Some songs make you dream of a faraway place before you even know where it is. For me, “Purple Town” by Junko Yagami is one of those songs. Released on July 21, 1980, its full title is “Purple Town (パープル タウン) ~You Oughta Know by Now~.”
About the song
“Purple Town” became a big hit, reaching No. 2 on the Oricon chart. That same year, it took Junko Yagami to the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, the famous New Year’s Eve music show, for the very first time. With its bright city sound, the song is now loved by city pop fans all over the world.
Junko Yagami made her debut in 1978. Later, in 1987, she moved to Los Angeles and continued her music there, so her story also crosses the ocean, just like this song.
What I remember
When I was little, I did not know much about the song itself. But I remember the phrase “New York” so clearly. Hearing it made me dream about New York, a place that seemed so shining and far away. And I often wondered, “What is a Purple Town?” It sounded like a magical city to me.
My favorite part was the moment she sings “I love…” in English. Her voice turns a little husky there, and I thought it was so cool. Even now, that part still gives me a small thrill. It stays in my heart as the sound of a big, bright city.
Junko Yagami’s best-of CD, with “Purple Town” as track 2 (CDJapan, affiliate link):
A city in a song
If you love city pop, I hope you will listen to “Purple Town” and imagine the lights of a big city at night, just like I did as a child.
Is there a city you once dreamed about because of a song?
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