Shigeru Izumiya’s classic and popular songs
Let me introduce the music of Shigeru Izumiya, a singer-songwriter who is also active as an actor.
He made his debut as a singer in 1971 and worked alongside artists like RC Succession, Yosui Inoue, and Takuro Yoshida.
Izumiya began his acting career in 1979, and these days many people may primarily recognize him as an actor.
Although he mainly sings folk songs, he originally played rock with an electric guitar.
However, in his teens, a fire destroyed all his equipment, including his guitar and amp, which led him to switch to an acoustic guitar and start performing folk music.
Now, please enjoy Shigeru Izumiya’s deep, rugged singing voice.
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Shigeru Izumiya’s classic and popular songs (21–30)
A Long Journey to FreedomIzumiya Shigeru
This song holds an important place in Japan’s folk rock scene.
It’s striking how the deep bond between Nobuyasu Okabayashi and Shigeru Izumiya is expressed through the piece.
Included on the 1971 album “A Single Photograph,” the song centers on the feelings of young people seeking freedom and opposing the establishment.
It strongly reflects the era’s backdrop of active student movements in the 1970s, and its lyrics, which question social structures and conventional ideas, resonate deeply.
Izumiya’s characteristically powerful vocals and guitar accompaniment shake the listener to the core.
Listening to it when you want to think about self-realization and your relationship with society may offer a new perspective.
Ballad of the WildIzumiya Shigeru
Set to a lively guitar, this track resonates with Shigeru Izumiya’s powerful vocals.
The wild, untamed lyrics and passionate singing stir the listener’s heart.
Included on his 1972 debut album “Shigeru Izumiya,” the piece is a pure cry of a soul yearning for freedom.
It sings of liberation from constraints and a longing to live beyond society’s boundaries.
As you listen, you may find your own inner wildness awakening.
Highly recommended for those who feel stifled by everyday life or want to reclaim their true selves.
stray dogIzumiya Shigeru
A song that sharply depicts the feelings of people alienated from society by likening them to a stray dog.
Included on the 1972 album “Our Failures,” it also appears on Shigeru Izumiya’s debut album.
While yearning for freedom, it sings of grappling with harsh realities.
The lyrics symbolically capture the instability and sense of entrapment felt by young people in Japanese society in the 1970s, and Izumiya’s powerful vocals strike a chord.
A masterpiece that shines with a unique style fusing folk and rock.
It’s recommended listening when you feel lost in life or when you want to share your feelings with someone.
To the beginning with a long-time friendIzumiya Shigeru
This is a song that showcases Shigeru Izumiya’s musicality, which explores the complexity and depth of life.
Delicate lyrics and a powerful melody blend exquisitely, resonating deeply with the listener.
Combining elements of folk and rock, the piece is further enhanced by Izumiya’s distinctive vocals and performance style.
While poetically expressing the loneliness and alienation of urban life and the difficulties of human relationships, it also carries a warmth that suggests a glimmer of hope.
Listening to it when you encounter new beginnings or stand at a crossroads in life may give you courage.
It’s also recommended as background music for spending meaningful time with friends.
In the night sky after the rainIzumiya Shigeru
An emotionally rich folk song that brilliantly depicts the scene after the rain.
Characterized by Shigeru Izumiya’s distinctive vocals and guitar playing, this work has been continuously covered by many artists since its release in 1975.
The lyrics quietly, yet with profound feeling, sing of heartbreak and life’s setbacks, resonating deeply with listeners.
It’s recommended for those who want to spend time gazing up at the night sky after the rain, confronting life’s uncertainty and inner conflicts.
The philosophically deep lyrics, reflecting Izumiya’s life experiences, are sure to give you courage and comfort.
Black Boat SongIzumiya Shigeru
With its emotionally rich vocals and moving melody, this song leaves a deep imprint on the listener’s heart.
It perfectly balances the strength and melancholy that are Shigeru Izumiya’s trademark, while the rhythmic tones of the guitar strings keep stirring the listener’s feelings like waves.
In the chorus, Izumiya’s voice gains even more depth, evoking a tenacious, oar-stroking persistence.
It’s a track with a mysterious charm, as if carrying the listener somewhere far away while rocking in a black boat.
Its memorable lyrics and melody reveal something new with every listen, offering a glimpse of why it is loved for so long.
Blame it all on the timesIzumiya Shigeru
A signature song by Shigeru Izumiya that had a profound impact on Japan’s folk-rock scene.
It is included on his 1972 album “Our Failure.” This work sharply depicts the social issues and struggles faced by young people at the time.
Its lyrics, imbued with criticism of the era and a rebellious spirit, continue to resonate with many listeners today.
Izumiya’s powerful yet delicate vocals stir the emotions of those who hear them.
A song that prompts reflection on one’s own way of life and relationship with society.
Through music, it can bring fresh insights to everyday life.