Akiko Okamura’s classic and popular songs

adieuOkamura Takako

adieu Takako Okamura

A track from her sixth album, “Kiss ?a cote de la mer?.” Set to the kind of bright, up-tempo melody that has become Takako Okamura’s trademark, she casually sings about the end of a sad romance—an Okamura-style ‘breakup song.’ She even shows a fair amount of lingering attachment, saying, “I don’t care if you resent me—just let me stay in some corner of your memory.” Still, the overall impression of the song is that of a positive goodbye.

A summer afternoonOkamura Takako

Takako Okamura “Summer Afternoon” (Official Full ver.)

Akiko Okamura’s fourth single.

A beautiful song whose sunlit summer scenery springs to mind from the very first notes.

It was also used as a TV drama theme.

The protagonist is a woman who can’t quite rejoice in the happy moments with her loved one—a slightly negative-leaning character—making it a cleverly twisted love song characteristic of Okamura.

A classic that represents the early period after her solo debut.

Embrace the lonely heartOkamura Takako

Embrace the lonely heart

Takako Okamura, who seems unmatched when it comes to writing songs about heroines whose so-called tsundere personalities keep them from finding happiness, delivers that same vibe here.

It’s a breakup song dripping with lingering regret, where the narrator tries to act tough but can’t help revealing how much she now regrets letting her partner go.

Although it was later included as an album track, it was originally released as the B-side to “Hagusō na Tenshi.” With its catchy melody, it’s fair to call this an early masterpiece.

I’ll wait.Okamura Takako

I’ll wait – Aming

This is also one of Takako Okamura’s signature songs—an evergreen that hasn’t faded with time.

It was a big hit back then.

You could say it expresses the steadfast, enduring heart of a Showa-era woman.

Still, are there women today who are this single-minded? The two of them have such beautiful harmony—it’s really wonderful.

Chasing the RainbowOkamura Takako

Takako Okamura – Chasing the Rainbow – Piano and Vocal (Self-Accompanied)

A track from the fifth album, “Eau Du Ciel (Water of Heaven).” It’s upbeat and catchy, and has become a staple for live encores.

Everyone grows up while getting lost and hurt along the way…

This is a song that feels like a gentle vitamin for the heart, offering quiet courage when you stumble.

I’ll see you off.Okamura Takako

I'll see you off — Takako Okamura

A track from the second album, “A Breeze Within Me.” From the beat-driven, striking intro, it grabs you right from the start.

It’s a breakup song that feels like watching a scene from a movie, depicting the moment of parting with a lover.

With a catchy melody worthy of being an A-side single, it’s an early masterpiece.

Stray AngelOkamura Takako

Takako Okamura “An Angel About to Stray” (Music Video)

A classic song that sets a bittersweet yet endearingly cute woman’s unrequited love to a catchy melody.

Created by the golden duo of hitmakers—lyricist Etsuko Kisugi and composer Takao Kisugi—the piece was originally released as Takao Kisugi’s own single.

It was later covered by Okamura and issued as her third single.

Okamura herself says it was “the song that gave me confidence as a vocalist.” Widely known—having been used in commercials as well—it stands as one of Takako Okamura’s signature tracks.