Kyu Sakamoto, born Hisashi Oshima - December 10, 1941 - August 12, 1985 - w… Read Full Bio ↴Kyu Sakamoto, born Hisashi Oshima - December 10, 1941 - August 12, 1985 - was a popular Japanese singer and actor. He was born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture as the youngest among 9 siblings and his parents; Hiroshi Sakamoto and Iku Sakamoto. His most popular song, Ue o muite aruko ("Looking up while walking") known as Sukiyaki in the US, was a hit in Japan and topped the Billboard pop charts in the United States in 1963 -- to date the first and only song sung entirely in Japanese to do so.

In 1985, Sakamoto was killed in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123. Before the doomed aircraft hit the ground, he managed to write a farewell note to his wife Yukiko Kashiwagi. Married in 1971, they had two daughters, Hanako and Maiko.

Ueo Muite Arukou
坂本九 Lyrics

We have lyrics for these tracks by 坂本九:

ashitaga arusa いつもの駅でいつも逢うセーラー服のお下げ髪もう来る頃もう来る頃今日も待ちぼうけ明日がある明日がある明日があ…
Boku No Hoshi 見上げてごらん夜の星を小さな星の小さな光がささやかな幸せをうたってる見上げてごらん夜の星をボクらのように名もな…
Kyu-Chan No Zuntatatta ズンタタッタズンタタッタズンタタッタズンズンタタッタズンタタッタズンタタッタズンズンタタッタズンタタッ…
Miagete Goran Yoru no Hoshi wo 見上げてごらん夜の星を小さな星の小さな光がささやかな幸せをうたってる見上げてごらん夜の星をボクらのように名もな…
Namida-Kun Sayonara 涙くんさよならさよなら涙くんまた逢う日まで君は僕の友達だこの世は悲しいことだらけ君なしではとても生きて行けそ…
Sayonara Sayonara 涙くんさよならさよなら涙くんまた逢う日まで君は僕の友達だこの世は悲しいことだらけ君なしではとても生きて行けそ…
Sukiyaki 上を向いて歩こう涙がこぼれないように思い出す春の日一人ぼっちの夜上を向いて歩こうにじんだ星を数え…
あの娘の名前はなんてんかなあの娘の名前はなんてんかな後姿の素敵な娘手当り次第に名前を呼べばまぐれ当りで可愛い返事ニッコリ僕に振り向いて「…
ステキなタイミングオーユーニーズタイミンアーティカティカティカグッドタイミングタィガタィガタィガ…

ビキニスタイルのお嬢さん海辺のせまい小屋からあの娘は出られない何処かで人が見てたらどうしようかとふるえてる「ねぇみんな何故だか教えて上…
上を向いて歩こう上を向いて歩こう涙がこぼれないように思い出す春の日一人ぽっちの夜上を向いて歩こうにじんだ星をかぞえて思い…
九ちゃんのズンタタッタズンタタッタズンタタッタズンタタッタズンズンタタッタズンタタッタズンタタッタズンズンタタッタズンタタッ…
九ちゃん音頭花が咲く時ゃ風が吹く月が出て来りゃ雲が出るとかくこの世はままならぬ愚痴はよそうぜ歌でも歌おうそれがねそれが浮…
九ちゃん音頭（これが浮世と云うものさ）花が咲く時ゃ風が吹く月が出て来りゃ雲が出るとかくこの世はままならぬ愚痴はよそうぜ歌でも歌おうそれがねそれが浮…
悲しき六十才ヤムスターファヤムスターファ遠い昔のトルコの国の悲しい恋の物語り純情かれんなやさしい男それは主人公ムスター…
明日があるさいつもの駅でいつも逢うセーラー服のお下げ髪もう来る頃もう来る頃今日も待ちぼうけ明日がある明日がある明日があ…
涙くんさよなら涙くんさよならさよなら涙くんまた逢う日まで君は僕の友達だこの世は悲しいことだらけ君なしではとても生きて行けそ…

見上げてごらん夜の星を見上げてごらん夜の星を小さな星の小さな光がささやかな幸せをうたってる見上げてごらん夜の星をボクらのように名もな…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

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01Ueo Muite Arukou3:05

PT3M5S

坂本九

02anoko-no namae-wa nantenkana2:49

03Kyu Chan No Zunta-Tatta2:59

04Senjo Ni Hi Wa Ochite2:35

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@StainsBlue

35w↑5

My father was sent to Vietnam after being drafted into the war in the 1960s. While there, he sent my mother a black-lacquered, wind-up music-box that played this song. I loved listening to this song as a child and would repeatedly wind the music-box up to listen to it over and over again.

Later on in life, the song always stuck with me, so I searched and found the original version. A few years ago, I came across the song again on this video and read the lyrics for the first time.

The 1961 song's title means, "I Look Up as I Walk", but it's more often known as "Sukiyaki" in the west.

The singer, Kyu Sakamoto, later tragically became yet another musician to die in an aviation accident, perishing along with 519 others in the deadliest single-aircraft accident in aviation history.

Of course, my childhood self didn't know any of this when I was repeatedly listening to the song on that little wind-up music-box.

A truly beautiful, heartbreaking, yet hopeful song, "Ue o Muite Arukō", sung by Kyu Sakamoto, is still one of my all-time favorites. It still pops up in my head often, after all these years, and is even more meaningful now that I know what the original Japanese lyrics mean.

A true masterpiece in my humble opinion, no other song can both bring a tear to my eye, while also giving me the courage to brave forward, tough it out, all while looking up as I walk.

R.I.P. Kyu Sakamoto

@CheemsEncoded

2y↑16

@@Eidann63 The impact registered on a seismometer located in the Shin-Etsu Earthquake Observatory at Tokyo University at 6:56:27 p.m JST. as a small shock, to 6:56:32 p.m JST. as a larger shock, believed to have been caused by the final crash. The shockwaves took an estimated 2.0–2.3 seconds to reach the seismometer, making the estimated time of the final crash 6:56:30 p.m JST.

One of the four survivors, off-duty Japan Airlines flight purser Yumi Ochiai, recounted from her hospital bed that she recalled bright lights and the sound of helicopter rotors shortly after she awoke amid the wreckage, and while she could hear screaming and moaning from other survivors, these sounds gradually died away during the night" - Wikipedia

Japanese authorities found the wreckage at night, but deemed that nobody could survive such a crash and therefore decided to dispatch rescue efforts the following day. When they arrived at the scene, only 4 survivors were found. It was later confirmed that at least 50 people had survived the crash but died due to no medical treatment, blood loss or hypothermia. It's most likely Kyu Sakamoto either died instantly on impact or he was subjected to a slow, painful death out on Mount Takamagahara.

If the Americans had been allowed to help rescue survivors, we would've had at least 54+ survivors in total (providing they all survived by the time Americans found the crash site) and probably, Kyu Sakamoto here with us today. But unfortunately, that never happened. It's been 13,375 days, which amounts to 439.7 months or 36.6 years since JAL flight 123 crashed. RIP to all that died on that horrible day.

@Kgermaine

3y↑12

@@rubycantrell4627 English lyrics, if you want to sing along 😊:

I look up as I walk
So that the tears won’t fall
Remembering those spring days
And tonight, I am all alone

I look up as I walk
Counting the stars with tearful eyes
Remembering those summer days
And tonight, I am all alone

Happiness lies beyond the clouds
Happiness lies above the sky

I look up as I walk
So that the tears won’t fall
But the tears well up as I walk
For tonight, I am all alone

All comments from YouTube:

@carlomagnorios2778

18w↑460

Rest In Peace Kyu Sakamoto . You made the world a better place with this beautiful song.

@karenkwok583

17w↑6

❤

@donnaronio3553

16w↑4

For sure!

@BryanSmith-pf3kp

10w↑5

Amen beautiful. I love it songs. How are you doing beautiful. I hope your day is going well?

@charvitale8590

7w↑5

That is beautiful ❤❤❤❤

@AlexejSvirid

7w↑2

The problem is Devil runs the world. He is lier and murderer. That's why we've got the Gospel about the God's kingdom.
Jehovah would put everything in order. The dead will be resurected and we'll meet our beloved ones again! :-)

11 More Replies...

@donnaronio3553

16w↑404

Is anyone else loving this song in 2024. I used to listen to it when I was a little girl. I loved it then and I love it now.❤

@harfangdesneiges6680

12w↑3

Boyfriend and I on 990 oldies that had to close down. They were on AM radio. Real good music that should have been on FM!😁📻🎵

@audgepodge77

12w↑11

I actually spent two hours today looking for this song without knowing the title or the artist. I ended up humming it into Google to find it. My grandmother used to play this when I was a little girl as well... It haunted me. It is now 2024

@benoitpellet1657

12w↑5

Yep. I heard this when I was maybe 10 and love it still.

@nuailomarinaanakapu2393

12w↑6

I was looking for this song and just found it 2024❤

@MrStonelion63

11w↑2

Heard it when I was a little kid in the 60's.

27 More Replies...

@chamdowchama2933

1y↑1.3K

Anyone from 2023? Still listening to this master piece 😖💞

@philipdenham8908

1y↑35

Yes listening in Australia ❤

@pamelagriffith-marek1204

51w↑24

@@philipdenham8908 Yes, I carry it in my heart

@jwatt06m

28w↑12

Yes

@LuvtL90

27w↑14

October 20th, 2023

@marcellaho7341

26w↑17

Yes, listening while having my breakfast at Indian coffeshop

235 More Replies...

@Roams2NFro

48w↑1.1K

My mom married an American service man in Japan. When my father brought her to the States she was so homesick. As A kid I remember my mom singing this song. So now seeing what the song says makes me sad…especially after losing my mom on 4/28/23. She was 95. I MISS YOU MOM!❤

@carola.6990

45w↑34

My condolences 😢❤

@VIRGONOMICS

45w↑27

Blessings to you and her - my Mom is having heart problems and I love her dearly .

