the sloppy copy

Before I even knew what the lyrics said, this one got me for roundabout reasons. It’s kind of twisted, but each time I hear this song I remember that Kyu Sakamoto was killed in a horrific plane crash. It’s a burdensome kind of sadness; the song itself sounds pretty and light, but knowing the story of the man singing it just casts a shadow over the whole thing and weighs it down.

But then I read that the song, actually titled “Ue wo Muite Arukō” (“I Look Up When I Walk”) actually is a sad one (“Sukiyaki” is just some random, generic Japanese word [the name of a dish, actually] that American pop audiences attached to it). According to Wikipedia:

“The lyrics tell the story of a man who looks up and whistles while he is walking so that his tears won’t fall. The verses of the song describe his memories and feelings.”

“Sukiyaki” / Kyu Sakamoto (1963)

For those who do not speak Japanese (like me, haha) a translation:
I look up when I walk so the tears won’t fall
Remembering those happy spring days
But tonight I’m all alone

I look up when I walk, counting the stars with tearful eyes
Remembering those happy summer days
But tonight I’m all alone

Happiness lies beyond the clouds
Happiness lies above the sky

I look up when I walk so the tears won’t fall
Though my heart is filled with sorrow
For tonight I’m all alone

I look up when I walk so the tears won’t fall
Though my heart is filled with sorrow
For tonight I’m all alone