“Doshaburi no Ame no Nakade” (In the Pouring Rain) / “Boy and Girl” is her second release, a big hit in early ’69. Akiko had a starring role in one of my favorite Japanese films, Stray Cat Rock: Girl Boss, which also features a version of her singing “Boy and Girl” backed by the Mops.
Akiko Wada is now a well-known TV personality in Japan.
UpdateIn 2008, Akiko did a big 40th anniversay in show business at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, a very good and exhaustive overlook of her career.
どしゃぶりの雨の中で (In The Pouring Rain)
(Lyrics by Toshiko Ohinata, Music by Kazuhiko Otajima)
とても悲しいわ – I feel I’m so sad
あなたと別れて – While I’m apart from you
流れる花びら – And seeing alone
見つめているのは – That flowers are flowing
どしゃぶりの雨の中で – In the pouring, hard rain
わたしは泣いた – I weaped
やさしい人の想い出を – Now I hug the memory of kind man
つよく抱きしめて – I hug, so tightly.
みんな知ってたの – I’d understood everything
いつかこうなると – Sometimes it will go as such
それでも苦しい – But it’s so hard
あきらめるなんて – That’s so hard to giving up
どしゃぶりの雨の中で – In the pouring, hard rain
わたしは叫ぶ – I cried
信じていたい愛だけを – Now I want to bilieve only love
あなたの愛だけを – I want, only your love.
たったひと言の – Alhough it’s only word
さよならだけど – Alhough it’s only goodbye
これきり逢えない – We’ll never meet again
昨日の夢なの – That’s an yesterday’s dream
どしゃぶりの雨の中を – In the pouring, hard rain
わたしは歩く – I walked
ひとりぼっちの街の角 – Now I’m alone beside this town
あかりが溶ける – I see, the light is melting.
Akiko Wada is singing at the Apollo Theater in New York City this coming Monday, Sept. 29 if you’re well-heeled (tickets start at $50). Info at http://www.akikowadany.com/. Her special guest is Sam Moore of Sam and Dave!
Thanks Jeff for the alert!
Akiko WADA’s voice has given me great joy and solace since I first heard this single here in 2008. Thank you Garage Hangover for posting this!