[Calm & mellow]
No.221 "You make me happy" by Akemi Ishii
Hi. The song we would like to introduce to you today is, "You make me happy" by "Akemi Ishii".
Calm & mellow pop tune "You make me happy" is a song selected from an album "Mona lisa", the debut album of "Akemi Ishii", released in 1986.
And "Akemi Ishii" is a Pop singer well known for her signature hit "CHA-CHA-CHA", a nice Dance-pop released in 1986.
Because of her passionate and active hit songs, we tend to assume her music world in that way. And actually, the guess is just about right in this case.
But still, there are some nice mellow tunes like this in her albums, though it is not a lot. If you like, please dig.
Now, "Ishii" is a proven good singer, but it seems her singing was not yet in full bloom at the point of recording this album.
But a new face like natural & fresh voice of her is quite charming. If you like please listen to.
Links to the music shops, offering song samples, are located on the bottom of this page.
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Cover art today
Song data
| Title | You make me happy |
|---|---|
| Artist | Akemi Ishii |
| Album Title | Mona Lisa |
| Catalog Number | 32DH-572 |
| Track No. | 4 |
| Duration | 4:37 |
| Released | 1986 |
| Publisher | CBS Sony |
| Lyricist | Yōko Aki |
| Composer | Kyōhei Tsutsumi |
| Arranger | Etsuko Yamakawa |
About the creators
Yōko Aki Lyricist
"Yōko Aki" is a lyricist, actor, author, and essayist active since 1969.
She is one of the most prominent pop song lyricist, and particularly well known with her powerful support for a legendary Pop singer "Momoe Yamaguchi" in the '70s, working together with a composer, and her partner "Ryūdō Uzaki".
Early time
There seems to be no much information about her early time, but according to some references, "Yōko Aki" was a child likes to create a story.
She once formed a drama group with children in the neighborhood, and performed a sketch based on the scenario she scripted.
After entering a university in Tokyo in 1964, "Aki" joined a light music circle in canvas as a club activity.
(She was a rare female student of the university, and rare female member of the circle too at that time.)
In the circle, there was a member named "Kimura", who debuted as a rock singer "Ryūdō Uzaki" later, and happened to be the husband of "Aki" also.
"Kimura" was an outstanding, and prolific melody maker. He was always asking to the people around him to write lyrics for his melody whenever he composed one.
Of course, "Aki" could not be an exception.
She also wrote many for him.
Debut
"Aki" slowly started as a lyricist after graduating from university.
And in 1969, she debuted as a professional, by writing a song for a pop group as a lyricist.
"Uzaki" also set his foot in a music industry after finished college, by starting an assistant job at an agency.
In 1971, "Aki" and "Uzaki" entered into a happy marriage.
In 1973, "Uzaki" made "Aki" surprised by suddenly expressing his decision to debut as a vocalist of a rock band.
"Uzaki" again asked "Aki" to write lyrics for him since his rock band (Down town boogie-woogie band) had no enough stock of songs for releasing albums.
"Aki" began to write lyrics for "Uzaki"'s band.
In 1975, "Aki" wrote a new lyrics titled "Minato-no Yoko, Yokohama Yokosuka" (A bar girl Yoko, in port towns like Yokohama, Yokosuka) for "Uzaki"'s band.
"Uzaki" uniquely arranged it, and released as one of the song in their 4th single record.
The song with long title became a surprising big hit.
And thanks to the success of this, "Aki" & "Uzaki" quickly drew attention as song creators with high potential.
Supporting "Momoe Yamaguchi"
Many professionals began to have their eyes on the ability of "Aki" & "Uzaki", and a famous pop singer "Momoe Yamaguchi" was also a person did so.
A young super star "Momoe Yamaguchi", she was still sixteen at that time, told to the staff around her that she wish to sing their song if possible.
The office of "Yamaguchi" send an offer to "Aki" & "Uzaki" if they can write songs for "Momoe Yamaguchi".
It was a good opportunity for "Aki" & "Uzaki" as well. They accepted an offer and began to create songs for "Momoe Yamaguchi".
In 1976, "Yamaguchi"s 13th single titled "Yokosuka story", written by "Aki" & "Uzaki" became No.1 hit.
This hit surprised people a bit, since the song was singing feeling of an independent young woman, and it was a total opposite to her line up to this point.
"Momoe Yamaguchi" succeeded to change the image of her from teenager idol to more independent young adult woman, by "Aki" & "Uzaki"'s song.
From this song, "Momoe Yamaguchi" had entered in her prime, and "Aki" & "Uzaki" strongly her supported her glory days until "Yamaguchi's complete retirement in 1980.
