Absolutely the Best Ever! No disrespect to Kyu Sakamoto but, these ladies did a fine job of expressing the message in this lovely song. So all Haters and jealous responders.......GO Elsewhere!!!! and let the rest of us enjoy one another's compliments and comments!
Se Janice-Marie Johnson (vocal) e Hazel Payne (koto) fossem japonesas nao seriam tao originais. Payne estah perfeita na execucao deste instrumento de som belissimo e Johnson tambem com uma voz belissima. Arigatou pelo video!
I loved this song SO MUCH when I was about 15 - wore out that little 45 record, I just couldn't possibly listen to it/sing along enough times!! I wasn't allowed to watch Solid Gold, so to see this clip now is just "over the top" for me!! :)
I remember way back in 1981 when I first saw this performance on Solid Gold. I was 2 going 3 at that time. I remember the kimono dresses they wore on the show (I didn't know what kimono dress was back then). Me and my mom love the American English version of the song to death. I recently heard the original Japanese version, which sounds good. But the english version along with Janice-Marie Johnson's vocals and the sounds of the koto made the song more beautiful.
Thanks for posting. I remember watching this when I was a kid. It stuck in my mind all those decades, although at the time I really thought that beautiful woman was Japanese, not the beautiful black woman that she is :)
What are u people talking about ? who cares who was the host listen to this song its beautiful. Not to mention the fact that the instrument she was playing is a very difficult one to learn even for a Japanese musician I only wish they would have put the camera on the person playing more she is an excellant artist
Janice-Marie Johnson is one beautiful lady and is gorgeous in the kimono. She does a convincing Japanese dance especially with the fan. I'm impressed that they were so international back then seemingly very familiar with Japanese culture -- enough to translate and record a Japanese song!
Beautiful song.....regardless WHO sings it! SAD, but beautiful. I prefer the original song sung by Kyu Sakamoto. But, Taste of Honey did do it pretty as well. Words are so heart felt..........
Man that was an amazing post!!! I can't give it enough thumbs up...I took down my guitar to try to play along with harpist but she just blew me away and gave it up and said "You Go Girl"
I didn't know that this version existed till about an hour ago. I think that is song is beautiful too just like the Japanisese version the woman is wearing a beautiful komno which are very expensive..
Sakamoto-san would have loved this cover. He was a Japanese icon. Sadly, Kyu died in the horrifying crash of JAL 123. This version shows what a terribly sad song this was.
Excellant job of this outstanding song that dates to the 40's or earlier - Kyu Sakmoto made it a universal hit in the early 60's - Unfortunately he lost his life at the height of his popularity in a plane crash - Kyu has a "underground following" much like Elvis -
Salena also sang a spanish version, we lost her far to early as well. The song lives as evidenced by this duo's version - beautiful.
I LOVE THIS SONG HEARD THE ORIGINAL WHICH SEEMED TO BE FAST PACED THIS VERSION IS SLOWER AND THE SEXY LEAD SINGER PUT A WHOLE LOT OF FEELING INTO IT A TEN STAR RATING!!!!!!!!!
@lbCharmed1 okay I guess you're right because this did hit the charts early spring(more than likely late winter of 81) which would've been the second half.(was it first or second, coz didnt' it premeire in 79? And I know the 86-87 season was the final one. So Dionne was the original host? I'd forgotten who was the first. I think there was a white girl(didn't know about Dionne(you know it's rather strange I love soul but I never did care for Dionne(am I the only one)
@lbCharmed1 (pt 2) then I know Andy came sometime in 81(I'd say the 81-82) but as soon as the honor went into his hands(it slipped out, coz his health was too bad you noticed the blunders which was why McCoo had to step in and she remained virtually to the end(I also mistakenly thought that Natalie Cole once hosted during 85-86) but maybe they announced her performance and I goofed her name with the host(I was a kid) McCoo also did "days of our lives" for a year or two during SG's final.
