Popular Songs by Eikichi Yazawa: A Curated Selection of Masterpieces from the Boss of Japan’s Rock Scene!

A Fickle Afternoon RainYazawa Eikichi

A Fickle Afternoon Rain (Remastered 2022)

Eikichi Yazawa probably likes the Beatles and was influenced by them, but you wouldn’t sense that from his melodies or performance.

If anything, he leans more toward the Rolling Stones and Black music, placing emphasis on rhythm and relying more on vocal dynamics than on melody.

Asian SeaYazawa Eikichi

Asian Sea (Remastered 2022)

I only learned about this song recently, but I thought it was a refined, really good track.

It’s a quintessential Yazawa song, yet I think it would be interesting if a woman covered it.

The climactic, tear-jerking chorus at the end is fantastic too, so I want more people to know about it.

Now, trembling, youYazawa Eikichi

Now, Swaying, You (Remastered 2022)

It’s a rock ballad that starts with an unusual piano intro.

Eikichi Yazawa likes the Beatles and acknowledges their influence, but I think it’s more strongly influenced by AOR, a genre that was popular in the U.S.

back in the day.

This song distills that into Eikichi Yazawa’s own style, making it very easy to listen to.

YOKOHAMA FOGGY NIGHTYazawa Eikichi

YOKOHAMA FOGGY NIGHT (Remastered 2022)

Included on the eighth album “RISING SUN,” released in 1981, it was also used as the B-side of the 1982 single “YES MY LOVE.” Since Eikichi Yazawa pursued his music career in Yokohama after moving up to Tokyo from Hiroshima, Yokohama often serves as a motif in works that look back on his youth.

“FOGGY” means thick with fog, and the song paints a cinematic lyrical world of a night city veiled in Yokohama’s mist.

Traces of KindnessYazawa Eikichi

Traces of Kindness (Remastered 2022)

This song is included on the 20th album, “Don’t Wanna Stop,” released in 1991.

It’s an adult, moody number that exudes Eikichi Yazawa’s masculine allure.

The guitar and synth sounds carry a hint of Eric Clapton’s 1989 release “Journeyman.” I’m struck by Yazawa’s voracious drive to keep incorporating the cutting-edge sounds of the time and make them his own, and by the individuality that never loses its unmistakable Yazawa-ness no matter what he does.

long black hairYazawa Eikichi

Long black hair Eikichi Yazawa J’zTV #21

If you like rock with a masculine vibe, we recommend “Long Black Hair.” This song is structured similarly to Eikichi Yazawa’s signature track “WHY YOU…,” with restrained A and B verses that explode in the chorus, where you crank up the voltage and sing with shouts.

The chorus is somewhat challenging, but the A and B verses are very easy.

For those with a husky voice, it should be especially easy to sing.

Be sure to check it out.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Bourbon LifeYazawa Eikichi

Eikichi Yazawa - Bourbon Life (AG Ver.) COVER .MP3

Among corporate commercials, Eikichi Yazawa especially has many songs that perfectly suit refined, high-quality scenes like beverages and cars.

While songs featuring this kind of sexy vocal style have become less common nowadays, the nostalgic “Bourbon Jinsei” lets you fully savor every facet of his voice and makes you exclaim, “As expected of YAZAWA.”