In fact, "Momoe Yamaguchi"'s signature hits, like "Imitation gold"('77'), "Play back Part 2"('78'), or "Shinayaka-ni utatte"(Sing it supplely, and smoothly, '79) are all written by "Aki" & "Uzaki".
Recent
"Aki" & "Uzaki" has been pillars in the world of Japanese popular music.
In 2006, the Japanese government awarded the medal of honour with purple ribbon to "Yoko Aki" for her long term and outstanding contribution for Japanese popular music.
And in 2018, "Aki" received "The Order of the Rising Sun" from the government, for her long term and prominent contribution to the Japanese society through music.
References
For more details on "Yōko Aki", please have a look at the references linked below.
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(Ref: www.yokoaki.jp,
profile)🇯🇵
Kyōhei Tsutsumi Composer
The composer of this song is "Kyōhei Tsutsumi".
"Tsutsumi" was one of the most prominent composer in the Japanese popular music field, and a legendary creator who created hit song after hit song like a miracle, particularly in the '60s, '70s and '80s.
We have introduced "Kyōhei Tsutsumi" just a little in our post "No.155" in the past.
Please have a look at it by clicking the banner below if you like.
References
For your convenience, here are some basic references on "Kyōhei Tsutsumi".
Etsuko Yamakawa Arranger
"Etsuko Yamakawa" is a composer, arranger, keyboardist, singer-songwriter, and music producer active since around 1980.
She is one of the leading music creators particularly in light & mellow Japanese pops, and has written hundreds of nice mellow tunes to various singers including herself.
We have once introduced "Etsuko Yamakawa" in our post "No.199" in the past, just a little though.
So, Please have a look at it by clicking the banner below if you wish to see some more introduction.
References
For your convenience, here are some basic references on "Etsuko Yamakawa".
-
(Ref: etsu-style.tv,
profile)🇯🇵
Song image & Lyrics
Open
Link to the lyrics
Some notes on the lyrics link
Sound impression
Soft & mellow
This seems to be a soft, mellow, and melodious pops song in medium tempo.
A breezy, calm and peaceful tune.
Gentle breeze
The drums, bass, electric guitars, keyboard, percussions and backing chorus begin a soothing introduction.
In the main section, gentle breeze like sound of the flute also supports soft, sweet, and fresh voice of "Akemi ishii."
In the bridge, a romantic, and amorous interlude is performed by the solo trumpet.
Reference
About Google translate
About the artist
Akemi IshiiA star of Dance pop
"Akemi Ishii" is a Japanese pop singer, TV character, and a radio personality active since around 1986.
Her debut song, and No.1 hit song "CHA-CHA-CHA" released in 1986 is particularly well known.
"Akemi Ishii" debuted in 1986 with a single, "CHA-CHA-CHA". Since then, 15 singles, and 5 original and 5 best albums have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Akemi Ishii)
Early times
According to some references, "Akemi Ishii" was an athlete, or a swimmer in other words in middle school, and she did not have any particular opportunity to engage herself in music activity.
In high school, she began to think to be a beautician, (or hair dresser) after graduation. And started a correspondence course to be a beautician.
After leaving high school, she came to Tokyo from her home town for taking a practical skill course, and to start an assistant job at a well known hair salon after the course.
Within few years, "Ishii" took a break for her beautician job because of the career plan she plotted. She began to seek job opportunities which meet with her direction.
And at the same time, she started to work at a music bar as a part-time staff member.
At the music bar, she happened to have a lot of opportunity to sing in front of the people. Like sometimes duetting with customers, and sometimes sing a song alone.
People praised her good singing, and "Ishii" became known as a good singer among the customers of the bar.
Not a few of the customers coming to the bar were the people in music industry, and they often recommend "Ishii" to be a singer, and some of them were even offering a debut.
But "Ishii" was not able to accept it, since she was planning to go back to be a beautician later.
However, there was a music agency still offer a debut pretty ardently.
They said, "We think you will be a good singer. Why don't you release just one single record? If it is not successful, or you still feel this is not a place for you, then forget about everything. We will take a responsibility."
"Ishii" had no more excuse for not accepting the proposal.
She agreed to their offer, and joined their music agency straight away in April 1986.
Debut
Soon, "Ishii" received a one month voice training course provided by the agency.
And already in June, the office scheduled the first recording for her, because her first single record was set to be released in 2 months time, in other word in August (it was so quick).
In fact, her debut song was destined to be an important ending theme for a new TV drama series that is coming in July, the next month.
That was why people were rather in a hurry.
Anyway, "Ishii" completed her job successfully.
