Kyōdai Jingi" (1965), "Yosaku" (1978) and "Kita no Ryōba" (1986). His 1965 song "Kaerokana" was written by lyricist Rokusuke Ei and composer Hachidai Nakamura. He is very popular in Japan partly due to his looks of a physical laborer, and he mostly sings the spirit of Japan's working class and rural laborer. He often appears on Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a TV program at the end of the year where many major Japanese singers gather to perform.
Kitajima released single "Fūfu Isshō" (夫婦一生, lit. "Couple in a Lifetime"?) on January 1, 2010 at the age of 73. It debuted at #10 on the Japanese Oricon weekly single charts. It became the first single to reach Top 10 by a solo artist in his 70s in Oricon charts history.
Although Enka is becoming less popular with the younger generation, he is still Japan's most famous singer. He does a lot of concerts overseas as well, and he is contributing a lot of work to the culture of Japanese music.
In addition to his singing career, Kitajima acted in the role of Tatsugorō on the television series Abarenbō Shōgun. During the quarter-century life of the series, he also sang its theme songs.
恩返し
北島三郎 Lyrics
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芽も出ぬ花も 咲きはせぬ
辛抱我慢の いばら道
ここで逃げだしゃ 負けになる
俺はおやじの 心を継いで
継いで男の恩返し
あんたのいちずな 夢の手伝い
明るい笑顔に 励まされ
やせた背中に 詫びている
夢は必ず 咲かせてみせる
それがお前に恩返し
怒鳴られ叱られ 今俺がある
あの手のぬくもり なつかしい
この道選んで 悔いはない
一生修業さ 人生は
負けてたまるか くじけてなるか
これが男の恩返し
The lyrics to "恩返し" by 北島三郎 (Shiro Kitaouji) speak about the concept of repaying gratitude and the perseverance required to achieve one's dreams. The song talks about sowing the seeds of hard work and patience, emphasizing that without these efforts, the flower of success will never bloom. The artist declares his determination to carry on his father's legacy and repay the debts he owes to those who have supported him.
The lyrics also express gratitude to someone who has been by the artist's side, helping and encouraging him in his pursuit of his dreams. The artist acknowledges the person's bright smile and is motivated by it. Feeling remorse for the burden he may have caused due to his thin and exhausted appearance, the artist vows to make his dreams come true as a way of repaying their kindness.
The song further highlights the artist's journey of perseverance and resilience. He mentions the times when he was scolded and criticized, which have shaped him into who he is now. The warmth of those hands and the memories associated with it serve as a reminder of his determination. He asserts that he has no regrets about the path he has chosen and declares that he will never give up or be defeated. This, he believes, is the way to repay the gratitude he owes to others.
Overall, "恩返し" is a heartfelt song that explores the themes of gratitude, perseverance, and the desire to repay kindness through hard work and achieving one's dreams.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 数丘夕彦
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind