Tokyo Boogie-Woogie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Tokyo Boogie Woogie 東京ブギウギ" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Shizuko Kasagi | |
| Language | Japanese |
| Released | 1947 |
| Genre | Boogie Woogie, Kayōkyoku, Swing music |
| Length | 3:06 |
| Songwriter | Masaru Suzuki |
| Composer | Ryōichi Hattori |
Tokyo Boogie Woogie (東京ブギウギ) is the name of a song by Japanese singer Shizuko Kasagi.
Shizuko Kasagi came to stardom after being noticed by composer Ryōichi Hattori, who composed many of her songs including this one.[1][2]
Hattori was on a train, and as he was listening to the rail joints and the handrail hitting the edge of the luggage rack, he came up with the songs melody.[1] He got off the train to go to a coffee shop where he wrote the songs sheet music on a napkin.[1]
Hattori found that everything was full of melancholy after the war, and he wanted to create something that would uplift people.[3] Some of the lyrics were criticized as not making sense, however upon its release these criticisms would prove to be in vain as the song saw almost immediate success.[4]
Shizuko Kasagi began recording the song 3 months after giving birth, and would put her baby to sleep in her dressing room to sing and dance.[5]
The song was released in 1947.[6]
Reception
The song was released in 1947, and did very well, getting acclaim and popularity within the first 2 to 3 months.[3][6]
The song provided comfort to the Japanese following the war, and uplifted many.[7] It was customary for Japanese singers to sing songs standing still, however Kasagi would perform "flamboyant dance routines" which added to her, and the songs, appeal.[8] Kasagi, who had been dancing "vigorously" since before and during the war, received warnings about her dancing during the war, but she continued her dancing once the war ended.[2][5]
It became one of the most popular songs of it's time.[3]