@entertainme3000 OK, here we go, Solid Gold '79 aired in February 1980 with Dionne Warwick & Glenn Campbell hosting. Then it premiered, as a weekly TV series on Sept 13, 1980 with Dionne hosting 'solo' (many weeks she had a guest co-host). Season 2 came in Sept 1981 with Andy Gibb as the 'star' with Marilyn McCoo as his 'co-host'. Season 3 began in Sept 1982 with Rex Smith & Marilyn McCoo sharing the hosting duties. Season 4 brought us Marilyn McCoo taking over the reigns 'solo'
@entertainme3000 (pt 2) but she had special guest co-hosts, season 4 started in Sept 1983. Season 5, Sept 1984, brought us 'popular' radio personality Rick Dees as the host, some weeks with special guest co-hosts, he didn't finish the season. Season 6, Sept 1985, brought the return of Dionne Warwick. Seasons 7 & 8 brought back Marilyn McCoo has the shows final host with the final episode of of SOLID GOLD IN CONCERT airing in Aug. 1988. Natalie Cole guest co-hosted a couple of times.
true no1mbfan.....anyone remember 99 luft baloons?..i loved that song even i didnt know what they were saying....then they released it in english....stupid lyrics..better in german...lol...and didnt quite flow with the song in english....maybe the music was written in german?.......hahah....im sure
@tonywsmith2 I totally agree with you brother, I was listening to "Ain't nothing like the real thing" by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrill and that is another example of the contrast between todays garbage and "The Real Thing"
For those who say they don't like this version because it's not a 'true translation'-- Please understand the impossibility of such a thing. Not only are languages different, but so are cultures. "I'm going to look up while walking so my tears don't fall. I remember spring (summer, fall) days, lonely nights..." While I can enjoy the original, I still prefer the American version. AToH created a fantastic remake of the song.
I recall this song vividly, but love Kyu Sakamoto's ORIGINAL version a thousand times better: it was thee one!!! This translation is too different from the original Japanese!! But this is still nice; only not so.
this is the original for 4PM and Kyu Sakamoto is the original for this group ^__^ lovely how music can connect everyone despite cultures difference and ethnicity. MUSIC is awsome/powerful/lovely dont ya agree? ^__^
I love this version of this beautiful song. No one other thean the original singer songwriter, could sing this song or gdo it with any justice!But Taste Of Honey have done so so perfectly!!!!!!!!! Such beautiful Voice and music!!!!!!! Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
As others have posted earlier, June Kuramoto was the koto player on the studio version of this song, although it appears it is Hazel playing here in the video.
BTW, if you're not familiar with June Kuramoto (widely regarded as one of the best koto players alive), check her out as part of the contemporary/jazz/fusion group "Hiroshima" of the late '80s and early '90s.
Search out "Hiroshima - One Wish" for what IMHO is their best song; "Another Place" is a good second.
@mistermisterxx Yes June Kuramoto was the talent playing the kyoto on the album. Hazel is playing the "air kyoto" in this video, but if you scroll down a member of AToH band clarified that Hazel did study with June and, by this performance could actually play the song perfectly.
Too bad this big hit (#1 R&B, #3 Adult Contemporary) for A Taste of Honey had such a negative outcome; from Wikipedia:
"The recording and release of the song also brought them some financial distress as Sakamoto sued Capitol Records for copyright infringement, a song Johnson had believed to be a Japanese "folk" song (and in the public domain)."
@mistermisterxx - Apparently that is not the case, Janice M. Johnson has a YouTube page and someone from her page contacted me for mistakenly stating the same thing as fact. They also informed that, in fact, Ryu Sakamoto toured with them for a bit and performed with AToH. All that is on Wiki is, sadly, NOT FACT.
@lbCharmed1 - Thanks for the correction on the Wiki article. Yes, I know not all on Wiki is a face but now that you've pointed it out, how about correcting it for Janice's sake?
BTW, thanks for the heads up on Janice's YT Channel; never would have found it otherwise.
@mistermisterxx - I would but since I don't know the details or where & when's, I don't want to exchange one myth for another. I did respond to their correction stating that I was just repeating what I found on WIKI, so maybe they will change it for accuracy's sake?
@megagagnon1 honey this was long b4 those days. they're not dentures & they didn't whiten everything like they do now...some people just have good teeth
i know... why can't people just accept things as they are instead of looking for some underlying something or conspiracy? There were no veneers back then and its unlikely she had dentures. I have great white teeth and they are natural. Nice perfect white teeth DO exist naturally, you know.
@megagagnon1 Crass remarks are simply an indication of an unhappy person determined to make others hurt so that they "feel better" about themselves. When in reality all they're doing is pointing out what a sad, unhappy and immature existence they lead. Perhaps you're lashing out because of poor teeth maintenance and now YOU have the dentures?
One of the greatest songs ever written. I still think the original Japanese version is the best.
Ryu Sakamoto was the singer and I remember hearing that it was the first non-English language song to reach #1 (I think). That shows the greatness of the song.
