Songs for Sunday. Classic and popular Japanese tracks

Sunday is a strangerIshino Mako

Mako Ishino - Sunday is a Stranger

Mako Ishino’s songs from the time when her little snaggletooth was considered cute incorporated the disco sounds that were popular then, making them very upbeat.

Although her fourth single after debut sold 90,000 copies and struggled a bit, she was quite active as an idol.

It’s unclear why, back in 1979, she was singing about wanting to be a devil on Sunday or wanting to be someone other than herself, but maybe she was anticipating today’s cosplay—who knows?

Sunday afternoonSuga Shikao

Nichiyoubino Gogo

It’s a hidden gem by Shikao Suga that conjures scenes as if you were watching a short film.

A quiet afternoon spent with family—its gentle flow and the subtle tension that arises in fleeting moments—comes across vividly, carried by soulful sounds.

The poetic lyrics, skillfully employing colors like red and darkness, richly stimulate the listener’s imagination.

Released in June 1998, this track opens the classic album “FAMILY,” serving as a prologue to the world the record portrays.

When you want to reflect on your relationships with family, why not immerse yourself in this story?

Sunday: A Lonely PrayerKyōto Sangyō Daigaku Konsei Gasshōdan

"Sunday" A Lonely Prayer (Mixed Chorus)

From the opening song, I thought it was a heartwarming depiction of an ordinary family’s Sunday, but it turned out to be a rather cruel and intense choral piece.

The parts sung in Kansai dialect reminded me of “Chikotan,” which we were made to sing at a choir competition back in the day.

This song is far more shocking—nowhere near something you can listen to on that level.

Boring SundayCRAZY KEN BAND

“Boring Sunday” — the predecessor of Crazy Ken Band, CK’s

This is a song about how my day off is Sunday, her day off is Wednesday, and how unbearably boring Sundays are when we can’t go on a date.

It gives the impression of a younger guy leaning sweetly on an older woman.

Even meeting at dusk is enough to make me happy.

On days we can’t meet, I’ll work on improving myself! It’s one of the tracks on SMAP’s “SMAP017/SAMPLE BANG,” with the song written by Ken Yokoyama of Crazy Ken Band.

Our SundayTerashima Yufu

Well then, Feeling, Our Sunday by Yufu Terashima with Yuru-ffies

Yufu Terashima, who has admired Morning Musume since childhood and is also known as a major yuru-chara enthusiast, is active in various collaborations with mascots from all over Japan.

However, she’s also a highly accomplished woman, having graduated from Waseda University’s Faculty of Letters and holding first-class teaching licenses for junior high and high school.

Her graduation thesis was “on the theme of yuru-chara,” suggesting she’s engaged in research that goes beyond mere fandom.

Sunday is no good, no good.Mizuno Manaka

Sunday is absolutely no good.

Ms.

Aika Mizuno, who has had a long and active career as a voice actress and has many devoted fans—perhaps the slightly “Aika-from-on-high” vibe of lines like, “If you want to go on a date with me on Sunday, it won’t be easy,” is irresistible to the fans known as otagei? Looking at the uploaded comments, someone wrote it was for ‘pre-study and review.’ I understand the pre-study part, but… what exactly are they reviewing?

Sunday dateIijima Mari

Mari Iijima – Sunday Date

Before her debut, the owner of this charming voice played the role of idol singer Lynn Minmay in the TV anime Super Dimension Fortress Macross, and afterward she handled many songs for anime and games; however, she is a bona fide singer-songwriter with a music conservatory background.

She sings a love song set along a classic date course in a rock style.