[Bouncy & Lively]
No.215 "Atarashii Yesterday" by Yōko Nagayama
Hi. The song we would like to introduce to you today is, a "Yōko Nagayama"'s 1988 number "Atarashii Yesterday" (A brand-new yesterday).
This is a refreshing & lively nice pop song, selected from "Yōko Nagayama"'s 1988 album "F-1".
The singer has many fans as a long serving prominent "Enka" star, but she had been an idol star once, and singing popular songs for approx. 10 years in the early part of her career.
So, today's is a song recorded in her idol star era. Or more precisely, she released this song when she was twenty.
The unique thing is this song title.
Actually, the title "A brand-new yesterday" (!) puzzled us. But we wrote our interpretation of this mysterious phrase in "Song image" section, so if you like, please have a look.
If you like, please enjoy this song.
Links to the music shops, offering song samples, are located on the bottom of this page.
Some contents have been put away in tabs with "▶" mark in each section, so please click it to see.
We are now working on improving appearances of our posts.
If you find anything odd, please kindly let us know.
Thank you.
Cover art today
Song data
| Title | Atarashii Yesterday(A brand-new yesterday) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Yōko Nagayama |
| Album Title | F-1 |
| Catalog Number | VDR-1549 |
| Track No. | 4 |
| Duration | 4:02 |
| Released | 1988 |
| Publisher | Victor |
| Lyricist | Keiko Asō |
| Composer | Kiyonori Matsuo |
| Arranger | Shirō Sagisu |
About the creators
Keiko Asō Lyricist
"Keiko Asō" is a popular song lyricist, and essayist active since 1984.
She was particularly visible in the '80s and '90s, as a song writer for the hottest young female idol stars like, "Kyōko Koizumi", "Yui Asaka", or "Kaoru Kohiruimaki".
Short Bio.
According to some articles on the internet, "Keiko Asō" was in overseas in the early '80s to train herself to be a lyricist.
In 1984, after return to Japan, one of her lyrics written while she was living in overseas, was selected for a much-loved singer "Kumiko Yamashita"'s new album.
And by this, "Keiko Asō" started her career as a professional lyricist.
Big hit
In the beginning of 1985, "Keiko Asō" wrote a pop song titled "You Gotta Chance - Dance-de natsu-wo dakishimete" (Holding the summer with dancing) for a rising rock singer "Kōji Kikkawa" as his fourth single record.
"You Gotta Chance" topped the chart, and it became the first No.1 hit for "Kikkawa" who became a prominent rock singer later.
"Keiko Asō" established her name as a hit song maker with this song.
Since then, she write many songs not only for the singers in popular music scene, but also for anime song category as well.
As an essayist
Since around 1991, "Keiko Asō" began to write essays mainly for young adult women, and have published more than a dozen so far.
In 1999, "Asō" moved her home from Tokyo to "Kyoto".
After that, she started to write an essay about the life in "Kyoto",
Her essays amuse readers, and therefore people loves them, since the essayist keeps her eyes as an outsider to "Kyoto". (Because she was grown and lived mostly in Tokyo.), and write curious customs or places which locals are often unaware.
In an old capital city like "Kyoto", there is a lot of surprising customs or life styles, and "Asō" continuously reports her "discoveries" through her essay.
Her essays, or guide books written about "Kyoto" has been published more than a dozen until now.
References
For more details on "Keiko Asō", please have a look at the references linked below.
-
(Ref: ann.hi-ho.ne.jp/izutsu,
Keiko Asō song list)🇯🇵 -
(Ref: blog.excite.co.jp,
profile)🇯🇵
Kiyonori Matsuo Composer
"Kiyonori Matsuo" is a singer, composer, vocalist, guitarist, and a former member of his leader band "Cinema", and a member of pop group "BOX" active since around the late '70s.
"Matsuo" works primarily as a Pop singer, and a vocalist of "BOX". But he is also committed to perform as a music composer or backing vocalist since early days.
Short Bio.
