Happy #SongLyricsSunday! This week’s prompt is all about finding songs or lyrics with “make” or “fix” in them. When I read the host’s post for the prompt, he was talking about make-up. I was going to pick songs with make in it, but when used make-up in his post, I had to feature one of my favorite songs: “Make-up Shadow” by Yosui Inoue. Inoue has been compared to Paul McCartney and Roy Orbson. Find out why and a little about “Make-up Shadow” below.
Who is Yosui Inoue?
Inoue is one of the most important musicians of Japanese music. The Japanese musician is called the “Emperor of Japanese Folk-rock”. He is well-known for his eccentric lyrics, his trademark look with sunglasses, and his unique tone. His father wanted his son to take over the family business of dentistry, but Inoue wanted to be a musician and was influenced by the likes of The Beatles.
He released his first song “Candre Mandre” in 1969. He actually first recorded in his house in order to be played on a radio program. It got popular, all thanks to his friends always calling in and requesting, and he released it as a single. He moved to Polydor Records two years later and became a megastar. His 1973 album Koori no Sekai (Ice World) was in the top 10 for 113 weeks and was the first album to sell over a million copies in Japan.
He has released several hits in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s. Inoue has also helped his former backing band Anzen Chitai gain their own success with their own music, especially with songs like “Wine Red no Kokoro”. He also has written songs for other artists like Shinji Sawada, PUFFY, and Seri Ishikawa (his wife). Ishikawa and Inoue’s daughter (Sarasa Ifu) is a singer-songwriter that has released her own music.
Glitter Blue, Sapphire Ruby, and Summer Shadow
“Make-up Shadow” is Inoue’s 33rd single that was released on July 21, 1993. It was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama Subarashiki Kana Jinsei (It’s a Wonderful Life) which stars Atsuko Asano, Yuji Oda, Yasuko Tomita, and Natsumi Nanase. The song was also featured in a 2006/2007 commerical for the Toyota Pride.
The single reached #2 on the weekly Oricon charts and #23 on the year-end charts. It also won the award for Best Arraignment at the 35th Japan Record Awards.
I always like “Make-up Shadow” for the lyrics and the melodies. I love the build-up from the verses to the chorus. How about you: What do you like about Yosui Inoue’s tune? Listen below and let me know in the comments!
The opening for the TV drama Subarashiki Kana Jinsei with the song:
Here is a 2007 Toyota commercial with the song:
Lyrics for “Make-Up Shadow”
Here are the English translation of the lyrics. thanks to LyricsTranslate.com:
Applying natural lipstick for the very first time
I reveal my blushing face to the pretend-adult world
Overtly peeking at the stars and the moon
I feel the alluring rhythm of this sombre gaze
The yearning
Covered with the clear rambling summer shadow
I’m just having a dream, laughing
A cinematic dream
This is paradise, Hollywood
Crashing into people, love blooms
Today something mixed real and surreal
Into a blue shadow
Turning into a pair of leopards’ sapphire-ruby
Concealing our kiss
In a make-up shadow
In a make-up shadow
Make-up
Inside of a gaze that only exists in my dreams
There is a world hidden in an uncertain tinge
Locking eyes while making love, the anticipation and mystery
Silently mix into an eternal rhythm
In the twilight
All sorts of lonely summer shadows
Captivate my heart, without fail
Rain amidst a date
This is a fairy tale, Hard Rain
Waiting for a boyfriend to appear, I happened upon him
Today as well something mixed real and surreal
Into a blue shadow
Through that somewhat cowardly Eliza’s blue glitter
Like the enchanting charm of an eye’s pupil,
From a corpuscle’s faintest shadow
Turning into a pair of leopards’ sapphire-ruby
Concealing our kiss
In a make-up shadow
In a make-up shadow
In a make-up shadow
In a make-up shadow
The Rules
If you want to participate, here are the rules:
- Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
- Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
- Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
- Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
- Ping back to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient, but you can also place your link in the comments if you don’t like to wait.
- Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
- Feel free to suggest future prompts.
- Have fun and enjoy the music.
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This was your prompt Amy, so you could have picked anything that you wanted, but I am happy that you went with this tune. Yosui Inoue has a nice voice and I can see that he is a talented songwriter.
Oh, I know. I am not complaining because “Make-up Shadow” is my favorite song. I was going to go with last year’s favorite “Make you happy” by NiziU but I am glad I picked Yosui instead.
This is a fun song. A great pick. I do really enjoy the music on this blog. Aimee AMALA x
There was a time when I was following Japanese music, so this article reminded me of that time!
For a moment there I thought I was in the wrong blog… and you’re not talking about music. I don’t know any Japanese musicians, but this is such a good tune.
Honestly I am holrrible about putting on makeup lol !!
What a hilarious, unusual song! It’s interesting what an impact language has on a song – somehow even on the tune.
I like the funky Japanese vibe. Something that I would likely play to lift a boring mood.
As a man of the house, I don’t know about make-ups but the music was good stuff here, nice tune!
He’s definitely popular in Japan during his time and I just love the meaning of his songs. Thanks for the recommendation!
Not sure if it’s because it was released on my birthday, Make-up Shadow is my favorite. I just realize I haven’t really worn makeup for this past year.
That is such a funky song. I don’t follow Japanese music but this one was fun listening to. Thanks for recommending.
thanks to your article and the Sunday theme that you run, I haven’t been introduced to a new artist and a new track “Make-up Shadow” by Yosui Inoue . would be going through these tracks in a short while. thanks once again
It is definitely a bop. The beginning reminded me of one of the songs from Sonic the Hedgehog or Pokemon. When you hear the lyrics it completely changes the song. I absolutely love it.
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