@SeeBrake

45w↑23

It is sad but there's also something beautiful about this song being comforting and reminding her of home. I'm so sorry for your loss. 💙

@Roams2NFro

45w↑7

@SeeBrake yes it is comforting & I know it did for her as well.

@Roams2NFro

45w↑9

@@VIRGONOMICS My heart is with you & your mom. Tell her all the things that you need to tell your mom while she’s here. I did & I left nothing unsaid. My mom is whole again.

77 More Replies...

@user-tl6vi5oq5o

32w↑404

I'm commenting on my wife's account. I saw Kyu Sakamoto in person at the Tachikawa Air Base in Japan in 1963 or 1964. All of us Airmen who saw his "promotional tour" were in agreement that the song would be a mega hit even though few would understand the lyrics. Whenever I hear the song I feel privileged that I got to hear it before most of the world did.

@catholicdad

28w↑9

Kyu Sakamoto owes me $20.

@usaneebeilles9510

23w↑6

That's a lovely statement. Good health to you/family. Take care.

@user-iz4eq9ew1r

20w

@@usaneebeilles9510/

@tmXDumleee

12w↑1

So cool!

@BrandonSmith-rb1bf

11w↑1

cool story

2 More Replies...

@jayfizzle6184

8y↑20.3K

There was a old Japanese man in my home town in canada who used to sing and play guitar in the park near my elementary school. he would sing a lot of old Japanese folk songs and English singalongs. we would all gather round and dance, sing and talk with him. He would tell us stories about the towns history and himself. His father was a soldier who died in WWII, and his mother died in the bombing of Nagasaki. He immigrated in the mid 60s with his wife and two kids. his wife shortly thereafter died of cancer and his son died in the 90s in a car accident. He only had a daughter (who married and moved to Toronto). Despite living all alone, he always had a big smile on his face when he sang with us. He used to sing this song to the older kids. we never understood what it meant (he said it was about food), and we could barely pronounce the words, but we sang along anyway becuase he made it so fun. He passed away midway through my last year of elementary school, still going to the park everyday till the day he died. this was the last song I heard him play.

I didn't know the name of the song until i heard it on mad men. I looked up the sound track for the episode. I found out the rough translation for the lyrics, and relised what the song actually meant... I rarely if ever cry, but this song can bring me to tears without fail.

PS update: I recently went home to visit friends and family. I took my niece and her dog out for a walk in the same park he used to play. There is now a brand new bench in the park with a plaque dedicated to his memory. His daughter donated it shortly after I moved away. The actual bench he often sat at bears his name carved out in Japanese script. There used to be a large cherry blossom tree beside the bench. Unfortunately the original died, but it was replaced with two new ones on either side. My niece told me that it's a very popular date spot when the trees bloom in the spring, and almost all of her friends have pictures sitting on the bench on thier Instagrams. When the trees are not in bloom, people rarely notice the spot so it was very peaceful and quiet when I visited. We sat on the bench and I played her this song on my phone, then told her the history of the bench. A few weeks ago She sent me a picture of her and her dog at the bench, and told me she goes there to practice guitar sometimes. She told me she is going to film a music video of her covering this song when the trees are in blossom this April. Our town is also going to be featured on CBC's "still standing" sometime next year. I'm going to write to the producers and encourage them to look into the story. He is still remembered fondly by most of the 25+ aged population so I am hoping to rally a few others to write in with me. I'll try to remember to come back and post links if either video turns out.

I'm really blown away by how popular this comment got. My hometown has a population of around 1000 and keeps getting smaller every year. I'm really happy his story spread this much and touched so many. I hope his story inspires everyone to strive to be a pillar of thier community and a local legend.

@rat7710

7y↑864

James M beautiful story. Thanks for sharing!

@Heroinedown

7y↑876

James M I'm not the emotional type but your story was really touching. I was reading your comment while listening to this beautiful song and I gotta say, I felt on the verge of tears all along. Thank you for this nice moment. It is thanks to things like this that I still have faith in humanity and not the hatred I usually see under the vids. Happy new year.

@lillygirl5614

7y↑388

This story blew me away! It was beautiful in so many ways. Thank you so much for sharing!

@mdbcd5

7y↑431

This has all the makings for a great movie.

@glenbr1

7y↑327

That is so sad, rest in peace old man.

504 More Replies...

@jeffreyfinley8654

4y↑7.1K

My girlfriend used to sing this to me. She has been my wife for 55 years as a result!

@lydiawilliams255

4y↑197

You're lucky! For some, the song is Supercalifradulisticexpealidocius

@henrymctague5709

4y↑81

special god bless

@buddybanzon4532

4y↑218

Thank you for your comment. I am 69 y.o. and have been memorizing this song for 2 weeks now so I can sing it to my wife on our 37th anniversary in September.

@garyfinch377

4y↑78

May God continue to bless you and your wife Mr. Finley.

@jenniferfellows7503

4y↑23

❤️

157 More Replies...

@bobwilliamson9406

40w↑159

I am 71 years old and i believe i was about 12 when this song came out. i loved it then and still do. Many memories from back then. RIP Kyu Sakamoto.

@kimoakes1503

7w↑2

He died way too young

@orangluwuk

4y↑1.1K

this guy achieved the first asian act to hit billboard hot 100 no.1 in his early twenties.. how amazing is that

@nickismith4787

3y↑39

It was a Number One hit worldwide.

@steveboy7302

3y↑3

How many countries was. It a hit

@nickismith4787

3y↑33

@@steveboy7302 USA, Canada, Australia, Britain, South America...to name a few.

@isaiahcrvz

3y↑21

@@nickismith4787 don’t forget mexico :D

@nickismith4787

3y↑11

@@isaiahcrvz Oh of course. I've just never talked to anyone from Mexico about this song but of course. Thanks Isaiah for correcting me.

31 More Replies...

@FatherThyme.

1y↑1.2K

If a song can touch a person’s heart and soul despite a language barrier, then it’s sure as hell a damn good song.

@adami2786

1y↑16

well said.

@user-qt2ie4ky3b

1y↑12

素晴らしい

@glodieda

49w↑18

I've always loved this song and used to make me cry without even knowing the meaning up until today that I saw the translation, now I know there's a reason why It made me cry...

@susancartright9657

45w↑6

Beautiful!❤❤

@denisefletcher1608

41w↑9

I've known this song most of life, but never knew the meaning until today. I always thought it was a happy song because of its chirpy, lilting melody. Now I know, and it is gut-wrenchingly relatable.

7 More Replies...

@joewest1837

52w↑194

I just want to add (while I'm typing through tears) that as a young boy in the 60's traveling cross country with my family, every time we stopped to eat where they had those juke boxes at every booth, I asked my dad to play this song...and I was only 10 years old. This song makes me cry today remembering my dad.

@gailraven67

45w↑9

Me too. I have always loved this song.

@gailraven67

45w↑6

I am 74 now.

@jacquelinegrice6069

37w↑7

I remember, this song from my childhood. Everybody in Atlantic City trying to sing it though no one understood a word of it, nor did anyone speak Japanese. It was June, my younger brother was about a month old, I was five.

@royeby3640

30w↑5

I was stationed at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, when I heard my father died. 😪 I was encouraged to hear that, a father wants their child to become better than they were. By honoring your father's memory, you strive to become better and teach your kids that lesson, while you're still alive. (I'm still sad though) I'm sorry for your loss. But do honor your father's legacy by you being that ripple in the pond. Make that difference and pass it on. GOD bless.

@loidforger8385

49w↑578

As a japanese, im proud this song reach outside japan. Mr.Kyu also my grandfather close friend. They used to hangout together.

@Mr.cladmaniac

48w↑14

What a life!, Kyu as your grandfather's friend

@adityaaprtm._

43w↑10

❤ from indonesia

@alexismayer2059

39w↑9

Such a good song. My tour guide in Japan played this song for us as we drove to Takayama

@dianelapointe4628

39w↑10

I loved this song since I was a little girl. I remember being so sad when I heard that Kyu died from lung cancer many years ago, however....one night while watching MayDay, there he was, gettin on the flight, but it crashed into a mountain, and the Americans were not allowed to help with the rescue operation, and many people died from laying there injured for too long. Kyu's beautiful wife did the narration for that episode. I was very sorry that he died with all those innocent people, and that he was so young. Just thought I'd share that with you.

@txmadtp700

37w↑7

お前嘘つくなよw

5 More Replies...

@280StJohnsPl

6y↑8.7K

As an American sailor I had a wonderful experience while in Japan. i had been drinking and got lost while trying to find my way back to the landing for the boat to the ship which was anchored in the harbor of a small traditional Japanese town. At about 2AM I was walking down a road under a full moon through a beautiful landscape right out of a woodblock painting. It was summer and I could have walked all night :) A very old Japanese man putted up on his motorbike on this empty road and stopped and spoke to me in Japanese. I don't speak Japanese and so he motioned to get on the bike behind him and we putted off at about 10 mph. Eventually we came to a kiosk where he made a phone call. While we waited I offered him a cigarette and he happily accepted. We stood there smoking and smiling and police car pulled up. The two police officers, who spoke English, introduced themselves and explained that the old man had called and said that he thought i might need some help. They politely asked me to come with them and I gave the old man some cigarettes while thanking him. His smile is still with me today. At the police station the officers took their shoes off, relaxed and made tea for us, I shared my cigarettes with them and we talked and laughed for a couple of hours. I was treated very nicely and really enjoyed speaking with them. When I got tired, they showed me a couch where I slept until the shore patrol from my ship arrived the next morning to take me back. I will always remember how kindly i was treated and how nice that old man and the two police officers were

@PatKittle

6y↑222

Beautiful story (despite the cigarettes).