Face it we Americans have always had a huge choice of songs and for a non-English language song to reach so high shows a lot.
Also, this song is know in many, many countries... Makes me want to sing karaoke tonight!
as a 70s child, I never knew that there was an original version of this song! Thanks for mentioning it. I had to look it up and found it on YT but to be honest, if I can't understand the lyrics to the song (since its in Japanese) I can't dig it. I love the upbeat tempo of it, but wish it were sung in english. Maybe someday someone will record it word for word in English. I heard Taste of Honey's is not a literal translation.
@cjs33139 You will probably never hear a literal translation of any song from it's original language into English simply because their words and rhyming won't translate. We might say 'My love for you is true" but they might say it "True mine for you love" so it wouldn't sound right so interpretations are done rather than translations.
@JackFlanders I beg to differ with you that the original version is better because it doesn't have the Koto doing all of the incredible runs, that makes this version timeless...
I read that Janice Marie Johnson is part Native American. Not sure what other ethnic blood she has in her. The other girl is Hazel Payne and I do not believe they are related.
So a 'Princess Song!!!!!...as Her Imperial Majesty perhaps?...Never Forget The One You Love though You May Not Yet Know Her!....(but MY neighbors are Tai, cool enough?)...so excellent..so excellent..
They deserved to win the Grammy just for BEST impersonation of a japanese geisha by an
african-american chick. I am totally serious!!
JOJO22858 4 days ago
Absolutely the Best Ever! No disrespect to Kyu Sakamoto but, these ladies did a fine job of expressing the message in this lovely song. So all Haters and jealous responders.......GO Elsewhere!!!! and let the rest of us enjoy one another's compliments and comments!
world1playa1 6 days ago
Se Janice-Marie Johnson (vocal) e Hazel Payne (koto) fossem japonesas nao seriam tao originais. Payne estah perfeita na execucao deste instrumento de som belissimo e Johnson tambem com uma voz belissima. Arigatou pelo video!
amelia36 1 week ago
I loved this song SO MUCH when I was about 15 - wore out that little 45 record, I just couldn't possibly listen to it/sing along enough times!! I wasn't allowed to watch Solid Gold, so to see this clip now is just "over the top" for me!! :)
mschoirtchr 1 week ago
Would you marry me?
darthmal 2 weeks ago in playlist Favorite videos
I think this was the 'B' side to Boogie Oogie Oogie
truro007 4 weeks ago
One of my all time fav's....love the english version as well!
paulinecrafts 1 month ago
Never realized how beautiful those two ladies are..OMG..
antboogie1 1 month ago
I have always loved this version of the song, the drama is sick.
DyannaLove 1 month ago
Memories,
Thedanner1000 1 month ago
I remember this song but I thought an old man sang it? Anyone know?
dixmac 1 month ago
Great rendition. I have never forgotten what a wonderful homage this is. Thanks for posting!
senseiea 1 month ago 2
@senseiea - you're welcome
lbCharmed1 1 month ago
This song is absolutely beautiful and the words in the song has lots of meaning. A taste of honey did a magnificant job in singing this song.
MrJohnnie1960 1 month ago
Janice-Marie Johnson sounds almost like Toni Braxton when she sang Sukiyaki. Thumbs up if you agree.
charmalique 1 month ago
@charmalique: Now that you mention it, I could definitely see Toni Braxton (lover her) singing this song. Very good observation.
DyannaLove 1 month ago
I remember way back in 1981 when I first saw this performance on Solid Gold. I was 2 going 3 at that time. I remember the kimono dresses they wore on the show (I didn't know what kimono dress was back then). Me and my mom love the American English version of the song to death. I recently heard the original Japanese version, which sounds good. But the english version along with Janice-Marie Johnson's vocals and the sounds of the koto made the song more beautiful.
charmalique 1 month ago
DAMN SHES BEAUTIFUL.....
dimpsey3 2 months ago
A beautiful and very dramatic performance, thanks, but I would like to obtain a clearer and sharper video if possible. Does anyone know of anything?
MrSmith4511 2 months ago
30 years have passed? How is that possible?
rivka614 2 months ago
OH DAMN this is A Taste of Heaven!
pastcineo 3 months ago
I remember this performance like it was just yesterday! Thank you so much for posting this!
ValleyGyrlTV 3 months ago
Amazing; beautiful, magical, inspirational, intriguing . . .
This is more than a Taste of Honey--it's the entire HIVE--delicious!
Please look at this NEW RnB song entitled--GOD IS GOOD EVEN IF
Just Enter: mark behrens (in the search field)--Thanks.
