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Kyu Sakamoto

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (November 10, 1941-August 12, 1985)
    Birth name is Hisashi Oshima
    Famed for the 1963 hit 'Sukiyaki' ('Ue o Muite Aruko (I Look Up When I Walk))

Why he might be annoying:

    He had a huge one hit wonder in the United States.
    'Sukiyaki' has nothing to with the original Japanese title. A British record executive renamed the song to make its pronunciation easier for Western DJs.
    The lyrics dealt with isolation and loneliness but were set against an upbeat musical background.

Why he might not be annoying:

    Kyu was the first Japanese singer to have a number one hit in the United States.
    'Sukiyaki' is a rare non-English song to become popular in the States, selling over one million copies.
    The tune has been remade by over 40 artists, including Bob Dylan and A Taste of Honey.
    In 2000, a techno remix was released.
    At 43, Kyu was one of 520 people to perish on the Japan Airlines Flight 123, the worst single aviation disaster in history. He left behind a wife and two children.

Credit: BC


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 15 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 17 Votes: 5.88% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 24 Votes: 12.50% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 10 Votes: 10.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 21 Votes: 47.62% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 9 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 76.92% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 35.71% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 33 Votes: 42.42% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 27 Votes: 51.85% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 38 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 72 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 148 Votes: 56.76% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 217 Votes: 52.07% Annoying