Songs for Sunday. Classic and popular Japanese tracks

Our Sunday for Twotenchi mari

Mari Amachi “Futari no Nichiyōbi” May 2, 1976 Hakata Dontaku Eve Festival

So nostalgic.

This is a hit song by Mari Amachi, the quintessential idol of that era.

I’ve heard that Keisuke Kuwata from Southern All Stars was also a huge fan of Mari-chan.

She made a comeback after quite a number of years away at one point, but because there were variety show segments where she had to put herself on the line, Kuwata supposedly lamented, saying, “Please, don’t ruin the image.”

Sunny SundayMoritaka Chisato

Chisato Moritaka “Sunny Sunday” [Self-Cover]

It’s a song where Chisato Moritaka’s refreshing vocals really shine.

From the title alone, you might imagine it’s about a lovely Sunday, but then these rather suggestive lines drop in here and there.

It’s definitely singing about happiness, yet when it mentions “family service,” that would imply a married woman.

And then there’s the line, “Usually, I used to walk arm in arm with that person,” which makes you wonder—what does that mean? It’s a song that really stirs the imagination.

Blue SundayNoguchi Goro

Goro Noguchi – Blue Sunday

I think Goro Noguchi had a lot of songs like this.

His second single, “Aoi Ringo,” was a hit, and along with Hideki Saijo and Hiromi Go, he flourished as a male idol as part of the ‘New Big Three.’ However, this particular song leaves a very faint impression.

The more specific “Private Railway Line” became a huge hit.

The image overlaps with this song, but heartbreak feels more serious when there’s a concrete setting.

My SundayAgunesu Chan

My Sunday - Agnes Chan

As an idol singer from Hong Kong, Agnes Chan was quite popular among boys.

This song might not be very well known because it’s the B-side of her fifth single since her debut, “Hoshi ni Negai o” (Wish Upon a Star).

In true early-1970s idol fashion, she sings cutely about the beginning of love, but to be honest, her Japanese wasn’t very good, so there are many parts that are hard to make out.

Because of that, back then there was a boom of performers doing impressions of Agnes.

Sunday nightkinmokusei

Osmanthus - Sunday Night

What a sad Sunday it is—and what a fine man he is, too.

It’s a breakup song about stepping aside for her happiness, and the ballad style matches the lyrics perfectly.

Shungo Ito’s gentle, heartfelt vocals are wonderful, and it’s a song that could move even men to tears if they listen to it after a real heartbreak.

SANDAY KITCHENKobukuro

Kobukuro - Sunday Kitchen (cover)

It’s a heartwarming song that sings about the simple happiness of an ordinary rainy Sunday.

It’s unclear whether the couple is married, but the trivial exchanges that anyone has experienced are relatable.

Since there was no URL for the original artist, it ended up being a cover.

Mona Lisa’s SmileZa Taigāsu

Mona Lisa's Smile

It’s a classic song by The Tigers from the peak of the Group Sounds era—an exquisitely heartfelt piece at a time when most hits were electric and upbeat.

“Mona Lisa’s Smile” is of course referring to that famous painting, but here it evokes quietly waiting on a gently rainy Sunday—not a downpour—for someone to come home, longing for a smile like the Mona Lisa’s.

To be loved that much would be happiness itself.