Miyuki Nakajima’s Masterpieces: A Showcase of the Timeless Gems That Defined an Era

Between the Sky and YouNakajima Miyuki

Ayaka / “Between the Sky and You” Music Video (Story 1)

Like many others, I got hooked on the drama that used this song as its theme and watched it every week.

I remember crying as I watched, listening to these lyrics said to be from the perspective of the protagonist’s pet dog, with the thought, “Please protect the protagonist!”

that girlNakajima Miyuki

that girl

Despite its bright melody, the lyrics are quintessentially Miyuki from her dark period, steeped in self-deprecation.

The longing to be “that girl” is painfully palpable.

Miyuki’s clear voice is soothing, yet this is one of those sad songs that capture the feelings for someone who will never turn around and notice you.

At HomeNakajima Miyuki

Miyuki Nakajima “At the Platform (Home nite)” Michiru Uotaka

It’s one of my favorite songs.

If you listen closely to this gentle tune, you realize the protagonist can’t go back to their hometown.

It’s always a train they can’t catch… The smiling passengers give me a bittersweet feeling.

I can’t help wishing someone would open those closed doors for them just once more.

Fight-RyanseNakajima Miyuki

Fight-Ryanse

I take my hat off to the clever wordplay of “Tōryanse” turned into “Tōryanse (battle)”! In fact, this song, “Tōryanse,” was originally provided as a single released in 2008 by actress Yoko Kuga under the name YOKO, and later Miyuki Nakajima herself re-recorded it as a self-cover and released it anew.

It’s a song that sits somewhere between kayōkyoku and enka, and Nakajima delivers it with plenty of theatrical flair.

The pitch is relatively low—low enough for men to sing—and the range isn’t extremely wide, so overall it seems quite singable.

That said, simply hitting the notes won’t capture the song’s atmosphere; don’t be shy—sing it with the gusto of fully becoming Nakajima herself.

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era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki

Era - Live 2010–11 (from Tokyo International Forum Hall A)

I think it was when I was still in junior high that I learned this was the song that introduced “the singer Miyuki Nakajima” to the world.

Back then I only knew her from the time when she was called the queen of heartbreak songs, so I was a little surprised when I heard this track—but looking back, it was actually “Miyuki Nakajima, the singer of fight songs,” wasn’t it?

MaybeNakajima Miyuki

Maybe — Miyuki Nakajima Cover by XXkurage

It’s a song released in October 1991.

In the winter of 1991, it was used as the commercial song for Panasonic’s VHS-C camera “Brenbee,” featuring Honami Suzuki.

It’s a very heartrending song, but a beautiful one.

It is said to have been written specifically for the second installment (performed in 1990) of the musical play “Yakai.”

festival musicNakajima Miyuki

Festival Music - A work by Miyuki Nakajima (cover)

Despite the title “Matsuri-bayashi” (festival music), it’s a minor-key song with not a trace of liveliness.

It seems that “that person” has vanished from the protagonist’s life—rather, has passed away—and now the protagonist no longer feels like watching the festival music unless it’s together with them.

There’s a sorrow, as if happiness slipped away.