"Matsuo" set of on his music career in Tokyo as a vocalist of a 4-piece semi-professional band, which was a precursor band of "Cinema", after graduating from university in the late '70s.
In 1980, "Matsuo"'s band welcomed two more members, namely "Saeko Suzki"(Dr) & "Mitsuru Odaki"(Kb), and was reborn as a new unique pop group "Cinema".
"Cinema" recorded, and released their first, (and only) album in 1981, by having "Kei`ichi Suzuki" of "Moonriders" as a music producer.
But relatively soon, "Cinema" broke up, and "Matsuo" naturally became a solo singer afterwards. And he launched his first album "Side Effects" in 1984.
Since that day, "Matsuo" is continuously releasing solo albums at his own pace until now.
At the same time, he is actively participating in many recordings of various artists, like "Kanako Wada", "Masamichi Sugi" or "Mariya Takeuchi" as backing vocalist, or composer.
"Cinema" again
Surprisingly In 2007, "Matsuo" and four other former members of "Cinema" gathered again, and released a new album "CINEMA RETURNS".
Then, it seems they have resumed the band activity.
References
For more details about "Kiyonori Matsuo", please have a look at the references linked below.
-
(Ref: www.sonymusic.co.jp,
cinema prof)🇯🇵 -
(Ref: sound.jp/junmama,
Matsuo chronology)🇯🇵
Video clip
Lastly, we would like to introduce one of the hit songs of "Matsuo".
In 2015, a pop singer "Michiru Hoshino", one of the very first members of AKB48, covered Matsuo's 1984 pop tune "Itoshi-no Rosie" (Rosie my love).
And Youtube has its music clip on their site now.
This music clip might bring you some ideas on "Masuo"'s music.
So, if you like, please listen to.
Shirō Sagisu Arranger
The arranger of this song is a well known professional musician, "Shirō Sagisu".
"Shirō Sagisu" has appeared in our recent post also as an arranger. Then, if you like, please have a look at his section in the relevant post linked from below.
Song image & Lyrics
Open
Link to the lyrics
Copyright notice on the lyrics link
Sound impression
Refreshing & lively
This song sounds very much bouncy, lively, and refreshing to the ears.
In a sense, we think we can call this as a typical pop tune for idol stars.
Rhythmic
The drums, backing chorus, bass, String pizzicato, synthesizer, electric guitar, conga, bongo, and other percussions play a happy, refreshing, and thrilling introduction.
In the main part, clear, pure, and unconstrained vocal of "Yōko Nagayama" booms. And the piccolo flute plays an endearing fast up-down passage which remind us of small birds in spring.
In the bridge, a bright & animated passage appears, and take listeners to a spring field with full of flowers.
About F-1
Each of the five talented composers provided two songs for this album.
It is just like constructors and number of cars at Formula-1 race, and we imagine the album was therefore titled as "F-1".
Additionally, we have once heard that the code "F-1" also means "Women aged 20-34" in consumer marketing sector.
Interestingly, "Yōko Nagayama" just hit twenty when releasing this album. So, possibly...?
On top of that, the album "F-1" seems to be only release which consists of all original tracks, since she had been proactively singing covers of western hit songs in idol star era, and the most of her earlier albums contain those.
So, in a sense, this album is special, and a lot of charm of an idol star "Yōko Nagayama" is packed in here.
If you like, please check.
Reference
About Google translate
About the artist
Yōko NagayamaLeading Enka Singer
"Yōko Nagayama" is an "Enka" singer, actor, and a master of the Tsugaru-Jamisen (a playing style of the shamisen) Sawada school, active since around the late '70s.
Now, "Nagayama" has come into prominence as an excellent "Enka" singer. And Japanese audience loves her a lot, because of her personality, excellent singing, dynamic vocal, powerful & lively play of the Shamisen, and so on.
But she also had been a much loved Pop singer for about 10 years from debut (1984 to 1993), before switching her career to an "Enka" singer.
And "Nagayama" released today's song in 1988 while she was an idol star.
Yōko Nagayama debuted in 1984 with a single, "Haru-ha SA・RA SA・RA" (Whispery spring). Since then, 70 singles, and 32 original, 2 live, and 15 best albums have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia-jp, Yōko Nagayama)
Early times
According to her profile, "Yōko Nagayama" was born to a family lived in Tokyo in the late '60s.
Her father was a person loved "Min-yō" (Traditional Japanese folk song), and often held a "Min-yō" party with friends at his home.
He also took lessons at "Min-yō" class regularly. And one day, he went to a lesson together with 4 years old "Yōko".
Seemingly, "Yōko" liked the place and lesson. And began to learn "Min-yō" singing in the same class.
"Yōko Nagayama" started to play "Tsugaru Jamisen" when she was ten, because a "Min-yō" teacher recommended it.
At the same time, she auditioned for a famous, and highly competitive "Victor Juvenile Min'yō Club", and fortunately passed.
"Victor Min'yō Club" provided opportunities for "Yōko" to participate in studio recording, or appearing on TV varieties as a child cast member. And motivated her to become a professional singer in the future.
In around 1982, when "Yōko Nagayama" was finishing middle school, A reputed entertainment agency recognized her talent, and offered her to be a singer.
"Yōko" accepted an offer, and joined the talent office when she went on to high school.
And began to receive vocal lessons from a notable "Enka" composer for debuting as an "Enka" singer, that she intended to be.
Debut
"Nagayama" completed a year and a half course of lesson, and about to record a debut single as an "Enka" singer already in 1984.
But only 4 months prior to the set debuting date, the management office altered the promotion plan of "Yōko Nagayama", and announced that they would make "Yōko Nagayama" debut as an idol star, instead of an "Enka" singer.
In fact, "Yōko Nagayama" was a known cutie, and we can imagine that many concerned parties around her wished her to be an idol star.
Further to that, "Enka" singer usually makes a debut at slightly higher age in that era.
This change rather confused "Yōko Nagayama", since she had no such idea in her mind.
But she bravely faced up to this sudden, and difficult request, and quickly prepared herself to be a pop singer. And in April 1984, "Yōko Nagayama" debuted as a newbie idol star with her debut single "Haru-ha SA・RA SA・RA". (Whispery spring).
Smash hit
"Yōko Nagayama" was constantly releasing singles since debut.
In October 1986, "Nagayama" released a Japanese version of "Venus", a British Pop group "Bananarama"s hit song in 1986, as her 8th single record.
This song (Yōko Nagayama's Venus) revealed a fresh charm of "Yōko Nagayama", and became a smash hit. And helped her to become a further popular idol star.
Finally... 'Enka' singer
"Yōko Nagayama" spent almost 10 years as an idol star & pop singer, but she was still keeping her original will to be an "Enka" singer.
In 1993, "Yōko Nagayama" finally achieved her hope. She started again as an "Enka" singer by releasing an authentic "Enka" song "Higurashi" (The evening cicada), by having a strong support from a newly arrived, and competent music producer.
Actually, "Higurashi" was a really orthodox and authentic 'Enka' song, and had no trendy, and lighter Enka taste at all.
So, people around "Yōko Nagayama" felt uneasy about this song, since it could be tough music-wise and business-wise.
But contrary to all expectations, "Yōko Nagayama" performed this song brilliantly with her outstanding singing skill and attractive voice. And the song became a long seller throughout the year 1993.
By this success, a prestigious year end music program "NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen" (NHK Red and White Song Battle) invited "Yōko Nagayama" as a cast member for the first time in her life.
And she successfully re-established her name as a notable and rising "Enka" singer.
Shiny "Enka" star
In 1995, "Nagayama" newly released a modern style "Enka" song "Sute-rarete" as a 7th single of "Enka" singer "Yōko Nagayama".
This song featured a light & rhythmic modern "Enka" taste, and was quite opposite to her first hit single.
However, the song again became a long seller, and by this achievement, "Yōko Nagayama" appeared again on the special music program "Kōhaku Uta Gassen" for the second time as a performer.
