ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 พ.ย. 2024
- Broadcast on February 11, 2023
via NHK:
Sakamoto Kyu's famous song "Ue wo Muite Arukō" a big hit in the U.S. despite being sung in Japanese, reached No. 1 in the U.S. in 1963. Why was this song the only one that made it to the top in the U.S.? There was the drama of Japanese Americans in a small town in California who were encouraged by this song! How did this song change the destiny of Sakamoto Kyu and his own tumultuous life, and how did he meet A Taste of Honey, who covered "SUKIYAKI" and made it a big hit?
Thanks for this video. Heard the song sometimes in Japanese Comedy content I watched. I love it. Edit: Oh wow he sang: "Ashita ga Arusa" as well! Amazing.
I am Jamaican, I fell in love with this song as a child. It made me interested in Japan and her people. In time, I got to teach English online to Japanese people. It was so much fun and my students (of all ages) were the most polite people ever. Eventually, my twin sons taught themselves Japanese and moved there to work in IT. Soon, I will see Japan myself - especially the cherry blossoms! All because of this tender, beautiful song. Thank you Kyu san.
Wiseman says ‘Same kind of people admire each others’ 🙂
Sincerely wish you/ family good health. Successes on career and life.
@@usaneebeilles9510 Thank you so much.
To give us strength to go on is priceless. Thank you.🙏💞💞💞
Bom-dia ! Traduz em português por favor! Sou do Brasil, RJ! Amo este artista!
I loved it!!! Still do. I had a Japanese pen pal and she sent me Japanese music, I sent her Ricky Nelson who she loved. I'm so happy for you that you'll see Japan. 😊
I am now 70 and this has to be, for me, one of the most beautiful, haunting, utterly captivating songs I have ever heard. Whenever I hear the song I feel as if I am transported somewhere to some place that is so beautiful as to be almost painful it’s a time capsule back to the 1960s. I have lost track of the times I have played it his voice is just amazing. The greater tragedy by far is that he died prematurely in one of the worst air crashes in history. This is a remarkable documentary of things I had no idea, even though I’ve listened to so many about this beautiful human being. Thank you for this timeless classic Kyu Sakamoto!
Me too exactly!
me too on both acounts
i loved this song as a child - it was part of the 60s innocence.
Early ‘60s, I guess.
@lliamjurdon9505 As one who lived through the 60s as an adult, I don't think there was much innocence there: Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, Assassination of JFK, RFK and Dr. Martin Luther King, the Cuban missile crisis, just to mention a few. It was really a jolting, turbulent time during which I began to question everything I had been taught.
My hubby said he was scared all the time growing up b/c of all the turbulence in the world.
He had nightmares that German airplanes were gonna bomb his house.
Those duck & cover drills just added to the chaos...
This is without doubt the finest documentary of this type I have ever seen. Whoever put it together is truly a master at his craft. The quality of the footage, the way it is all woven together, the narration - is spot on and, he or she, should be very proud of the work they have given the world about this delightful man and this beautiful song he sang.
Omg why am I in tears watching this video?? Love from the Philippines
I found tears rolling down my face just as you did. Not sure exactly why either, but all the emotions just came over me, as I'm watching this video clip and reminiscing the good 'ol days.
This documentary perfectly captured the essence of this remarkably beautiful song, as expressed through its lyrics, its melodies, and, of course, its lovely interpretation by the original artist, Sakamoto Kyu, himself. ❤
Now THAT is a video WORTH making. THANK YOU.
@@arcboutant Ain't dat de truth! The amount of high powered brain power that went into crafting this is a thing of beauty to behold.
What a story. And me living in fresno😮 I never knew the words, but the song always makes me cry. Thank you for remembering. 🙏🏽
@@rubenfacio9831 made me feel life worth living
Mr. Ei Rokusuke who wrote (lyrics) the song had a radio show when I was in high school. He talked about the story behind the song some 50 years ago. How I remember is that it was based on the poem he wrote. It was about the day a few weeks after the war was over. Bombing was stopped but everything was destroyed. It was a wonderful Fall afternoon. He just stepped out to walk. People were preparing supper in ruins. There was nothing but sorrow and despair in the air. He was still young but couldn't see the future. Tears started to come down, so he looked up so the tears wouldn't fall. He saw a beautiful blue sky and a few white clouds. The future and happiness seemed above the clouds and beyond his reach. That was what the poem was about. The was a sad song. But the music made it sound upbeat by Mr. Nakamura.
fall afternoon
Beautiful.
Thank you remembering Ei Rokusuke ❤ it brings honor to a man whose heart and thoughts changed the world ❤❤❤😂🎉
What a beautiful smile he had.
I bought a Sukiyaki 45 record when I was 7 years old in 1963. Still love the song today! RIP Kyu.
This is a song I remember from my childhood and my teens. Thank you NHK for posting this story.
