The Tragic End & Lasting Appeal of Miki Matsubara

Miki Matsubara

Who is Miki Matsubara?

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. 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.

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. 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. This viral hit was written by famed composers Tetsuji Hayashi and Tokuko Miura.

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. 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. There is an undeniable element of feeling in the music that cannot be escaped by anyone with even a vague sense of empathy. In many ways the song feels like early Michael Jackson reincarnated as Japanese woman in a parallel universe. The song is so catchy that even Hololive V-Tubers like Gawr Gura have covered it.

WHAT IS STAY WITH ME ABOUT?

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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

The song is quintessential City Pop, and likely one of the greatest Japanese songs of all time. I doubt anyone would challenge that opinion. 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.

Miki’s warm charisma and unique voice can be said to glow and cast a nostalgic spell over the listener that is at once hopeful yet bittersweet; two themes that aren’t heard very often in music today. Many comment that her voice is incredibly soothing, and carrying a depth and tone of warmth allowing you to feel the emotions she conveys without needing to understand the lyrics. You know what she is expressing because your heart can feel it.

MIKI’S EARLY LIFE

Born November 28, 1959, in Osaka. Miki Matsubara grew up in Hiraoka Town, Nishi-ku, Sakai. She lived with her family including her father, mother, and younger sister. Her mother was a jazz singer who had sung with a Japanese band and comedy group called “Crazy Cats”. She learned the piano at the age of 3 and had a talent for jazz, like her mother. In her formative school years, she joined a rock band "Kurei.” She always found herself gravitating to music and had a natural affinity for it.

In 1975 she became active as a keyboard player of the band "Yoshinoya Band” although not many records are left about the group’s activities or recorded songs if any. While in school Miki was hailed as an exemplary student and was expected to attend university to become quite successful, but she had other plans and at that time had already made up her mind to follow her dream of becoming a singer.

In 1977, while still only just a high school student, Matsubara had left her hometown of Osaka for Tokyo to make her debut as a singer at the age of 17. Discovered by Japanese pianist Sera Yuzuru, Matsubara had been doing live shows and singing around the Kanto area, especially within bars in Roppongi, Tokyo.

MIKI’S CAREER

Matsubara officially started her music career in 1979 with her immediate hit "Mayonaka no Door (真夜中のドア) / Stay with me" which had been covered by several well known Japanese artists at the time, including Nakamori Akina. The song was ranked 28th on the Oricon Japanese music charts and was reported to have sold over 300k copies according to sources.

After releasing several other popular songs domestically, she became quite well-known within the country and developed a following with requests for her to play at larger venues and even a sponsor from Japanese luxury brand Shiseido just two years after her debut. Matsubara earned many awards, specifically many Best New Artists awards, and eventually even formed her own band called Dr. Woo, of which she married the drummer, Masaki Honjo.

Having released 11 studio albums throughout her discography including several singles, she also released a Jazz album, covered famous western songs, produced tracks for anime including Dirty Pair, Gu Gu Ganmo, and Gundam and in addition to commercial jingles, and collaborations with other artists.

HOW DID MIKI MATSUBARA DIE?

In the year 2000, after being unreachable for some time, she sent an unexpected email to her close friends, family, and record labels stating that she couldn’t go on with her music career and would not be communicating with anyone via phone or email ever again. Shortly after, she ceased working on music and faded from public view without notice or explanation.

A year later it was made known she had been diagnosed with cancer requiring her to begin treatments for the affliction. She spent the last few years of her life battling cancer and trying to overcome the illness that came with it. Tragically, on October 7, 2004, she succumbed and passed away at the age of 44.

Miki was a very private individual and stayed out of the spotlight to a degree that not much is known about her personal life. Her death was announced to the general public two months after the fact. Not much was found to be said by the media or her remaining family, and it’s not certain what statements remain regarding her unfortunate circumstances leading to her death.

It was commented by someone familiar with the circumstances revolving around her last months that she had regretted her music career due to not having enough time to focus on living her life more fully, unknowingly heading toward an inevitable end that would come too soon.

Given such a grim conclusion to such a bright spirit, it’s no wonder why her songs are so fondly kept by lovers of city pop and Japanese music. Her songs have been covered many times by contemporary listeners and posted everywhere that music can be shared. Her image has been drawn in dozens of artist renditions who try to recreate her timeless beauty in their own way.

Miki Matsubara Fan Art by Kyutsii on DeviantArt

WHY DID MIKI HAVE TO DIE?

Too often we forget that the mortal coils that bind us can so easily be broken, and the moments in time that made us smile, laugh, and cry will be washed away with the tide over the sands of existence. What makes something exceptionally heartfelt is when it can evoke the appreciation for the passing of time, and its effects on the mind and heart, something Miki’s music has the power to do.

We often see things through the lens of a dilated timeline where each fleeting second can feel as if infinitely flowing from somewhere unknown to our awareness but in the background the looming realization that it will all someday end is often hidden away to protect us from the harsh reality that everyone will someday die.

I would argue that songs like Stay With Me help us to come to terms with the idea that life, like a song, must eventually come to the end after the dazzling choruses and blaring instrumentals inevitably quiet down and the silence that allowed for the music to come to life eventually leads us back to the midnight door while the needle on the record plays that same melody once again.

Thank you for your music, Miki Matsubara.

-Van

Blog RSS

---

AUTHOR

Van Paugam is an Internationally-Acclaimed DJ and leading figure specializing in 70s and 80s Japanese Music, dubbed City Pop. He has organized and hosted over 100 events dedicated to the style, and actively promotes Japanese culture while on the board of the Japanese Arts Foundation of Chicago. He has been featured on CNN, NHK, and many other publications for his dedication to City Pop. Van is credited with being the first person to begin popularizing City Pop online through his mixes on YouTube in 2016, and subsequently through live events. Learn More…

SUPPORT THIS BLOG

SUPPORT THIS BLOG

If you enjoyed this blog, please consider donating! It helps keep this website running along with allowing for new content to be added. Thank you for your patronage!

VINYL RE-ISSUES

---