This is Tatsuro Yamashita’s 7th studio album, "Melodies" his first released under his own label, MOON.
It includes Japan’s most famous and globally beloved Christmas song, "Christmas Eve" Reportedly, the album was created with the mindset of “making what I want without worrying about sales.” Ironically, it debuted at No.1 on the Oricon charts and became one of Tatsuro’s classic albums, both critically and commercially successful.
The album cover, with its vibrant primary colors, may give off a summer vibe (the album was released on June 8), but conceptually, the A-side represents "summer" while the B-side represents "winter" The album flows seamlessly from start to finish, beginning with "Kanashimi no Jody " where he sings, "I’ll never forget you, oh Jody, forever." This suggests the album starts with heartbreak. By A2, "Koukiatsu Girl" (High-Pressure Girl), with its brilliantly catchy title, he seems to have fallen for someone new, as the lyrics and music exude joy and excitement. Otherwise, how could you metaphorically “jump 2,000 miles”? It’s no wonder this became an ANA commercial song. (By the way, the whispered sighs you hear are by his then-newlywed wife, Mariya Takeuchi.) The next three tracks continue to explore blossoming love, leaving us with a warm “good for them” feeling. A4 is the only cover on the album, "Guess I’m Dumb," originally performed by Glen Campbell, who gained fame as both a country singer and a frequent collaborator with the Beach Boys.
However, things take a dramatic turn on the B-side. Starting with the masterpiece "Merry-Go-Round" with its signature Tatsuro-style thick, confident bassline, the mood becomes melancholic with tracks like "Blue Midnight" "Ashioto" (Footsteps), and "Mokusou" (Meditation).
Lyrics like: "Close your eyes gently / Memories of a distant love / Begin to surface... But one day, surely / We’ll meet again / For now, I’m alone / Quietly... quietly..."
set the stage for "Christmas Eve" with its iconic line: "The rain will turn to snow as the night deepens." (For the record, the pitch -1 version is my personal favorite.) Unlike most Christmas songs, this is no cheerful tale of miracles. The story ends without resolution, leaving us with a poignant and solitary feeling. In a world filled with happy endings, this might be the only Christmas song about loneliness and heartbreak.
Still, perhaps being able to carry the weight of "a deeply hidden feeling" is a gift in itself.