@280StJohnsPl

6y↑1.1K

This was in 1975 and the cigarettes are part of the story....the way it was. Why does everything have to offend someone today ? Life is life and not everything always defers to your taste

@aussiehound2374

6y↑218

It was the norm in those days

@MusicLover-nd9fy

6y↑252

Loved the story thank you for sharing. ; )

@280StJohnsPl

6y↑135

Thank you :)

496 More Replies...

@annesnow9886

4y↑2K

My grandpa tried for so long to learn this song on the piano, but I guess he never got to it, and his several illnesses prevented him from doing so, so I want to surprise him by playing this song for him on the piano. Wish me luck :)

@dahinyahdiyan3745

4y↑37

I wish you a good luck.

@GoldLbl

4y↑29

It will be amazing! I know you can do it.
Let us know what happened of it, if you can remember :D

@kaynatasghar5512

4y↑4

Good luck 😋

@friendorfoe2550

4y↑4

Good luck

@minato8291

4y↑4

Good luck

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@suraya1224

49w↑228

I was 8 when this song came out in the US. It was my 1st exposure to a foreign language. I had no idea what he was saying, but I knew it was sad, & I instantly loved it. Now I'm 70, & enjoy it even more, now that I found the translation. I'm so sorry that the singer met an horrific end in that JAL crash in 1985. RIP, Kyu.

@donaldiarussimfa5488

48w↑9

安らかに眠る坂本キュウ。あなたはこの美しい歌で世界をより良い場所にしました。
yasuraka ni nemuru sakamoto cua .anata wa kono utsukushii uta de sekai wa yori yoi basho ni shi mashi ta .

@marilynmcmillan5875

43w↑14

I was about 18, just loved the song, it was number one on the charts. We knew it was a love song, didn’t know what it meant in English, but it didn’t matter, the whole world loved it

@GladVerone

40w↑7

your comment had touch my heart🥺

@musicaldisc4664

29w↑4

Love it!! ❤

@alexismcelhone9214

Me too I was 8 & will be 70 in May. Love this song❤️

@USMarshmallow

30w↑74

My grandfather sang this to me as a child. He was American, knew no Japanese at all except for this song. He sang it with incredible pronunciation.

It was him singing this song that first sparked my interest in Japan and Japanese culture.

When he played the actual doing for me, I thought as a child, "A man who can sing so beautifully must come from a beautiful country."

I lived in Japan for three years. And childhood me was right. Japan, her culture, and her people, are beautiful. I feel so grateful that I got to live there.

@mademily5270

20w↑1

I've dreamed of Japan since I read Shogun 35 years ago. Another place I'll never see...

@mell561

18w

maybe you will someday @@mademily5270

@HaggisIsGross

2y↑1.2K

My father received a gold record for “discovering” this record. He was a disc jockey in a small Washington state radio station in the early 1960’s. Something about this record haunted him, and he kept playing it every chance he got. Long haul truckers passed through that town and heard it, and kept requesting it and passing the word. Dad got a free trip to be presented with the record and met Kyu, but sadly they could not speak each other’s language so they smiled a nodded a lot. He was so sad to hear of Kyu’s death in that horrible crash, and a Japanese documentary crew came and interviewed him a few years later. Dad is still alive and enjoys knowing people in the US still enjoy that beautiful song in a small part due to his good ear, lol!

@essennagerry

2y↑55

Thank you for sharing this story. Now that the song is uploaded on youtube, people from many countries and of many ages are listening to this song and enjoying it very much. Please forward our collective "thank you" to your father, we're all very happy he played his part.

Sincerely, a Bulgarian friend. :)

@ivanvdk4902

1y↑32

Even in little Belgium ( Europe) we enjoyed this song and it reached the hitparade. The always smiling Kyu with his talented whistle. This song remains eternally attractive for those who are touched by the melodie. Greetings from Flanders to your Dad and all reading and hearing Kyu Sakamoto's Sukiyaki.

@wheretwoormoregather

1y↑24

Thank you so much for sharing that story and please tell your father thank you from Colorado. Your comment seriously choked me up...tried to read it to my roommate but couldn't get the last part out without my voice quivering. This always brings back memories of my uncle who had a string of juke boxes on the western slope and gave me the 45's he switched out. I went through at least 3 of this one...mom and dad always had it on the spindle for their cocktail parties.
I heard this on the radio today and as always, it made me smile.

@Blauqkween

1y↑6

I know you are proud of him.

@heatherc6699

1y↑2

Was it Yakima, Wa?

40 More Replies...

@plr2473

3y↑1.6K

Kyu Sakamoto unfortunately died in '85 in the worst single plane accident in history (JAL Flight 123 with 520 dead and only 4 survivors). He was 43 at the time. The aircraft had lost hydraulics and the pilots managed to keep it afloat for about 30 minutes, after which it collided against the side of a mountain northwest of Tokyo. Kyu had written out a farewell letter to his family on a cocktail napkin before the end came. The napkin was later recovered from the wreckage and given to his wife. She still lives to this day all these years later carrying that memory inside

@chanb7168

3y↑93

How sad and awful may his soul RIP

@Hecatonicosachoron54

3y↑124

Those pilots were amazingly skilled and tried to the very end

@manusiabiasa451

3y↑27

32 minute actually..

@selmaortiz4464

3y↑7

Nunca entendí de que se trate a pero me emocionaba mucho escecharla bella bellal

@ospreyaviation1109

3y↑13

And the tail which is why they couldn’t turn back to Haneda airport

64 More Replies...

@novrinkov0053

39w↑85

This song is the first Asian song to reach billboard number one. In 1963, there was still no Internet, and the war had ended, and anti-Japanese sentiment was still strong in US. just played a song on the radio without any publicity.
In that state, it would be dozens of times more difficult than it is now to become number one in USA. It's different from kpop, where fans worked together to force it to number one. The power of the internet, Advertising expense and the cooperation of fans is tremendous.

@junbug9844

❤ Japan is still making great bands especially on the rock scene band maid is one of them.

@joey_bonin

42w↑79

Isn't it amazing he could evoke so much emotion without you knowing a single word? May he rest in eternal peace.

@hokaihei

3y↑887

I was a young italian merchant marine officer. The vessel called japanese ports. I fell in love forever with Japan. I am 85 years old still in love. Arigato.

@MegaCarmine12

3y↑30

when did you travel to japan? my son went 2019 place was clean, safe, and beautiful

@astrostar8695

3y↑11

Ur 85 damn

@sakuragrior1806

3y↑15

You got respect sir 👏

@jpg963

3y↑2

weaboo activity

@buukute

3y↑3

@@jpg963 before weanoo was a thing

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@Powerranger-le4up

4y↑1.5K

RIP to him and all the other victims of Japan Airlines Flight 123.

@beverlykorte8581

4y↑24

God bless yous all 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💕🌹💕🌹

@BillMorganChannel

4y↑56

@fiona swann Did you see the YouTube by Alec Joshua Ibay on the crash? Two JAL workers committed suicide because of the crash, and did you know the USA military offered to go to the crash site asp and were told to stand down and it took the japanese i think 9 hours to get there and many suffered and died because of the delay :(

@BillMorganChannel

4y↑4

@fiona swann Are you born-again Fiona?

@Powerranger-le4up

4y↑8

Bill Morgan I actually did know about that. I saw the episode on Air Crash Investigation.

@drgentlewolf

4y↑11

He had never wanted to board JAL(Japan Airline) until then.
ANA( All Nippon Airline )was his favorite..

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@menongopinathan3560

50w↑60

My late Dad could speak briliant Japanese He used to sing to his daily and took time to explain the deeper meaning of numerous verses. "Happiness lies above.."

@miikotabo

21w↑25

九ちゃんが世界中の人に愛されたと知ってとても嬉しく思うと同時に、彼と彼が歌った歌を誇りに思います。
He is loved by a lot of people in the world and I'm so happy to know that and so proud of him and his songs.

@dondixon4206

4y↑581

I am 63 years old now... years ago I was a service brat of a black family. I lived in Japan where my father was stationed in the military. When this song came out it was enchanting to me. Whenever I hear it now, I am 7 years old again with fond memories of childhood in Japan and the feeling of enchantment comes over me like seeing an old friend.

@donalddixon6541

3y↑21

I am 65 years old and remember this song as well. I always wondered what he was singing, as it was a favorite of my cousin's. She bought the record and played it over and over again. By the way, that's an interesting name you have.........

@dondixon4206

3y↑9

@@donalddixon6541 :-) Yes! it is an interesting name (Wink)

@liscatcat8756

3y↑1

What's a service brat ? If you don't mind me asking . Brat means brother in polish

@dondixon4206

3y↑11

@@liscatcat8756 Oh it's just a slang word meaning "a Military man's kids"

@Dragilav1

beautiful testimonial

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@rainey545

3y↑1.1K

my mom and i used to sing this when i was little, we didn’t know japanese but we learned how to correctly pronounce the beautiful lyrics to this song, she passed away from cancer when i was 13 and i’m now 16, i love you forever mama i miss you everyday 🤍

@davethorstry6700

3y↑20

She is with you always!

@Frank009-fl

3y↑13

Strenght and love for you

@mavietresbelle1310

3y↑13

Im sure you've had some hard times and even times where you smile as you cry. But focus it all into whatever you're passionate about or what she would push you towards. It may not make you feel 100% better at first. But I guarantee you it will make you feel closer to her. You got this man!❣

@zulickj

3y↑7

Keep the tradition going.

@rainey545

3y↑12

thank you all so much for the kind words, i really do appreciate it ❤️

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@lisatwigger551

23w↑39

My dad loved this song his anniversary tomorrow when he passed love you dad ❤

@user-cm6nh4vk8e

47w↑63

What a beautiful clear voice and he was a good whistler

@c.n.4552

5y↑1.7K

I'm a 20-y-o Japanese woman.
I don't know a song that's more painful and full of hope than this one.
This was my grandfather's favorite song that passed away last month.
When I was a child, I often sat on my grandfather's lap and asked my grandfather to sing this song.
It's a very sad and tender memory.