What a goldmine this documentary is. Arigato!
This touching NHK documentary made me even appreciate the song more. I wasn't aware of the impact it had on the Japanese-American community. That was most touching especially when it was recounted how it brought a smile to a first generation issei who probably endured all the hardships of being an "enemy alien". A purely Japanese song being heard on American radio and hitting No. 1. Wow! Thanks for posting this Ms. matty.
When I heard it as a little girl it took me away from horrible circumstances and gave me a hopeful feeling. I still listen to it. Thank you
This song, the melody, his voice, the lyrics and the whistling. Sakumoto Kyu delivered it to the world with its message and beautiful smile. I remember how touched I was as a little Japanese girl hearing it in NYC in the 60’s. I felt nothing but love and pride when I looked up. His song felt like home.
Sad that he died too young. Great song one of my favorites.
i was wondering how this song was made thanks so much for uploading this!
This song just makes you smile and feel good, every time you hear it! The smile song.
though it's actually quite sad. about sorrow and loneliness.
@@desiguy55it hits all highs and lows, transcends borders, cultures, souls, that is the beauty.
This song was, and still is, very popular song in Hawaii.❤
This song is one of my happier memories of the 60s. It is more meaningful now that I know its background. Thank you for this documentary.
Brings back memories.
Reminds me when I was just a little kid. I heard this song all the time. Reminds me of my grandma and how much I loved her. Those days everyone had a very hard life.
This is such a beautiful song I'm very proud of my heritage!!!!
This video had me at a point of tears. What a wonderful true story told exquisitely. I was 13 in 1963 and I bought that single. RIP.
I fell in love with this song a few years ago. It came up in the car with my Dad recently, and he immediately recognized it from the first few notes. He was born in 1960, it just goes to show you the lasting impact this song had!
We have long held a beautiful symbiotic relationship with Japan, especially when it comes to trading elements of our cultures. I am glad that we are allies, and I sincerely hope we continue to be friends.
As a 78 year old Japanese American who loved hearing "Sukiyaki" on the radio when I was in middle school, I loved watching this video so much! It resonated so much with my own history growing up in the Salinas Valley. Thank you so much for sharing!
It had to have been the melody cuz I still love it til this day! I was just a young teenager middle school in Hawaii!! I and American Japanese, but don’t understand Japanese ( my bad) my mom tried to teach us kids! But finally gave up😒. I didn’t know the singer was not popular in Japan 😞 !! So happy for him for being beloved by international fans!!!!
That's totally wrong!!
He was very popular and loved by Japanese people!!
Thank you Matty for posting & sharing this meaningful short documentary on the song that means so much to people globally, especially Japan. Bless Mrs.Sakamoto and her children. May they find comfort and joy whenever they play their beloved's song. May Mr. Sakamoto rest in eternal peace. Thank you for your joyful song of hope, strength love, and perseverance.
Thank You for that
I well remember this song, sung beautifully, and so uplifting. I'm 74 now. ❤
I always loved this song I was 13 when it came out
This song always hits me and bring back my childhood years on my first year in school. Thinking back, I feel the melodious catchy theme is the quintessential success appealing to the universal sense of love and peace. The amicable singer's disposition of an easy-going person helps. All said, if only love could spread like borderless music do, the world would smile. Stop the insane conflicts.
This song means so much to my family. My kids and I would play it and sing with their Baachan. She passed away earlier this year.❤ We miss you Mom.
I ma sorry for your loss - from Germany
Taste of Honey, an R&B group, sang this in English, and it was a hit in the US in 1981. It rose to #1 on the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Very sure it was done with approval from Sakamoto Kyu.
I remember both very well. I still prefer the original.
im indigenous australian this song is old as me and its still sounds good rip kyu sakamoto beautiful never forgotten ☺🖤🧡❤👍👵🦘🪃🥀💐
I have my original Capitol record of this song. I fell in love with it the first time I heard it on the radio and got the record. I only learned what the translation meant a few years ago. I just knew I loved the melody and his voice. It always made me feel happy and calm. I turned 16 in 1963 and Sukiyaki ha been in my heart all these years. Thank you for this amazing story!
I was 10 yrs old in '63. My Issei(1st generation, migrant from Japan) obachan(grandma) had the 45 also. Side 2 was a more snappy upbeat song.
They played this song on
South african radio as well. A tune you can never forget im seventy four now. I was eleven when i first heard it
An excellent video regarding this childhood song that I heard while growing up in Hawaii. Thank you for sharing this story of Kyu’s song. 🫶🏻🌺🍍😎💕
Thank you for uploading
np! had to since NHK only had it for limited time an i totally respect the man and want to share his story
❤welcome and i agree.
Thank you for this video. This documentary on Sakamoto Kyu was well done. Learning the complete story behind the song was so interesting.
