Akina Nakamori

1982–1984: Beginning

After Akina Nakamori passed the test of Star Tanjō!, she made her debut in 1982 with the single "Slow Motion." Her first single "Slow Motion", was recorded in Los Angeles. This was released on 1 May 1982 and sold 174,000 copies, reaching number 30 in the Oricon charts. The 2nd single, "Shōjo A" was nearly banned for its risque lyrics. This single fared better, most likely due to the controversy, and peaked at #5, selling 396,000 copies. Her next single, a ballad titled "Second Love" proved to be her best-selling single. This sentimental piece debuted at #2 but reached No. 1 the following week, staying at the number one spot for 9 weeks. It sold 766,000 copies back then (to date, almost one million). In addition to the single releases, Nakamori also released two albums titled Prologue and Variation that year, which sold 453,000 and 743,000 copies respectively.

The following year Nakamori released three singles, two studio albums and her first best-of album. The singles were "Nibunnoichi no Shinwa", which sold 573,000 copies and debuted at #1, making it her best-selling single of that year. "Twilight – Yūguretayori", released in May, sold 430,000 copies and debuted at #2. But "Kinku", her last single of that year, fared better, debuting at #1 and selling 511,000 copies. All three albums, Fantasy, New Akina Etranger and Best Akina Memoir hit No. 1.

In 1984, Nakamori released "Kita Wing", which sold 614,000 copies, a bit better than her singles from the previous year, but surprisingly it did not become a number 1 hit. It instead debuted at number 2 and remained at that position for 6 weeks. "Kita Wing" is also rumored to be Momoe Yamaguchi's favorite Nakamori Song (Yamaguchi being Nakamori's idol). Her next single "Southern Wind" brought her back to the number 1 spot, though it sold less than its predecessor at 544,000 copies. "Jūkai (1984)" proved to be another number 1 for her, selling 611,000 copies. The 9th single, "Kazari jya naino yo namida wa" proved to be a turning point in Akina Nakamori's career; as the song is considered difficult to sing with super fast lyrics. It debuted at number 1 and sold 625,000 copies. Many in Japan cite this song and her 1986 single, "Desire – Jōnetsu", as Nakamori's signature songs. Her two album releases of that year, Anniversary and Possibility both fared well and hit No. 1.

1985–1986: Commercial peak

Nakamori kicked off 1985 with "Meu Amore," another great success for her, debuting #1 with 631,000 copies sold ultimately and also winning Nakamori the Grand Prix award at the 27th Japan Record Awards. She became the youngest person at the time (20) to be awarded such an honor. Originally, the single was to be titled "Akaitori Nigeta fly away" (The red bird flies away), but the producers felt that the lyrics were not Samba-ish enough. "Meu Amore" was the result of the newly penned lyrics. "Akaiatori Nigeta fly away" was released as a 12-inch single instead, making the No.1 spot as well. Despite the superb b-side song of Babylon which was remixed, it sold a dismal 354,000 overall. She then released "Sand Beige – Sabaku e" which sold 461,000 copies and debuted at number 1. Her next single, "Solitude" also debuted at number 1, but sold merely 336,000 copies.

She also released two albums in 1985. Firstly, Bitter and Sweet, which contained the album version of the earlier hit of "Kazari Janai No Yo Namida Wa" and "BABYLON." It sold 556,000 copies and debuted at number 1 again. Her next album, D404ME, only had a remix version of the hit single "Meu Amore" included. Yet this album sold an impressive 651,000 copies and debuted at number 1.

In 1986, at 21, Nakamori matured in her singing style and choice of songs. The first single of that year, "Desire – jōnetsu," proved to be one of the highlights in Nakamori's career. This was also the theme song of PIONEER PRIVATE commercial, and was awarded the Grand Prix at the 28th Japan Record Awards in 1986. She became the youngest winner for two consecutive years. It sold 516,000 copies and debuted at number 1. Her next single "Gypsy Queen" was a calmer song than "Desire – jōnetsu" and sold a mere 358,000 copies, but still debuted at number 1. The single "Fin" followed, and sold less than it predecessor, at 318,000 copies. Again, it debut at number 1.

To commemorate her first 4 years in the business, Nakamori released her first "BEST" album. It sold impressively, 766,000 copies and a comfortable number 1 debut spot. Then Nakamori released Fushigi, a concept album with echoing singing and obscure musical arrangement. It caused quite a stir amongst the mainly conservative Japanese public and thus sold 464,000 copies, nearly 200,000 less than Crimson, an entire album composed by only women, which sold 601,000 copies. But both managed to debut at number 1, Fushigi stayed number 1 for only 3 weeks, while Crimson stayed number 1 for 4.

1987–1989: Decline

In 1987, she released "Tango Noir," which sold 348,000 copies and debuted at number 1. (Even though sales of singles were declining, Tango Noir still made it to be the 2nd best selling single in 1987). Her next single was a cover of an American song, but she called her version "Blonde." It sold 301,000 copies and added to her No.1 singles. Her most critically acclaimed single of that year was a heartfelt ballad called "Nanpasen," an emotionally draining song which many people attributed to her rocky relationship with then boyfriend, Masahiko Kondō and the death of her mother. It sold 431,000 copies and debuted at number 1.