@johntate5722

5y↑37

That is so lovely. I love this song also. I think the early 60s was a time of real hope for young people after the terrible times their parents had to go through in World War Two. Kyu Sakamoto god bless you

@berwick777

5y↑30

ふゆこ I’m sorry about your grandfather. He’s with Kyu and they’re singing the song together 🙂

@generalhanzaschneiderofthe8550

4y↑3

I relate kind of

@mds19238

4y↑10

I pray you find peace and harmony throughout your days.
Bless you

@StevenVega11281989

4y↑6

I am so honored to have read your story. It's only today that I even knew this song existed--other than the version I heard in the early 80s by A Taste Of Honey. Thank you for sharing your lovely memory...I cried as I read your words.

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@susansmith4721

17w↑8

I remember listening to it as a little kid, and really liking it! I’m 65, and have had it pop into my head a number of times over the years! I shared it with my granddaughter.

@BryanSmith-pf3kp

10w

Hello Susan, How are you doing today? I hope you are feeling alright?

@cindygilbert9335

50w↑34

I am from Crosby, Texas and was 10 years old when I heard this song. I didn’t understand the words, but I cried when I listened to it. Now, I’m almost 70 and have become reacquainted with it. I didn’t know the name of the song or who sang it and just Googled “popular Japanese song in the 60’s”. Now I am crying again since I found out Kyu died in a plane crash. My next job is to find the sheet music to it and play it on the piano. Music definitely is a universal language!❤️

@catharineholton49

2y↑1.1K

I adored this song when I was 14... I'm 70, I still adore it. It made me emotional even as a 14 year old when I didn't know what the words meant. It makes me emotional now... a very emotive song in any language. A talented man with a beautiful smile. Such a sad death.

@lancehamner7902

2y↑40

EXACTLY the same for me. I felt so emotionally moved by the music and the singers voice. If I'd known what the lyrics were I think I'd have cried. Beautiful song.

@m4cbookshawtyofficial871

2y↑31

I'm 14 finding this , your comment makes me have smiles :)) sorry english is not my first

@orereo2328

2y↑20

@@m4cbookshawtyofficial871 I am also 14. The correct way to say that is "Your comment makes me smile" although everyone can understand what you meant by what you wrote, it is very good. :)

@mikeyh0

2y↑18

I'm 71 and I used to make up words for this song. It was always a sad song to me but I never knew why. Discovering the translation was a revelation. Like when I first heard Edith Piaf sing MiLord. Another great foreign song that spoke to me.

@m4cbookshawtyofficial871

2y↑9

@@mikeyh0 beautiful

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@mamawfrancy

8y↑1K

In 1968-69 serving in the military in Japan... i bought my girlfriend a lacquered music box that p[layed this melody. She's now my wife of 47 yrs.

@bobbarker7733

7y↑11

WOW! Great story!

@mamawfrancy

7y↑15

Thank you..... so happy & blessed that i'm still living it.

@Bamm412000

7y↑13

Yes you are truly blessed...

@opiegumilar3118

7y↑10

ooohhh...so sweet...

@ipman3564

7y↑7

Congrats...you're a lucky Man!

22 More Replies...

@StainsBlue

35w↑5

@brucekline6532

35w↑11

In 1963, my big sister gave me money to buy this record for her at the record shop. I heard this song on Sirius and found it on APPLE MUSIC and learned to sing it

@celestial1933

6y↑856

It's very tragic that Kyu Sakamoto died on Japan Airlines Flight 123 on August 12, 1985. 520 people perished that day. RIP, Mr. Sakamoto - your song will live forever.

@heiratsschwindler6749

5y↑12

celestial1933 I remember this terrible crash.

@turdfurgeson1110

5y↑17

What an amazing and heart wrenching piece of trivia. Thanks for sharing that with us.

@glame9001

5y↑12

I was reading up on the event and it feels like foreshadowing when he says "I'm all alone tonight"

@kingcreoles100

5y↑3

@haroldkurera

5y↑13

Great song & a great singer... May his soul rest in peace

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@TheWorseOne

2y↑434

Dad passed away tonite (he was 91) He loved this song and would whistle it so perfectly. Dads whistle was strong, steady and pitch perfect.
This is what is on my mind tonite.
Dad working around the house or yard whistling this beautiful tune. 🎶💕

@de95051

2y↑11

sorry for your loss. But, am happy to hear of your wonderful memories of your Father

@marcellaaguirre-garcia5338

2y↑11

Sorry for your loss.I lost my dad in May 2018...this song reminds me of him! May they rest in peace

@RoanPretorius-de7xv

2y↑1

I hope you have many good memories of your dad, I lost my younger brother in June last year / I got a picture of him laughing and smelling - biggest smile and I enlarged it and keep it in the lounge - I haven’t hung it ❤️‍🩹but when I look at his face smiling and making a kissy face I smile it hurts but I smile back every time - this helps me ?? I don’t know why but it does- I hope you are not so very sad anymore

@Rippenhengst

2y↑3

Vila i frid.

@dariankrieger4813

2y↑5

Sorry for your loss.He is still whistling it just in a much better place

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@susantrimble4818

29w↑8

October 4, 2023. I was 11 when this song came out. Now I'm 73. I remember singing along and how much people loved it. It is a wonderful memory

@kelvinchen3840

29w↑13

My cousin first introduced this song to me in 1963 when I was 10 in Taiwan. Though I didn't understand a word of it, the melody was so fascinating that I immediately fell in love with it and it has been one of my all time favorites for the last 60 years. The song also became a smash hit in Taiwan in 1963. Kyu, thank you for such a beautiful song.

@GregSr

10w

I was also 10 in 1963. I remember hearing this song on a local radio station while growing up in southern California. Loved it then and love it now.

@Easy-mn6et

4y↑2.9K

This song makes me nostalgic for a time I’ve never lived in.

@adrianramirez4056

4y↑32

Easy 8 I feel the same way man and I barely found out about this song from Malcolm in the middle 😂 but I’m already in love with this song

@arthurjunqueira17

4y↑9

Saudades do que eu não vivi ainda kkkkkkk (Lol)

@ahhwe-any7434

4y↑4

Ikr. I really just broke out in snoop dog. Oh wrong song

@fatifa6413

4y↑7

Same it's weired ;dont you think

@diatribe5

4y↑16

I think that in a previous life, I was a member of the Japanese empire during the Meiji era. Perhaps the lyrics gave a sense of the sorrow of the Japanese people after losing WWII, and no longer having the emperor viewed as a deity.

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@nonfecittaliter4361

3y↑457

Kyu Sakamoto sadly died in a plane crash in 1985. For me, it gives a deeper meaning to the song when it says that he is sad but "happiness lies beyond the clouds... happiness lies up above the sky..." with God in Heaven.

@alexfriedman2047

2y↑39

Flight 123... The deadliest single plane crash in world history. 520 people died.

@winterweib

2y↑40

@@alexfriedman2047
And complete senseless. Not only was the plane's repair down crude by Boeing;; the Americans had already found the plane, wanted to rescue the survivors, but Japan said: "...naaaa. WE WANT DO DO IT ALONE! GET OFF! ", then started the search, which had already been done by the Americans, found them when night sank in, said:"... oh well...suppose there are no survivers... let's go sleep and come back tomorrow!'
They came back. And they still found five survivors. And these told how the air was filled with screams and mourning, and how the voices disappeared one by one over night. They succumbed their injuries, and they froze to death. They had written letters to their beloved ones while the plane fell down, but coroners said nearly all had sirvived and could had been rescued, simce the plane sank mostly and not fell like a stone.
WHY?
It haunts me forever. They all count the same, but of course, the name with a face for me is Mr. Sakamoto, and I see him all alone in the darkness, having pain, freezing and longing for help. I hope his wife and daughters and whole family could find peace though. I send them my dearest greetings, and wish, according to his religion, him a peaceful soft comfort in the afterlife 🙇 May you be blessed.

@Eidann63

2y↑7

@@winterweiboh my God, this is just unthinkable. The idea of all those people needing help and their government just writing them off as they suffered and died through the night. I am sadder for knowing this, and had hoped that Mr. Sakamoto's death was quick and painless as much as possible. Of course all of their lives mattered, but he touched so many hearts, and is the only one that we "knew." Thank you for this info. I don't know that I'm glad to know it but in a way I am. The truth is harsh but necessary in this world and the world to come. As you said, I hope his family found peace and that he is in the arms of the Lord. 🌹

@CheemsEncoded

2y↑16

@donleonard7757

2y↑5

@@winterweib .....Wow...sad

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@mariekeung7187

50w↑51

Beautiful song, no matter what language. 60 years later, and it still sounds so good!

@Taiyou536

25w

Japanese is a very beautiful language ! ♥

@mariekeung7187

25w↑1

@@Taiyou536 Agree!

@Taiyou536

25w

For us Germans it's even quite easy to pronounce ;)@@mariekeung7187

@toni4729

24w↑1

You're right there. Super gold.

@roseniupalau3519

32w↑23

I'm 66. I'm from New Zealand and I remember this song from way back. It was a popular song when I was growing up and I always remember how this beautiful song impacted our lives back then and for years afterwards. So sad that Kyu Sakamoto died young.

@BryanSmith-pf3kp

10w

Hello Rose. It’s a nice song back in the Days. I hope you are having a wonderful day in New Zealand? How is everything going over there?

@jk6971

2y↑309

It's actually quite beautiful that so many of us from all around the world, and from so many different generations, are familiar with this timeless masterpiece.

