Stranger in Midosuji / Ouyang Fei Fei

Song Introduction (Stranger in Midosuji)

[Song Title] Ame no Midosuji -Stranger in Midosuji-
[Artist] The Ventures / Fei Fei Ouyang (欧陽菲菲)
[Lyrics & Composition] The Ventures
[Label] Toshiba Musical Industries (LIBERTY)
[Overview]

“Stranger in Midosuji” is an instrumental track by The Ventures, released as a single in June 1971. In September of the same year, lyrics were added by Haruo Hayashi, and the song was released as the debut single of Taiwanese singer Fei Fei Ouyang (欧陽菲菲). The lyrics incorporate references to Osaka’s landmarks, such as Midosuji, Honmachi, the rows of ginkgo trees, Umeda Shindo, and Shinsaibashi.The single became a massive hit, topping the Oricon chart for nine consecutive weeks.

[Article Source] Rainy Midosuji – Wikipedia
[Article Source] Fei Fei Ouyang – Wikipedia

About Song

“Love Is Over” is one of the signature songs by Taiwanese singer Fei Fei Ouyang. This song poignantly portrays the emotions of a woman who decides to part ways with her lover. Its opening line, “Love is over, it’s sad, but…” is especially memorable. The lyrics narrate a woman bidding farewell to her partner, conveying her heartbreak.

While she claims there’s no particular reason for the breakup, in truth, she chooses to leave for his sake. The protagonist likely senses that if their relationship continues, her lover would deteriorate or become unhappy, leading her to make the painful decision to end it.

The song features a melodic tune, characterized by its emotional vocals. Ouyang’s singing resonates deeply with listeners, highlighting her remarkable expressive power. The lyrics, which capture the pain of heartbreak, reflect universal experiences, evoking fresh emotions with every listen.

The song was written and composed by Kaoru Ito, whose distinctive melody and lyrics blend seamlessly. The recurring theme of “love has ended” leaves a lasting impression on listeners. Additionally, Ouyang’s “Love Is Over” has been covered numerous times and is regarded as a masterpiece in the history of Showa-era pop music.

小ぬか雨降る　御堂筋
konuka Ame huru Midosuji
こころ変わりな　夜の雨
Kokoro gawari na Yoru no Ame
あなた… あなたは何処よ
Anata… Anata wa doko yo
あなたをたずねて　南へ歩く
Anata wo tazunete Minami e aruku

本町あたりに　あなたはいると
Honmachi atari ni Anata wa iruto
風の知らせを　背中で聞いて
Kaze no Shirase wo Senaka de kiite
こんな…　女がひとり
konna… Onna ga hitori
探していたことを　誰かつたえて
sagashite ita koto wo Dareka tsutae te

ああ降る雨に　泣きながら
aa huru Ame ni Naki nagara
身をよせて　傘もささず
Mi wo yosete Kasa mo sasazu
濡れて…　夜の
nurete… Yoru no

いちょう並木は　枯葉をおとし
Icho Namiki wa Kareha wo otoshi
雨の舗道は　淋しく光る
Ame no Hodo wa samishiku hikaru
あなた…　あなたのかげを
Anata… Anata no Kage wo
あなたを偲んで　南へ歩く
Anata wo shinonde Minami e aruku
from Stranger in Midosuji / Ouyang Fei Fei

*Translation (Unformal)
Drizzling rain falls on Midosuji,
A change of heart in the night’s rain.
You… where are you?
I walk south, searching for you.

They say you might be around Honmachi,
A whisper in the wind I hear behind me.
Someone… please tell him,
That a woman like me is searching for him.

Ah, in the falling rain, crying,
Drawing close, without even an umbrella,
Drenched… in the night.

The ginkgo trees drop their leaves,
The rainy pavement shines with loneliness.
You… your shadow,
I walk south, remembering you.

Artist Introduction

Artist: Fei Fei Ou-Yang (Ouyang Fei Fei)
Date of Birth: September 10, 1949
Place of Birth: Taipei City, Taiwan Province, Republic of China

Artist Trails

Fei Fei Ou-Yang is a Taiwanese singer who gained immense popularity in Japan during the 1970s and 1980s. She is best known for hit songs like “Ame no Midosuji” and “Love Is Over.” Her powerful voice and unique stage performances captivated many fans. Beyond music, she also appeared in TV shows and films, showcasing her versatile talents. Her contributions to music helped broaden the reach of Asian music in Japan.

Fei Fei Ou-Yang frequently collaborated with fellow Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng. Notably, in 1984 on the show Music Fair, they performed a three-song medley, including a duet of “Kita Sakaba.” This memorable performance highlighted the charms of both artists and remains a fondly remembered moment. Their collaborations marked significant milestones in their careers and symbolized cultural exchanges in Asian music.

With her powerful voice and distinctive stage presence, Fei Fei Ou-Yang enjoyed widespread popularity across Japan and Asia and continues to be loved by many to this day.