Song Introduction (Nagai Kami no Shōjo)

Song Title: Nagai Kami no Shōjo (Title meaning: Girl with Long Hair)
Artist: The Golden Cups
Lyricist: Jun Hashimoto
Composer: Kunihiko Suzuki
Record Label: Capitol Records / Toshiba Musical Industries
Overview:

The third single, released on April 1, 1968, was a hit, reaching a high of No. 14 on the Oricon charts.

Article Sources:
・Nagai Kami no Shōjo (“The Girl with Long Hair”) – Wikipedia
・The Golden Cups – Wikipedia

About the Song

The song is very mellow, and especially the interplay of the chorus in the refrain is deeply sentimental and moving.

The title “Nagai Kami no Shōjo” (Girl with Long Hair) itself enhances the image of delicate youth.

Considering that America’s “Sister Golden Hair” was released in 1975, it’s interesting to see how The Golden Cups’ song was ahead of its time (just a side note).

The lyrics describe a girl with long hair standing alone in a town after the rain, searching for lost love.
It expresses her longing for her lover’s sweet kisses and gentle words, reflecting a sense of poignant youth through the image of the long-haired girl.

Although this song might differ from the usual style of the band, I believe it stands as a landmark piece in the Japanese group sounds genre.

Song Video

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Artist Introduction (The Golden Cups)

Artist: The Golden Cups
Original Members:
・Dave Hirao (Band Leader) – Vocals
・Eddie Han – Guitar, Vocals
・Kenneth Ito – Guitar, Bass, Vocals
・Mamoru Manoo – Drums, Vocals
・Louise Lewis Kabe – Bass, Guitar
Subsequent Members:
・Mickey Yoshino – Keyboard
・Kei Bun Hayashi – Bass
・Ai Takano – Drums
・George Yanagi (Yanagi Jōji) – Bass, Vocals
・John Yamazaki – Keyboard
Formation: Formed on December 3, 1966, in Yokohama, centered around Dave Hirao.
Official Websites:
 Universal Music Japan
 Altamira Music

Artist Trails

The Golden Cups were formed by Dave Hirao under the band name “Group and I,” initially performing at the restaurant bar “Golden Cup” in Honmoku, Yokohama.

The band gained popularity through television appearances, and singer Jun Mayuzumi introduced them to people at Toshiba Musical Industries (Toshiba Records, now EMI Music Japan), leading to their debut single “Itoshi no Jezebel” (“My Dear Jezebel”).

They changed their band name to “The Golden Cups” at this time.

They became a representative band of the group sounds genre with the hit “Nagai Kami no Shōjo” (“The Girl with Long Hair”), released on April 1, 1968.

The band went through several lineup changes and disbanded on January 2, 1972. Despite the disbandment, they briefly reunited for live performances and concerts.

Dave Hirao passed away on November 10, 2008, due to illness.

Their music, rooted in blues, R&B, and rock, often featured covers of Western rock and R&B songs rather than original compositions in their performances.

The Golden Cups are considered pioneers of Japanese rock rather than just a GS (Group Sounds) band.

Their contributions are significant and have influenced many artists.