My Favorite 360 or so…. J-Pop Songs of All-Time (Vol. 4)

Sure you know the feeling, you’ve just completed a massive “best~of” list and then immediately without fail you begin questioning yourself.. did I leave a song out? Should this one or that one be higher? Lower? Or these ten I adore all the same so how can I possibly truly rank them?

And so with this new series here’s my quick criteria:

• Songs will be presented in no particular order.
• I must own the actual single or album, not an issue as I always support the artist(s).
• No Family48 songs will be included, as this series is meant to hopefully turn you onto beloved songs which aren’t of our currently collective awareness. I mean, I need not tell you how awesome this or that AKB48 song is as you already know.
• The “360 or so” is a very loose number =).

~Fukuyama Masaharu “Heart”~

Fukuyama Masaharu has long been one of Japan’s most beloved~* icons and constant figures as both a most accomplished musician and actor…. and his talents reach even further though as he writes, produces and has also charmed in the likes of radio and stage throughout his stellar career. His seemingly timeless stature in entertainment is largely a product of his undying appeal over the years which has attuned him seamlessly to both the older generation as well as generations which are still discovering his music and his countless works in the entertainment landscape~.

While there’s so so many splendid songs to choose from as Fukuyama Masaharu has accomplished quite the musical catalog over the years, today I’ve chosen “Heart” for its undeniably bright melodic charms~♥ and really Fukuyama Masaharu’s voice remains as one of Japan’s most readily recognizable as it’s this amazingly deep with an allure type of *sexy*, and simply stated, his vocals are just most unique and beautifully moving ヽ(。´▽`。)ノ。。！

“Heart” was originally released as a single back on April 30th, 1998 as part of a double A-sided release and then later on his album “Sing A Song” which was released just a couple of months later on June 24th, 1998. “Heart” was also the main theme song for the drama series “Meguriai” which aired right here in Hawaii too.

Fukuyama Masaharu

“Heart” (mv)

“Heart” (mp3)

“Heart”

Akiramenakatta boku wo mitsukeru koto wo

You didn’t give up looking for me

Kono machi no naka de

In this city 

Yagate noburu asahi no youni

Before long when the morning sun rises

Tashikametakatta kimi wo kanjita koto wo

I wanted to confirm how you felt

Kono mado wo akete itsuka fureta kaze no youni

To open the window, and its like to feel again the cool breeze

Egaita akogare nakushita sayonara

To describe the yearning to get back the lost good-bye

Tagai no michi wo aruita toki wo koete

To crossover to the path that we both travel together

Zutto sagashiteta kimi wo sagashiteta

I have been searching for a long time, I have been searching for you

Soshite kono kokoro ni afuredasu namida

And the tears that overflow from this heart

Zutto sagashiteta ai wo sagashiteta

I have been searching for a long time, I have been searching for love

Soshite ima kokoro ni yakusoku no kotoba wo kizamou

Let’s engrave the words of our promise into our hearts

Utagawanakatta kimi wo mitsuketa koto wo

I did not have any doubt when I found you

Kono sora no shita de tsuyoku saita hana no youni

Like the flower that blossoms strongly under the blue sky

Kawashita hohoemi

To exchange smiles

Te ni shita yorokobi

The happiness that we have in our hands

Futari no basho wo motomete toki wo koeru

To look for a special place just for the two of us, to pass the time away

Zutto dakishimete Kimi wo dakishimete

Please hold me forever. I will hold you forever.

Atsui kono omoi afuredasu namida

These intense memories, the tears flow out

Zutto dakishimete ai wo dakishimete

Please hold me forever, embrace love forever

Atsui kono omoi wo yakusoku no ashita ni kizamou

Let’s carry forward these passionate goals into the promised tomorrow

Zutto sagashiteta kimi wo sagashiteta

I have been searching for a long time, I have been searching for you

Soshite kono kokoro ni afuredasu namida

And the tears that overflow from this heart

Zutto sagashiteta ai wo sagashiteta

I have been searching for a long time, I have been searching for love

Soshite ima kokoro ni yakusoku no kotoba wo kizamou

Let’s engrave the words of our promise into our hearts

Futari no ashita wo kizamou

Let’s carve out our future together.