I want this Tetsuji Hayashi song to be re-evaluated too!
I have written about note articles about Tetsuji Hayashi several times before.
In recent years, he has been one of the most important songwriters in the overseas City Pop boom.
Starting with Momoko Kikuchi's "Blind Curve," which was featured on the 2020 compilation album "Pacific Breeze 2" by an American label, Tetsuji Hayashi's songs are quite popular, including tracks by Momoko KikuchiKiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe, Mariya Takeuchi's "SEPTEMBER," and Miki Matsubara's "Stay With Me (Mayonaka no Door)," among many others.Mariya TakeuchiMiki MatsubaraTetsuji Hayashi songs are popular, aren't they?
"Blind Curve" 1984.9
Lyrics: Yasushi Akimoto / Composition & Arrangement: Tetsuji Hayashi
In 2021, in line with that wave of re-evaluation, there were so many songs he worked on that a compilation album titled "Tetsuji Hayashi melody collection" was released by three different record companies. So, there are still many wonderful songs sleeping out there besides the ones that have been re-evaluated so far.
This time, I would like to write a "note" about the songs by Tetsuji Hayashi that I personally really want to see re-evaluated. (As always, this is just my personal preference... 😀)
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Songs for Yoshimi Iwasaki
First, I want to see the songs provided to Yoshimi Iwasaki re-evaluated. Yoshimi Iwasaki is known for her hit "Touch," but in the eve of her breakthrough, it was Tetsuji Hayashi who worked on her 17th to 19th singles in succession. They were included in the aforementioned compilation album (Pony Canyon edition), but perhaps because the timing overlaps with
Yoshimi IwasakiKiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe
, the sound is also similar and has a nice feel.
"Ai wa Doko ni Itta no" 1984.4
Lyrics: Chinfa Kan / Composition: Tetsuji Hayashi / Arrangement: Masaaki Omura
"Kuchibiru kara Suspense" 1984.7
Lyrics: Chinfa Kan / Composition & Arrangement: Tetsuji Hayashi
"Yokohama Head light" 1984.10
Lyrics: Chinfa Kan / Composition & Arrangement: Tetsuji Hayashi
Unfortunately, they didn't become big hits, but they are all great songs.
And the album "Wardrobe," released between these singles, consists entirely of songs by the Chinfa Kan / Tetsuji Hayashi duo, and as an album, it's a highly polished piece of work that I highly recommend!
"Wardrobe" 1984.9
Following this trend, it feels like a song from the album like "What's Love?" could become popular, but what do you think...
"What's Love?"
Lyrics: Chinfa Kan / Composition & Arrangement: Tetsuji Hayashi
Songs for Iyo Matsumoto
Now, the next ones I'd like to recommend are the songs provided to Iyo Matsumoto.
Tetsuji Hayashi was the one who worked on the singles known as the "Sayonara Trilogy," which sang about adult love as part of her move away from the idol route. Tetsuji Hayashi.
"Shinjikata o Oshiete" 1986.8.5
Lyrics: Masumi Kawamura / Composition: Tetsuji Hayashi / Arrangement: Motoki Funayama
"Sayonara wa Watashi no Tame ni" 1986.12.16
Lyrics: Masumi Kawamura / Composition: Tetsuji Hayashi / Arrangement: Motoki Funayama
"Omoide o Kirei ni Shinaide" 1987.3.21
Lyrics: Masumi Kawamura / Composition: Tetsuji Hayashi / Arrangement: Motoki Funayama
The arrangements are by Motoki Funayama, and they are indeed pleasant, featuring mature arrangements conscious of moving away from the idol image.
Also, regarding the album "Kaze no You ni" which includes this "Sayonara Trilogy," most of the songs were handled by Tetsuji Hayashi, and this one is also a delight to listen to.
"Kaze no You ni" 1987.12
Songs for producer Koichi Fujita
Koichi Fujita is known as the producer for Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe and Momoko Kikuchi since their debuts. There are others he produced besides these two acts, but
Tetsuji Hayashi was almost always involved in their debuts.
Koichi Fujita produced these singles for artists who debuted after Momoko Kikuchi.
◎Hidenori Iura
Not many people might remember him, but he actually had quite a bit of promotion! His debut song "Kaze no Password" was even used in a commercial, but unfortunately, it didn't become a hit. After that, he ended his music career with only three singles, including "Haru no Morning Train" and "Seishun no One way Ticket," which were also handled by Tetsuji Hayashi. It's a shame because the songs were good.
"Kaze no Password" Nov. 1985
Lyrics: Kumiko Aoki / Composition & Arrangement: Tetsuji Hayashi
◎Masanori Ikeda
Next is Masanori Ikeda, who in my mind had the image of being a younger brother figure to Kiyotaka Sugiyama
. His debut single "Heartbreaker wa Odorenai" and his second single "SHADOW DANCER" were both handled by Tetsuji Hayashi.
"Heartbreaker wa Odorenai" Aug. 1986
Lyrics: Masako Arikawa / Composition: Tetsuji Hayashi / Arrangement: Motoki Funayama
"SHADOW DANCER" Mar. 1987
Lyrics: Masao Urino / Composition: Tetsuji Hayashi / Arrangement: Motoki Funayama
Perhaps they were trying to market him along the lines of the popular Koji Kikkawa
at the time, as the songs are quite danceable. Listening to them now, it feels like Motoki Funayama's arrangements stand out more than Tetsuji Hayashi's melodies. By the way,
Masanori Ikeda had a smash hit with "NIGHT OF SUMMER SIDE," composed by NOBODY, which was the theme song for the anime "Kimagure Orange Road".
◎Jackie Lin & Paravion
Since this is the only song they ever had, hardly anyone might remember it, but this is the debut song of Jackie Lin & Paravion, a band planned with the concept of being a "female version of Omega Tribe."
"Strangers Dream" Apr. 1987
Lyrics: Masao Urino / Composition: Tetsuji Hayashi / Arrangement: Hiroshi Shinkawa
It was used as a drama theme song, and with an arrangement by Hiroshi Shinkawa, it had a finish that felt just like Omega Tribe... It's a shame.
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Well, I've listed some Tetsuji Hayashi songs that I personally want to see re-evaluated, but I think re-evaluating old songs is a wonderful thing! Also, it's great that Tetsuji Hayashi himself has become more active in recent years, riding that wave. The
Mariya Takeuchi & Anri project "Peach & Apricot" that became a hot topic last year is still fresh in my memory, but various other projects are also underway.
In particular, what I've been interested in lately is the news that a new Momoko Kikuchi album is being released! Naturally, it's produced by Tetsuji Hayashi, and it seems there are new songs too, so I'm looking forward to it a bit.
(Related note)
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