JUN TOGAWA AND YAPOOS – LI’L MISS ROMANCE [ROMANCE MUSUME] (1984)

lyrics and music by TOSHIRO SENSUI

Originally released as part of the Ura-tamahime live album and later surfacing as a studio take on one of Togawa’s best-of compilations, this has never appeared on any of her official studio albums. It’s a little bit mushier than Togawa’s usual fare, but that’s par for the course with Sensui’s writing.

The title could alternatively be rendered as “Romance Daughter,” but I don’t think that communicates the undertones and nuances of the Japanese well, so I’ve tried to modulate it to better fit the context.

Translation and notes under the cut:

JUN TOGAWA AND YAPOOS – BABY LOVE (1984)

lyrics by FOX | music by TAKAO HIGAE

Originally appearing on Ura-tamahime as a live track, this song later showed up as a studio recording on some of her best-of albums. The song fits in with the idol parody Togawa is often associated with at the time.

Translation and notes under the cut:

JUN TOGAWA AND YAPOOS – AN ARMY OF BUGS [KONCHUGUN] (1984)

lyrics by KENZO SAEKI | music by KOJI UENO

Originally taken from Halmens’ self-titled, Togawa and co., not yet Yapoos as a cohesive unit, covered this song live during the early 80s. It’s not quite as good as the original, but Togawa’s screeching, squealing vocals do the song a real justice, I think. Also it’s right up her alley what with the bug metaphors.

Worth noting she can’t hit the notes the lead singer does on the Halmens version, though.

Translation and notes are under the cut: