Both the 4 P.M. and A Taste of Honey versions used the same English-language lyrics, written by Taste of Honey's Janice Marie Johnson who was given permission by the original song's copyright holders to write English lyrics for the song on the understanding that she receive neither official credit nor remuneration.
The lyrics tell the story of a man who looks up and whistles while he is walking so that his tears won't fall. The verses of the song describe his memories and feelings. The English lyrics of the version recorded by A Taste of Honey are not a translation of the original Japanese lyrics but a completely different set of lyrics set to the same basic melody.
Johnson is quoted in The Billboard Book of Number One R&B Hits by Fred Bronson as saying that when she translated the original Japanese lyrics into English, she found out that the lyrics could be interpreted in three ways: as a man on his way to his execution, as someone trying to be optimistic despite life's trials, or as the story of an ended love affair. "Me being the hopeless romantic that I am," she explained, "I decided to write about a love gone bad."
Johnson's partner in A Taste of Honey, Hazel Payne, did not actually contribute to the recording of "Sukiyaki"; after its release as a single Payne learned to play the koto acompaniment for the song to perform in its television promotion and also in concert.
The duo, who were quite popular in Japan (Johnson and her bandmate, Hazel Payne, often wore kimonos in concert), considered their version of "Sukiyaki" a tribute to one of the countries where they were most popular, and added a whispered "Sayonara" at the end of the song.
When recording their cover version of the Kyu Sakamoto song ""Sukiyaki"" (from their third album - Twice As Sweet, released in 1980) they resisted suggestions to turn it into a dance tune, and as a soft and simple ballad it brought them the second and final major hit of their careers in 1981, when it reached number one (#1) on the Billboard R&B and Adult Contemporary charts and number three (#3) on Hot 100. The group was awarded a gold record for this single.
The recording and release of the song also brought them some financial distress as Sakamoto sued Capitol Records for copyright infringement, a song Johnson had believed to be a Japanese "folk" song (and in the public domain).
Sukiyaki
A Taste Of Honey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm feeling sad and blue
You went away now my life is just a rainy day
I love you so
How much you'll never know
You've gone away and left me lonely
Untouchable memories seem to keep haunting me
That once turned all my gray skies blue
But you've disappeared
Now my eyes are filled with tears
I'm wishin' you were here with me
Soft with love are my thoughts of you
Now that you're gone I don't know what to do
If only you were here
You'd wash away my tears
The sun would shine
And once again you'd be mine all mine
But in reality
You and I will never be
Cause you took your love away from me
If only you were here
You'd wash away my tears
The sun would shine
Once again you'd be mine all mine
But in reality
You and I will never be
Cause you took your love away from me, baby
You took your love away from me
Sayonara
The lyrics of A Taste Of Honey's song Sukiyaki depict the aftermath of a lover leaving and the subsequent emotional turmoil experienced by the singer. The song opens with the line, "It's all because of you, I'm feeling sad and blue," indicating that the singer's current state is a direct result of the lover's departure. The lyrics explain that the lover has left and now the singer's life is like a "rainy day," portraying a sense of emptiness and loneliness. The singer expresses their love for the departed lover and how they will never know the extent of it. The memories of the love they once shared "haunt" the singer, emphasizing the lasting impact of the departed lover.
The subsequent lyrics of the song reveal the singer's lingering feelings for the lover and how they now struggle to cope without them. The singer's thoughts are "soft with love" for their departed lover, but their absence brings tears to their eyes. They wish for their companion to be with them again so that they may wash away their tears and bring back the sunshine to their life. The final lines of the song acknowledge that the possibility of the lovers being together again is bleak because the lover has taken their love away. The song concludes with the Japanese word "Sayonara", meaning "goodbye."
Line by Line Meaning
It's all because of you
The cause of my sadness and depression is solely due to your absence
I'm feeling sad and blue
My emotions are filled with sadness and sorrow
You went away now my life is just a rainy day
Since you have departed, my life has been gloomy, dark, and depressing
I love you so
My love for you is immense and everlasting
How much you'll never know
You will never be able to fully comprehend the depth of my love for you
You've gone away and left me lonely
Your departure has left me in a state of loneliness and despair
Untouchable memories seem to keep haunting me
Indelible memories of our time together continue to torment and afflict me
Of love so true
Our love was genuine and authentic
That once turned all my gray skies blue
Our love had the ability to make the difficult times in my life feel bearable
But you've disappeared
But now, you have vanished from my life
Now my eyes are filled with tears
My eyes are brimming with tears
I'm wishin' you were here with me
I yearn for your presence in my life
Soft with love are my thoughts of you
My love for you is gentle, tender, and affectionate
Now that you're gone I don't know what to do
Since you've left, I am at a loss and don't know how to proceed
If only you were here
If only you were present in my life
You'd wash away my tears
You would take away the sadness and sorrow from my life
The sun would shine
The clouds of gloom over my life would clear
And once again you'd be mine all mine
I would regain the love and affection that we shared
But in reality
However, in truth
You and I will never be
We will never be together again
Cause you took your love away from me
Due to your actions of leaving, our love is no more
Sayonara
Goodbye (in Japanese)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Janice Marie Johnson, Hazel Payne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tropicwave1
Song: Sukiyaki
Artist: A Taste of Honey
Album: Twice as Sweet
It's all because of you I'm feelin' sad and blue
You went away, now my life is just a rainy day
I love you so, how much you'll never know
You've gone away and left me lonely
Untouchable memories seem to keep haunting me
Of love so true, that once turned all my gray skies blue
But you've disappeared, now my eyes are filled with tears
I'm wishin' you were here with me
Soft with love are my thoughts of you
Now that you're gone, oh, I don't know what to do
If only you were here, you'd wash away my tears
The sun would shine, and once again you'd be mine, all mine
But in reality, you and I will never be
'Cause you took your love away from me, oh
If only you were here, you'd wash away my tears
The sun would shine, and once again you'd be mine, all mine
But in reality, you and I will never be
'Cause you took your love away from me
Oh, baby, you took your love away from me
Sayonara
Songwriters: Hachidai Nakamura, Rokusuke Ei
Sukiyaki lyrics © Beechwood Music Corp., EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING JAPAN LTD
℗ 1980 Capitol Records, LLC
@josephinelarosa7031
This reminds me of my husband who I lost. It still makes me cry. Beautiful lyrics, fantastic voices and lovely koto instruments. These ladies overflow with talent, style and beauty.
@finallythere100
I was just crying thinking of my late husband. Listening to this made me think of how much I love(d) him. then I saw your comment ... sweet memories...
@philipnorris6542
Keep on keeping on, Josephine.
@ralphellectual6975
@Trinity 3 Today is the anniversary when I lost my mate. I feel you.
@delvinbullock1420
💪
@curtismoore7738
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES
@NekkPhace
My dad passed in 2019, I'll never forget when he showed me this song... R.I.P Dad I love you ❤
@cristianmontenegro9954
No te alcanzó a mostrar LOS JAIVAS "mira niñita"
@authorfreeman3436
Sorry to hear about your dad passed away but you got a friend in me if you ever need me so hey
@edcalderon6488
Sorry for the passing of your father