MarkB1812 4 months ago 3
Janice Marie Johnson has perhaps the finest voice in the world! Her song "Until The Eagle Falls" is also pure magic.
TheRadicalreels 4 months ago
Good cover.
larockera30 5 months ago
Thanks for posting. I remember watching this when I was a kid. It stuck in my mind all those decades, although at the time I really thought that beautiful woman was Japanese, not the beautiful black woman that she is :)
abujorjj 5 months ago
Beautiful Song thanks for making available to all of us
cakie8269 5 months ago
I'm in love- Janice!
JoeSzilagy 5 months ago
I always thought the beautiful Janice-Marie looked somewhat Oriental, and with her extremely spine-tingling feminine singing in this piece- WOW!
JoeSzilagy 5 months ago
Great performance. Spine tingling.
planetlovetron 5 months ago
It's not Kyu Sakamoto, but is haunting and will stay with you forever.
paganbaby89 5 months ago
BEAUTIFUL
Teufelhunden0184 6 months ago
i like how she sing the song, she sounds sincere
Aatifah 6 months ago in playlist Kyu Sakamoto (Sukiyaki) (12-12-10)
How could 11 ppl dislike this?!?!?!?!?!?!?
yungdragon31 6 months ago
Have always loved this song and everytime I hear it, I think it sounds like a dream
coming to life.
JOJO22858 6 months ago
Oh fuck, they've ruined Sakamoto's song. About as authentic as a Californian sushi roll.
pervertt 6 months ago
@pervertt I tend to agree. More like elevator music compared to Sakamoto's.
fulteacup 6 months ago
The wonderful song does make my spirit up always. God bless Japan.
taylorchen1 6 months ago
WHEN MUSIC WAS MUSIC,,,,,, AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE DID NOT SMOKE CRACK,, THE DAYS FOR YOU KATHY WEBB ROGER
smitten40 6 months ago
Is that Janice Marie singin' that? They hit #3 in Billboard, 6-13-81. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx!
DaveWollenberg 6 months ago
A masterpiece that is so simple and yet so beautiful!
trezlorenz 6 months ago
This song was 30 years ago no.7 in the world charts #a #taste #of #honey
LittleSweety 7 months ago
@LittleSweety Has it been 30 yrs already. I was in H.S. when this classic came out.
crenshawboy 2 months ago
Great looking gals, talented performers singing one of my favorite songs--what more could a guy ask for!
chuckbuckbobuck 7 months ago
I've always loved this song!
zayk88 7 months ago
やっぱり日本人にとっては特別な曲だね!!!
やばい、なんか泣けてきた...............pray for japan.
yoshiyasugt 8 months ago
i remember watching this episode w/ my mom!
electronictrip 8 months ago
I remember Solid Gold, that dancer with the long braids was too funny. Dionne and Madam were twins!
KANIGYTSUM2 8 months ago
Beautiful ladies that made beautiful music
virtuoso219 8 months ago
I remember seeing this , wow that long ago!
acer1957 8 months ago
man the voice of an angel,you just take it all in.
SpinDoctor91 8 months ago
Now, i want to learn how to play that instrument....what's the name of it
LetsCatchYourDream 8 months ago
oh so this is where a rap song in the 80's got thier hook from..im just findin this out ....i used to listen to this when i was younge in the 80's!
mddarch2 9 months ago
This is a remake???!!!!! I just discovered that.
TFolasade 9 months ago
Ah hell. I remember watching Solid Gold way back when....and not for the music.
HachiZenki 9 months ago
Best performance ever by these two lovely ladies, of this song. IMHO.
attra91 9 months ago
ah music and shows like this help shape me as a singer and musician...proud to be a product of old school
083168ful 9 months ago
What are u people talking about ? who cares who was the host listen to this song its beautiful. Not to mention the fact that the instrument she was playing is a very difficult one to learn even for a Japanese musician I only wish they would have put the camera on the person playing more she is an excellant artist
ashqgirl 9 months ago 2
A very sweet version of the song. Lovely.