@stephenandrews8419

2y↑9

that's so very true. 👍👍👍 from London

@FoxyMoon7

1y↑5

True!! From the Netherlands🤗🙏🏻

@theoriginalt-paine3776

1y↑4

That is what music is all about, crafting songs that speak to the human condition in such a way that they can mean whatever the listener needs them to mean to carry the listener through their hardships, or to help them revel in & appreciate the good times. I hate to be one of those aging people (I’m actually only 32), who complains that music today isn’t as good as it was back in my day, and so forth. However, while there is plenty of great music today, the art of crafting timeless songs that really speak to the human condition at such a basic level that they can mean many things to many people, and be interpreted in a variety of ways. I think the mid 70s is when that really started to end, and since then music has become such a commodity that it says almost nothing, and songs either speak to highly specific aspects of the human condition, ie breakups, or else just mindless nonsense like partying, that the works simply do not hold the timeless value of this. Most people don’t realize that this is actually a very political almost protest song dedicated to the student movements in Japan during the 50s & 60s, and lamenting the way they sort of fizzled out. However, the writing is so brilliant, and the feeling of lament for the past, but also hope for the future that it conveys is so universal & applicable to so many situations in our lives that the song became a massive world wide hit, and touched the lives of hundreds of millions of people, and that really just doesn’t happen anymore. I’m not an old boomer who thinks everything new is garbage, there’s plenty of new music that has a great deal of artistic value both in the music itself, and in the lyrics. However, none of it has the power of songs like this, and it really does feel as if compositions like this are a thing of the past, and that music today falls into one of two categories. It’s either made by musician’s musicians that are crafting highly complex songs, like Polyphia, or Animal Collective that come off as almost discouraging to non-musicians, and people who don’t know much about music, as if it isn’t for them, and with lyrics that are highly specific, and which may not be relatable to a lot of people; or else commodity music, stuff that has very little going on musically, is very simple & just follows all the current trends which will only be dated in a few years anyway, and with lyrics that may be relatable to wider audience, but which frequently amount to little more than party songs which glorify drinking, partying, and sex. That’s all fine & good, I personally rather enjoy drinking, partying & sex. However, all of those things can be rather empty, and void of emotional depth. In fact sex is the only one that can have any emotional depth, and only in the context of an emotional relationship, which is rarely the kind of sex being sung about. It feels like songs such as this, which speak to a feeling that pretty much every single person on Earth will experience at one point or another, just don’t really exist anymore. I find that extremely sad, because it is music that speaks to those feelings that all humans, whether 30-something Americans living in the 2020s who grew up living very privileged lives comparatively speaking, or young Japanese people in the 50s & 60s, or people living in the Central Asian steppes in the 2010s, have or will experience, that has the power to bring us together, unite us, and make us realize that we are more alike than different, and help us all become a little closer & a little less divided by forcing us all to recognize our common humanity. I think we need that now more than ever, we live in some of the most divided & polarized times in modern history, and it is scary. I mean left-leaning people such as myself have no decided that all conservatives are evil, and that their evil outweighs their humanity. Likewise, conservatives have decided that we are evil, and anti-american just because we reject the notion that there is something wrong with being LGBTQIA+, and we believe that people should be free to live & love as they see fit, and we as a society should accept & respect their identities, and we reject the notion that religion should influence public policy because it should be a personal matter. Likewise, our side decided that they are evil because they are religious, and they believe in biblical morality, and because they don’t see racism around every single corner, nor in every word spoken, and because they do not wish to have hateful people censored, etc. When in reality, the vast majority of us on both sides are not evil, we just have disagreements about the direction our society should go, and while yes, I believe they are the ones who should yield to reason, and simply refrain from doing things like entering into a same-sex relationship, or changing their gender identity, or having an abortion themselves if they believe those things are immoral, rather than forcing the rest of us to conform to their moral standards, I’d also be happy to agree with them that no one should be censored, and that people on my side have gone way too far with accusing every aspect of our society & culture of being racist, sexist, homophobic, etc, and that in fact our side also needs to yield to reason & accept the fact that people are all individuals, and treating them as groups rather than individuals is how we ended up with all the injustices in the world today, and if we try to fix them by treating people as groups rather than individuals we will only make more injustices, but we will not make a more free, fair & equal world. I realize that some of that was way out of left field, but my point was that we need things to make us recognize our common humanity, and take a break from demonizing each other to realize that at the end of the day the people we disagree with so strongly are human being just like us, who feel the same pain, the same fear, the same hope, and the same love that we do, and that we are all in this life together, and we only get one life on this planet, so we should be trying to share it, not control each other. We need music like this that speaks to all of us, and makes us confront the fact that no matter how different we think we are, we are also so, so much the same, and that should be a source of hope. We should be able to come together, bridge our differences & work together to preserve this beautiful world, and all the amazing knowledge, culture, and art past generations have left to us, because if all we do is tear ourselves apart because we all think we know better than each other who, what, and how we should be, we won’t pass much of anything along to the generations that come after us. My side will destroy a wealth of knowledge, art, and culture on the basis that it is racist & imperialistic, and the conservatives will destroy a wealth of knowledge, art, and culture on the basis that it is perverted, degenerate, and immoral, and once we finish struggling for power, there will be nothing left. That is really sad. We need to learn how to empathize with each other, and respect each other again so we can leave the world in better shape than we found it when we all die off & leave it to our descendants. We are all human, we all feel the same feelings, and music like this which touches us all makes that fact impossible to ignore, and that is what we need now, perhaps more than ever, to teach us how to coexist & live together, lest we cause a tragedy in which none of us get to live anymore at all. But that’s just my leftist idiot opinion.

@David-ng7cr

1y↑1

Still love it here in Canada 🇨🇦 it's on my playlist.

@oldmansportsog2514

1y↑2

Don't even know what he is saying and know it's good

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@Meilei429

1y↑217

Grandma and mom came to the states from Japan in 1957…April 2013, I sang this to grandma the day she died….mom asked why I chose that song, I said I don’t know I’ve always liked the song…she cried so hard, she told me that this song was playing on base when they got to California….2 months later I was singing again, this time to my mom. They say mom died of a massive heart attack, I say it was a massive heartbreak. It was always mom and grandma from day one, there were 3 other siblings…but it was ALWAYS mom and grandma…and like an old married couple, one can’t live without the other. It’s been almost 10 years without them, yet it still feels like yesterday, but when I play this song my heart fills with joy knowing they aren’t suffering anymore. Rest easy my Japanese beauties, rest easy❤

@saintignatius3652

1y↑5

Requiestcat In Pace🙏🏻

@marylizakowski706

1y↑9

Powerful story. Thanks for sharing.

@rupakjain7291

1y↑5

I hope they found peace and togetherness in the after life. As long as you live they'll be alive in your heart. May their legacy and the memory of their fight against a tough world carry on through you and the future generations of your family.

@able8803

50w↑5

I am in tears.

@MaterialisticMick

47w↑4

😢that got me, sorry for your losses.

@sweeney139

36w↑9

Just listening to this song brings tears to my eyes. I listened to it as a child when my mom was still living. She died of cancer at the age of 52 when I was 16 and the song really makes me think of her. Sometimes it's good to face pain head on! And it's a beautiful song...

@biy4692

52w↑34

경쾌한 리듬 하지만 너무 쓸쓸한 가사. 이 노래만 들으면 괜히 눈물이 납니다. Very beautiful song.

@edwardguzman7545

8y↑2K

I was a boy in the South Bronx when I first heard this song in the early sixties on 77 WABC am radio . I never understood a single word. But, it never mattered. It is truly a lovely song. Now I am in my early 60's and every time I hear it, I get emotional. I reminisce about my childhood . I almost come to to the point of tears.. God bless you all..

@geetarnut

8y↑42

Hi Edward, me too! I was around 9 years old when I heard this beautiful heartfelt song! I actually felt and could relate to the emotions that the writers deliberately coerced out of us. And just as you said,, tears well up in my eyes because of the memories that this song helped "capture",, because of it's effect emotionally at the time we first heard it! Cheers brother!!!!

@edwardguzman7545

8y↑13

Congratulations God bless, have a great time and return safe. p.s. don't forget to bring me back a suvinere . like a geisha guirl

@charleshesse2808

8y↑13

Me too, Edward. I remember listening to Cousin Brucie announce this song, and I fell in love with. Great memories of that time...

@omohosp

8y↑18

Hello Edward. I am currently 14 years old and I adore this song. I am learning Japanese and found it last week. Thank you for sharing your story about the song.

@pdxnate45

8y↑23

It still hits me the same way! After it made its rounds in the US as a big hit, I was stationed in Okinawa from the fall of 1969 till the spring of 1971. In all the gift shops, almost every music box you opened up played this song. Of course, it's lyrics have nothing to do with Sukiyaki! That just happened to be a Japanese word Americans were familiar with, and the recording company used that. It is truly a beautiful song, and one of my favorites ever, even still, in 2016, and I am 71 years old. I don't speak Japanese, but I love the sound of the language, and do know a few words.

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@AaronSmith-wz7hg

4y↑1.6K

I’m Japanese
I’m proud of him and I’m so happy that you guys like Japan!
Please come to Japan after the pandemic has subsided
Let's beat the pandemic together🔥

Thank you everyone for the warm messages! and more than 1000likes 👍
I hope everyone is happy and well...

@jacquelineandroy5175

4y↑26

Amen♥️
🥰🇯🇲🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🕊️🔥✝️

@zefri84

4y↑47

Nice country and nice people..

@Tomani02

4y↑18

It will be done.

@RoximYT

4y↑6

Bet.

@victorguzman4334

4y↑41

Japanese people have all my respect!
You can to support and survive the WWII (2nd. World War) with Atomic Bomb enclosed.
You can go further like the Phoenix
You can resist earthquakes and tsunamis
And I'm sure you'll go further during this pandemia.
All my respect from Mexico. You're an example for me

109 More Replies...

@Mr1990hjc

42w↑30

In Central Florida, in the 60's and 70's, they played this song on the radio all the time, and I NEVER got sick of hearing it. The beautiful tune just made the lyrics into a nice sound that you didn't really need to understand, like flowing water or distant thunder. Thanks to Japanese art, and culture we CAN have some nice things ! Thank you

@38yofrmut

46w↑46

This song is so enchanting! It’s like taking a trip back to the early 1960s! Seeing old Holiday Inn and Mister Donut signs! Flashing arrow and rotating KFC buckets! Drive-Ins, Route 66, etc!

