Tsugunai / Teresa Teng

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15/03/2024

Song Introduction (Tsugunai)

Song Title: Tsugunai (Title Meaning: “atonement” or “expiation”)
Artist: Teresa Teng
Lyricist: Toyohisa Araki
Composer: Takashi Miki
Label: Polydor/PolyGram, EMI, Taurus Record
Overview:

Released on January 21, 1984, as the 14th single, “Tsugunai” was distributed by Taurus Record (which later disbanded and is now part of Universal Music).
The song gradually gained popularity, becoming a major hit and winning numerous awards, including the Japan Cable Broadcasting Grand Prize.

Source of Article:
・Teresa Teng – Wikipedia
・Tsugunai (Teresa Teng’s song) – Wikipedia

About the Song

This song marks Teresa Teng’s re-debut after being deported due to passport issues.
Knowing this adds a profound sense of emotion when listening to it.

The lyrics convey:
“Beyond a forbidden love, ‘Tsugunai’ awaits.”
“Though I can never dream of happiness, I was happy. So now, I leave the room to make amends.”
“To make amends for love means to part ways.”

The lyrics express the tenderness and sadness of a woman who parts ways because she thinks of her beloved. Teresa’s gentle and heartfelt voice evokes tears.

It truly is a masterpiece that beautifully portrays a poignant and sorrowful love.

Song Video

Video is uploaded below

1983 single version of “Tsugunai”
Teresa Teng concert live audio video (1985 NHK Hall concert)

Tsugunai

Watch this video on YouTube

Artist Introduction (Teresa Teng)

Artist: Teresa Teng (Chinese name: 鄧麗君 / Teng Li-chun)
Date of Birth: January 29, 1953 (Died January 29, 1995)
Place of Birth: Taiwan (Taiwan Province, Yunlin County, Baozhong Township, Tianyang Village)
Active Years: 1967 – 1995
Official Website: UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN

Artist Trails

Teresa Teng was a Taiwanese singer and actress who, despite being from Taiwan, became one of the most successful artists in Japan and Asia, often referred to as the “Diva of Asia.”

She made her professional debut in Taiwan at the age of 14 and starred in films at 16, gaining popularity across Asia.

In 1973, she signed a contract with Japan’s Polydor (now Universal Music) through Minoru Funaki, who she referred to as her “Japanese father” and later became the president of Taurus Records.

She began her music career in Japan at 21 in 1974.

Initially pursuing an idol route, she released her first single “Konya kashira Ashita kashira” in March 1974, but it did not perform well.

She shifted to enka and released her second single “Kūkō”(Airport) in July 1974, which became a huge hit.

She won the New Artist Award at the 16th Japan Record Awards, and her music career in Japan began to gain momentum.

However, in February 1979, she faced a one-year deportation order due to a passport violation upon entering Japan.

At the time, Japan had normalized relations with China, leading to severed diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan), making entry procedures from Taiwan very complex.

She attempted to enter Japan with an Indonesian passport, which led to legal ambiguities.

The incident drew criticism from Taiwan, and her extradition was sought.
However, Minoru Funaki helped her relocate to the United States.
After a year, she returned to Taiwan under the condition of cooperating with the Taiwanese government and began working as an advertising figure for the Republic of China’s military.

In 1984, she was allowed to return to Japan and made a comeback with the release of “Tsugunai” in January of that year.

The song became a major hit, winning awards such as the Japan Cable Broadcasting Grand Prize.

Following this, her single “Aijin” also became a big hit, leading to her first appearance at the 36th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

She continued to enjoy success with hits like “Toki no Nagare ni Mi o Yudanase,” winning the Japan Cable Broadcasting Grand Prize and the All Japan Cable Broadcasting Grand Prize in three consecutive years from 1984 to 1986, a historic achievement.

She later moved to Hong Kong and supported the Chinese democracy movement. However, the Tiananmen Square Incident on June 4, 1989, led to the cancellation of her first concert in China, which deeply shocked and pained her.

On May 8, 1995, she passed away at the age of 42 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, due to an asthma attack, a condition she had long suffered from.
For her fans, her passing was truly heartbreaking.

Her voice delicately expressed love, separation, joy, and sorrow, resonating deeply and gently with listeners.

As Asia’s diva, she continues to captivate many with her pure and heartfelt voice.