Kyu Sakamoto - Sukiyaki (1963) Tribute

[greymacaw]

I still have this very 45! I memorized all the words when I was like 10. OMG I can't believe I just ran into this vid/song by accident. Awesomeness.

[TigerTrak]

A sad but great tune by a great singer! RIP Kyu!

[TheLadandLass]

i really love this song

brings a tear to my eye when I read about how he died and the note to his precious wife!

life is so short. RIP

[Bacmaster]

@69ssrszl1 If you click "show more" below the video the lyrics there. They are split both Japanese (left) and English (right).

[TheAlohagil]

This beautiful piece of artistry proves the point profoundly the universality of heart touching music no matter what language! One of my all time favorites!!!! ELA, CA

[cippy2k]

the song give me goosebumps still all I ca add is thanks for the background and those lyrics thanks..this may sound stupid but I was 13 when the song came out i was a real pinball wizard but when in the arcade this song came on Id lose concentration I loved the song..and my buddies would sing it and of course id lose the ball..stupid memory but GREAT SONG thank you again for posting

[ardalsgirl]

I love, love this song so much :)

[louisyoung1]

Great song! Beautifully sang!

[MrJaxyagi]

Thank you for listing the relics in both original Japanese and English. I'm from Tokyo moved to Minnesota in the Spring of 1963. Got a job, bought a Corvair Monza, driving on Lake St. of Minneapolis some June lunch hour suddenly I heard a DJ on my radio said "here, a Japanese song, SUKIYAKI!". I was shocked to hear a Japanese word, more so a song called Sukiyaki?!

Even though the song is about a lost love, I felt so happy at that time, I still am.

[edmilan1]

One of the most beautiful songs of all times.

[28voy]

meus parabens por postar este video, ja faz uns 40 anos que venho tentando descobrir quem canta e qual e o nome da musica agora graças a esta postagen eu encontrei confesso que fiquei arrepiado me fes lembrar o tempo de escola eu sempre levava o meu radinho de pilha escondido só pra ouvir esta musica ... obrigado por me fazer voltar no tempo...OBG ( brasil - sao paulo )

[MsArrow313]

i love this song! :)

[nicolasviolao]

melhor música do japão

[WildFire0925]

an amazing song indeed--- talk about pulling the memory's of that era right out of my heart-- so very cool was and still is this man, thanks for the song, and his great bio and all the memory's of an incredible time--- You just had to be there to know what was indeed a fantasy world

[2008cp]

kyu passed away in 2005 in a plane crash this song will always make us smile but htere is nothing like the origal

[Bacmaster]

@2008cp On August 12, 1985, Kyu Sakamoto died in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123.

[19111ellyc]

@Bacmaster I did not know that!! I am so sorry! That song always rang joyfully in my ears, even back in the time when all the English groups were coming into their own it stood on its own! Only us old-timers could appreciate that, I guess. Rest in peace, Kyu Sakamoto. You made a difference in our lives.

[onglielie]

Knowing him too late just make me sad

[Melcsim]

I heard this first time on my nintendo Wii. I didn't know what is it, but become my favourite. I'm young, but this is really one of the best songs I've ever heard. It's a pity that he was gone, before I was born...

[Betilda60]

I have always loved this song, I don't remember how old I was when I first heard it and didn't understand one word, but it touches my heart. I have heard it in English, but still love Kyu's best! Thanks for posting.

Oh, I just turned 60 last month. Not a fossil yet though!

[Bacmaster]

@Betilda60 Happy Birthday!!! I'm right behind you so be careful with those numbers. lol

If you want to sing (like sing along with Mitch Miller) below the video where it says " Show More"

click on that, scroll down and you'll find the Japanese version on the left and the english version on the right.

Now start singing!

Joe

[nini1957]

I remember being about 4 or 5 years old (many moons ago!) and I loved this song so much...I would try my best to sing along! That must have been something else to see, since I didn't know any Japanese! I think I wore that record out! I think Kyu was my first crush!

[beachbumdave]

Thanks brings back memories of high school

cheers Dave

[quillakiller]

This song reminds me of my dear brother..

RIP Jon 1943-2011

[allclassics]

Playing this for quake and tsunami victims in Japan. This was first #1 big hit song for Japan in USA and was sung in Japanese. Was big accomplishment as we not much time from WWII. A NEW GENERATION takes shape with dreams of world peace.

[TheDino3731]

the lyrics to this song are soooooo sad.

[DailyNewsRush]

Very nice tribute - nice pictures! 

[stormbear1248]

Many years ago I had my pen-pal (Eiko Ide) send me the sheet music for this song. I was about 14 but something about this song did and still does touch a spot deep within me. Haven't written to my pen-pal in years (wish I could) but still listen to this song (glad that I can). Magical song for a special time.

[Bacmaster]

@stormbear1248 God, I remember the pen-pal days (now that you reminded me). It's funny, most of my friends

always say I live in the past..They are right! I do like what I see in the rear view mirror, in comparison to what I see through the windshield? Ah, I think I'll take the rear view mirror thank you very much..

[Babyhowdy233]

@Bacmaster

Me too! :D

[musicfan43055]

@Bacmaster I feel the same way! :^|

[casiopao]

best song

[LFBAROM]

Sleep well Mister Kuy Sakamoto.

We still love you.

[fullserve69]

Fabulous! I can remember my cousins listening to this 45 with their bouffants and J-Waves. Great song!

[MarionLavigne]

we didn't know the words but it was "our song" all those years ago and it continues to be a favorite of mine, for the sound and the wonderful memories that come with it.

[mrraven888]

I love this song!

[HummerRock]

Always loved this song, and so did millions of Americans.  Proof, that music can cross over the prejudice's of mob mentality. Thank you for posting.

