Welcome to another Battle of the Bands! It was suppose to be out earlier this week but I have been really busy at work. Also, I have been really tired as it is super hot here in Nagoya. It got to the 90s (F) or mid-30s (C) here. But, the high humidity makes everything worse.
Summer is coming tomorrow! And what is a better way to celebrate than with Misato Watanabe? This Japanese pop singer was very popular in the late 80s and early 90s, having two songs about summer. Keep on reading to find out what songs are up for a summer-flavored match!
Who Is Misato Watanabe?
Misato Watanabe is a Japanese pop singer who was born in Tokyo in 1966. But, she didn’t first start as a singer. In fact, she started as a model in 1984 for the magazine Seventeen. It was a year later that she made her debut with the single “I’m free” on the Sony Records label.
It was with her fourth single, “My Revolution”, that made her a household name. Released in 1986, the title song was written by then-rising music producer Tetsuya Komuro and topped the Oricon charts. From 1986 to 1996, Watanabe released consecutive top 20 singles. She also had albums that topped the charts with some even selling over a million copies. There was even a train, called the “misato train”, that was in service for 20 years and was solely dedicated to her.
To this day, Misato Watanabe continues to hold concerts all over Japan. She also releases singles and albums.
The Battle of the Best Summer Tune By Misato Watanabe
Because summer is tomorrow, I picked two songs from Misato Watanabe’s discography that represent summer: “Summer Time Blues” and “Natsu ga Kita!”. Listen to both of the songs below and choose your favorite by telling me in the comments!
“Summer Time Blues”
“Summertime Blues” (サマータイム ブルース) was released in 1990 as Watanabe’s 16th single. It was featured on the album tokyo, which is one of my favorite albums from this singer! (I really recommend listening to it!) The song was used as a commercial song for Meiji Life Insurance. Interestingly enough, the song was written by Watanabe herself: the lyrics and composition.
What I love about “Summertime Blues” is that is features a positive tone and is something to akin to a typical Misato Watanabe song: positive, light, and features more acoustic guitar.
“Natsu ga Kita!” (夏が来た！)
The other contender in this summer-flavored battle is “Natsu ga Kita!” Summer Has Come!. The lyrics were written by Watanabe, but the song was composed by Senri Oe (a singer-songwriter and jazz pianist who has released many top 20 singles and albums in the 80s and 90s). Oe said he was influenced by Bon Jovi after seeing one of their concerts when he wrote “Natsu ga Kita!”.
I really like “Natsu ga Kita!” with it’s power-rock sound, complete with the blazing synthesizers. This song also features Watanabe’s deep timbre, which I really love about her vocals!
Who Will It Be?
Now it is your turn to vote! Who will be the victor? Tell me in the comments below! I can’t wait to hear what you guys think!
I am also part of the “Battle of the Bands” blog collection. After you vote, please visit the other battles:
🌞 Visit TOSSING IT OUT by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit MIKE’S RAMBLINGS’by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit CURIOUS AS A CATHY by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING by clicking HERE
🌞 Visit JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit ANGELS BARK by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit THE DOGLADY’S DEN by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE by clicking HERE.
🌞 Visit STMoC PRESENTS BATTLE OF THE BANDS by clicking HERE.
The Winner for “A Bouquet of Hydrangeas for this Battle of the Bands“
Thank you to all who voted in the Battles of the Bands for the battle of songs featuring the different shades of hydrangeas.
The Winner of the Battle is…
“True Blue” by LUNA SEA
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It’s my first time of hearing of this Japanese pop singer, learnt a lot about her. Thank you for sharing this with us.
The song Sound perfect for my summer playlist! Thank you
This one is pretty exciting indeed. Especially to the fans of Misato Watanabe.
Really good, pop, summer beat. Thanks for sharing
Wow! Misato. This is the only only Japanese singer I know, thanks to this post. I guess it’s time I started listening to Japanese songs to know more of them. They are really cool. I like her enthusiasm as she sings.
I love it. Thanks.
I think I like the Summer Time Blues the best. Great challenge.
Oh, this is a tough one. They are both good songs that I’ve never heard before. I think I like the first just a bit better, but they are both great summer songs.
I am a music lover and I love to learn about new artists, groups, and genres. It was nice to read that post about Misato.
hi
my vote goes to Misato Watanabe and her track Summer Time Blues
I have enjoyed that battle and also knowing about Misato.
Her music is so nice and I’m starting like the “Summer Time Blues” song.
I can sympathize with the hot weather and high humidity. It was in the 90’s and humid here too. Anyway, I have never heard of Misato Watanabe but I love your descriptions of her style. It was perfectly on point!
She is a classic and always a star of Japan. Her songs are amazing.
This is really cool! I’m glad you posted because I’ve never heard of this before.
I’m happy learn of this artist and this delightful music.
Wow! This will be a great event especially that I love Japanese artist they are unique and their songs always linger in my mind like an LSS.
This sounds so much fun! Love it!
I’ve heard of her when I was in the j-pop phase lol
My sister would really love this music!
What – you are in Nagoya! That was one of the highlights during my recent trip to Japan!
This sounds like a cool band! I’ll check them out more.
My vote goes to Summer Time Blues. Great song!
First time I’m hearing about Misato Watanabe. The rhythm seems appealing and soothing. Thank you for sharing.
So I wonder what Gen X or Gen Y Music from Japan is like! I sadly know nothing about Japanese Rock or Pop…didnt even know the lingo of JPop or JRock though it makes sense since everyone talks about Kpop! But this battle of the bands from Misato Watanabe may be a great way to learn about the Gen X generations of Japan and their music style!
I’ll be honest and say I haven’t heard of any of these bands. I LOVE rock music, though, and grew up listening to Bon Jovi, so Natsu ga Kita sounds like it would be something I would really enjoy. I will have to give them a listen! Thank you for sharing!
I liked the summertime blues after listening, especially due to positive and light tones.
I haven’t heard of Misato Watanabe before, but he seems like a great singer! Summertime Blues sounds like a nice song as well, I’ll make sure to check it out sometime! Thanks for sharing this with us.
This is a lovely playlist. Will be cheking them out on Spotify.
Appreciate any music I know that is good to the ears even if its a different language, thanks for the share
As I am going to stay home and unable to attend any concert. I did enjoy the battle of the bands and knowing about Misato.
It is always fun to watch battle of the bands. You can hear great music there
Wow!! So happy that the Winner of the Battle is “True Blue” by Luna Sea, congrats 😀
cheers, siennylovesdrawing
I’d agree with True Blue by Luna Sea. I actually added this to my playlist, I think I got this from your previous post!
My first time to hear about Misato Watanabe and I found her so interesting. Thank you for sharing this. It is really good to know new artist.
oh wow i haven’t ever heard of her before..but it really sounds amazing and interesting to hear her once..Thanks for sharing…great work..
Even though I have never heard any Kpop song so far I am about to do it today. Learning about this singer was great.
I really love good music band that gives positivity in my life. Will check more about this band.
Wow, Misato Watanabe! Summer will surely be hot, yet cool with an amazing pop artist !
She sounds so good. I have breifly heard of her but your post has shed some light on the body of her work. I will give some of her music a listen.