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Mariya Takeuchi

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Mariya Takeuchi was born in 1955 in Taisha, now part of the city of Izumo in the Japanese prefecture of Shimane. She grew up in the family inn Takenoya and learned piano and guitar at an early age. The Beatles made an impression on her. In 1972 she lived for a year in Illinois as an exchange student, and she then studied English literature at Keio University. In 1978 she signed with RCA and released her debut album Beginning. Her first hits, such as September, brought her several newcomer-of-the-year awards in 1979.

Music and breakthrough

In 1981 she broke her contract with RCA and took a break for a while. She married the singer and songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita. In 1984 she signed with Moon Records and Variety, her sixth album, was released and was commercially successful. Since 2001 each new album of hers has gone to number one on the Oricon charts. She also wrote songs for others. In Japan she is called the queen of city pop, and she has sold more than sixteen million records.

Influence

Her best-known song outside Japan is Plastic Love from Variety. When it came out, she did not think that Japanese-language music could travel the world. But in the mid-2010s the song spread through YouTube and through vaporwave and future funk, and it became the engine of a worldwide revival of city pop. City pop is smooth, urban Japanese pop music with funk, soul and disco.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Plastic Love and notice the smooth, exciting bass line and the tight rhythm guitar. Can you hear how the vocals stay calm and elegant while the band keeps growing underneath?

Discography

Studio albums

Mentioned in other articles

Categories: ArtistsCity pop