She released only one album in 1987, an unsuccessful English debut album called "Cross My Palm." It mainly faltered in the United States music industry because of Nakamori's heavily accented English and lack of promotion in the US. Nonetheless, it was a hit in Japan, selling 343,000 copies and debuting at number 1.

On March 3, 1988, Nakamori released album Stock. Three singles were released in 1988, "Al Mauj", "Tattoo" and "I missed the shock." The first two debuted at No. 1.

In 1989, a year fans will remember as very dark for Nakamori, only one single was released due to what was almost a tragedy. "Liar" became her 19th No. 1 single. The single was rumored to reflect her feelings about her then-boyfriend Masahiko Kondō. It came as a shock when news of her attempted suicide in Kondō's apartment broke in July 1989, after he called off their engagement. Luckily, she was found and hospitalized. However, she retreated from the public eye for a while.

1990–present

Her return to the music scene in 1990 was met with skepticism and curiosity, propelling the single "Dear Friend" to No. 1. Nakamori once claimed that "Dear Friend' is perhaps her only happy song. Nevertheless, she reverted to melancholic, jilted love songs that ultimately did not go well with the public's taste. Her next single "Mizu ni Sashita Hana" became her 21st Oricon #1 single, but she could not reach the top position again after that. The whole decade proved to be a hit or miss musical era for Nakamori, who somewhat lost her definitive direction in her style of music.

Nakamori ventured into acting in the 1990s, with varying success. Ironically, Kome Kome Club's 1992 single "Kimi ga Iru Dake de," which sold over 2.89 million copies, was the theme song of Japanese television drama Sugao no Mamade in which she played a role.

Her live performances continue to be of very high standard, showcasing her vocals. Her 2000, 2002 and 2003 concerts were huge successes. 2006 marked her 25th anniversary in show business. According to the Oricon Charts, she is one of a handful of singers who manage to have albums in the Top 10 in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s; proving her resilience to the taste changing music industry.

Regardless of her lack of prolific songs in recent years, Nakamori was honored by the Japanese Music critics as the 5th best voice in the country's recording history, even ahead of her rival, Seiko Matsuda, at 7th place.

Cover albums

1. Utahime (24 March 1994)
2. ZEROalbum- Utahime 2 (20 March 2002)
3. Utahime Special Edition (4 December 2002)
4. Utahime 3 ~Shuumaku (3 December 2003)
5. Enka (27 June 2003)
6. Folk Song ~Utahime Jojouka (24 December 2008)
7. Mood Kayou ~Utahime Showa Meikyoku Shuu~ (24 June 2009)
8. Folk Song 2 ~Utahime Aishouka (29 July 2009)
9. Utahime 4 -My Eggs Benedict- (28 January 2015)
10. Belie (30 November 2016)
11. Vampire (21 December 2016)

Compilations

1. Best Akina Memoir 21 December 1983
2. Best 1 April 1986
3. Best II 24 December 1988
4. Best III 10 November 1992
5. Your Selection – The Very Best of Akina 25 April 1993
6. Lyriscism – Ballad Collection 10 July 1993
7. Akina 10 November 1993
8. Mouhitori no Akina 10 December 1993
9. Namida no Kawarini... – Ballad Collection II 25 March 1994
10. Play With The Danger – Rock Collection 25 March 1994
11. Only Woman – Best of Love Songs 18 May 1994
12. Akina Nakamori Singles 27 1982-1991 30 November 1994
13. True Album – Akina 95 Best 6 December 1995
14. Akina Nakamori – Collection 1982-1991 1 May 1996
15. Akina Nakamori Super Best 4 March 1998
16. Recollection – Akina Nakamori Super Best 25 May 1998
17. Regeneration – Nakamori Akina Remix 25 June 1998
18. Regeneration – Nakamori Akina Remix II 25 September 1998
19. Akina Nakamori – Best Collection 21 October 1998
20. Akina Nakamori Special Best 20 10 1999
21. The Century of Akina – Warner 30th Anniversary Box 22 November 2000
22. Akina Nakamori 20th Anniversary Best 14 November 2001
23. For Dear Friends – Akina Nakamori Single Collection Box 21 August 2002
24. Akina Nakamori – Utahime Double Decade 4 December 2002
25. Unbalance+Balance + 6 4 December 2002
26. Utahime Special Edition 4 December 2002
27. La Alteracion + 4 4 December 2002
28. Shaker + 3 4 December 2002
29. Akina Nakamori Singles 27 1982-1991 26 February 2003
30. Utahime Complete Box Empress Akina Nakamori 1994–2004 1 December 2004
31. Best Finger 25th Anniversary Selection 11 January 2006
32. Akina Box Akina Nakamori 1982 - 1989 – 25th Anniversary Special Box 21 June 2006
33. Utahime Best 25th Anniversary Selection 27 February 2007
34. Ballad Best 25th Anniversary Selection 28 March 2007
35. Diva Legend '90s BEST 27 February 2008
36. Best Collection Love Songs & Pop Songs 11 July 2012
37. BURNING LOVE ~Jounetsu no Natsu BEST 6 June 2014
38. ALL TIME BEST -Original- 6 August 2014
39. ALL TIME BEST -Utahime (Cover)- 6 August 2014

Special releases

1. Silent Love 21 December 1984
2. My Best Thanks 21 December 1985
3. Non-Fiction Ecstasy 10 November 1986
4. Wonder 1 June 1988
5. Vamp 18 December 1996