Inoue Yosui’s classic and popular songs
Let me introduce you to the works of Yosui Inoue, a heavyweight of the J-pop world and a defining artist of the Showa era.
Speaking of Yosui Inoue, he has many famous songs such as “Shonen Jidai” (A Boy’s Summer), “Riverside Hotel,” and “Yume no Naka e” (Into a Dream).
In particular, many people may have sung “Shonen Jidai” during elementary school music class.
Inoue, whose music is deeply ingrained in the Japanese music scene, was apparently a well-known Beatles fanatic in his student days, and some of his songs show that influence.
Incidentally, his real name is the same as his stage name, “Yosui,” but it’s read as “Akimi.” He changed the reading to “Yosui” for his stage name, reportedly to create a strong impact to rival Takuro Yoshida—his contemporary and sort of rival—whose name “Takuro” had a striking ring to it.
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Inoue Yosui’s classic and popular songs (1–10)
canaryInoue Yosui
“Canary” is a song with a strangely captivating charm that I just can’t get out of my head.
Among Yosui Inoue’s works from the 1980s, it’s included on the highly acclaimed album LION & PELICAN.
“Canary” is characterized by its waltz rhythm and, for its time, an avant-garde, floating sound arrangement.
If you’re just singing it, there’s little that’s technically difficult beyond being mindful that the lyrics move a bit quickly.
However, please keep in mind that it’s not the kind of song that really builds to a climax.
When choosing it for karaoke, be careful to pick it when you’re with companions who will appreciate a song with this kind of distinctive atmosphere.
I don’t have an umbrella.Inoue Yosui
It’s a fun date with someone you love, but it’s raining outside… That alone can make you feel pretty depressed, right? Inoue Yosui’s 1972 song “Kasa ga Nai” (“I Don’t Have an Umbrella”) sings about that familiar, everyday gloom that anyone can fall into, as well as the melancholy that overflows in the world.
There are all sorts of problems out there, and sometimes they even affect our own lives.
But the lyrics honestly say that the issue pressing down on me right now is, for me, the most important one of all—and that’s the charm of this song.
Perhaps when we feel down is precisely when we should think about what truly matters and what we truly need.
summer festivalInoue Yosui
It’s a song quintessentially Inoue Yosui—tinged with a gentle melancholy yet warm, evoking a unique sense of nostalgia.
This piece was included on the classic album “Yosui II: Sentimental,” released in December 1972, and it became a staple in his live performances at the time.
The acoustic sound—almost what you might call folk rock—beautifully harmonizes with the lyrics’ worldview, which sings of the passage of ten years and memories of summer.
The bustle of a festival evening and the scene of riding home with a younger sister on the bicycle come to life like a short film before your eyes.
If you listen while overlaying it with your own distant memories, you may be able to savor its world even more deeply.
Inoue Yosui’s famous and popular songs (11–20)
HAWAIIAN LOVE SONGInoue Yosui
A hidden gem by Yosui Inoue that gently carries the breeze of the tropics is the B-side to his 1998 single “TEENAGER.” Dedicated to Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the song is marked by beautiful imagery—long necklaces and the southern seas.
Calm yet suffused with a wistful yearning for a lost kingdom, it is a jewel-like ballad.
It was included in the 2001 remastered CD album ReMASTER on “extra-1,” earning renewed acclaim.
Arranged by Masaru Hoshi, whose work brilliantly heightens the emotion, and unfolding within Inoue’s uniquely poetic world, this track is perfect for when you want to dream of the tropics—or to lift your spirits before a trip to Hawaii.
White shipInoue Yosui
It’s a lyrical song that poignantly depicts a farewell at a harbor.
A celebrated piece showcased on Yosui Inoue’s debut album “Dansetsu,” it was released in May 1972.
The song calmly portrays the harbor scenery while unfolding the inner emotions of someone seeing off a loved one, woven together with a beautiful melody.
You can almost picture the protagonist standing still, eyes following a white ship quietly receding into the distance, hiding an overwhelming loneliness deep in their heart.
This work stands out as one of the most memorable tracks on “Dansetsu,” vividly capturing scenes of departures and farewells.
It resonates with anyone facing a parting or seeing off someone dear, and it’s also recommended as background music for watching the scenery go by on a long journey.
Inoue Yosui
Imitating Yosui Inoue would be a big hit as entertainment at a party! If you get a distinctive afro wig and black sunglasses and focus on that unique, slightly nasal voice, you should end up sounding just like him.
Performing well-known songs like “Kazarijanainoyo Namida wa” and “Shonen Jidai” will definitely get the crowd going in no time! Don’t forget his famous line, “How is everyone doing?” You can expect an even bigger reaction if you pick songs that match the audience’s age group.
Practice hard and deliver a top-notch performance!
Farewell in MayInoue Yosui
This “May Farewell” is a beautiful medium-tempo ballad included on the hit album UNDER THE SUN, which topped the Oricon charts.
While using simple language, the lyrics vividly evoke inner landscapes and scenes of May with uniquely poetic, expressive phrasing that really resonates.
You’ll notice when you actually sing it: if you let yourself flow with the somewhat nostalgic melody, you should be able to sing without drifting off pitch.
Try singing it while savoring the meaning of the lyrics, cherishing each and every word.