Kyu Sakamoto

Kyu Sakamoto was born as Hisashi Ōshima on December 10, 1941, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He began performing as a singer in the late 1950s, influenced by Western pop and rock and roll. In 1958, he joined the vocal group The Drifters, but soon pursued a solo career. His early singles were modest hits in Japan, and he also appeared in films, establishing himself as a versatile entertainer.

In 1961, Sakamoto released "Ue o Muite Arukō" (I Look Up When I Walk), written by Rokusuke Ei and composed by Hachidai Nakamura. The song's melancholic melody and lyrics about looking up while walking to hold back tears resonated with Japanese audiences. In 1963, it was licensed for international release under the title "Sukiyaki" (a Japanese dish) for easier pronunciation. To the surprise of many, it topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in June 1963, becoming the first Japanese-language song to achieve this feat. It also reached number one in Canada and several other countries. The song's success was partly attributed to its catchy melody and the novelty of a Japanese-language hit in the Western market.

Despite the international success, Sakamoto remained primarily active in Japan, releasing numerous singles and appearing in films and television. He continued to perform until his untimely death in the Japan Airlines Flight 123 crash on August 12, 1985, at the age of 43. His death was a national tragedy, and his music has remained popular. "Sukiyaki" has been covered by many artists, including a 1981 instrumental version by A Taste of Honey that also reached the U.S. top ten. Sakamoto's legacy is celebrated in Japan, and his song is often used in popular culture.

Beyond "Sukiyaki," Sakamoto had several other hits in Japan, such as "Ashita ga Arusa" and "Miagete Goran Yoru no Hoshi o." He was also a talented actor, starring in films like 'Kyu-chan no Dekkai Yume' (1961). Notably, he was one of the first Japanese artists to perform at the prestigious Budokan hall. Additionally, his song "Sukiyaki" was used in the soundtrack of the video game 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City' (2002), introducing it to a new generation. A lesser-known fact is that the English title "Sukiyaki" was chosen by the record label without Sakamoto's approval, and he reportedly disliked it because it had no connection to the song's meaning.

Billboard Hot 100

The standard music chart in the United States, ranking the most popular songs each week.

Ue o Muite Arukō

The original Japanese title of "Sukiyaki," meaning "I Look Up When I Walk."

The Drifters

A Japanese vocal group that Sakamoto was briefly a member of before his solo career.