It seems to be very popular to learn to dance nowadays, but in my childhood, it was very chic. When I was in the sixth grade, I met a classmate whose mother did oil paintings at home and had a house that looked like an interior design store. Her home environment seemed incredible to me. Her home was so fancy, so of course she took classical ballet, and she occasionally invited me to her recitals. I had only known her for a year, so I think I went to just two of her recitals, but I was amazed at the intensity of her stage makeup, which I had never seen before. I looked at her with envy as she danced in her beautiful costumes, even though she was not very good at it.
The ballet school was run by a married couple, with the wife teaching ballet and the husband teaching a kind of jazz dance. I secretly looked forward to seeing dances other than ballet at the recitals. One time, the teacher and the adults gave a jazz performance to the tune of STING’s Englishman in New York. I was completely captivated by the music playing loudly throughout the hall, and the men dancing looked radiant. It was the first time that I felt that western music was close to my heart. The jazzy melody and the then the drum solo in the middle of the song. I still remember the costumes and flashy makeup of the dancers who performed wearing hats as well as the lighting during the drum solo. Since I was in the habit of listening to FM radio since around that time, I immediately recognized the song as STING's. Even today, Englishman in New York has become one of my favorite songs, filled with memories dancing through my mind like a lantern.
STING toured Japan two years ago, and Meri and I were thrilled to be able to meet the real STING! Of course, he sung my favorite Englishman in New York, but unfortunately, he was no longer the glorious STING in my head. It was then that I realized that reality never surpasses what is in my mind, and I felt how time has passed. Nevertheless, to me that song will always be filled with the fresh wonder and joy I that felt back when I was 12 years old. Thank you for a great song, STING!