ハノイの恋人 [Lover of Hanoi]

Annotation — Japanese Songs

Another version of the song "ハノイの恋人" ("Lover of Hanoi") (EMI Music Japan # OCP-7603) written and composed by Yuichi Tsuboi Osamu and Nakamura, as immediately above. The song was a love story involving a disabled veteran of the war: "I can't stand in front of you, with both my legs ripped off by a bomb".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Notes

A. A Hanoi woman whose legs were blown off by a bomb writes to release her lover: "even if true peace comes to the sky over Hanoi…" Toshiba-EMI OCP-7603 (OCP-7603-A), stereo, side A, 45 r.p.m., "Mfd. by Toshiba-EMI Ltd. in Japan"; "ハノイの恋人" (坪井雄一 words, 中村治 music), 3'08"; 演奏 ログメイツ; 制作＝大阪センタープロダクション, 大阪市北区木幡町45 アドビル402号; the label rim reads "生きることの美しさを歌う／斉藤佳代". B side "紙飛行機" (大西一志 words and music), 3'12". The front is a portrait of the singer with her signature "さいとう佳代" printed on it; ¥600. The back prints both lyrics, a melody score of "ハノイの恋人", a profile of the singer and a photograph of the ログメイツ; Toshiba-EMI company sleeve. The lyrics are sung by a woman who lost both legs in a bombing and, even if peace comes to Hanoi, writes to release her lover by saying she will marry someone else. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Kayo Saito (斉藤佳代) - began performing in May 1974 and won a prize that July in the 愛のうたコンクール backed by Mainichi Broadcasting; a member of the Kansai Choir (関西合唱団), she became a contracted singer with Osaka Center Production on graduating from music college in March 1976. [Source: record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Hanoi · Disabled Civilian · Vietnamese Perspective · Lost Love · Civilian Casualties

In collections

Japanese Songs