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)
Imjin RiverIzumiya Shigeru
This is a moving song that laments a family torn apart by war.
Shigeru Izumiya’s rough-hewn vocals further enhance the song’s melancholy.
Included on the 1972 album “A Single Photograph,” the piece initially drew little attention in Japan, but by the 1980s it had come to be widely sung as an emblematic song of South Korea’s democratization movement.
Set against the flow of the Imjin River, it portrays the sorrow of divided families and lovers, conveying the tragedy of war and the suffering of humanity.
It is a song imbued with a universal message that resonates with those who long for peace.
Stay, time—thou art beautiful!Izumiya Shigeru
This ballad, which sings of a longing that resists the passage of time, is one of Shigeru Izumiya’s signature works.
It captures the brilliance and transience of youth and a poignant love for someone dear, resonating deeply with listeners.
Released as a single in 1972, it is also included on the album “Subete Jidai no Sei ni Shite” (“Blame It All on the Times”).
Izumiya’s distinctive voice and the emotionally rich melody accentuate the lyrics’ sorrow and beauty.
More than a love song, it reminds us to cherish each moment of life.
It’s a perfect recommendation when you want to savor time with someone important or feel the fragility and beauty of life.
Shigeru Izumiya’s Masterpieces and Popular Songs (31–40)
War DittyIzumiya Shigeru
The passionately charged “War Ditty,” imbued with irony toward war, was created by Shigeru Izumiya, a singer-songwriter who also excels as an actor and commentator.
The powerful guitar playing—like an expression of fervor from the heart—leaves a strong impression.
Its strongly messaged lyrics depicting every facet of war, together with his soulful vocals, resonate deeply.
Precisely because the song conveys unvarnished, straightforward feelings, it communicates the sorrow and pain inherent in conflict.
It is an anti-war song we hope to pass down for a bright future free of war.
GeGeGe no KitaroIzumiya Shigeru
GeGeGe no Kitaro has been adapted into a TV anime five times so far, but the same song has continued to be used as the theme.
As the song says, I think many people—regardless of age or gender—wish they could live leisurely and free from constraints.
Personal reasonsIzumiya Shigeru
When you listen closely, a powerful message that pierces the heart comes through.
Released on Shigeru Izumiya’s 1972 debut album “Our Failure,” this song is a classic that walks the royal road of folk rock.
It portrays an individual’s inner turmoil and relationship with society from a unique perspective and has been highly acclaimed since its release.
Izumiya’s rough-hewn vocals brim with emotion, conveying the weight of someone who has crossed life’s mountain passes.
The simple yet forceful melody line further deepens the lyrical worldview.
Like a journey of self-discovery, it evokes different impressions and resonances in each listener.