Scats echoing in the city--Yuki Saori, who colored the nights of Japan in the 1970s.

Scats echoing in the city--Yuki Saori, who colored the nights of Japan in the 1970s.

Saori Yuki made her debut in 1969 with "Dawn Scat" and took the world by storm with her unique voice and elegant atmosphere. In the 1970s, her music transcended the boundaries of mere pop music and established itself as mood songs for adults. Her songs had a quality mood that evoked urban night scenes and were often played in the nightclubs and lounges of the time.

The End of High Economic Growth and Musical Changes
In the 1970s, Japan was in the final phase of its rapid economic growth, and the oil shock of 1973 marked a turning point in the economy. From the "steady growth" of the past, Japanese society was faced with new challenges such as soaring prices and rising unemployment, and it was a time when Japanese society began to experience "anxiety in the midst of affluence. Against this backdrop, people sought entertainment, and media industries such as movies, music, and television grew rapidly.

There were changes in the world of music as well, and in addition to the enka and uta songs of the past, a new type of music called "new music" was emerging. Artists such as Yoshi Ogura, Yosui Inoue, and Takuro Yoshida appeared on the scene, and young people began to identify with folk songs and new music that sang their own words rather than the traditional "entertainment industry-led songs. On the other hand, "adult-oriented" songs such as those by Yuki Saori were supported mainly by working people and middle-aged people, and were a staple in urban bars and nightclubs.

The heyday of television and song songs
The 1970s was also a time when television became a central source of entertainment in the home. Song programs were broadcast in prime time, when viewership was high, and programs such as "Kohaku Uta Gassen," "Yoru no Hit Studio," and "The Best Ten" were very popular. Yuki Saori also frequently appeared on these programs, and her elegant demeanor and sophisticated singing voice attracted support from a wide range of people.

In the music world at that time, idol groups such as Candy's and Pink Lady appeared one after another, capturing the hearts of young people with their flashy performances and catchy songs. However, Yuki Saori drew a clear line from such "pop music for young people" and continued to focus on urban mood songs. Her songs stuck with the salarymen of the time and those who enjoyed "adult romance," and her songs were often played in the clubs of Ginza and Akasaka.

Nightclub Culture and Saori Yuki's Songs
In the 1970s, Yuki Saori's music was a staple in the nightclubs and cabarets of Shinjuku and Ginza. This was because her elegant and relaxed atmosphere suited the mood of the adult nightclubs perfectly. Following "Dawn Scat," her songs "Letter" and "Ikigai" became hits, and her songs established themselves as "music for adults that can be listened to quietly. It was not unusual to see hostesses and regular customers singing her songs at karaoke bars in snack bars and clubs.

Yuki Saori and the New Standing of Female Singers
The 1970s was also a time when female singers became increasingly active. Haruko Miyako and Masako Mori emerged in the enka world, Momoe Yamaguchi and Junko Sakurada in the pop music world, and female artists became active in a wide range of genres. Yuki Saori established her position as "a female singer who competes not as an idol but on the strength of her singing ability," and she came to be known as a "representative of mood songs" along with Naomi Chiaki, Michiyo Azusa, and Mina Aoe, who were all active at the same time.

Saori Yuki in 1977
By 1977, Yuki Saori's popularity had stabilized, and she was active in many fields, including television, radio, and dinner shows. Her songs were not flashy and trendy, but they certainly reached the desired demographic, and she interacted with artists such as Tadashi Kosaka and Sentimental City Romance, who were active at the same time. This is evidence that she was not just a singer of songs, but was interested in a wide range of genres.

Conclusion
In the music scene of the 1970s, Yuki Saori was active as a representative of mood songs, and her calm songs for adults were supported by a wide range of people. As Japanese society matured with the end of its rapid economic growth, her music became established as "a song to color the night in the city," and continued to be loved in nightclubs, bars, and through TV programs. Even amidst the rapid changes in youth culture, her voice remained as appealing as ever, and her presence as "music for adults" was evident.