Since then, she performed her "Enka" songs on the prestigious stage of "Kōhaku Uta Gassen" for 13th straight year, surprisingly.
And she completely established her name as a member of the most prominent modern "Enka" star.
Tsugaru-Jamisen (shamisen)
The "Shamisen", a small guitar like traditional string instrument represents Japan, might become an important topic when we talk about "Yōko Nagayama".
Because "Nagayama" has more than 40 years experience on playing the "Shamisen", and she has been a recognized master of "Tsugaru-Jamisen Sawada school".
("Tsugaru-Jamisen Sawada school" is one of the biggest schools of Tsugaru-Jamisen headed by patriarch "Katsuaki Sawada" based in Tokyo.)
Then, she often shows her Shamisen performance in concerts, or sings her songs with her self accompaniment of Shamisen.
In 2003, "Nagayama" released a little uptempo "Enka" song, "Jonkara On'na bushi" (Jonkara folk song women's melody) as her 28th single.
On this song, she accompanied herself on Shamisen, and showed her excellent Shamisen performance together with her dynamic and lively vocal.
"Jonkara On'na bushi" enjoyed a huge popularity after release, and topped the "Enka" chart in July 2003. And it became a signature hit song for "Yōko Nagayama".
In fact, "Nagayama" performed this song for three times at gorgeous stage of "Kohaku Uta-gassen", namely 2003, 2004, and 2007.
Because the broadcaster received many requests for this song from fans, and they wanted to answer for the wishes of fans.
Curiously in 2015, "Yōko Nagayama" suddenly appeared on a stage of rock festival as a surprise guest & and opening performer, with 10 Shamisen players and three Taiko (Japanese drum) drummers in tow.
"Nagayama" presented an energetic performance by singing her hit song "Jonkara On'na bushi", and her powerful solo play of Tsugaru-Jhamisen excited the audience.
The concert arena erupted in thunderous applause, and she bowed to the rock fans in the venue.
Actually, a lively play of Tsugaru-Jamisen is already quite a rock and roll. "Nagayama" proved it again with her dynamic performance.
By the way, Tsugaru Jamisen is basically a playing style of "Shamisen", and there is no much difference on the instrument itself.
"Tsugaru-region, which is in the northern end of Honshu main island, developed a dynamic playing style of Tsugaru-Jamisen.
And people loves its powerful, but quite a lot wistful sound very much.
For more details about "Shamisen" & "Tsugaru-Jamisen", please have a look at the relevant Wikipedia pages linked below.
Since those articles well summarise the topics, and they are written in native English.
Recent
"Yōko Nagayama" looks even busier than before in recent days.
In 2017, she celebrated 35 year anniversary of her debut.
In September 2021, "Nagayama" released a new single "Shitamachi Ginza" (A busy shopping street of an old district) as an an Enka singer "Nagayama"'s 53rd single.
References
For more details about "Yōko Nagayama", please have a look at the references linked below.
-
(Ref: jvcmusic.co.jp/yoko,
profile)🇯🇵 -
(Ref: ameblo.jp/yoko-nagayama,
blog)🇯🇵
Video clip
We have found no suitable video clip for today's post, so we will keep this place open for the time being.
But you will get hundreds of results if you search for her name "Yōko Nagayama" on Youtube, so please have a look if you like.
(Today's song was not there either.)
Only very few official music clips have been uploaded, and there are none covering her idol star era.
Under the circumstances, we would like to introduce one of her recent music clips, since it would give you a general idea about "Enka" song, as well as an "Enka" star "Yōko Nagayama".
If you like, please have a look.
Music Samples
4
(試聴する)
On Giga.co.jp page, please click "(試聴する ▶)" button first which is placed in the center. You will be then moved to the next page.
And once you see the (▶) play button again, please click that button, then the music will start.
AD: Listening samples (Free)
recochoku.jp
www.giga.co.jp
music.apple.com (Track No.4)
Japanese Letters
| Song Title | あたらしい Yesterday(Atarashii Yesterday) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 長山洋子(Yōko Nagayama) |
| Album Title | F-1 |
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