Nada Sōsō
Encyclopedia
is a song written by Japanese band Begin
and singer Ryoko Moriyama
. It was first released by Moriyama in 1998, but achieved popularity through the cover version by Rimi Natsukawa
in 2001.
albums chart.
Moriyama re-released the song as the second A-side of the single "Satōkibi-batake/Nada Sōsō" in 2001, after Rimi Natsukawa's version had become popular. In 2003, a single featuring a special live version featuring Moriyama, Begin and Natsukawa was released.
phrase meaning "large tears are falling" (to compare, the Japanese phrase would be ). When Moriyama found out the meaning of the phrase, it reminded her of the death of her older brother. She kept the title, and based the lyrics she wrote around these feelings.
The lyrics speak of looking through an old photo-book at pictures of somebody who has died. The protagonist of the song is thankful to them for always encouraging them, and for being happy no matter what. They believe they will meet them again one day, and cries as they send thoughts of sadness and love to that person.
.
appear on "Begin no Shima Uta (Omato-take O)" (one in Japanese, one in Okinawan
), while the regular studio version appears on "Begin" (and is backed with acoustic guitar and strings).
Begin's version of the song was used as the theme song of the Play Station 2 game in 2002.
The single features two B-sides: and . "Kariyushi no Yoru" also appears on "Begin no Shima Uta (Omato-take O)," and "Hana" is a cover of Okinawan folk rock artist Shoukichi Kina
's song
as her third single. Her version caused the song to become extremely popular, and is the only version to break the top 10. The song was used in commercials for Japan Post Holdings
from 2007 onwards.
Natsukawa first heard the song from the broadcast of the 26th G8 summit
held in Okinawa, where Begin had sung the song, and found she could not get the melody out of her head. She requested she cover the song backstage at a Begin concert, to which the band composed the song "Anata no Kaze" for her. She still preferred Nada Sōsō, however, and released both songs her third single.
Due to the song's popularity, it became the focus of the "Nada Sōsō Project" by Japanese television company TBS
. The project consists of two dramas released in 2005, "Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika
" and , and a film "Nada Sōsō
" in 2006. Natsukawa's version was used for "Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika" and "Nada Sōsō," while Moriyama's was used for "Nada Sōsō Kono Ai ni Ikite".
Two B-sides feature on the single. The first, , was also written by Begin. The second, , is an acoustic version of her previous single. A special version of the single, limited to 30,000 copies, was released in 2004, collecting the four main versions of the song (standard, Okinawan language version, special Moriyama/Begin/Natsukawa live version, instrumental track).
The Rimi Natsukawa version of the song has been certified as a triple platinum ringtone by the RIAJ, as well as a platinum cellphone download.
, the song reached #8. It stayed within the top 40 until June. The single charted steadily until next year's Kōhaku Uta Gassen, where Natsukawa, Begin and Ryoko Moriyama performed the song together. The single reached #8 again, and stayed within the top 40 until March. The single still continued to chart slowly, between #50 and #200 before breaking the top 50 once again in 2006, after the release of the Nada Sōsō
film.
for Okinawan folk music, Enka
, choir and instrumental musicians. The song has been recorded in cello
, erhu
, harmonica
, harp
, guitar
, koto
, music box, piano
and violin
versions, amongst others. It has also been covered by overseas artists, such as Hawaii
an Kealiʻi Reichel (as "Ka Nohona Pili Kai" in Hawaiian
) and New Zealand
er Hayley Westenra
, who sung a classical crossover rendition in English, and Memory (as Nunmulee Naeyo (눈물이 나요) in Korean). Two versions in Chinese exist: one by Taiwan
ese Huang Pin-Yuan (as "Bai Lu Si (白鷺鷥 White Heron)") in Taiwanese), and one by Joi Chua
(as "Pei Wo Kan Ri Chu (陪我看日出 Watching the Sunrise with Me)".
Begin (band)
is a Japanese pop group from Ishigaki Island in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Their sound contains many elements of traditional Ryukyuan folk music, and prominently features the sanshin.-History:...
and singer Ryoko Moriyama
Ryoko Moriyama
, is a Japanese folk and jazz singer. Her father is Hisashi Moriyama, a pioneer of Japanese jazz. Her son Naotaro Moriyama is a singer. Her first cousin Hiroshi Kamayatsu is also a musician....
