Sukiyaki By Kyu Sakamoto
Ranked #3,995 in Music, #109,996 overall | Donates to Save the Children
Sukiyaki: A Song From Japan By Kyu Sakamoto
A worldwide hit in 1963, the original Japanese title is Ue O Muite Aruko, meaning I Shall Walk Looking Up (So My Tears Won't Fall), a tale of isolation, sadness and a missing love. In the wake of the recent earthquake disaster in Japan, this title translation resounds profoundly for those families currently suffering loss and anguish.
The song was re-recorded with English lyrics by female duo A Taste of Honey in 1981, and this too was a highly successful Top 10 hit in America.
Always a favourite foreign language track of mine, let's celebrate this popular song, while remembering the sadness of what has occurred in Japan.
Photo: by Sveriges Televison (SVT) (Ett skivomslag) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Kyu Sakamoto: Sukiyaki
The Original Version
This is a 1960's television recording of Kyu Sakamoto singing Sukiyaki. The title was chosen for release in English-speaking countries for its ease of pronunciation and because the word is a familiar reminder of Japanese culture.
Japan: Greatest Songs
Greatest Songs Ever: Japan
Amazon Price: $6.17 (as of 06/04/2012)
This album, featuring some of Japan's finest songs, includes Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto. Reviewers have given it five stars. This collection is described as beautiful, sad, bluesy and powerful. A must CD to add to your international music collection.
A Taste of Honey: Sukiyaki
This 1981 version of the song was recorded by A Taste of Honey, with English lyrics by vocalist Janice Marie Johnson. Eighteen years later, the song had maintained its popularity and reached Number 3 on the American music charts.
Lost Hits of the 1960s
A Great Sixties Compilation
Lost Hits Of The 60's (All Original Artists & Versions)
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
Twenty wonderful tracks that you thought you might never hear again are included on this compilation of songs from the 1960s. One of those lost hits is the magnificent Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto!
4 P.M.: Sukiyaki
Another version of Sukiyaki also reached the Top 10 of the US music charts. This one is by RnB male group 4 P.M., who take A Taste of Honey's English lyrics and turn them into a soul/doo-wop combo. This track was also very successful in Australia and New Zealand.
Sukiyaki at iTunes
Download your favourite version of Sukiyaki directly from here to your preferred MP3 player.
The Sukiyaki Poll
Please Leave Your Vote!
The Latest News About Japan
Frequently Updated Japanese Headlines
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Japan Earthquake Relief: How to Help
- Japan earthquake relief: How to help - Mar. 11, 2011
- After the fifth largest earthquake in history struck Japan Friday, many Americans have been eager to help -- but donations can be tricky, particularly in the earliest phase of the recovery effort. Here's where to donate, what to give and what to watch out for.
- Donate to the Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund
- Save the Children is mounting relief efforts for Japan in response to the earthquake and tsunami. Learn more and find out how you can help.
- Japan earthquake and tsunami: How to help
- Japan was hit by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded on March 11. The magnitude-9.0 quake spawned a deadly tsunami that slammed into the nation's east coast, leaving a huge swath of devastation in its wake.
- Japanese Earthquake / Tsunami Relief: Connect with NGOs to Help
- NGOs responding to the disaster in Japan and other countries impacted by the Tsunami need your support to help victims. Financial support is always the most flexible way to help NGOs. NGOs in-kind & transportation needs are being consolidated for you to view. Our link will redirect you...
Squidoo Helping Japan
Image: by Ash_Crow CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
If you have a Squidoo page dedicated to helping the current relief efforts in Japan, please feel free to add it here.
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Squidoo Hearts to Japan
Welcome! This is the place for Squidoo members to more...1 point
2
Japanese Cherry Blossoms Aid Japan
On March 11, 2011 Japan was hit by a 8.9 magnitude more...1 point
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biggest-earthquakes-ever
Megathrust earthquakes and how to prepare for them more...0 points
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Japan Earthquake: Ways to Help
When I hear about the tragedy and destruction the more...0 points
All proceeds from this page support and are donated to Save the Children
Japan relief effort
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Do You Remember Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto?
Your Comments Are Welcomed!
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AddaptAbilities Jul 18, 2011 @ 11:10 pm | delete
- I'd never heard this song before now.
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stargazer00
Jul 18, 2011 @ 3:25 pm | delete
- I did not know the original translation of the song. It now sounds so appropriate for what happened in Japan.
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Duane_Jackson
Jun 23, 2011 @ 8:12 pm | delete
- very interesting!!!
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oznews
Apr 12, 2011 @ 8:37 am | delete
- I love this song. Please also check out this site ...... http://www.squidoo.com/latest-earthquake
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TheLittleCardShop
Mar 19, 2011 @ 12:25 am | delete
- Wonderful memories with this song. very nice lens to help Raise funds for the Save the Children in Japan. Congrats for your purple star! :)
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WordCustard
Mar 17, 2011 @ 4:53 pm | delete
- I hadn't heard of him before but enjoyed discovering more here and it's a wonderful way to contribute to the Save the Children Japan relief work.
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Greekgeek
Mar 16, 2011 @ 12:00 pm | delete
- Oh goodness, I had no idea that was Japanese! I don't think I've heard it in recent years, now that I've picked up enough from watching Miyazaki films with subtitles that i think I'd recognize it.
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ronpass
Mar 15, 2011 @ 3:29 pm | delete
- Kyu Sakamoto's Sukiyaki song brings back lots of memories and emotions - I love his original version, though I enjoyed the other two as well. The song which I recall very well is a constant reminder of the years that my father spent away in Japan as an Australian soldier as part of the occupation forces. Sukiyaki brings back some of the sadness I experienced in his absence when I was very young. An Angel's Blessing, Rich, for the research, presentation and thoughtfulness behind the lens. For this, does Squidoo exist!
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nestboxes
Mar 14, 2011 @ 5:31 pm | delete
- Wow no I don't. But it's cool. Great depth of knowledge and worthy cause.
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GrowWear
Mar 14, 2011 @ 4:01 pm | delete
- Beautiful. Great work, as usual, Rich.
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by Waxing-Lyrical
Sukiyaki by Kyo Sakamoto is one of my favourite tunes from the 1960s.
Originally from the UK where I worked in banking for 25 years. I moved to Ohio,...
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