Songs by The Drifters

How much do you know about The Drifters (Dorifu)?
You may have heard of their two famous comedy shows, but the fact is that they were first a band!

*This article would be too long if I went back to the beginning, so let's look back from the time when Arai was a member of the band.

Vocals: Everyone
Guitar: Boo Takagi and Koji Nakamoto
Bass: Chosuke Ikariya
Drums: Cha Kato
Keyboard: Chu Arai

The Drifters have released quite a few records.
They have released more than 15 singles and a total of 13 albums (including a best-of album)!
In this issue, I will pick up some of the Drifters' classic songs and introduce the originals of each song!

“Dorifu no Zundoko Bushi”

“Dorifu no Zundoko Bushi” was released as a single in 1969.
Zundoko-bushi is a song that uses the zundoko as a musical accompaniment.
The original song “Dorifu no Zundoko Bushi” is based on a military song, “Kaigun Kouta” (Navy song).
The lyrics of the sixth verse of “Dorifu no Zundoko Bushi” are the original lyrics, and after the fifth verse (Arai's part), Chosuke Ikariya says, “Original song!” after No. 5 (Arai's part).
The most famous Zundoko Bushi is probably Kiyoshi's Zundoko Bushi. ("Zun zun zun zundoko 'Kiyoshi!')

“Honto ni Honto ni Go Kurou san” (Thank you very much for your hard work)

The original song of this is also a military song! It is called “Guntai Kouta” (“Military Song”).
There is also a song called “Honto ni Honto ni Go Kurou san”.
Dorifu seems to be a combination of the two songs, “Guntai Kouta’” and “Honto ni honto ni Go Kurou san”

“Dorifu no Bai no Bai no Bai” (Drifters' Bye Bye Bye)

A song mostly sung by Cha Kato.
The original song is “Tokyo Bushi”, a popular song in the Taisho era.
And the original song of “Tokyo Bushi” is “Marching Through Georgia” composed by Henry Clay Work!
It is so interesting that a song with such a strong Japanese feel is based on classical music.
If you listen to it and compare the two, they really sound very similar.

“Makka na Futo” (Bright Red Envelope)

This song is from a male perspective, but it is pop and cute.
The original song was a comic song “Oh By Jingo!” composed by Albert Von Tilzer and lyrics by Lew Brown.
The lyrics have been changed to be more like the Japanese of the time, but the theme is the same.
It is a song with a memorable melody that makes you want to sing along.

The opening theme of the “Dorifu Dai Bakusho”

The opening song begins with “Do Do Dorifu no Dai Bakusho (Dorifu's Burst of Laughter)”
The original song here is called “Tonari Gumi”. Tamaki Tokuyama sings the song. It was a popular song in the early Showa period.
Tonari Gumi was also the smallest organization that existed during WW2, smaller than the neighborhood associations.
Anyway, it is the opening theme of the “Dorifu’s Burst of Laughter”, and when the 5 cheerleaders with pom-poms and suits appear on the stage, the fun of the week has just begun!!! It's an exciting song, isn't it?

“Ii Yu Da Na” (Nice Hot Water)

A representative song that everyone can sing! When anyone thinks of The Drifters, this is the one that everyone knows! But, it was a cover.
It was originally a Gunma Prefecture version of a song from the “Nihon no Uta Series” released by Duke Aces.
Listen carefully. It's called “Kusatsu no Yu” (hot water in Kusatsu), isn't it?
The title of the song varies in the Drifters version.
It could be “Dorifu Bibanon Ondo” (Drifters Lead), or “Sayonara suru no wa tsurai kedo” (“It's Hard to Say Goodbye, But....)
It was the last song in the medley on Kohaku Uta Gassen in 2001, and I can end the year with no regrets.

How was it? By the way, although The Drifters formed as a band, each member can play other instruments as well.
Ken Shimura is very good on the shamisen!
There is a video of him pulling off Tsugaru jongara bushi in a cool way.

SUZUKI / Shamisen Set Kaede MS-8 Japanese Instrument

Also, drummer Cha Kato is a professional drummer…
The Drifters have also released several movies, and in Za Drifters no Gokuraku ha Doko da!! (The Drifters Where's the Paradise!) in which he performs a tremendous drum solo. If you are interested, please see the movie!

PLAYTECH (formerly ZENN) / ZDS3000II METALLIC BLUE Drum Set

In addition, Boo Takagi personally plays the ukulele.
Especially after the end of the Drifters crown program, he has been increasing his work as a ukulele player.

PLAYTECH / PUK302AB Mahogany

Arai is in charge of keyboards, but in fact, he couldn't play at all...?

PLAYTECH / PTK200 Electronic Keyboard

The Drifters comedy sketches still bring laughter to all of Japan.
I learned that they were also deeply involved in the music industry and greatly enlivened Japan's entertainment industry!
Many of the videos are still available, so if you are interested, please check them out!