@lianneotan

46w

Mentioning KFC!!.. enjoyingIt today2!..😋😋 only2-5pm(Mon-Fri): 1chiken/1bun/600ml mineralWater @RM5 cheers!.. 😀😀

@Cynarchy

4y↑474

I FINALLY FOUND THIS SONG! It took me 21 years. I was in first grade in 1999, ready to go to school. My grandma's friend, who we would call "Grandpa Andy" would take all of us neighborhood kids in a carpool to go to school and every other week he would play this song and hum to it. Everytime this happens, we would bob our heads from side to side in the back of the van and it was such a wholesome moment.

He's probably no longer with us, and we're now full fledged adults who are working and/or finishing our education. But I JUST found this song yesterday and I felt a whole bunch of emotions. I also know a tiny bit of Japanese, so it was easy to start singing along.

Thank you, Grandpa Andy - for taking us to school.

@felixbeutin9530

4y↑5

heartwarming

@joyfull5374

4y↑3

☠ very nice story.

@sobatalam2832

4y↑1

You can to watch this song a version cover comedy "Warkop DKI" - nyanyian kode from indonesian. So funny lirycs ..

@perpunksgt6443

Nice story

@Sid_vajra

Hey bro are you from Canada???

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@NGZK2900

5y↑2.6K

I’m Japanese and I was soooo surprised many foreigner know this song🤣
what a great song!!!

@Baiko

5y↑168

It's globally the 16th best selling single of all time.

@keen9629

5y↑66

Song is a great Ambassador.

@Yuzupon_09

5y↑139

I am Japanese, is this song famous in other countries too?

@keen9629

5y↑61

In all countries that enjoy a good song.

@indy_go_blue6048

5y↑93

As you probably well know, it was a huge hit in the USA in 1963. Someone said it topped out at as a #2. Even not understanding any of it, one can appreciate a lovely voice and pretty music.

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@marilynmcmillan5875

44w↑23

This song was number one on the charts back in the day. We sang along and didn’t even know what the song was about. I love it more because it brought back so many memories!!!

@phongnguyen-zz4vn

1y↑32

this song is so good that I listen to it for thousands of times
R.I.P Kyu Sakamoto

@elianastewart2854

What is the relation between the story of the sailor and the music!!!!

@chewsiewpeik7502

50w

This song was my school mates translated to English from Japanese she stay in K L call chee chon kak whenever I listen this song I remember her

@Christinjapan

5y↑743

Iconic song.. .RIP Kyu Sakamoto and all other passengers lost on Japan Air flight 123. August 12, 1985

@5lowXclanX

5y↑69

I was in the USAF. We tracked the flight and couldn't believe it. They flew into a mountain and there wasn't anything we could do about it

@eugeniasyro7315

5y↑24

A horrible fate. 4 survivors.

@richardthefox3412

5y↑6

Race driver Manfred Winkelhock died on the same day too.

@concettasanguedolce9606

5y↑13

That's the Most terrible crash of the 80's.

@paradiseawaits821

5y↑21

So sad, I did not know he passed and in such a horrible way. Condolences to his family, my heart goes out to them.

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@marciashiraishi5891

4y↑380

I am Japanese and I was born in 1986, after the plane crash in which Mr. Sakamoto died. My dad loves rock'n’roll, like me (Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and others) but sometimes he hears that song. He told me that this song was inspired by anti-war sentiments, perhaps by hope, perhaps by typical Japanese resilience. I like that but I think it's a little sad ... I was very surprised and glad that so many people around the world heard and liked this song, and I was moved by the comments. Thank you very much to all!
.

@markw208

4y↑9

Marcia, I was about 9 when this song came out. It was VERY popular, played on many radio stations in the U.S. I remember Mr. Sakamoto on the Ed Sullivan show on Sunday night. It was THE big variety show for years. Mr. Sakamoto was great. It was a sad thing when the plane crashed. The world lost someone special. Mr. Sakamoto and this song would be perfect now.

@marciashiraishi5891

4y↑7

Mark W Thank you for your kind words. I talked to my dad about this song, he told me that the success of this song was really amazing, the only Japanese song that achieved that fame. I listened carefully and was touched, it's a beautiful song!

@violet2048

4y↑1

That is a delightful memory and so wonderful that you shared it with all of us. Thank you.

@furqonrahmatcityzen314

4y↑2

Marcia, And this songs its very famous in indonesia and then once made a soundtrack"Warkop DKI" and the song is good to hear. R.I.P Sakamoto

@khalidnasir.alientechenerg6819

4y↑3

I like this song in second place . I like namidaniwa the best Song i ever heard in my whole life , i love Japan

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@glory1701

21w↑20

I’m from Ethiopia 🇪🇹 I found this song on TikTok last night and I just fall in love right away ♥️but no one deserves to die in that kind of tragedy! It’s so sad 💔RIP 🕊️

@imusiqhead

17w↑1

I am from Eritrea and love as well !

@Depuis1853

48w↑25

좋은 노래 내주셔서 감사합니다. 사카모토 큐님. 천국에서는 행복하게 사시길 바랍니다.

@user-ro4pm8kd4p

아 나이드셔서 돌아가신건가요?

@waltonwarrior7428

2y↑412

On this very day June 15, 1963 this beautiful song hit #1 on the U.S. Pop Chart. I was just 11 years old and was awestruck. RIP Rokusuke Ei.

@ellyj5670

2y↑6

Me too! I was 10. ❤️🎵

@davidoran123

2y↑5

I was nine and still remember fondly.

@robertcarnegie2279

1y↑5

I was 17 at a bbq with my parents and grand parents this beautiful song has stuck in my head since 1963

@diego_r585

1y↑2

Thats pretty cool, do you know the reason this song was a hit in the US and reached number 1?

@antoinetteparry7667

1y↑2

We're the same age, so it hit number one in the US as well as the UK.

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@pacnwcomre1

8y↑145

I first heard this son on a military air base where my father was stationed in California (Travis AFB). I thought it was very lovely although I did not know the translation. It stayed with me through the years and it is obviously something very unique. The American audiences loved it.

@geetarnut

8y↑8

You're NOT alone here! I was maybe 10, 11 years old when I first heard this wonderful song. It has an immediate appeal to the soul,, the heart! And the splendid use of major to minor, and back,,,, well,,,, it goes right to the heart!

@thetraveler2561

8y↑5

I grew up with this song as well. Still enjoy it after all these years. Talented artists it seems pass tragically though. Mr. Sakamoto was on Japan Airlines flight 123. It crashed on August 12, 1985. I was in my mid-twenties. Terrible incident in history.

@mousearebec

8y↑3

My cousin was in Japan when that happened and I was going nuts wondering his fate as we thought he was flying that day..... he was not on that plane. Remember this song well when I was in Jr high.

@mikegantwerger8634

8y↑3

...yep....doing KP at Keesler AFB.......fond memories...

@Carlyfan

8y↑2

Gerry, it is absolutely lovely. I was probably about 10 when it came out and I loved it then, too. BTW, my husband retired from Travis, after we lived on the base for 10 years. We're still up here.

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@Saad-Sadiq

13w↑8

Anyone listening to this masterpiece in 2024?

@charraids3829

42w↑20

That smile shown on the picture is very contagious, I smiled as soon as I saw it <3 this song's tugging on my heartsrings despite listening to it for the first time today

@BryanSmith-pf3kp

10w

Hello Beautiful. How are you doing? I hope your day is going wonderful. I hope your day is going well?

@lenhummel5614

3y↑366

The song is immortal because
1) it is sung perfectly,
and
2) it is a haunting melody about bravely walking through the deep sadness of love lost & gone.
It is at once upbeat and yet very sad.

@jenpeterson3712

2y↑3

So true

@urbanmusicgal9075

2y↑9

I'm 74 and I sing this song to myself when I feel sad. It is a beautiful classic with a bittersweetness that raises my spirits. When it was popular, I was a surfer girl at Huntington Beach, CA waiting to start university in September. It was bittersweet because even then we were saying goodbye to so many of our friends heading to Viet Nam. It is an immortal song for sure.

@lenhummel5614

2y↑4

@@urbanmusicgal9075 thank you for that.
We are the same age, 74. This song and the 1967-68 hit, "WHO WILL ANSWER"? are the two songs that most stay with me.
I have it twice uploaded on my main Len Hummel channel.
I was deeply grieved & outraged over Vietnam and ALL our wars after WW2. 😥😢🤕😷🤕😥

@RoadCone411

2y↑5

Also the singer tragically died in a plane crash in 1985, gone far too early. Not just any crash but the single biggest plane crash involving one aircraft (JAL 123). Makes the tune all the more haunting to me…

@geoffreyherrick298

2y↑1

How very poignant.🥲

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@katherinegan9196

3y↑415

When I heard this today on the Tokyo Olympics closing it is bitter sweet for me. I am 70 now. It brings back all the precious memories of my late
Mom. We would listen to it together on the radio and she’ll sing along with her lovely voice . It’s bitter sweet because today is the 35th anniversary of her passing. Listening to this song brings back all my memories of my dear mom as though I am re-living my life with her singing close to me. Thank you for the memories.

@jackfitzpatrick8173

This reminds me of my Mom too. She had a music box that played this tune.

@somejohndoe3004

She had soul and great musical taste, bless be her soul @}}>---->---------------

@neenaat.9232

อยากให้ช่วยแปลเพลงสุกี้ยากิ้ให้ได้มั้ยค่ะ

@marshallang2616

46w↑16

The first time I heard this beautiful song, I was on overseas employment attachment for 10 days at Yonezawa, Japan. My Japanese colleagues were so friendly, they brought me to a wonderful plateau and a restaurant. After a few drinks, I was drunk and unwell the next morning. So they sent me to a local hospital to rest. In SG, we don't do that. I also experienced my first time with snow. Overall, I have a great time. Domo Arigato Gozaimas.

