Hit and popular songs by Kenji Sawada
Let me introduce the songs of Kenji Sawada, a male singer who represents the Showa era.
Even if you didn’t listen to them in real time, you’ve probably heard several of his songs at least once, such as “Katte ni Shiyagare” and “TOKIO.”
Kenji Sawada began his career in the 1960s, during the heyday of Group Sounds, debuting as the lead vocalist of The Tigers, a central band in the Group Sounds scene.
His nickname is “Julie,” which is said to come from the fact that he was a fan of the actress Julie Andrews.
Now, please enjoy these masterpieces that dominated the Showa-era pop scene.
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Kenji Sawada’s famous and popular songs (41–50)
Only you are enough.sawada kenji
This was his third solo single, released in 1972, featuring a striking cover with a close-up of Julie holding a rose.
The performance is by the Takayuki Inoue Band and the Kenny Wood Orchestra.
With trumpet prominently featured, the sound has a classical finish.
I’ll make up my mind tonight.sawada kenji
Released as a single in 1983, this track features lyrics written by Julie himself.
Its bright, bubbly synthesizers and techno-infused rock sound capture the exuberant mood of early-1980s Japan.
LOVE I want to hold you tightsawada kenji
As her 25th single, it won the Best Vocal Performance at the 20th Japan Record Awards and the Broadcast Music Award at the 9th Japan Kayō Awards.
Since the previous single was essentially a tie-in song used as a film insert, this was effectively the follow-up to “Darling.” Unusually long for the time at over five minutes, it featured vivid scene-setting, reinforced by staging in which she wore a black coat and had blood-stained bandages on her hand.
At the 29th Kōhaku Uta Gassen, she closed the show, overturning the convention that the finale is reserved for a grand master of enka.
Forbidden lovesawada kenji
The second single after going solo.
It felt like a partial return to a Group Sounds–style direction and left a strong impression with its energetic vocals.
It became a milestone release that led to several achievements, including entering the weekly Oricon Top 10, the 14th Japan Record Awards, and a first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Unusually for the time, it was recorded at a London studio, establishing them as a “kayōkyoku singer with a commitment to sound.”
Love Letter on the Seashoresawada kenji
Formed the backing band EXOTICS in 1981, this is the 33rd single they released.
The song is structured as a rock ballad and perfectly suits Julie’s sweet voice.
It was used as the campaign song for “Max Factor ’81” in the summer.