Big hit
A romantic-comedy TV drama series "Danjo shichi-nin natsu-monogatari" (A summer story of the seven of men and women) was went on air from the near end of July 1986, as scheduled.
And a passionate & vibrant Dance-pop "CHA-CHA-CHA", (originally released by "Finzy Kontini" (Italy), and covered in Japan by "Akemi Ishii"), which was also a debut song of "Ishii", was aired too as an ending theme of the drama series.
Fortunately, the TV series quickly gained popularity, especially with the younger generation.
Naturally, the ending theme "CHA-CHA-CHA" also came under spotlight, since it was also a very impressive, and nice song.
"Akemi Ishii"'s debut single "CHA-CHA-CHA" stormed to the top of the charts, and enjoyed good sales.
And eventually, this song achieved a million sale according to some web sites.
This song also earned an honorable "Japan Cable Awards, Best New Artist Award" for 1986.
And "CHA-CHA-CHA" surely became a signature hit song for "Ishii".
Because of this lucky hit, she decided to continue being a singer at least for now, since going back to a beautician job was an option she can take at any point of time.
"Akemi Ishii" began to prepare for her first album "Mona lisa".
Lambada
"Ishii" had been keeping up releasing new singles and albums constantly her debut single became on sale in 1986.
In March 1990, she launched another impressive cover of foreign pop song, "Lambada", originally performed by a French band "Kaoma", as her 8th single CD.
Amorous & active Latin dance-pop "Lambada" enjoyed popularity, and became another hit song for her.
By success of this song, "Akemi Ishii" established her name as a Dance-pop singer. (It might be different from her initial intention though.)
Recent & Yume Concert"
"Akemi Ishii" has a regularly radio program even now, and also appearing on TV variety occasionally as a guest.
And in 2011, she released the fifth album "Colors". Then in 2016, she released a new single, "Daite Samba" (Hold me samba) after a fairly long period of time as single record.
So, she seems to be still quite active.
And one more activity making herself busy recently is "Yume Concert".
Since around 2016, "Akemi Ishii" began to participate in a singers group called "Yume star(s)".
"Yume star(s)" is a loose group of singers who were the stars in the '60s, '70s, and '80s and have at least 1 signature hit song.
In other words, the singers in the group are the yearning stars especially for the people in their fifties and over.
"Akemi Ishii" says she is still the youngest in this group.
The main object of the group is to have concerts across Japan, by assembling 10 to 20 members of the group depending on the venue, and creates opportunities to contact with fans around the country.
This series of concert is named "Yume Concert".
In recent Japan, the TV music programs are near extinct because of multiple, but fairly logical reasons.
In fact, that is an unfortunate situation for both veteran singers and fans of them, since listening their songs is a joy for fans, and to sing for fans is an occupation for singers.
Fortunately, this project seems to be going well at the moment.
The group is holding almost 10 concerts monthly in all over Japan.
Some says that not only matured audience but not a few of young fans also enjoy the concert.
The project was initiated by a commercial company at first.
But we think this trial is providing a good opportunity, which is not just a business but somewhat beyond. And creating a new style of music concert.
Latest topics
Back on topic, but in July 2022, a long-time pop singer "Miki Asakura" celebrated her 40th anniversary of debut, by holding a concert in "Marunouchi Cotton Club", a refined music restaurant in heart of Tokyo.
For this auspicious concert, "Akemi Ishii" was invited as a backing vocalist & a guest singer, together with "Mayo Shōno", and "Chikako Sawada" since they all are friends.
And "Ishii" performed "Cha-Cha-Cha" on her turn.
Like that way, she seems to be enjoying a productive life.
Reference
For more details about "Akemi Ishii", please have a look at the references linked below.
Video clip
You can find some music clips of today's song "You make me happy" on tube.
Please input the artist name "Akemi Ishii" and the song title, then conduct search.
We are not able to put links to them here, because of copyright concerns. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Instead of that, we would like to introduce other sunny pop tune, "Nakitai toki-mo arukeredo" (There are moments when I feel like crying, but...).
This light & stylish pop song is one of the track in "Akemi Ishii"'s fifth album "Colors" released in 2011.
Melody and lyrics are both very much refreshing and encouraging, and we imagine the song can lighten up, and give energy to the listeners.
If you like, please listen.
Music Samples
4
(試聴する)
AD: Listening samples (Free)
mora.jp
recochoku.jp
music.apple.com (Track No.4)
Japanese Letters
| Song Title | You make me happy |
|---|---|
| Artist | 石井明美(Akemi Ishii) |
| Album Title | Mona Lisa |
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