. It was first released by Moriyama in 1998, but achieved popularity through the cover version by Rimi Natsukawa
Rimi Natsukawa
is an Okinawan singer. She is best known for her 2001 single "Nada Sōsō."- Childhood :Natsukawa was born in Ishigaki, the largest city in the Yaeyama Islands chain. From a young age she enjoyed singing, and wanted to be a singer after hearing her father sing Yaeyama folk songs, such as and...
in 2001.
Ryoko Moriyama version
The song first appears in Ryoko Moriyama's discography in 1998, as a track on her album Time Is Lonely, an album which did not even break the top 100 OriconOricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
albums chart.
Moriyama re-released the song as the second A-side of the single "Satōkibi-batake/Nada Sōsō" in 2001, after Rimi Natsukawa's version had become popular. In 2003, a single featuring a special live version featuring Moriyama, Begin and Natsukawa was released.
Background, writing
Moriyama and Begin met after performing at lives together in the late 1990s. Moriyama asked Begin to write her an Okinawan-style song. The song's title on the demo tape she received was "Nada Sōsō," an Okinawan languageOkinawan language
Central Okinawan, or simply Okinawan , is a Northern Ryukyuan language spoken primarily in the southern half of the island of Okinawa, as well as in the surrounding islands of Kerama, Kumejima, Tonaki, Aguni, and a number of smaller peripheral islands...
phrase meaning "large tears are falling" (to compare, the Japanese phrase would be ). When Moriyama found out the meaning of the phrase, it reminded her of the death of her older brother. She kept the title, and based the lyrics she wrote around these feelings.
The lyrics speak of looking through an old photo-book at pictures of somebody who has died. The protagonist of the song is thankful to them for always encouraging them, and for being happy no matter what. They believe they will meet them again one day, and cries as they send thoughts of sadness and love to that person.
Satōkibi-batake/Nada Sōsō
All songs arranged by Koji IgarashiKoji Igarashi
, also known simply by the nickname IGA, is a Konami employee and one of the producers of the Castlevania video game series. He is best known as the assistant director of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, his first major involvement in the Castlevania series , also known simply by the nickname...
.
Special live version
Chart rankings
| Release | Chart | Peak Position | First Week Sales | Sales Total | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon Daily Singles Chart | |||||
| Oricon Weekly Singles Chart | 18 32 |
2,380 3,459 |
127,585 32,848 |
57 weeks 23 weeks |
|
| Oricon Yearly Singles Chart |
Begin version
Begin released a self-cover of the song as the band's 18th single on March 23, 2000. It appears on two 2000 albums by Begin: their Okinawan concept album "Begin no Shima Uta (Omato-take O)" and a regular studio album, "Begin." Two versions backed with sanshinSanshin
The sanshin is an Okinawan musical instrument and precursor of the Japanese shamisen. Often likened to a banjo, it consists of a snakeskin-covered body, neck and three strings....
appear on "Begin no Shima Uta (Omato-take O)" (one in Japanese, one in Okinawan
Okinawan language
Central Okinawan, or simply Okinawan , is a Northern Ryukyuan language spoken primarily in the southern half of the island of Okinawa, as well as in the surrounding islands of Kerama, Kumejima, Tonaki, Aguni, and a number of smaller peripheral islands...
), while the regular studio version appears on "Begin" (and is backed with acoustic guitar and strings).
Begin's version of the song was used as the theme song of the Play Station 2 game in 2002.
The single features two B-sides: and . "Kariyushi no Yoru" also appears on "Begin no Shima Uta (Omato-take O)," and "Hana" is a cover of Okinawan folk rock artist Shoukichi Kina
Shoukichi Kina
, born June 10, 1948 in Koza , Okinawa, is an Okinawan rock musician who, along with his band Champloose, played a large role in the Japanese home-grown "folk rock" scene in the 70s and 80s. His first big hit was "Haisai Ojisan" in 1972, which he wrote when he was in high school...
's song
Track listing
Chart rankings
| Release | Chart | Peak Position | First Week Sales | Sales Total | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon Daily Singles Chart | |||||
| Oricon Weekly Singles Chart | 159 | 596 | 2,416 | 4 weeks | |
| Oricon Yearly Singles Chart |
Rimi Natsukawa version
A year after Begin's version, the song was covered by Okinawan singer Rimi NatsukawaRimi Natsukawa
is an Okinawan singer. She is best known for her 2001 single "Nada Sōsō."- Childhood :Natsukawa was born in Ishigaki, the largest city in the Yaeyama Islands chain. From a young age she enjoyed singing, and wanted to be a singer after hearing her father sing Yaeyama folk songs, such as and...
as her third single. Her version caused the song to become extremely popular, and is the only version to break the top 10. The song was used in commercials for Japan Post Holdings
Japan Post Holdings
is a large state-owned enterprise in Japan that deals with mail delivery and financial services. Its headquarters is located in Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo. There were plans to fully privatise the agency but these have been put on hold...
from 2007 onwards.