@beyondobscure

40w↑14

I heard this for the first time when I was about I'd say 8 or 9 on Casey Kasem's American Top 40. Touched my heart, thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world. Looked it up, listened to it, and forgot about it. This went on for a while, and only a few months ago did I learn its true title and re-experienced it as if it was the first time. Beautiful song.

@ronkirk5099

3y↑415

I'm so old, I remember when this was a big hit on the radio in the U.S. I didn't understand the words back then, but it was just beautiful sounding song.

@rubycantrell4627

3y↑31

I am 83 and I feel sick most of the time. I really feel sick mentally and physically. I wake up every morning and wonder why but I believe in Jesus Christ so I know He has a reason. I looked at my email and my son sent me this link, he knows how much I love this song and how I would try to sing along with it. I read what you all wrote and I got my mind off myself. I made up my own words to this beautiful song and they do not make any sense but I have always sang it the same way. God bless you all.

@Kgermaine

3y↑12

@elianepluchet8354

3y↑2

In France too

@tonyrussi7777

3y↑8

I was 12 in 1963 when this hit big & didn't like it then when came on the radio but now I love it & brings tears to my eyes thinking of my Mom& Dad & what a nice life I had back then.

@futurebillionaire5690

3y↑3

@@rubycantrell4627 I hope you are doing ok

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@Rondadoreronda

9y↑249

Listening to this song, I always feel sad and nostalgic. My body gets weaker and weaker, but my mentality has been the same as when I was young.
This song reminds me of my good old days, which will never happen and come back to me from now on.

@dsupanga

9y↑6

Rondadoreronda One of my old favs though it makes me kinda sad and nostalgic too.

@Rondadoreronda

dsupanga Yeeees!! I think so.

@johnb8028

9y↑5

Rondadoreronda God bless you Ronda.

@Rondadoreronda

9y↑3

John Brenton IV
Thank you for your heart-warming comment.

@Rondadoreronda

9y↑3

***** Thank you for your comment. OK!, I keep on saying to myself, "Go for it!"

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@kenjileach

22w↑8

I'm 71. My Mother was Japanese. I did not know the words, but could tell it was a love song. Gave me chills listening to it again.:)

@mikesuch9021

20w↑9

OMG I know every word to this song growing up in the 60s my best friend's parents met at a Japanese concentration camp in Pima Arizona. Going to their house quite often in the 60s his parents would be playing this Album. I know every single word to this song and never knew what they meant. Thank you so much. Now I can sing this song in two different languages. You just made this 63 year old mans Day!

@maryc333

3y↑1.1K

Who's here after they played Sukiyaki at the 2020 Olympics closing ceremony? This song is a timeless masterpiece :')

@macska92

3y↑23

Me! This song has been one of my favourite Japanese songs since the first time I heard it, I was pleasantly surprised to hear it played at the closing ceremony!

@jeffschuler5659

3y↑6

Yo ! That Be Me !!

@jilleebeanb

3y↑5

Me!

@Janet_Price

3y↑9

I heard the song and remembered it from the 60's!!!

@lindapurkey54

3y↑13

I had to hear the original Loved this since I was 9 years old in 61 Beautiful

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@sgtdarkness1

5y↑956

My mother loved this song. Love u Mom.....1912-1992.....

@suciratri3554

5y↑6

So , how old are you now ?

@sgtdarkness1

5y↑19

Suci Ratri.....66...

@suciratri3554

5y↑2

when you born, how old your mother ??? 52? Wow

@suciratri3554

Can i save your watshap number?

@sgtdarkness1

5y↑6

Suci Ratri.....Mom was 40 when I was born....

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@ashokathahanappu5806

52w↑6

My name is Ashoka Peiris. I met a Japanese Shorinji Kempo teacher when I was in Sri Lanka. His name is Mr Kenji Yamada. He is my first Shorinji Kempo Sensei. He explained me about this song. I still singing this song myself when I be alone...!!!

@lifecloud2

46w↑13

This was the first song I ever danced to. It was summer and I was 16, attending a small party at the house of a friend who lived in the neighborhood. We were in the driveway and I danced with a boy I had a intense crush on. Because of this, that moment is burned into my memory.

@georgebalsamo1011

5y↑293

My spouse left this world on May 12, 2019. We were married for 24 years. Though I have heard this song many times, I learned the translated lyrics recently on this video. A few days ago, I visited the park lagoon where Barb and I posed for some wedding photos. This time, I was alone. And I played this song; it describes exactly how I feel.

@gotadino1695

5y↑13

I am so sorry for you. Hope you don't feel alone. Your wife is watching you in the heaven. Be strong and happy always

@Bamm412000

5y↑2

I am very sorry for your loss..We walk the same path..

@richardc4624

5y↑3

Sorry for your loss. Life is full of them. God bless you.

@jennydiazvigneault5548

5y↑4

Sorry for your loss. All we can do is be thankful for the blessing of having had that one wonderful person in our lives.

@newchangeunlisted_viewer5594

4y↑1

I'm sorry to hear about that, I'm sure she was a wonderful person :') but as Dr. Seuss would say, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

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@jamesmc1016

7y↑597

Before my Mother met my Father she had met and fallen in love with a soldier during WWII and he was killed in the war. Both my Mom and Dad were very patriotic WWII vets, and my Mom had even enlisted in the US Army (as a WAC) during that time. While I was growing up I always heard racial slurs from them against the Japanese (and German) people seeming to blame them for all the atrocities that occurred. When I heard this song in the early sixties on the radio as a ten-year-old boy, I loved it, and I also noticed it had a calming effect on both of my parents. I recall that my Dad was even stationed with the military in Okinawa at one point for one of his assignments, but that Mom would not go with him so that the rest of our family stayed in the states. When I visited Hawaii with both Mom and Dad in the 1980's and went to the Arizona Memorial with them, I knew that the ill feelings they both still harbored toward the Japanese had resurfaced.

Years and decades passed and my Dad died, and Mom grew old without him. When we were not able to take care of Mom at home any longer, she went to a Nursing facility and had a roommate in the bed next to hers: an elderly Japanese woman named Yaeko. This woman was not able to speak at all nor move without being assisted due to her medical condition, and Alzheimer's was having a similar effect on my Mom so that they were virtually unable to communicate with each other. Oh, but they most certainly did commnicate. One day after Mom had been at the facility for nearly two years, my brother and I came into her room to find both her and Yaeko looking at each other and both starring up at the ceiling in the corner of the room and smiling. Nurses Assistants said they couldn't believe Yaeko was actually speaking in her Japanese language, since she had not spoken in years. The Assistants told me my Mom had also been talking for hours and was steadily looking up toward the same corner of the room where Yaeko was now pointing at. My brother (who videotaped part of this scene) asked Mom if she was looking at "Angels," and she just looked at Yaeko and back up in the corner again; and both of them kept smiling.

We could only guess what the two of them were looking at that day, or how they were somehow able to communicate with each other, and both of them seeing the same thing. The next morning when I came to visit I found out sadly that Yaeko had died during the night, and within one month, my beautiful Mom had also passed away. It is strange how Karma, Destiny or whatever you want to call it, seems to point toward Eternity. That was nearly five years ago, and now whenever I hear this song, I always think of my Mother, and of Yaeko, RIP.

@4june9140

6y↑36

A lovely story, thank you.

@s.o.2628

6y↑25

Thanks for sharing that story! :)

@duckduckgoismuchbetter

6y↑25

I loved this story, thanks for telling us about it.

I also have loved this song since I was a kid in the 70s. But I never knew a thing about it. It was just one of those "oddball" songs that I never really knew anything about as I was growing up. It would just grace the radio for three minutes, and then be gone for weeks or months and I would forget all about it. I wonder how many other wonderful songs like this are hiding in some forgotten corner of YouTube?

@mcculloch29

6y↑14

What a beautiful story. I always associate this song with the Tokyo Olympics of 1964, now with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on the horizon, perhaps it will get another lease of life. I loved this song as a small child, and still do.

@toveduritaaskham4584

6y↑16

Thank you for this beautiful story, you are a great storyteller.

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@elizasteele9066

42w↑8

My father recently passed (born 45) and although he wasn't the nicest, I remember nice car rides with the family to Kentucky with his song playing. He loved it.

@user-we8fw2hk8y

5w↑3

発達障害で貧乏で男に騙されて、仕事は続かなくて、話せる人はいなくて、家具家電の揃わない部屋で夜1人この曲を聞いて救われました。死のうとしていました。
今は子ども2人が私の両手を握ってくれていて、決して寂しくありません。

@georgeralph8031

5y↑480

Still the only Japanese language record to ever chart in America. To this very day.

@emperorchopchop7726

5y↑28

BABYMETAL squeaked into the top 40 with #39 on the US Billboard in 2016. They're awesome too!

@minkavaliant7625

5y↑6

And in Germany

@osas5211

George Ralph remarkable

@eepanusstar5940

5y↑15

And we did not understand one word of it-still loved it! LOL

@johntate5722

same for the UK I think as well, George

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@laurelj.5975

5y↑478

No way this should get a thumbs down. One of the most beautiful songs ever recorded.

@iandodd14

5y↑13

Yep. It's hauntingly beautiful.

@JulietRobin

5y↑11

Who ever gave this beautiful song a thumbs down should be put in a barrel and rolled down the hill.

@ting6161

bohemian rhapsody numba 1

@charlesyada6015

@@JulietRobin b

@garychapman2661

5y↑2

@@JulietRobin Don't worry, they are out numbered by 50 to 1.

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@Dragon-Doxin

20w↑11

I've collected music from lots of cultures between 1910 to 1960. What a journey! This is beautiful, thank you. (I'm Argentinian)

@annfoster6116

48w↑17

Wish they would play it on the radio again - so many memories!!

