My Showa Kayou 31　Nagasaki Was Rainy Once Again Today　1969

Japanese Title "Nagasakiwa Kyoumo Amedatta"
In youthful days,
I wandered Nagasaki,
a land’s far edge—
its skies wept endless rains,
but now, only sun remains.

I visited Nagasaki during a summer break when I was a university student. After traveling north from Kagoshima, I arrived at Nagasaki Station late at night, disembarking at what felt like the end of the line—because it literally was! Beyond this point, the railway simply ended.

It was a strange but moving sensation.

I stayed at the homes of three roommates from my university dormitory and used the opportunity to explore Nagasaki and Unzen, places I had always wanted to see.

Having been influenced by the song “Nagasaki wa Kyou mo Ame Datta” ("It Was Rainy Again in Nagasaki Today"), I had this impression that Nagasaki was perpetually rainy. To my surprise, during my visit, the blazing sun shone brilliantly every day.

"Well then, Nagasaki is just as summery as any other place in summer," I thought. Imagining endless rain on these steep, hilly streets made me realize how dreadful that would be.

Cool Five had numerous hits, but this particular song has always been my favorite. What I love most is the opening—both the lyrics and the melody.

🎵 "For you alone, I risked it all—
words of love, I believed them true." 🎵

With just this brief introductory line, the song quickly moves into the chorus:

🎵 "I search, I search, seeking you.
Alone, I wander, alone I roam." 🎵

What’s remarkable is how the melody leaps by an octave and a third as it transitions into the chorus. Although Kiyoshi Maekawa sings this seemingly effortlessly, hitting that high, shouting note immediately after such a short intro is no easy feat.

I think Hiroshi Uchiyamada knew he had discovered an exceptional talent. At first, I thought Maekawa, being part of Cool Five, must just be a cool and composed figure. But he turned out to be a comedic genius too, as showcased on Kinsuma!(Kin Don!), where his goofy character shone. It was heartwarming and hilarious to watch.

The same TV show exposed more audiences to his singing. Back then, you either bought records or watched TV, so I’m sure this program brought Maekawa a whole new wave of fans.

Like most enka singers, I assumed he had endured hardships in his youth and that achieving success would bring him happiness. And yet, his life had another surprise: he married the wildly popular idol Keiko Fuji.

I still vividly recall a scene from a music news segment showing the couple strolling hand in hand along a beach in Hawaii or Guam. She was a petite beauty, and he was this burly guy. They looked so happy together.

But I could overhear adults at the time saying, "This won’t last."

Well... they were right.

But that’s okay. What matters is that this iconic couple had their moment in the spotlight, and that fleeting happiness remains etched in my memory.

As for the composer, Masao Saiki, he was a true professional. Sure, some enka melodies may be repetitive, but this song stands out. Its brilliance may also be thanks to the singer’s talent. Not just anyone can sing this kind of song; it takes a special voice to bring it to life, leaving a lasting impression.

Kiyoshi Maekawa had that natural charm. He rose to prominence, enjoyed a successful career, married a beautiful songstress, got divorced, and continues to live joyfully to this day.

At 75, Maekawa is still active—and still as captivating as ever.

I cannot read or write in English.
This text has been translated by ChatGPT.
I haven't edited it, so there may be some strange parts.

【Reference Video】

【Japanese Version of the Article】