TheTruePhoenixxx 9 months ago
Wow both these ladies are expert musicians- great performance
tefnutbellsouthnet 10 months ago
Janice-Marie Johnson is one beautiful lady and is gorgeous in the kimono. She does a convincing Japanese dance especially with the fan. I'm impressed that they were so international back then seemingly very familiar with Japanese culture -- enough to translate and record a Japanese song!
brideshead1921 11 months ago
Beautiful song, weather in Japanese or English
TJCATLOVER 11 months ago
Beautiful song.....regardless WHO sings it! SAD, but beautiful. I prefer the original song sung by Kyu Sakamoto. But, Taste of Honey did do it pretty as well. Words are so heart felt..........
tagalong4 1 year ago 5
I cry everytime I watch...amazing
jseph1234567890 1 year ago
@jseph1234567890 Some push-ups might help that hormonal imbalance.
cyberindigenous 1 year ago
Man that was an amazing post!!! I can't give it enough thumbs up...I took down my guitar to try to play along with harpist but she just blew me away and gave it up and said "You Go Girl"
jseph1234567890 1 year ago
wtf does andy gibb have to do with this song!..comment on this video people and not whos not in it... Taste of honey nailed it beutifuly
DROOPY3468 1 year ago
my my my what a beautiful tear jerking remix.please can anybody update me where this band is or what happened to them?
MrDuly01 1 year ago
I didn't know that this version existed till about an hour ago. I think that is song is beautiful too just like the Japanisese version the woman is wearing a beautiful komno which are very expensive..
MsCANUCK69 1 year ago
What class, what beauty. This is heaven. How do you find words to describe the stink bomb that was dropped on black music!
tonywsmith2 1 year ago
@tonywsmith2
I can describe that stink bomb as "Hip Hop and Rap Crab"
tumsabai1 10 months ago
Beautiful ladies,beautiful song.
fasbc 1 year ago
I was 5 when I first heard this song, and it's still my favorite old school slow jam. I used to cry arter "sayonara".
authentic09 1 year ago
@authentic09 yep as I am listening it I still tear up, amazing huh?
jseph1234567890 1 year ago
@authentic09 yep as I am listening it I still tear up, amazing huh? and don't know why... I think its the koto
jseph1234567890 1 year ago
One of my favorite songs of all time.....The timbre of the koto is absolutely beautiful....Exquisite.....Simply exquisite.....
dirtyreddiva 1 year ago 11
@dirtyreddiva YES EXQUISITE
tefnutbellsouthnet 1 year ago
Billboard's #22 song of '81. TOH hit #1 soul, and AC, #3 pop, in Billboard. God bless! Sayonara, everybody!
DaveWollenberg 1 year ago
Sakamoto-san would have loved this cover. He was a Japanese icon. Sadly, Kyu died in the horrifying crash of JAL 123. This version shows what a terribly sad song this was.
Kamisamadesu1 1 year ago 2
@Kamisamadesu1 -He heard this cover- it was released 1980-81 He passed in 1985
tefnutbellsouthnet 1 year ago
@tefnutbellsouthnet And he also sued Taste of Honey for copyright infringement.
sharkbait8088 1 year ago
@Kamisamadesu1 IF it is an accurate translation of the song, it sure is a sad one.Final End of a relationship.
jmen4ever 5 months ago
Excellant job of this outstanding song that dates to the 40's or earlier - Kyu Sakmoto made it a universal hit in the early 60's - Unfortunately he lost his life at the height of his popularity in a plane crash - Kyu has a "underground following" much like Elvis -
Salena also sang a spanish version, we lost her far to early as well. The song lives as evidenced by this duo's version - beautiful.
Shodansixtyone 1 year ago
She's beautiful.
Fire4FX 1 year ago 2
I'm a grown man and this song makes me cry. 189,000 hits thats whats wrong with the world. You live by the sword you die by the sword. Peace & Love
rlgood74 1 year ago
I LOVE THIS SONG HEARD THE ORIGINAL WHICH SEEMED TO BE FAST PACED THIS VERSION IS SLOWER AND THE SEXY LEAD SINGER PUT A WHOLE LOT OF FEELING INTO IT A TEN STAR RATING!!!!!!!!!
tripwires2 1 year ago 3
1.22 dam she was lookn fine
ttsatoke1 1 year ago
Another 80s classic
Shedatear1 1 year ago
I love this song I was about eight when it came out
Shedatear1 1 year ago
This is just beautiful, really a classic.
justgetsome 1 year ago 14
This came up for me on a "Random 80's Music Video" page and I'm in love <3
NyanzersChan 1 year ago
I did'nt know hazel could play the koto!
marlonwebber 1 year ago
@marlonwebber
she learned to after the singer translated the song so they could perform it.
igorbabyeater 1 year ago
@igorbabyeater oh, cool!
marlonwebber 1 year ago
@marlonwebber That takes talent. My wife plays the Chinese version - Guzheng - and from what I understand you have to skip or omit one note.
darthmal 1 year ago
these would've had to have been the Gibb years(but I think by now his health was so far gone that Marilyn had to step in and do damage control!
entertainme3000 1 year ago
@entertainme3000 Actually this is from Solid Gold's 1st season when Dionne Warwick was hosting the show.
