[Yumi Matsutoya’s Masterpieces] A Collection of Heart-Touching Gems: Yuming’s Finest Hits

GirlfriendsMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Girlfriends (from “Japanese Love and Yuming.”)

This is a track from the 15th album, VOYAGER, released in 1983.

The protagonist has been dumped, and their friends act cheerful around them.

The girlfriends who say “We told you so” actually think of her in their hearts; the story is about the protagonist sensing that kindness.

Girlfriends like this are wonderful, aren’t they? It was used as a commercial song for Naeba Prince Hotel in 1989.

AVALONMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – “AVALON” (from the 38th new album “Uchū Toshokan” [The Space Library])

It’s included on Yumi Matsutoya’s album “Uchū Toshokan” (The Universe Library), released in November 2016, and was written specifically for JRA’s brand campaign “a beautiful race.” Rather than depicting horse racing itself, it strikingly elevates the exhilaration of running and living as universal themes.

Co-produced with arranger Masataka Matsutoya, it achieves a cinematic sound with richly layered strings and horns.

Give it a listen when you want a push to take on a new challenge or when you want to set your heart free.

Matsutōya Yumi

[Look-alike Sings] A Midsummer Night’s Dream / Yumi Matsutoya (cover) [Uchimura’s Tsuboru Video]

Yumi Matsutoya’s songs are full of hits everyone knows, making them perfect for livening up parties and gatherings.

There’s even a makeup style—a sort of “template for doing a Matsutoya impression”—that uses bold blush to sharpen the face, so beginners can get into character just by nailing the look.

It’s also an impression that Michiko Shimizu and Ryuji Aoki are known for, so be sure to check out their videos for reference.

Her distinctive high-pitched yet slightly nasal voice is surprisingly easy to imitate, so give it a try!

Cinderella ExpressMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya - Cinderella Express (from “Love in Japan, and Yuming.”)

It skillfully weaves a fairy-tale dream into modern society and sings it with finesse.

The kind of superb melody that makes you want to hum along is seasoned to further solidify the world-building, evoking a curious sensation like encountering a flavor you’ve never tasted before.

Once in infinityMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Once in Infinity (YUMING SPECTACLE SHANGRILA 1999)

“Once in Infinity,” the first track on Yumi Matsutoya’s 24th album TEARS AND REASONS, released on November 27, 1992, was also featured in a Kirin Lager Beer commercial.

Perhaps because of that, it has a slightly beer-tinged atmosphere—an adult love song.

The lyrics portray the passion and poignancy of love, where you give it your all even though you knew how it would end, and the song carries a gentle, mature air—an adult-tinged track through and through.

pearl earringsMatsutōya Yumi

Pearl Pierce / Shinju No Pierce (2022 Ｍix)

A track from her 13th original album, “PEARL PIERCE.” This song, which vividly portrays the complex feelings of a girl, is famously said to have been created based on real experiences shared by fans in their letters.

The influence of her music is astounding—back then, pearl earrings reportedly sold like crazy.

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SWEET DREAMSMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – SWEET DREAMS

It was released in 1987 as Yumi Matsutoya’s 22nd single.

It was used as the commercial song for Mitsubishi Motors’ new Mirage, and later, in 1991, it was featured as an insert song in the film “Hold Me as Many Times as There Are Waves.” The track was re-released as a CD single in 1989.