Some songs make an ordinary road feel like a story. “Chuo Freeway” (中央フリーウェイ) is one of them. It is a gentle, sparkling song about driving, and it still feels fresh today.
The song
“Chuo Freeway” was released on November 20, 1976, on the album “The 14th Moon” (14番目の月). At that time the singer used her maiden name, Yumi Arai (荒井由実). Today many people know her as Yumi Matsutoya (松任谷由実), or simply “Yuming.” She wrote both the words and the music herself.
The song paints a picture of a drive along a highway, with the scenery passing by on both sides. It is said that she drew on views she had seen many times while growing up. It was never released as a single, but it has become one of her best-loved songs, and people still choose it as a favorite song for driving.
Why I chose it
This song is part of the roots of what people now call “city pop.” The sound is light and stylish, and it carries the quiet, sparkling mood of a city at night. If you love city pop, I hope you will enjoy listening to where that feeling began.
What I remember
When I drove past the racecourse, I often played this song. The calm, sparkling mood of the music fit the scenery so well. I would listen quietly and gaze at the view, and I felt as if I had become a shooting star.
The song describes the road as if it were a runway stretching into the night sky. I have always loved airplanes, so this image stayed in my heart. As I listened, I felt as if the road and the sky were connected.
I also love the opening of this song. Even now, when I hear it, it feels bright and gentle, and it takes me right back to the road.
Listen
The original recording by Yumi Arai: Spotify / YouTube Music (official)
The same song, a different color
A good song can be sung by many voices, and each one gives it a new feeling.
With Miki Imai (2013): her version feels different. Her voice is pure and crystal clear, like clean, fresh air. Listen on Spotify
It makes me happy to see a Showa song still loved by new generations.
You can also find this song on the album “The 14th Moon” (CDJapan, affiliate link):
Is there a song from the 80s you would like me to cover next? Tell me in the comments.
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