Top 10 Mariya Takeuchi Songs

Mariya Takeuchi is most known around the globe for her internet sensation, Plastic Love. While it's a great song, there are plenty of others that showcase Takeuchi's singer-songwriter just as well. From R&B to idol pop, to Country Music, Mariya has proven to be a versatile artist. Here are my 10 favorite songs by Mariya Takeuchi that prove just that. 

Natalie: Out of all the Mariya songs that ended up being my favorite, it ended up being a Country Pop Ballad. Unironically, this is the song I relate to the most out of her entire discography; a ballad about a young girl who moves from Georgia to Los Angeles, CA to become a movie star and ends up losing her identity as an individual. I remember when I first this song, I immediately thought of one of my best friends from college who moved from Wisconsin to Hollywood to make it as a screenwriter. A really talented woman who unfortunately couldn't make it in the big city. As someone who went to film school and even worked in the entertainment industry, I've met plenty more people like Natalie; people with big dreams who move to California in search of fame & fortune only to be disillusioned by a tough city filled with smog, taxes, traffic, and unkind people. Not only is the subject matter relatable, but the Country Ballad arrangement is so authentic, so much so I'm surprised I didn't hear it on Go- Country 105 FM. Plus this has to be my favorite English vocal performance by Mariya. Not only is her voice clear understandable, but I can also feel the emotion she puts in every time she asks Natalie if she's happy. Makes you wonder if she's really singing about herself...

Secret Love: Speaking of English songs, Secret Love is another underrated gem that really makes me upset that we never got any of her albums released in the US. Secret Love basically sounds like a lost Doobie Brothers track. This is fitting considering Bill Chaplin sang backing vocals in this song. 

Sweetest Music: Believe it or not, Mariya's normal style of songwriting goes for a more Connie Francis or Linda Carpenter vibe. But every once in a while, she veers into dance territory to give us one-of-a-kind gems like Plastic Love and my personal favorite Sweetest Music. Not only an energetic, rockin’ disco tune, but it's in another great English song, so I can sing along with it too.  

Broken Heart: Easily my favorite track from Variety. This is the only time I can recall Mariya going into classic slow-jam R&B territory. I can't think of another song where her voice sounds this sensual, it really sets the mood.

Fly Away: Every once in a while, I'll listen to a great song, find out it's a cover, and end up being underwhelmed by the original song. This happened to me when I listened to Fly Away, originally composed by Australian singer-songwriter Peter Allen. A talented songwriter who's worked with the likes of Christopher Cross and Olivia Newton-John, but his version feels a bit too safe, even for AOR standards. Mariya's version just has a bit more of to it in the instrumental thanks to the great backing chorus and jazzy saxophone. On top of that Mariya's vocal performance gives the song a more whimsical and hopeful aura to the song.

Last Train: One thing I will always be grateful for Mariya Takeuchi for, is reminding me how much I actually love country music. Mariya channels her inner Dolly Parton for another Country Rock number. This song is so satisfying to listen to, especially when you're driving down the highway. This song always takes me back to when I was in the Air Force, stationed in Wichita Falls Texas. Every weekend I and the boys would head to the local country bar. Being a Califonia kid, I stuck out like an M&M in a bowl of rice, especially since I had no idea how to square dance. But boy I'll tell you what, listening to this song makes me regret not learning.

Plastic Love: Don't get it twisted, just because I put two Country songs ahead of this one doesn't mean I don't appreciate how epic the song is. There's a club in Downtown LA that has a City Pop night every month, and when Plastic Love comes on, me and the rest of the club pop off every single time. Nobody can resist the quintessential City Pop song; the funky bass line, the tight brass section, and the hopelessly romantic lyrics will get everybody on the dancefloor.  Personally, the most underrated part of this song is the string section, which is both tragically beautiful and whimsically bouncy when it needs to be. This is most accentuated in the Extended Club Mix. Mariya & Tatsuro were not playing games when they came up with this song.

Yume no Tsuzuki (The Dream Goes On): Another great show stopper that gets everyone hyped at the clubs in Downtown LA and Little Tokyo. From the 1987  album, Request, Mariya manages to recreate the Plastic Love magic in synth-boogie form. My favorite part of the song is the breakdown towards the end where we get to hear some great backing vocalization from Tatsuro Yamashita.

Hollywood Cafe: A song from when Mariya Takeuchi was still an unknown name. Hollywood Cafe was a song included in the 1978 compilation Lounge Sessions Vol 1. Which featured a collection of songs sung by up-and-coming female artists, including a pre-debut Mariya. What I love about this song is the ominous noir feeling I get from this jazzy ballad. 

二人のバカンス (Vacation for Two): A fast-paced soft rock song that rivals Taking it To the Streets as the perfect AOR tune for speeding down the highway. With lyrics by Mariya Takeuchi and composed by veteran songwriter Tetsuji Hayashi (林哲司). 

What are your Favorite Mariya Takeuchi Songs? Share them in the comments below