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
@lbCharmed1 okay I guess you're right because this did hit the charts early spring(more than likely late winter of 81) which would've been the second half.(was it first or second, coz didnt' it premeire in 79? And I know the 86-87 season was the final one. So Dionne was the original host? I'd forgotten who was the first. I think there was a white girl(didn't know about Dionne(you know it's rather strange I love soul but I never did care for Dionne(am I the only one)
entertainme3000 1 year ago
@lbCharmed1 (pt 2) then I know Andy came sometime in 81(I'd say the 81-82) but as soon as the honor went into his hands(it slipped out, coz his health was too bad you noticed the blunders which was why McCoo had to step in and she remained virtually to the end(I also mistakenly thought that Natalie Cole once hosted during 85-86) but maybe they announced her performance and I goofed her name with the host(I was a kid) McCoo also did "days of our lives" for a year or two during SG's final.
entertainme3000 1 year ago
@entertainme3000 OK, here we go, Solid Gold '79 aired in February 1980 with Dionne Warwick & Glenn Campbell hosting. Then it premiered, as a weekly TV series on Sept 13, 1980 with Dionne hosting 'solo' (many weeks she had a guest co-host). Season 2 came in Sept 1981 with Andy Gibb as the 'star' with Marilyn McCoo as his 'co-host'. Season 3 began in Sept 1982 with Rex Smith & Marilyn McCoo sharing the hosting duties. Season 4 brought us Marilyn McCoo taking over the reigns 'solo'
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
@entertainme3000 (pt 2) but she had special guest co-hosts, season 4 started in Sept 1983. Season 5, Sept 1984, brought us 'popular' radio personality Rick Dees as the host, some weeks with special guest co-hosts, he didn't finish the season. Season 6, Sept 1985, brought the return of Dionne Warwick. Seasons 7 & 8 brought back Marilyn McCoo has the shows final host with the final episode of of SOLID GOLD IN CONCERT airing in Aug. 1988. Natalie Cole guest co-hosted a couple of times.
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
@entertainme3000 what health problem andy aka coke is a hell of a drug gibb ...was smoked out
sierria64 1 year ago
Waht a true classic
thfcyidz 1 year ago
What a fantastic so beautifully done by A Taste of Honey;Quite a tribute to the young
who did it in the 1960's,when I first heard it.
utahify 1 year ago
Yummmm
powerlifted 1 year ago
Ahhh...so many memories. Love this!
BreighBradley 1 year ago
A Taste Of Honey put today's artist to shame. What a master piece
spookielectric 1 year ago
Takes me back
izaak7779311 1 year ago
true no1mbfan.....anyone remember 99 luft baloons?..i loved that song even i didnt know what they were saying....then they released it in english....stupid lyrics..better in german...lol...and didnt quite flow with the song in english....maybe the music was written in german?.......hahah....im sure
ptolalibertad 1 year ago
I love this song so much, it is so pretty!
mom3able 1 year ago
This is just goddamned delightful from start to finish. As a black man, I'm totally ashamed of the shit that black performers crank out these days.
tonywsmith2 1 year ago 2
@tonywsmith2 I totally agree with you brother, I was listening to "Ain't nothing like the real thing" by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrill and that is another example of the contrast between todays garbage and "The Real Thing"
jseph1234567890 1 year ago
For those who say they don't like this version because it's not a 'true translation'-- Please understand the impossibility of such a thing. Not only are languages different, but so are cultures. "I'm going to look up while walking so my tears don't fall. I remember spring (summer, fall) days, lonely nights..." While I can enjoy the original, I still prefer the American version. AToH created a fantastic remake of the song.
no1rnbfan 1 year ago
How vile today's music is! God, this is fucking beautiful.
tonywsmith2 1 year ago
We had recorded this performance on vcr and watched over and over many times. Great song.
michaeldjoseph 1 year ago
It takes me back years ago with that song!!!!!!
crz368 1 year ago
Someday I will travel 2 JAPAN!
therealraybaby 1 year ago
yeah, thanks 4 posting....memories 4 feal...
buttacudawey 1 year ago
I remember this song as a child! I also sang this song on Karaoke night
belltommied1226 1 year ago
One of a kind ladies in this group. They sing, play instruments, and are very talented. I love this song.
dorothywashington 1 year ago
I THINK EVERYBODY LOVES THE SONG FROM BACK IN DA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
karameldreem 1 year ago
Love this song!!!! Brings back great memories..