Growing up I loved the song and even in the present day whenever I hear this song it brings both joy and sorrow.
I learned so much from this documentary! I remember this song from my childhood, but never knew it was played worldwide! After reading the comments below from people growing up in other countries around the world, it touched my heart deeply . Music truly is a universal language!
tears...thank you
What a wonderful and enlightening video. I never knew the meaning behind the song. I just liked it and listen to it today.
We moved to Guam in the late 70’s, my dad was military. My parents bought me a jewelry box and this song was what played. Very fond memories!
This was a great story that’s touched me emotionally. I, of course, remember the song and its popularity, but this back story makes it even more significant and meaningful for me. Rather than just a piece of nostalgia from my youth, I understand it’s universal appeal to so many people throughout the world. Amazing story. Thanks for sharing
I remember as a young boy, in Hawaii, when this song came out. I loved it and played it as much as possible.
I read that the main singer for sukiyaki was a national hero his entire life. Where ever he went the Japanese stood and applauded.
What a wonderful moving video. Thank you for providing the background of Kyu. Gone but not forgotten 🙏🏽
Mom had the record and I couldn't stop listening to it everyday since I was old enough to play it by myself!. It runs strong on my Spotify!
How could I keep from smiling when hearing this song, and especially when watching him sing? Thanks for the upload.
Mi Opinión:
Saying thank you is an understatement. It is the most impressive song of my life in the USA, since my origins are Argentine. A song introduced into my life by the Japanese mother I adopted. A compact biography full of great history and lessons, letting us know that music, sung from the heart, can cross borders and years.
Gracias , Thank You, どうもありがとう
Thank you so much! This was my favorite song in high school, and every day one of my best friends and I would go to a Cafe near our school for lunch, and every day I would play Sukiyaki! Thank you again for such a wonderful documentary, that brings back so many good memories. ❤❤️❤️🎶🎶🎶🎶
I remember it well. It was a hit down here in New Zealand.
What a nice peace my dad Japanese American is no longer with us but this song always was playing this song and singing today it’s my ringtone and today 9/16/2024 I came across this clip thinking about my dad this song
This song is about a heartbroken lonely youngman who is searching for solace and illusive happiness that is somewhere as the season changes and trying to hold off flowing tears by looking at the heaven.
Watching him sing this song you never guess what he is singing because he was that kind of youngman who was always smiling. Just happy guy!!! And being loved so much for it!!! Taken away too soon😥
It's not about a beef dish ?
@@vonnam21n91
HA HA !!🙃
PS: I hate the title with passion!!!
@@rockingrandma4711 it's like naming a Chinese song chow mein 🤦♂️
I catch myself humming this song to this day. Such a great song
It was extremely popular in Hong Kong. I took a lyric book to sing along. I was still a child.
just watched...fascinating! i am in my 60's and have loved this song since i first heard it with my older sister in the mid 60's. when i am feel really down or feeling defeated i find this song on youtube and feel myself ready to battle the demons. can't explain it but this song just lightens my mood, warms my soul and gives me hope. thank you to the people who made this document happen.
*One of my favorite song a very popular one when it came out in The Philippines. Thank you Sakamoto.*
My first time heard this song, i was 7yrs old and immediately fell in love with it. Every time when I felt down and sad, this song always lifted my spirit up. Now I'm in my 40's and this song is still a big part of my life. Thank you Mr. Sakamoto Kyu🙏💝🙇♂️SUKIYAKI💝
I grew up listening and loving this song. I still listen to it. Any friends of mine that are more than ten years younger than me think I'm crazy and can't understand what I see in it. But this song is special. The sadness and feelings in his voice don't need to be translated and still makes me cry. I'm 70.
I have and will always keep this song in my heart.
Thanks for uploading this! (Get this, I live in Fresno, and my grandfathers on both sides of the family actually LIVED in that Japanese nursing home before passing away sadly in 2018.)
I have loved this song, and the story behind it and with it, for many, many years.
I have it on my iPhone in Our Favourites playlist.
It shows that a great melody transcends language. His voice was perfect for it.
Thanks for sharing. I always loved this song and it still brings so many memories back 😊.
What a wonderful story… so emotional at so many levels.
I recall well this song playing on the radio back in the 1960s when I was a teenager. I was into "rock and roll" but the music and the voice just made you feel that there was something special about the song even thought I never knew what the words meant. Thank you for this video post. A definite thumbs up.
He is my favorite singer. I just wish I could have met him in person ❤
九ちゃんは、私の子どもの頃のアイドルです。”上を向いて歩こう”は私の一番好きな日本の歌です。 特に、歌詞が素晴らしい。 今は、NYに長年住んでいますが、アメリカ人の友人もこの歌が大好きです。 ６１年ぶりにまた人気が出てきました。日本人として誇りに思います。
His record done very well in the UK also
He lived to make this song popular all over the world. God's been with him and Kyu is now with God. The time he lived, felt like Heaven was on Earth, and for everyone that's been helped by this song and by Kyu's soothing, happy tone, God's blessed them. You seldom hear this kind of song, and seldom get to see this kind of gentleman. RIP Sakamoto Kyu.
