Having topped the Spotify Global Viral chart for over 20 days and was number one on Apple Music’s J-Pop rankings in 84 countries and regions, it’s very clear where the song stands in the ranking of the best Japanese songs ever produced, being that the original was made in 1979. I doubt anyone would challenge that opinion. The song is quintessential City Pop, and likely one of the greatest Japanese songs of all time. Given that this song is what made her famous in 1979, produced decades ago, and once again experiencing critical success speaks volumes to the longevity of Miki’s appeal. It’s no wonder why the song is as popular as it is when you consider the rarity of such exquisite production value, instrumentation, and masterful vocal talent that leaves the listener thoroughly blown away. The song is so powerful that it inspired dozens of cover versions sang from all corners of the globe-surprising even Japanese record labels, triggering a reissue of Matsubara’s debut album ‘Pocket Park’ in vinyl format for her fans which sold out immediately. Going over the lyrics, you will understand that it’s about two people, the intimate moments they shared, and the realization that it’s all over. Mayonaka no Door (真夜中のドア) / Stay With Me is a song about torn lovers, the sadness of two hearts becoming distant, and coming to terms with the loneliness that comes after someone you love has gone. The song is so catchy that even Hololive V-Tubers like Gawr Gura have covered it. In many ways the song feels like early Michael Jackson reincarnated as Japanese woman in a parallel universe. There is an undeniable element of feeling in the music that cannot be escaped by anyone with even a vague sense of empathy. The song had a powerful ability to capture the senses and draw you in with its jazzy funk-pop aura that demands to be listened to all the way through to the end. I had first found Miki’s music in 2016 and decided to include it in my very first City Pop mix which brought a lot of attention to the genre back then without knowing to what extent the song would travel. This viral hit was written by famed composers Tetsuji Hayashi and Tokuko Miura. Though even before TikTok, she had already been widely loved by the vast majority of City Pop Fans across the internet for her innocent demeanor, genuine beauty, and striking vocal talent that has charmed millions of listeners worldwide that are hearing her sing for the first time. The singer soared in popularity again in the late 2010s thanks to her hit song “ Mayonaka no Door (真夜中のドア) / Stay with me” which had been adopted by social media platform TikTok, creating a wave of interest in the singer and her discography. Few Japanese artists are ever remembered fondly overseas unless they make a lasting impression on the world, and this standard is exemplified in the case of Matsubara, whose legacy was revitalized decades after her debut. Miki Matsubara is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and composer who has become one of the most well-known artists from the country in the same fashion as Mariya Takeuchi, whose songs are finding a new life after being re-discovered by international audiences overseas that have come to adore the nostalgic mystique of the singer.
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