Songs sung by Downtown: classic tracks released as solos or by units
Masatoshi Hamada and Hitoshi Matsumoto of Downtown have left an indelible mark on Japanese television history and continue to captivate many fans to this day.
While the two are strongly associated with their image as comedians, did you know they have also pursued musical activities? Their songs brim with a variety of charms, from tracks filled with humor to ones with heartwarming lyrics.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs released under the Downtown name, each of their solo works, as well as tracks from the units they’ve participated in.
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Songs performed by Downtown. Classic tracks released as solos or units (11–20)
Live, Benjamin (ver. M. Hamada)Hamada Masatoshi
This is the memorable first song that Masatoshi Hamada from Downtown released as a solo artist.
It came out in February 1991 as a counterpart to his partner Hitoshi Matsumoto’s version, and its unique concept drew a lot of attention at the time.
With lyrics by Takemi Shima and music by Masahide Sakuma, the track stands out not only for the clever idea behind it but also for its high musical quality.
The title’s message—“Live”—carries a powerful resonance that seems to strike straight at the listener’s heart.
When you’re feeling a bit worn down by life or need courage to move forward, Hamada’s unadorned, straightforward voice will push you from behind with the strength and warmth of a friend.
Ojapamendauntaun
It’s a lively song performed by Downtown and the other regular members of the show “Downtown no Gotsu Ee Kanji.” It’s a cover of “Ojebame Iyagi” by the Korean idol group Fire Truck.
Although it sounds like Korean, the lyrics were transcribed into katakana by Yuichi Kimura, a writer for the show, based on how he heard them, which makes it amusing in part because the meaning doesn’t always come through.
Now that K-pop is popular and people have more opportunities to hear Korean, the oddness of the lyrics might be even more fun to appreciate.
In conclusion
The numerous songs infused with Hamada and Matsumoto’s distinctive characters and worldview radiate a charm different from their work as comedians. Their unique vision continues to resonate with many people even today. Their musicality, which goes beyond the realm of comedy, may also be one of their appeals.