Singing star Fumiya Fujii has released an album of 100 songs to commemorate the 35th anniversary of his professional debut.
Titled "Fumiya Fujii Anniversary Best '25/35,'" the album contains songs selected by vote among his fans. We recently spoke with Fujii to discuss his journey as a singer.
He made his debut in 1983 as a member of The Checkers, which had a series of hits before eventually disbanding in 1992. The following year, Fujii launched a solo career with the hit single "True Love," which sold more than a million copies.
The greatest hits album contains songs from this point onward in Fujii's career. It contains two sets of 50 songs each -- a Pony Canyon Inc. album (L album) and Sony Music Direct Inc. album (R album).
Fujii said his musical sense changed when he left The Checkers, whose music was influenced by Paul Anka and other Western pop artists from the 1950s. "[Composer] Hiroaki Serizawa brought us into contact with a certain flavor, which created a kind of pop sound," he recalled.
Around the time Fujii's solo career began, he took an interest in American rock, listening to bands like The Doobie Brothers and Eagles. "I was listening to music with a kind of 'blue sky, horizon' feel. Folk rock, country stuff," he said, describing his attraction to rustic, earthy sounds.
His big hit "True Love" is a laid-back tune with folk rock elements. Fujii recalled one folk singer telling him: "I never imagined that song would reach No. 1. Well done!"
At the time, splashy pop songs dominated the charts, but Fujii's single offered something different.
The top vote-getter for the new album was "Alive" from 1997. "I wanted to write a song like the kind a rock singer would sing in a stadium. The lyrics I wrote are so passionate they're almost embarrassing," Fujii said.
The No. 2 pick was "Eiga Mitaini" from 1998, a lyrical tune about a man and a woman out driving on a date.
"A lot of people probably have had that kind of experience. When you go for a drive, you usually head for the ocean, right? When I came to Tokyo and got my first car, of course I headed to the Shonan coast," he said.
The melody of these two songs are very different, but they both convey beautiful images through their lyrics.
Fujii is also going on a 35th anniversary tour starting Sept. 22 at the Tokyo International Forum in the Yurakucho district of Tokyo. "I'm doing it all -- The Checkers, my solo stuff and songs from F-Blood [his band with brother Naoyuki]," he said.
Visit www.fumiyafujii.net/live/ for more information about the 35th anniversary tour.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
