PM Hatoyama's 1988 debut single finally leaks to the internet

Hatoyama most likely was not this prescient, but "Take Heart" makes for a perfect montage of footage of his cabinet walking around government buildings. (Video by YouTube user visula0223)

As Yukio Hatoyama and his Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) came to power in early September, copies of the newly-elected Prime Minister's 1988 song "Take HEART -- Tobitate Heiwa no Tri-yo" (Fly, Dove of Peace) -- a vinyl single made in limited quantities to be distributed to his political support group -- started going for ¥35,000 at online auction sites. Oddly enough, the track has not made its way to iTunes Japan, so those wishing to hear the song had to pay the five figures for an actual copy of the 7".

Now, thanks to YouTube, the rest of us get a chance to hear a bit of the song.

Despite being 21 years old, "Take Heart" sounds like it could have been airlifted straight out of the late sixties: biting harpsichord, a lush orchestral background, big horn stabs and high-pitched female harmonies. The only clue to its late-eighties production is the heavily-reverbed drums -- which in Japanese adult-pop style, are mixed way into the back to the point of non-rhythmic atmospherics. (And yes, the 'New Wave Orchestra' backing up Hatoyama is sadly not very 'New Wave.')

In essence, "Take Heart" -- with its minor-key oriental melody -- is the epitome of the timeless, melancholy Japanese pop song, slightly co-opted for political use. We can thank songwriter Teruaki Asanuma (aka Gengoroh) -- just your average dentist from the small city of Muroran in Hokkaido -- for being able to write something that sounds perfectly on par with hit songs of the genre.

And there's no need to snark "don't quit your day job" to Hatoyama either. The vocals are solid enough get him elected "Prime Minister I most want to sing karaoke with." Hopefully, "Take Heart" will make it into plastic laminated songbooks soon.