Thank You for that.
My favorite song when I was 7 yrs old and still love it to this day. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and this song still makes me emotional...❤💯
This is such a beautiful story that I didn’t know until today. The melody was buried in my mind for decades and I just learned so much from watching this video….😢 I’m sure so many people are touched as soon as they hear the melody just like me and I’m a 63-yr-old Taiwanese living in California….❤
This must be one of my three all-time favourite wistful-yet-hopeful songs.
The melody is, quite simply, just perfect. It's nigh impossible to nail down melodies that perfectly capture the emotions of longing tinged with hope. This song did it. It's perfection.
Sukiyaki still popular here now in Indonesia. Since 1990s very popular in Jakarta capital Karaoke KTV. I myself liked to sing it. Played it with Piano Keyboard. Best regards from Indonesia of the Southeast Asia 🇮🇩 🇯🇵
Thank you for this I had no idea
From a musical analysis standpoint, "Sukiyaki" hits all the "right notes". It's Mozartian in its melody, the way it leaves its tonic key, inches up, hits a couple of plateaus, and then returns to a satisfying conclusion in the tonic key. Even though the lyrics are not understood by English speakers, the open vowels mimic familiar "crooners" and even "yodelers" which add emotional punch.
I was born in 1963 so I have missed that :( I am grateful that I can listen to it NOW .
One of my all time favorite songs .
I will never forget hearing this song for the first time. I fell in love with the melody and the voice of the singer. It remains one of my all time favorite songs.
I remember this song growing up in Hawaii. It reminds me of my youth.
In the 80s here in America, the English remake by a group named A Taste of Honey (we were too young to know there was an 'original' Japanese version) was a hit and is still a guaranteed classic for those in my age group! I bet most of my peers still don't know it is a remake or that there is a Japanese version! (Btw, the song is almost exactly true to the original melody but with a little updated, R&B undertone with a female - Janice Marie Johnson - singing lead)
I remember her Sukiyaki during middle school, such beautiful time we lived in.
I heard this on the school bus going home from school from my friends transistor radio... everybody liked it ❤ 1963 over 60 yrs ago
My grandma would stop what she was doing to listen to this-- with a smile. When she went to japan to visit, she bought me a copy of the record--my very first record.
I heard this melody in the 1980's which touched my heart and kept what I felt there. .Today is 10/31/2024 and I just happened to see this beautiful documentary about the song Sukiyaki and the singer Kyu Sakamoto. .I don't know but I'm crying listening to his voice singing. .whistling. . . .it evokes a feeling or a string of feelings I'm trying to capture. . .wonder. .joy. .sadness. .yearning. .love. .hope. .strength. . .
Life is cruel 💔 great peoples experience short life on earth. Thanks for the songs and it everlasting memories ❤
This song resonates with me more than any other song I can ever remember as a child I’m 67 years old now and it has once again raised my soul. What an incredible story a part of my survival to this song and once again, I hope that it always seems to hold me too in my heart
i was a late 80s kid, but i was listening to this song as a kid. loved it then, loved it still. i have it on my spotify playlist.
Such a beautiful story, very sad at the end. Love and Peace to all.
This is very inspirational.zi have been playing Sukiyaki on my keyboard and now I know the story.Thank you for uploading this story .❤️❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful video! Greetings from Costa Rica 🇨🇷 🎶🎵
I'm a french student in journalism, and for me, Kyu Sakamoto was, and still is the best japanese singer of the 20th century. His charisma and his powerful voice made him likable all around the world, a little genius at the time❤
Still listening 2024 october . Loved it since i heard it as a teenager
New Zealand here 😀 Suki Yaki is still one of my favorite songs and in Kiwiland love it too ❤❤❤
This is a beautiful smooth song.On this day 9-27-2024 😊
A beautiful documentary! Thank you!
I am Maori NZ The first-time ever hearing this song it made my heart feel so good so many friends who made NZ their home Restaurants The place to go with such loving-kindness and unique manners Who was to know that my son he married in Japan and he bought his family to NZ Such an endearing song and when Covid hit the World This song was againg a hit in my home Hearing today and the history of the song Clearly resonates safe happy thoughts deep within Soul E ka waiata atahua tenie 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 He Hapinihi 🇺🇸 kaiwaiata WOW that's awesome
I first heard Sukiyaki in the 1970’s, but it was sung by Taste of Honey.
That was Brilliant! Thankyou! Tuning in from Australia.
I had that same single. I was a Senior in high school in Michigan. I loved it. I'm happy that it still rings through Japan as a go-to song in times of happiness and sadness.