My Totally Personal Best 15: Yuming Edition – Introducing No.15 “Hello, My Friend”!

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Starting today, I begin my “Totally Personal Best 15 [Yumi Matsutoya]” series.

Yumi Matsutoya (née Yumi Arai), affectionately known as “Yuming.” Born in 1954 in Tokyo, she has been a pioneering figure who opened up Japan’s “New Music” scene with her urban, sophisticated sound and literary lyrics since her debut in 1972.

She’s four years older than I am, but we’re essentially of the same generation.

I wouldn’t say I was a die-hard fan, but her songs were always playing around me in every era.

Especially from the 1980s to the 1990s, she sparked a social phenomenon as a charismatic figure symbolizing the lifestyles of young people—romance, resorts, and more. Her achievements are immeasurable, including record-breaking million-selling albums as a female artist and receiving the Medal with Purple Ribbon. She celebrated her 50th debut anniversary in 2022 and continues to tour and create actively—truly a living legend of Japanese pop music.

🎸 Yumi Matsutoya Edition – Rank No.15 is….

No.15 is “Hello, my friend.”

This song has deeply permeated the hearts of Japanese listeners as a tune that signals the end of summer.

There are various interpretations among fans and critics regarding the perspective (first and second person) in this song, which is part of its depth.

When listening to her works, similar phrasing appears in other songs as well. Since this is my “Totally Personal…” series, I’ll write about this song from the perspective I feel—namely, a female viewpoint. In other words, “you” refers to a man.

More than 30 years after its release, this melody inevitably drifts from radios and street corners in late summer. Yet to dismiss it as merely a “breakup song” would overlook the cruel yet beautiful sense of resignation depicted here.

Even after losing the relationship of lovers, the desperate wish to remain connected lies at the core of this song, hidden behind its refreshing sound. While using the word “sad,” it never becomes gloomy. Yuming’s uniquely dry aesthetic turns this song into an eternal standard.

Ultra-Short Summary

A passionate summer romance ends by the seaside as autumn approaches. The protagonist tries to avoid a complete severance of the relationship by deliberately using the word “friend” for someone who used to be a lover.

This is both lingering attachment and the ultimate expression of love—wishing for the other person’s happiness and peace. Calling out “Hello” as if convincing oneself amid loss, the story portrays both adult bravado and fragility coexisting.

First, please watch the official video.

✅ Official Video Credits
Song: Hello, my friend
Artist: Yumi Matsutoya
Lyrics & Composition: Yumi Matsutoya
Label: Express (Toshiba EMI at the time)
Release year: 1994
Source on YouTube: Yumi Matsutoya Official Channel
📝 Short Commentary
Written as the theme song for the 1994 hit TV drama “Kimi to Ita Natsu,” this is one of Yuming’s representative million-selling singles. Vivid end-of-summer imagery and a refined pop-rock sound—sentimental yet never overly wet—blend perfectly.

Basic Information About the Song

Release / Album

“Hello, my friend” was released on July 27, 1994 as her 26th single and was later included in the album “THE DANCING SUN,” released in November the same year.

Following the renewed success of “Manatsu no Yoru no Yume” the previous year, this song also became a million-seller, solidifying its position as a symbolic “summer anthem” of Yuming in the 1990s.

It can be seen as a bridge between Yuming as the queen of resort music in the 1980s and Yuming of the 1990s, who placed greater emphasis on spirituality.

Charts and Cultural Context

At the time, it continuously aired as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Getsu-9” drama “Kimi to Ita Natsu” and also reached No.1 on the Oricon charts.

1994 was a time when Japan was beginning to regain some calm after the burst of the bubble economy. It was my 13th year as a working adult.

Rather than the flashy resort vibe of the past, the tone of this song—closely aligned with personal inner landscapes—resonated with many people’s “memories of summer.” It has become a standard number people want to hear again each time the seasons change.

Theme and Worldview

The Paradox Contained in “Hello”

The word “Hello” in the title usually signals a meeting, but in this song, it functions as a substitute for “goodbye.”

In the lyrics, we find:

“Hello, my friend — there was a summer when I fell in love with you.”

This line declares that the person who was once a lover will now be called a “friend.”

Instead of completely severing ties with “goodbye,” the protagonist desperately tries to maintain a connection even if its form must change. Saying “Hello” at the moment of parting—this paradox amplifies the song’s poignancy many times over.

Choosing “Hello” rather than “Good-bye” reveals both forced bravery and the wish not to cut the bond.

Impression Supported by Sound and Vocal

A Dry Voice That Saves the “Weight”

Lyrically, this is quite heavy and lingering. Yet the greatest reason the song stands as a pop classic lies in the “dry texture” of Yuming’s vocals.

Her voice carries a coolness, as if narrating from a distance rather than overloading emotion.
She sings “sad,” but she isn’t crying.
This style neutralizes the weight of the lyrics and gives the song a refreshing coolness like a late-summer breeze.

Classic Chord Progression and Band Sound

Sound-wise, it adopts a straightforward pop-rock style.
Beginning with acoustic guitar strumming and building as the full band joins—this structure is a golden rule of 1990s J-POP.

That simplicity highlights the universality of the melody.
Maintaining a sense of drive suitable for car listening while evoking the poignancy of dusk—this exquisite balance shows the extraordinary producer within Yumi Matsutoya.

A Song That Redefined “End of Summer”

Yuming has many masterpieces such as “Manatsu no Yoru no Yume” and “DESTINY,” but “Hello, my friend” stands apart in portraying “the end of summer.”

That’s because it symbolizes not only a season but also “the changing seasons of life.” A passionate youthful love (summer) ends, transitioning into a more discerning adulthood (autumn).

The confusion and acceptance of someone standing at that boundary are perfectly packaged in just over four minutes. I chose it in recognition of this completeness and its depiction of universal emotions everyone experiences at least once.

Why I Chose It as Best15 No.15

The Place I Reached After Listening Again and Again

Honestly, there’s no deep critical reason behind the number “15.” This time, I first selected 15 masterpieces from Yuming’s catalog, listened to them repeatedly, and rearranged them according to mood and flow.

As a result, this song naturally settled into this position. Regardless of rank, remaining in this top 15 itself proves it is a “special song” for me.

Final Evaluation

“Hello, my friend” may not be a song that competes with flashy impact. Yet whenever that intro plays, evoking the end of summer, I can’t help but listen. Not logically, but sensorially, it makes me want to keep listening. With that mysterious charm, I placed it at the start of this Best15 countdown (No.15).

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