Kaneki808 1 year ago
Comment removed
jbulldogst 1 year ago
I recall this song vividly, but love Kyu Sakamoto's ORIGINAL version a thousand times better: it was thee one!!! This translation is too different from the original Japanese!! But this is still nice; only not so.
tagalong4 1 year ago
@lbCharmed1
i dont know who you're talking to but i agree this lady is super pretty :)
Accordguyintake 1 year ago
@Accordguyintake - I agree! I can't stop looking at her!
jbulldogst 1 year ago
this is the original for 4PM and Kyu Sakamoto is the original for this group ^__^ lovely how music can connect everyone despite cultures difference and ethnicity. MUSIC is awsome/powerful/lovely dont ya agree? ^__^
ballzofsteelz 1 year ago
beautiful woman singing!
jbulldogst 1 year ago
@jbulldogst SHES GORGEOUS
vampierlee1 1 year ago 2
beautiful!
jbulldogst 1 year ago
Excellent cover.
LisaSimpson80 1 year ago
I like their Sukiyaki better than the original.
amberfwn 1 year ago
Oh gosh! I saw this show...showing my age. lol :-)
nylibertyfan 1 year ago
Oh gosh! I saw this show...showing my age. lol :-)
nylibertyfan 1 year ago
Awesome Vid; Thanks for posting
Jaycool10 1 year ago
@Jaycool10 you're welcome.
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
An Asian woman was performing in the subway singing this song she sounded so beautiful and I thought of this video!
purpleness64 1 year ago
I love this version of this beautiful song. No one other thean the original singer songwriter, could sing this song or gdo it with any justice!But Taste Of Honey have done so so perfectly!!!!!!!!! Such beautiful Voice and music!!!!!!! Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
brandy41092 1 year ago
lOVE IT PRETTY WOMEN
ubparmacy 1 year ago
The Honey's are all pure talent, check out their Boogie oogie live performance, janice bass playing is funk all the way..
19TOFY58 1 year ago
Unbelievable song! Not to mention that Janice doesn't look bad at all in the video
leftyboy 1 year ago
they must be dentures - they're too white to be real teeth
megagagnon1 1 year ago
As others have posted earlier, June Kuramoto was the koto player on the studio version of this song, although it appears it is Hazel playing here in the video.
BTW, if you're not familiar with June Kuramoto (widely regarded as one of the best koto players alive), check her out as part of the contemporary/jazz/fusion group "Hiroshima" of the late '80s and early '90s.
Search out "Hiroshima - One Wish" for what IMHO is their best song; "Another Place" is a good second.
mistermisterxx 1 year ago
@mistermisterxx Yes June Kuramoto was the talent playing the kyoto on the album. Hazel is playing the "air kyoto" in this video, but if you scroll down a member of AToH band clarified that Hazel did study with June and, by this performance could actually play the song perfectly.
lbCharmed1 1 year ago 2
Please forgive my spelling error, I know that the instrument is a K-O-T-O, but for some reason I keep throwing a Y in. I apologize.
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
@lbCharmed1
Kyoto is a famous city in Japan so you probably mistook it. At first I though t it was Kyoto too XD
kami0052 1 year ago
@kami0052 you're probably right. Thanks for that! I kept wondering why I was falling back to the word "Kyoto". Makes total sense.
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
Too bad this big hit (#1 R&B, #3 Adult Contemporary) for A Taste of Honey had such a negative outcome; from Wikipedia:
"The recording and release of the song also brought them some financial distress as Sakamoto sued Capitol Records for copyright infringement, a song Johnson had believed to be a Japanese "folk" song (and in the public domain)."
Still, a timeless song and a timeless duo.
mistermisterxx 1 year ago 2
@mistermisterxx - Apparently that is not the case, Janice M. Johnson has a YouTube page and someone from her page contacted me for mistakenly stating the same thing as fact. They also informed that, in fact, Ryu Sakamoto toured with them for a bit and performed with AToH. All that is on Wiki is, sadly, NOT FACT.
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
@lbCharmed1 - Thanks for the correction on the Wiki article. Yes, I know not all on Wiki is a face but now that you've pointed it out, how about correcting it for Janice's sake?
