After having taught English to adults from around the world for many years, I have picked up some random pieces of trivia. One of those tidbits is that the Carpenters are big in Japan (or at least they used to be) and they are still a favorite among a certain generation. In a recent conversation with a Japanese man who is over forty, I learned the following. I’ve asked his permission to share his perspective.
On a side note, there is a tendency for Japanese people to separate their paragraphs into line by line sentences. I will share this with readers of this blog as it was shared with me. There are interesting insights into Japanese culture here, too.
The Carpenters have a lot of old, nostalgic songs.
I like to listen to music and they are one of my favorite artists.
When I was a student, they were once again in the spotlight in Japan. (Around 1995)
I remember that I also bought their album at that time.
Now they are known [for] the most famous songs of the past.
However, [they] may not be very famous to the younger generation today.
I did a little research and here is what I found about their reputation in Japan.
- Melody-oriented sound production fits Japanese sensibilities.
- No radical expressions, so the family can listen to the music together without anxiety.
- From a Japanese perspective, it has the image of a good old (affluent) American family. (Favorable).
- Good quality vocals
- Beautiful English pronunciation (easy to listen to for Japanese)
Many people in Japan have heard of it because it was often used in TV programs.
It is included in music textbooks as a school practice piece.
In the early 1990s, they became popular again in Japan.
This is because they became the theme song of a hit Japanese TV drama.
Drama name: MISEINEN (It means "underage”.)
Famous Songs in Japan
- Top Of The World
- Yesterday Once More
- Please Mr. Postman
- I need to be in love
- Sing
Yesterday, while I was driving home from work, I listened to the Carpenters in my car for the first time in a long time.
Thank you.
