Kazuyoshi Saito’s masterpieces and popular songs

rainbowSaitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – Rainbow [Music Video Short ver.]

A rare four-on-the-floor dance number for Kazuyoshi Saito.

The raw tones of the electric guitar and bass oddly catch your ear, creating a sound that makes you want to ask, “How did you record this?” The deliberately lo-fi aesthetic gives it a monochrome feel, while the layered vocals and guitars build toward the latter half, evoking an image of heading toward a ‘rainbow.’

Move forward, you slacker.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Move forward, you slacker.

From the expansive slide guitar in the intro to the unexpected melody of the first verse, I’m immediately drawn in.

Maybe it’s because Tamio Okuda is also a Beatles follower, but I sense something that connects it to Unicorn’s “Subarashii Hibi.” The laid-back, nonchalant lyrics like “Let’s call it good around here” and “Let’s fudge it” also make me think of Okuda.

I won’t let myself cry.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – “I Won’t Cry” Music Video

Singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito, who has released numerous masterpieces that almost everyone has heard at least once—such as “Aruite Kaerou” and “Utautai no Ballad”—included the track “Naitetamarka” on his 22nd album, PINEAPPLE.

Its dreamy music video, filmed at the National Museum of Nature and Science, also became a hot topic.

The contrast between the rich ensemble of piano and strings and its upbeat melody gently envelops you during moments when you want to relax alone.

It’s a song with depth that’s also easy to sing calmly at karaoke, making it highly recommended.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Don’t cry, Glory Moon.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – Don’t Cry, Glory Moon [Music Video]

Singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito has been active for many years, and he continues to release new songs without changing his style.

His latest track is “Naku na Glory Moon.” Although it’s crafted as a refreshing rock piece, its vocal range is quite narrow and is largely centered in the mid-to-low register throughout.

If you slightly lower the pitch and aim for a fuller tone at the start of each section, you can emphasize the depth and richness of your voice.

Give it a try as a reference.

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Ryo

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SignalSaitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – Signal (Full Length Ver.) [Music Video]

Although it sings of lingering attachment to a finished romance and a farewell, the piece somehow feels refreshingly light.

“Signal” is a track from the 21st album, “55 STONES,” released in 2021.

The easy-on-the-ears band sound meshes beautifully with the lyrical world.

You can feel the sadness and loneliness, yet by the end it leaves you with a dry, clear aftertaste.

This holds true for many of Saito’s other songs as well, but since there are almost no parts that require belting, it’s very easy to sing.

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Araki Jakkan

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I want to be kinder.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – I Want to Be Kind [Live at Nippon Budokan 2012.2.11]

They have always had many hit songs, but since releasing “Yasashiku Naritai,” which was also used as a TV drama theme song in recent years, their momentum has been unstoppable.

Their husky, wistful singing voice is captivating, and they play a variety of instruments including piano and drums, with considerable skill on the guitar as well.

moonlightSaitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito “Tsukikage (Moon Shadow)” / soko piano solo with harmonica

Kazuyoshi Saito has many songs themed around the moon.

In “Kanojo,” he speaks to the moon, and in “Gekkou,” he even chooses it for the title.

What does “the moon’s shadow” refer to? I feel it might be projecting onto the shadowed part of the moon that sense of something that truly exists yet sometimes can be seen and sometimes can’t, something that looks different every day while the moon itself doesn’t actually change.