Sukiyaki
Kyu Sakamoto
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Let's look up as we walk, so that the tears don't spill Remembering that spring day, that lonely night. Let's look up as we walk, count the blurry stars Remembering that summer day, that lonely night. Happiness is above the clouds, Happiness is above the skies. Let's look up as we walk, so that the tears don't spill Crying as we walk, that lonely night. Remembering that autumn day, that lonely night. Sadness is in the shadow of the clouds, Sadness is in the shadow of the moon. Let's walk with our head held up so that the tears don't spill, Crying as we walk, that lonely night.
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Written by: Rokusuke Ei, Hachidai Nakamura, A Dan, Di Yi Chen, Ning Ding, Richard Chun Keung Lam, Wai Yuen Poon, Yu Rui Liu
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
International AcclaimSukiyaki was a major international hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the United States in 1963.
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Language Barrier BreakDespite being sung entirely in Japanese, it was successful in English speaking countries. It is still the only Japanese-language song ever to hit number one in the U.S.
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Original TitleThe original Japanese title of the song is "Ue o Muite Arukou," which roughly translates to "I Look Up As I Walk."
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Incongruent TitleThe song earned its more recognized name "Sukiyaki," a type of Japanese hot pot dish, only because it was easier for English speakers to pronounce.
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Significance of LyricsThe song's lyrics are actually about disappointment and loneliness, serving as a metaphor for the disappointment and despair felt in Japan after World War II.
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Kyu Sakamoto's FameThe singer, Kyu Sakamoto, was one of Japan's most popular singers and actors during the 1960s.
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Global RecognitionThe song has been covered by many artists around the world, including a well-known English-language version by A Taste of Honey and inclusion as a sample in the rap song "Sukiyaki" by Slick Rick.
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ChoreographyDuring a performance of "Sukiyaki," Sakamoto executed a dance routine that resembled walking while looking up, which is a reference to the original title and lyric theme of the song.
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Tragic EndingSadly, in 1985, Sakamoto died in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123, which is the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history.
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Concurrent RelevanceDespite its age, the song is still used in pop culture - it was featured in the film "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" and the Netflix series "Master of None."
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Citation
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"Sukiyaki Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31591965/Kyu+Sakamoto/Sukiyaki>.
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