Sting

I was a school boy when I first saw Sting on stage in Tokyo in February 1980.

He was the leader of the band, the Police.

8 years later, I was a university student in USA when I saw him performing live in the sports arena.

He had already started the successful solo career then.

On 6 June 2017, 37 years from my first Sting concert, I saw him live at Budokan, Tokyo.

Sting is one of the few artists I can relate to throughout their careers.

He is a good athlete and was an Olympic hopeful in sprint and once a school teacher.

I have been an athlete, still compete in Judo and once was a school teacher.

We both studied at British universities.

But Sting has great musical talent that I can never have.

"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"

When I hear this song, I always get flashes of my youthful memories and feel upbeat.

The song does have magic.

"Roxanne"

In the summer of 1979, I was travelling alone in Hawaii.

At Ala Moana beach, it was exciting for me to hear the song played by a radio.

"Englishman in New York"

There are some things in common between the gentleman's code of conduct described in the song and that of Samurai.

I was a Samurai student in USA when the song was popular and used to sing the refrain to myself.

And I sang it loud at the concert.

Be yourself, no matter what they say.

"Walking on the Moon"

The song blew me away when I first heard it on the FM radio 38 years ago.

It is still one of my favorite Sting songs.

And I have been a fan of Sting ever since.

"Fields of Gold"

The song is sheer beauty.

Yes, I did "feel her body rise when I kiss her mouth among the fields of gold" when I was young.

At the concert, I felt like saying "long time no see" to Sting.

At 65, it was nice to see him mature gracefully.

I truly enjoyed the concert and hope to see you again soon.

(June 2017)