Special Feature: Name Songs — Masterpieces with Names Sung by Artists

Nancy of Summer ColorsHayami Yū

Yu Hayami — Nancy in Summer Colors

It was released in 1983 as Yū Hayami’s fifth single.

The song was used as the image song for Coca-Cola, in which Yū Hayami appeared, and it became her biggest hit, marking her first entry into the top 10 of the Oricon Weekly Chart.

With this song, she made her debut appearance at the 34th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

elementSuiyōbi no Campanella

Wednesday Campanella “MOTOKO”

Wednesday Campanella began their indie activities in 2012.

It’s an unusual unit with KOM_I handling vocals, Hidefumi Kenmochi in charge of composition and arrangement, and Dir.F handling everything else.

Their track “Soshi” is rumored to be based on Ghost in the Shell—or maybe not, depending on who you ask.

LAYLAGLAY

I played GLAY’s “LAYLA” on guitar.

This song is included on GLAY’s 33rd single, “G4,” released in 2006.

It was first performed live at the Nippon Budokan in February of the same year, and the recorded version features a more pop-oriented arrangement than at that time.

Among GLAY’s songs, it is highly popular as a tearjerker.

A Nameless Birdpasupie

Passepied - A Nameless Bird (Short ver.)

PASSEPIED is a band formed in 2009, known for songs that simultaneously express music from various eras spanning the 1970s to the 2000s.

This track, included on the album “Enshutsuka Shutsuen” (Director’s Appearance), features flowing melodies and vocals, and it’s a masterpiece that leaves you with a lingering sense of melancholy after listening.

ALICEMy Little Lover

ALICE

Released in 1996 as MY LITTLE LOVER’s fourth single.

The song, which featured AKKO herself in a Morinaga Seika “ICE BOX” commercial, became a million-selling hit.

The title “ALICE” is a nod to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

I’ll give it a name.supittsu

I'll give it a name — Spitz cover

This is the track of the same name included on Spitz’s second album, Namae o Tsukete Yaru, released in 1991.

Although it was created before they had any hit songs and before they broke into the mainstream, it shines with a sparkling pop sensibility that hints at their impending breakthrough, resulting in a work brimming with talent.

Call my name.kusō iinkai

Kūsō Iinkai “Call My Name” live footage (included on the limited first edition DVD of the April 27 release “Vision/Double Helix Structure”)

Kuso Iinkai is a band that made its major debut in 2014, and songs created from vocalist Ryuichi Miura’s own experiences and imaginings have gained popularity.

This particular track is a masterpiece, with uplifting lyrics carried by a refreshing melody that makes you feel like moving forward and doing your best.