About this Record
Released in 1981 on the Invitation imprint (Victor Musical Industries), Sayonara Tricolore (さよならトリコロール) is a charming late-Showa Japanese pop single by singer Miyoko Nagao (永尾美代子). Tied with Yamaha’s renowned talent springboard Cocky Pop, the release showcases the breezy, sophisticated melodic styling characteristic of the early-1980s Japanese kayokyoku and emerging City Pop sound.
Featuring crisp studio musicianship and Nagao’s bright vocal delivery, the A-side “Sayonara Tricolore” presents a sun-drenched, melancholic pop flavor, balanced seamlessly by the mellow B-side “Blue no Towel” (ブルーのタオル). An excellent piece of early-’80s Japanese pop vinyl for crate diggers exploring female vocalists from the Yamaha Popcon/Cocky Pop lineage.
Tracklist & Notes
- Side A: さよならトリコロール (Sayonara Tricolore)
- Side B: ブルーのタオル (Blue no Towel)
Produced by Cocky Pop / Yamaha. Catalog number VIHX-1547, original Japanese pressing with full-color picture insert sleeve.
「これ、カラオケで歌いたいわ。」
(Wife’s thought: “Forget deep vinyl analysis—this catchy Showa pop melody makes me just want to grab a mic at karaoke.”)