@BryanSmith-pf3kp

10w

Hello Ann. How are you doing today? I hope your day is going well?

@succulentplant1985

3y↑455

I heard this from watching From Up On Poppy Hill years ago, even though it wasnt that long in the movie. It was always so catchy, and since then I've listened to it all the time. It's sad, but also very comforting. When I have hard times, I'll listen to this and itll help me feel a whole better. I recommended it to a certain friend of mine named Juik because he had to move back to Korea for military service, and I told him what this song meant and now its his go to song when he's having a tough time too. He's now happily engaged and I hope he's doing well (:

@galenapbs7279

3y↑6

i also heard it in From Up on Poppy Hill and i recently noticed it was also in Charlie's angels from the 2000s, it is really catchy :)

@noyes1382

3y↑3

I love From Up on Poppy Hill! I didn’t remember this song was in it, that’s awesome!

@hidayahyun8073

3y↑2

Omg!!! I knew I've heard this song before! I also heard this song from that movie. I came here after knowing about the JAL tragic crash. Sad to know about the singer this way

@loulou2302

Same!

@vuxdinh

3y↑1

Same for me. Heard the song from From Up On Poppy Hill and they animated him singing on the TV in the movie. It was great. The song caught my attention and I looked it up on YouTube. Great song. Fun and sad tone at the same time which is kind of strange. Also learned about the tragic incident that happened to the singer as well. May him rest in peace.

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@soonerprincess2903

5y↑191

I was born in 1959. I am not Japanese. I vividly remember the tune to this song and it has haunted me. It’s was the most exotic song I had ever heard. I just found it today. It brings back beautiful memories.

@tdoggo7614

5y↑8

Me too, born in 1960 and this brings me back to my earliest memories.

@bullracing1

18w↑5

I am here from wikipedia. How did this reach No.1 Billboard 100? It was quite an achievement for himself, 13 million physical sold in the 60's is actually a staggering amount

@rainbow.purple.9563

18w↑1

Please look!
sukiyaki (song) by Wikipedia!

@simple.1829

47w↑32

Proud to be Japanese ❤
最高の曲🎉

@Ishtanara

38w↑3

💕❤️💕

@deathGod252

37w↑2

❤

@angelicag2042

8y↑360

Thank you for posting this tender, bittersweet song! The tears just well up in my eyes every time I hear it. I was a little girl when I heard it on my dad's transistor radio! This is the best video with the lyrics in both languages. I keep playing it over and over trying to learn the works! He died tragically in a plane crash. I read somewhere that the plane was in trouble for several minutes and he wrote a very short loving farewell message to his wife.

@KnightHawk111

8y↑16

Tragically, the plane was in trouble for about 1/2 hour before it crashed. (See the Wikipedia entry for "Japan Airlines Flight 123")

@angelicag2042

8y↑7

I can't begin to imagine the terror everyone of board felt.

@kimiokadota8740

8y↑1

Hi, there,
Did you know Q Sakamoto died due to the plane clash.

@ahmadmuzakkirabdurrahman583

8y↑8

and i still love to hearing this song until today 😆

@MsEconomistgirl

8y↑3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukiyaki_(song)#Soundtrack_appearances

35 More Replies...

@beautifulgirl425

8y↑490

My dad said this is the only song that makes him cry.

@pandjiputranda

8y↑49

tell your dad he's not the only one

@kenspringcreek

8y↑20

isn't that so strange,when I was a kid when this came out and every time I would hear it on the radio I got chills and would cry,don't know why but interesting to see Im not the only one.

@lovehk8824

8y↑11

This song make me cry too. Stream of tear.

@TheMrBiermann

8y↑16

this is a very sad song. its about how people need to move on even when times are bad. to this day they use this song as a symbol every time there's a natural tragedy.

@ScarlettJFG

8y↑1

It might have but the inspiration behind it was something along the of he lost his girlfriend or something

12 More Replies...

@Craig69247

16w↑6

I was in Prague sort of near the Charles bridge around Christmas time in 2019 and there was a kid singing this song with a ton of heart. He had a sign that said something along the lines of "I am a college student on holiday." I wanted so badly to sing with him because I love this song, but I guess I chickened out. The chance of you reading this is probably as close to zero as possible, but you did an incredible job, and I will remember it the rest of my days. Thanks for the memory.

@suesanwoods6423

15w

Still love him singing this version 😊 xxx

@pikachuthebananasplit9061

43w↑12

My Great Aunt passed away a few weeks ago and this was her favorite song so this played at her funeral, even though weeks have passed now it makes me and my whole family cry and we still all miss her.

@ewoodiemathis6309

2y↑138

I fell in love with this song when I was in my 20s. I am now 79. It popped into My head when I awakened this morning, 10 11 2022. It is a powerful song that reminds me that I'm a widow who had two good marriages. I'm alone but not lonely.

@JBa-xr1kw

1y↑4

♥

@violet2048

1y↑5

We have our memories to keep our hearts warm.

@SolitaryCroneWiccan

1y↑5

And you're only 7 years older than I! I also remember this song, it awakened my seeking mind to learn another language. I was shocked in 1985 when I heard about the plane crash in Japan, I was living in Hawaii at the time, & many of my friends (who are now deceased) cried when they heard the news. HIS SONG WILL LIVE ON FOR ALL ETERNITY, his words that powerful. REST IN POWER, KYU 🙏🏿

@acatinny

9y↑84

People commented here really misunderstood the true meaning of this lyric. This song was written in '60s, and at that time, Japan was already out of the post war misery, but still many people were poor and struggling. Especially many poor kids from countrysides were sent to the cities after they finished their middle school to work in factories, and they attended the night time high school. Life was very tough for them and lonely as they were so far away from their families. Also many other people's lives were very hard too. This song told told them that they were not only ones to have a hard and lonely time, and many people feeling the same way. No matter how hard and lonely your life is, you are not alone, so let's keep walking! That was the message of this song, and that was why so many of them loved this song. So this was really a song of hope for them!

@acatinny

9y↑5

acatinny The greatness of this lyric is that lyricist did not mention why this person was so sad, and kept it very simple. So no matter what the reason you are feeling blue for, you can relate yourself to this song. But sadly Taste of Honey's English interpretation of this song was just a cheap commercial love song.

@twinstu50

9y↑2

acatinny Thank you so very much for explaining this SO beautiful song.

@kayleejohnson7167

+acatinny so true thanks

@mr.warmth1511

i liked this so much i learned it in japanese

@urashimahanako9965

5y↑1

+acatinny Oh really? I'm Japanese and didnt know that. Song of hope of the post war period... could be. In the US, it was the year 1963 when this song was popular but in Japan it was 1961. My mom told me Japan was still poor. When my father went to US that time, clothes and other stuffs are all made in Japan, just like stuffs I can get here in Japan now are mostly made in China. At that time, Japan was cheap labor.

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@StephenLuke

26w↑21

RIP
Kyu Sakamoto
(1941-1985)

A victim onboard Japan Air Lines Flight 123 which crashed on Mount Takamagahara, Ueno, Gunma Prefecture, Japan due to an in-flight structural failure.

@johnwilliams7922

41w↑11

I knew without the translation that this song was about a brokenhearted young man coping with loss of love. So, 60 some years after first hearing the song, I know its true beauty.

@alanmiller8390

1y↑54

I first heard this song in 1962 when I was 7 on my mother's His Master's Voice (HMV) portable radio. It had a popup antenna that you could rotate to get the best signal. The song made me very sad and my mother cried. Many years later, we met a Japanese man in Carnarvon and he explained what the song was saying ad both my mum and I cried again! Today, I am 67 1/2 yrs old and when I heard this again, I cried again because I lost a wonderful Japanese girlfriend in 2007. I will always remember you Noriko, when I hear this song.

@PrinceChaloner

4y↑210

It reached number one in the United States Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963, making Sakamoto the first Asian recording artist to have a number one song on the chart. 😎😎

@mikemagnum7987

4y↑3

I remember that year very well... and this song particularly! I enjoy picking this song out on an electric guitar, so beautiful...

@MidKid61

4y↑16

And still the only one to date. Only five songs sung in a foreign language hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song plus "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" in 1958, "Dominique", also in 1963, "Macarena" in 1996 and "Despacito" in 2017.

@Powerranger-le4up

4y↑2

Because I was born in the 90s, I didn’t hear the song until recently. Since I am fascinated by aviation accidents and their causes, I listen to this to honor him and the other victims of Japan Airlines Flight 123.

@preachelectrick

4y↑1

number one? damn that's pretty cool

@meownya262

4y↑8

bts just got a #1 a few minutes ago, becoming the 2nd asian act in history alongside this legend, so im here to reminisce :)

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@howzt

42w↑18

This song is timeless, crosses EVERY language barrier till this day. Who did not want to either be Japanese or speak it when this song came out? I sure did 🥰🥰

@user-pb8gs2bm1m

33w↑8

when my dad played this song i was 4 years old,i wanted to cry even tho i didnt know what was this song meaning,proves how good this song is.

@SVolke

4y↑97

I have studied Japanese language for a few years. Now I can finally able to sing this song of my childhood and understand the lyrics completely. This might not be a great thing for others but I felt so happy I came this far in my study.

@nimazsheik5152

4y↑7

It's a great thing for me and everyone else who loves this song, so go on out there and sing your heart out <3

@haveahope1

4y↑4

おめでとう！

@VitaUm-mj7gj

4y↑2

i listen to this song in my entire life, for be a japanese decent its on my head and i can actually sing it

@iamimran1757

Same here!!😃❤️..

And hey check out i sang this beautiful song in my channel.. i tried my best to sing this beautiful song and i am Indian..❤️ Love and support!!
👇👇👇👇👇👇😃
https://youtu.be/C2f-UDqAFaY

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