BTW, thanks for the heads up on Janice's YT Channel; never would have found it otherwise.
mistermisterxx 1 year ago
@mistermisterxx - I would but since I don't know the details or where & when's, I don't want to exchange one myth for another. I did respond to their correction stating that I was just repeating what I found on WIKI, so maybe they will change it for accuracy's sake?
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
@mistermisterxx Agree there.
jseph1234567890 1 year ago
What a gorgeous talented lady!
locofoco123 1 year ago
her teeth are too white, look like dentures
megagagnon1 1 year ago
@megagagnon1 honey this was long b4 those days. they're not dentures & they didn't whiten everything like they do now...some people just have good teeth
CheekyGirlie 1 year ago
i know... why can't people just accept things as they are instead of looking for some underlying something or conspiracy? There were no veneers back then and its unlikely she had dentures. I have great white teeth and they are natural. Nice perfect white teeth DO exist naturally, you know.
cjs33139 1 year ago
@megagagnon1 Crass remarks are simply an indication of an unhappy person determined to make others hurt so that they "feel better" about themselves. When in reality all they're doing is pointing out what a sad, unhappy and immature existence they lead. Perhaps you're lashing out because of poor teeth maintenance and now YOU have the dentures?
lbCharmed1 1 year ago 2
this song is forever (so beautiful).
supersoulbrother 1 year ago 11
Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous!
stevadell 1 year ago 2
great post thanks
rickylvu42 1 year ago
@rickylvu42 you're welcome.
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
One of the greatest songs ever written. I still think the original Japanese version is the best.
Ryu Sakamoto was the singer and I remember hearing that it was the first non-English language song to reach #1 (I think). That shows the greatness of the song.
Face it we Americans have always had a huge choice of songs and for a non-English language song to reach so high shows a lot.
Also, this song is know in many, many countries... Makes me want to sing karaoke tonight!
JackFlanders 1 year ago 10
as a 70s child, I never knew that there was an original version of this song! Thanks for mentioning it. I had to look it up and found it on YT but to be honest, if I can't understand the lyrics to the song (since its in Japanese) I can't dig it. I love the upbeat tempo of it, but wish it were sung in english. Maybe someday someone will record it word for word in English. I heard Taste of Honey's is not a literal translation.
cjs33139 1 year ago
@cjs33139 You will probably never hear a literal translation of any song from it's original language into English simply because their words and rhyming won't translate. We might say 'My love for you is true" but they might say it "True mine for you love" so it wouldn't sound right so interpretations are done rather than translations.
lbCharmed1 1 year ago
@lbCharmed1 Good point
jseph1234567890 1 year ago
@JackFlanders hope the writer was wise enough to get royalties... but somehow I doubt that... oy vey
highhighsky1 1 year ago
@JackFlanders I beg to differ with you that the original version is better because it doesn't have the Koto doing all of the incredible runs, that makes this version timeless...
jseph1234567890 1 year ago 2
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
lovesexpistols134 1 year ago
Their mother is Japanese and father African American.
lovesexpistols134 1 year ago
Of course.
CincereOne 1 year ago
I read that Janice Marie Johnson is part Native American. Not sure what other ethnic blood she has in her. The other girl is Hazel Payne and I do not believe they are related.
BUNGLEJYME 1 year ago 2
Kyu Sakamoto rules.
But Honey's version is wonderful, fully capturing the spirit (if not the lyrics) of his original, while adding their own soulful frissons.
Odd, no, that ATOH couldn't hold on, despite having survived the disrespect of their disco success with this #3 pop hit in 1981? Oh well: "Sayonara!"
ptownfreddy 1 year ago
omg! this video brings back so many memories. one of the greatest songs ever, beautifully done.
chocolateamo 1 year ago 2
Wuauuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!
greting fron Chile..
jeopylife 1 year ago
Such a priceless song!!!!!!
bobitsuki22 1 year ago
So a 'Princess Song!!!!!...as Her Imperial Majesty perhaps?...Never Forget The One You Love though You May Not Yet Know Her!....(but MY neighbors are Tai, cool enough?)...so excellent..so excellent..
RegencyRoyale 1 year ago
lifeless lipsynching
to a great song
TheWarpedVinyl 1 year ago
big tune back then. great performance!
notchinese1 2 years ago
wow im lost for words how beautiful shaun australia
kaylamilo 2 years ago
their wiki says that Capitol Records did get sued.
wh0m33 2 years ago