Many of us remember this

[moniss]

from 1963 and it hit Number One on Billboard despite most of the people of the US having no idea what the lyrics were or what they were based on. The Anpo protests in Japan in 1959 and 1960 were huge regarding aspects of the US/Japan military relationship and despite the protests forcing some changes to the treaty and a resignation of Kishi the Prime Minister the lingering feelings never went away. So without referencing Anpo directly the lyrics talk about a man dealing with loss by tipping his head to the sky and whistling in order to keep his tears from falling. I remember here in the US we were told it was a love song about a girl. It was not. But like much of US/Japan history from the end of WW2 and into the '60's the history has faded from many people now.

[EYESORE 9001]

1. K & R for providing the true story about this song

Along with providing a historical frame of reference.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. You'd hear this song played on "Easy Listening" radio stations

in the Seventies.

[geo1]

3. Not only remember it but still have the 45 rpm vinyl

Was one of my very first vinyl records, along with those of the Beatles. Thanks for sharing the history, didn't know!

[Tansy_Gold]

5. Still have mine, too!

I guess that's today's earworm.

[usaf-vet]

4. Elevator music.

[Delphinus]

6. Wow!

Never heard this - thank you for the truth of what he was singing. Wow.

[nwliberalkiwi]

7. Fate of Singer

Unfortunately the singer died in a plane crash. He was on a Japanese Airliner flight in Japan, and the tail fin ripped away. The pilot took the plane out to sea and then return to land. They crashed into the mountains killing all aboard. Deadliest air crash in Japanese history.
A hauntingly beautiful song.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Excellent Backstory

I remember the song. Didn't know its real content.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. Thanks. I have updated my post. And good morning. NT

Fri Sep 13, 2024: The Sukiyaki Song: What is it really about?