Natsukawa first heard the song from the broadcast of the 26th G8 summit
26th G8 summit
The 26th G8 Summit was a political summit that took place in Nago, Okinawa, Japan, on July 21- July 23, 2000.-Overview:The Group of Seven was an unofficial forum which brought together the heads of the richest industrialized countries: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United...
held in Okinawa, where Begin had sung the song, and found she could not get the melody out of her head. She requested she cover the song backstage at a Begin concert, to which the band composed the song "Anata no Kaze" for her. She still preferred Nada Sōsō, however, and released both songs her third single.
Due to the song's popularity, it became the focus of the "Nada Sōsō Project" by Japanese television company TBS
Tokyo Broadcasting System
, TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named ....
. The project consists of two dramas released in 2005, "Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika
Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika
is a Japanese television special drama.The story is about a family of three sisters and one brother with a dog living and running a Japanese Ryokan in Tenjin-cho, Hiroshima near Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall....
" and , and a film "Nada Sōsō
Nada Sōsō (film)
is a 2006 Japanese romance film directed by Nobuhiko Doi. Starring Masami Nagasawa, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Kumiko Aso as Kaoru Aragaki, Yotaro Aragaki and Keiko Inamine, the film depicts Okinawan step-siblings, Koaru and Yotaru, growing up.-Reception and Nominations:...
" in 2006. Natsukawa's version was used for "Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika" and "Nada Sōsō," while Moriyama's was used for "Nada Sōsō Kono Ai ni Ikite".
Two B-sides feature on the single. The first, , was also written by Begin. The second, , is an acoustic version of her previous single. A special version of the single, limited to 30,000 copies, was released in 2004, collecting the four main versions of the song (standard, Okinawan language version, special Moriyama/Begin/Natsukawa live version, instrumental track).
The Rimi Natsukawa version of the song has been certified as a triple platinum ringtone by the RIAJ, as well as a platinum cellphone download.
Standard edition (2001)
Special edition (2004)
Chart Rankings
The single is one of the slowest and steadiest selling singles in Japanese history. It began charting in late May 2002, and charted constantly until November 2007. it broke the top 50 in June 2002, and the top 20 in July. From there, it charted between #20-#50 until January 2003. After a performance at the 53rd Kōhaku Uta GassenKohaku Uta Gassen
, more commonly known as simply Kōhaku, is an annual music show on New Year's Eve produced by Japanese public broadcaster NHK and broadcast on both television and radio, nationally and internationally by NHK's networks and some overseas broadcasters which bought the program...
, the song reached #8. It stayed within the top 40 until June. The single charted steadily until next year's Kōhaku Uta Gassen, where Natsukawa, Begin and Ryoko Moriyama performed the song together. The single reached #8 again, and stayed within the top 40 until March. The single still continued to chart slowly, between #50 and #200 before breaking the top 50 once again in 2006, after the release of the Nada Sōsō
Nada Sōsō (film)
is a 2006 Japanese romance film directed by Nobuhiko Doi. Starring Masami Nagasawa, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Kumiko Aso as Kaoru Aragaki, Yotaro Aragaki and Keiko Inamine, the film depicts Okinawan step-siblings, Koaru and Yotaru, growing up.-Reception and Nominations:...
film.
| Release | Chart | Peak Position | First Week Sales | Sales Total | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon Daily Singles Chart | |||||
| Oricon Weekly Singles Chart | 8 54 |
1,930 2,615 |
683,908 9,411 |
232 weeks 9 weeks |
|
| Oricon Yearly Singles Chart | 87 (2002) 21 (2003) 58 (2004) |
Other cover versions
The song has become a standardStandard (music)
In music, a standard is a tune or song of established popularity.-See also:* Blues standard* Jazz standard* Pop standard* Great American Songbook-Further reading:* Greatest Rock Standards, published by Hal Leonard ISBN 0793588391...
for Okinawan folk music, Enka
Enka
is a popular Japanese music genre considered to resemble traditional Japanese music stylistically. Modern enka, however, is a relatively recent musical form which arose in the context of such postwar expressions of modern Japanese nonmaterial nationalism as nihonjinron, while adopting a more...