[imajeepster]

i heart you tube....

[PHUDDPU]

was just a kid in high sclool

didnt understand a word of it

but yet played it all the time

menories i guess

[combatautumn]

How sad that he was one of the victims of that Korean Airlines 747 crash back in the 80's. Like everyone else it brings back memories of 1963.

[theboyfromxtown]

It's lovely to hear this in stereo

[3investigators]

I always loved this song and Kyu Sakamoto's voice is so beautiful - joyful and heartbreaking at the same time. Hard to explain.

[3investigators]

I always loved this song and Kyu Sakamoto's voice is so beautiful - joyful and heartbreaking at the same time. Hard to explain.

[gaAry1]

awesome song.

for some reason makes me cry.

[Bacmaster]

@gaAry1 Funny you should say that, you're not the only one. It has the same impact on me now as it did since I heard it as a young boy. If music effects your emotions, it means you have heart..IMO

Regards from Joe

[jimbronxny]

@Bacmaster I feel better now. I cry very easily especially as I get older. I'm 60 now and the tears flow so easy. Feelings do exist in me.

[Bacmaster]

@jimbronxny That's a good thing! That means you have blood in your veins, not vinegar!

Get my drift?

[cibele2804]

@gaAry1 Eu não sei o que acontece, tem algo nesta música que encanta,que alegra e ao mesmo tempo emociona, é tudo isto junto; adoro ouvi-la desde sempre!

[Babyhowdy233]

@gaAry1

It should make you cry because the lyrics are VERY sad and beautiful. I'll have to put them up here for those who don't speak Japanese, they are sheer poetry!

[TigerTrak]

Song takes me back! What a great tune! RIP Kyu

[vinyl45s4ever]

My FAVORITE "feel good song". This beautiful tune always makes me happy. What a wonderful gift to the world!!!

[guambetty]

I`m a senior citizen and first time I heard this song years ago even tho` it`s Japanese, I`d always liked the melody. Thanks for posting!

[1968lumi]

Wonderful Song, so much feeling, and respect for him, to wrote a letter to his beloved wife, while he is got to die...!

[0jerd]

Beautiful lyrics, got this song from my aunt, which was born in 1963

Is there no fuyu no hi btw?

[yaaf2001]

Just a great song. I'm already almost 55 and I remember this song as a global hit sunce my childhood. I don't know what reminded me this song, but in the last time I hear it a lot. This video I have not seen before and now it is the first time for me, to hear or to read that the sunger of this wonderful song, died 25 years ago.

[InfiltrateIndustries]

suuuch a great song - sad he had to die like that :/

[mikaela1098]

@InfiltrateIndustries how did he die??

[InfiltrateIndustries]

@mikaela1098 He died in a plane crash in 1985 - He wrote a goodbye note to his wife before it went down :\

[mikaela1098]

@InfiltrateIndustries thats so sad :(

[DONLUCHO11]

UNA HERMOSA INSPIRACION MUSICAL, UNA CANCION QUE NO TIENE EDAD,NI EPOCA NI FINAL,SIEMPRE ESTARA EN LA MEMORIA DE QUIENES VIVIMOS ESA BELLA EPOCA QUE MARCO ESTA CANCION, Y LO QUE HOY EN DIA LA ESCUCHAN, SABEN DE LA GRANDEZA Y DE HERMOSA MELODIA DE LAS CANCIONES QUE COMO ESTA,REPRESENTAN AMOR, Y SRAN SIEMPRE HISTORIA!!1..SONRIE AMIGO...!!

[11xzxzxz]

Terrific song

[rover1404]

A truly lovely love song ... and one that I've always liked. Didn't know about his very sad end and the note to his family. I present a nostalgia Radio programme each week, and will remind myself to add it to the play-list next week.

Thanks for all the info - and the video/song!

[pwkid]

His wife is sooooo cute/pretty ^_^

[MsGingerSoul5]

Such a beautiful classic oldie... I remember listening to this song on my first transistor radio!!!

[xline1472]

It is one of the greatest song^^

[peacequiet]

I have loved this song since tbe 7th grade !!

The lyrics are haunting. I didn't ever know the lyrics til I was an adult. To think he was in a plane shot down is a horror. God bless you !!

[jtschau]

@peacequiet Not that it makes any difference, but his plane was not shot down. That was Korean Airline flight KAL-007. Sakamoto was killed in JAL flight 123 which crash because the maintainence engineers at JAL bungled the maintainence of a damaged bulkhead. In flight, that bulkhead failed and ripped off a section of the tail leaving the aircraft uncontrollable for 32 minutes before crashing. Still, a good man gone and one missed by many.

[Babyhowdy233]

@peacequiet

Are you sure you know the REAL lyrics, not the ones that got put to this when it was recorded by the duo "A Taste Of Honey". The real lyrics are indeed very haunting.

[Mgarguemare]

takes me back to when I was a little girl...how sweet.

[somersetgal1]

I LOVE this piece Joe,,, thank you so much for sharing it... faved.x

[wellington168]

esse cantor e muito bom nota 10 + já virei seu fá . esta sempre sorindo esta feliz

[anitashelby]

Wow, I Totally Love This Song!!! One of my very favortes!...Believe It or not...I have actually learned how to sing this In his language from listening soo much...5*s+ Thankyou....Anita..

[angelofbebop]

WOW! One of my favorite songs EVER! This song makes me so HAPPY!!!! Thank YOU for posting this one!

[LindaDooWop]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time!

[60otaku3]

Thanks for uploading this, Bacmaster-san!!

I was able to hear the stereo version of "Sukiyaki" by this video for the first time.

Domo arigato gozaimasu!

Otaku3 (^_^)/*****

[vespa202]

wonderful tune :))