Ue wo Muite Aruko aka Sukiyaki

Kyu Sakamoto, a popular crooner, released the single Ue wo Muite Aruko in Japan by Toshiba in 1961 which became the top ranking pop song. When released in the USA in 1963, it soared to number one of the Top Billboard Hot 100's and sold 13 million records internationally.

For the past month, Japanese broadcasters stopped airing commercials altogether. Suntory, the beverage company, broke the silence with this rendition of Sukiyaki by Japanese celebrities to revitalise the nations' spirit. It's a song about a man who keeps his face up to keep his tears from falling. Lyrics are below.

I look up when I walk so the tears won't fall

Remembering those happy spring days

But tonight I'm all alone

I look up when I walk, counting the stars with tearful eyes

Remembering those happy summer days

But tonight I'm all alone

Happiness lies beyond the clouds

Happiness lies above the sky

I look up when I walk so the tears won't fall

Though my heart is filled with sorrow

For tonight I'm all alone

(whistling)

Remembering those happy autumn days

But tonight I'm all alone

Sadness hides in the shadow of the stars

Sadness lurks in the shadow of the moon

I look up when I walk so the tears won't fall

Though my heart is filled with sorrow

For tonight I'm all alone,