, choir and instrumental musicians. The song has been recorded in cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
, erhu
Erhu
The erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a "southern fiddle", and sometimes known in the Western world as the "Chinese violin" or a "Chinese two-stringed fiddle". It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small ensembles...
, harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, koto
Koto (musical instrument)
The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, similar to the Chinese guzheng, the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and the Vietnamese đàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan. Koto are about length, and made from kiri wood...
, music box, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
versions, amongst others. It has also been covered by overseas artists, such as Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
an Kealiʻi Reichel (as "Ka Nohona Pili Kai" in Hawaiian
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
) and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
er Hayley Westenra
Hayley Westenra
Hayley Dee Westenra is a New Zealand soprano, classical crossover artist, songwriter and UNICEF Ambassador. Her first internationally released album, Pure, reached No. 1 on the UK classical charts in 2003 and has sold more than two million copies worldwide...
, who sung a classical crossover rendition in English, and Memory (as Nunmulee Naeyo (눈물이 나요) in Korean). Two versions in Chinese exist: one by Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
ese Huang Pin-Yuan (as "Bai Lu Si (白鷺鷥 White Heron)") in Taiwanese), and one by Joi Chua
Joi Chua
Joi Chua or Joi Tsai is a Singaporean female singer signed under Play Music.Joi was educated at Raffles Girls' Primary School, Clementi Town Secondary School, and Singapore Polytechnic in Optometry....
(as "Pei Wo Kan Ri Chu (陪我看日出 Watching the Sunrise with Me)".
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") - Taimane Gardner (2005, album "Loco Princess")
- Naoki Gushiken (B-SHOP) (2003, Begin tribute album "Let's Begin!: Omoto-take O Songs")
- Huang Pin-Yuan (2002, album "Jian Dian Qing Ge")
- Infinix (2005, album "Relaxation Asia III: Chikyū no Nami")
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(2003, album "Cover & Self Collection: Ofukuro no Komoriuta") - Ji Ma Ma (2006, album "Kazedayori")
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(2003, album "Okinawa Jōka") - Mirei Kitahara (2004, "Love Songs")
- Yōko Masaki (2003, album "Yōko Masaki Zenkyokushū")
- Takeshi Matsubara (2006, album "Sakurabashi kara")
- Memory (2008, EP "She Dreamed that She Was Flying Like a Bird")
- Kanako Minami (2006, album "Kanako no Hajimete no Album")
- Akemi Misawa (2003, single "Tsumugi Koi Uta" B-side)
- Nozomi Miyanishi (2003, album "Chotto Hitori Koto")
- Kaori MizumoriKaori Mizumori' is a Japanese female enka singer. Her real name is .Her songs are usually titled after Japanese landmarks and Japanese nature. Thus Kaori gained her popularity as an Enka singer in Japan.- External links :*...
(2003, album "Kayōkikō II: Tottori Sakyū") - Shinichi MoriShinichi Moriis a Japanese male enka singer and composer, who also sings folk and pop music. Nishinippon Shimbun claims that his total sales of gramophone records and CDs has been over 90 million copies....
(2009, album "Love Music") - Haruko Nakamura (2003, album "Haruko")
- Shōhei Naruse (2003, album "Shōhei no Omoroi Uta no Sekai")
- Takashi Obara (2003, album "Takashi Obara Best")
- Kealiʻi Reichel (2005, album "Scent of the Islands, Scent of Memories")
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(2004, album "Yōko Masaki Zenkyokushū") - Yōko Sei (2004, album "Hana to Hoshi to Ai to: Kokoro Furueru Uta")
- Yoshio TabataYoshio Tabatais a Japanese ryūkōka and enka singer, songwriter and electric guitarist. He is one of this country's superstars. His debut song was released in 1939. Although his music was amateurish, he became very popular...
(2003, album "Shima Uta 2: Yoshio Tabata") - Chisako Takashima (2003, album "Around the World")
- Yoshimi Tendo (2005, album "Smile")
- Atsuko Tenma (2005, album "Nemu no Ki no Komoriuta")
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") - Yanawaraba (2008, album "Nagi Uta")
- Kazuha Yasuda (2003, compilation album "Yūsen Enka Best 16")
- Yilana (2005, album "Birei-teki Ōsōgen")
- Tōru Yohana (2003, compilation album "Ryūkyū Shika")