Song Introduction (Rakuyo)
Song Title: Rakuyo / Rakuyou / Rakuō (Title Meaning: Falling Sun)
Artist: Takuro Yoshida
Lyrics: Osami Okamoto
Composition: Takuro Yoshida
Label: Sony Music Records / For Life Records
Overview:
The song “Rakuyo” was included in the live album Yoshida Takurou LIVE ’73, recorded during a concert at Nakano Sunplaza in 1973.
The single was later released in 1989 by For Life Records.
Source of Article:
“Takuro Yoshida” – Wikipedia
“Rakuyō (Takuro Yoshida’s Song)” – Wikipedia
About the Song
This song, “Rakuyō,” is one of Takuro Yoshida’s signature tracks and is frequently performed at his concerts.
The lyrics, written by Osami Okamoto, are based on his actual experiences while wandering in Hokkaido.
The song describes the scene where an elderly man, who had staked his life on a game of dice, bid farewell to Okamoto as he departed from Hokkaido on a ferry from Tomakomai bound for Sendai.
You can vividly picture the ferry setting sail under the sinking sun.
I believe this is a masterpiece where Yoshida’s song and the encounter and farewell with the gambling old man beautifully match the title “Rakuyo.”
Song Video
- Rakugo (Live)・ Takuro Yoshida (COMPLETE TAKURO TOUR 1979 COMPLETE RECORDING)
- The live version from the Tsumagoi 2006 concert.
Artist Introduction (Takuro Yoshida)
Artist: Takuro Yoshida
Date of Birth: April 5, 1946
Place of Birth: Isa City, Kagoshima Prefecture (formerly Isa District)
Hometown: Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Official Website: Takuro Yoshida avex official website
Artist Trails
Takuro Yoshida is a folk singer, singer-songwriter, and music producer who played a pivotal role in Japanese music history.
He is credited with bringing folk and rock into the mainstream of Japanese pop music in the early 1970s.
He began his serious music activities in Hiroshima during his high school and university years, forming a band called The Downtowns, where they performed Beatles covers and R&B music.
As the vocalist and guitarist, he became well-known in Hiroshima through his collaborations with local musicians and his work with the local radio station.
In 1970, Yoshida signed with Elec Records and made his official professional debut.
His single “Imeiji no Uta,” released in June of the same year, was groundbreaking for folk music at the time, helping to establish his name nationwide.
In 1972, he moved to CBS Sony, and his single “Kekkon Shiyou yo,” released the same year, became a massive hit.
His following single, “Tabi no Yado,” also achieved success, solidifying his position as a central figure in the folk music scene.
Yoshida also showcased his talent as a music producer, providing songs for numerous artists and expanding the appeal of folk music beyond its traditional boundaries.
He is recognized as a key figure in the history of Japanese popular music.
Yoshida’s music symbolizes the youth culture of the 1970s, with lyrics that resonated deeply with many people by reflecting the social conditions and spirit of the time.
Songs like “Imeiji no Uta” and “Kekkon Shiyou yo” are especially renowned as timeless classics.
As a pioneer of Japanese singer-songwriters, Takuro Yoshida has had a profound impact on the Japanese music scene, continuing to influence many younger artists.
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