Kyu Sakamoto - "Sukiyaki (Ue O Muite Aruko)

[mike sondek]

I got this 7 in a job lot recently & I recognise the tune from I think a film. The wife recognises it too & says she thinks it's from a cowboy film, which I think might be so despite the style of japanese pop not quite fitting with cowboy.

Anyone know ?

[wickerman]

it was a very very big hit? Actually it was entitled something else in Japan and was nothing to to with Sukiyaki at all. Just a thing we westerners knew about Japan at the time....someone else know more about this.

[Plainstone]

I got this 7 in a job lot recently & I recognise the tune from I think a film. The wife recognises it too & says she thinks it's from a cowboy film, which I think might be so despite the style of japanese pop not quite fitting with cowboy.

Anyone know ?

Ue ni muite arukoo means something like "Keep on walking, looking upwards".
Kind of sums up that pre-economic miracle, let's all roll up our sleeves and get stuck in, optimistic future feeling that the older generation here cling to in the face of today's callow, apathetic youth.

It's been used in numerous films/ ads/ TV shows. Most recent film I can remember it being in was about a bunch of salarymen who decided to build a space rocket. I think one of the guys from Downtown was in it.

It was brilliantly parodied a while back as "Ue ni muite arukuhoru"

[babycart]

It was also given a mirrorball remake by A Taste of Honey in the early 80s, which was a pretty big hit.

[lespionnelesbienne]

Such a beautiful song! Has anybody investigated further in Sakamoto's output?

[mike sondek]

It was brilliantly parodied a while back as "Ue ni muite arukuhoru"

I'm afraid the joke is lost in translation

It wasn't in that film was it? :-)

[Plainstone]

I'm afraid the joke is lost in translation

Sorry

aruku = walk
arukuhoru = alcohol

[mike sondek]

Sorry

aruku = walk
arukuhoru = alcohol

In that case:

They Japs like their booze then?

Don't they buy most of the Scotch whisky?