Ever since I came across the original Macross TV series and movie, I’ve always loved the classic 愛・覚えていますか. However, it was only with the recent release of Nakajima Megumi’s latest single 星間飛行 (Seikan Hikou) did I realise that there were actually quite a number of versions of the song out there.
I’m not sure if I managed to cover them all, but here’s all I’ve found.
飯島 真理 version:
櫻井 智 version:
上野 洋子 version:
下川 みくに version:
中島 愛 version:
Out all of the versions, my preference leans towards Shimokawa Mikuni’s version. Personally, I found the arrangement and vocals of her version to be the best, but that’s probably because I’m a Mikuni fan. Besides Mikuni’s version, I like the original version and the latest version by Nakajima Megumi too.
Ueno Yoko’s version feels too “artificial”, while the Tomo Sakurai version just doesn’t elude the feel that one should get.
So, what’s your favourite version and why?
My favorite version is Mikuni’s~~
GoGoGo~
Megumi Nakajima’s version, hands down. =P
Nakajima Megumi, she has nice voice
Shimokawa Mikuni’s version because I too am a Mikuni fan! ^_^ But really, like you said, the vocals and arrangement are better in her version.
I was dissapointed that Nakajima Megumi’s version wasn’t the full version…and I was highly anticipating that single too… >_>
nekki > You a Mikuni fan?
Shin > You Nakajima Megumi fanboy!
ron~ > That’s true alright.
53RG10 > Yea, it was quite disappointing that it was only the ED size. I like the part where there’s a short pause before she starts singing “Mou hitoribochi janai, anata ga iru kara” though.
I actually think I prefer the Ueno Yoko version overall. While it is arguably the most “polished” version and I doubt Yoko could hold her own against Megumi and Mikuni without all the fancy sound editing the a capella beginning with vocals being the accompaniment is too unique for me to pass up. I don’t really enjoy the horns in beginning of the Mikuni’s version though I’m sure it’s a homage to the original. As for Megumi’s I love the how they slowed it down and took out many of the instruments so that the beat kinda rolled away with the song and gave it a flowing feeling. However, I think she should have just sung the ending straight like Mikuni instead of the weird “throug the radio” sound they used. I actually enjoy the ending half of the original version best.
Sorry for length
tak > No need to apologise for the length. I found your mini analysis to be quite well done.