The Candies were a Japanese pop group during the 1970s. I’d never heard of them until I saw this post on Japundit, but I really like this kind of thing, so I poked around, found some videos, and away we go. I need to make a point of doing posts like this more often, especially with summer around the corner. If anyone has some sound files they’d like to pass along I’d be most grateful.

 This one is called “Younger Boy.” That’s actually me on the wall behind them.

According to Wikipedia, Candies was composed of three girls: Ran Ito (aka Ran), Yoshiko Tanaka (known as Sue), and Miki Fujimura (aka Miki). The group formed in 1973, and starting with the song “あなたに夢中” (Crazy For You).

They had three mega-hit songs:”春一番” (The Spring-heralding Gale), “年下の男の子” (Younger Boy) and “微笑がえし” (Give Back Smiling).

This one is called “Friendly Devil (Wooden Fish Version)” I’m pretty sure this was written for me. It’s got a bit of a smoky, sultry, Asian nightclub/singing room feel.

This is “Summer’s Coming!” I just went for a walk and I’d have to concur. Looks like this was recorded outside. Probably on a breezy May evening like tonight will be.

Again, from Wikipedia:

In 1977, at the height of their popularity, they dropped out of the music business with a famous phrase”普通の女の子に戻りたい”.(We want to return to [being] ordinary girls.) Their breakup concert was held in Korakuen Stadium on April 4, 1978.The breakup of this idol group was regretted by many people.

A few years after leaving the industry, Ran and Sue came back as actresses. Miki returned to singing, but quit shortly after getting married.

Here’s the last, and I’m sure for many, the best, “Midsummer Greetings.” Love the syth effect on here at the beginning. If you look closely you’ll see me running behind them around the 1:15 minute mark.