HAMADA, MARI heart and soul VIHX-1753

A major crossover hit single from Japanese rock vocalist Mari Hamada is the focus for this entry. We are looking at her 1988 7-inch single, “Heart and Soul,” released on the Invitation label (Victor) with the catalog number VIHX-1753.

Issued on September 7, 1988, this 45 RPM vinyl is one of Hamada’s most famous and commercially successful releases. The A-side, “Heart and Soul,” was a massive hit, famously used as the NHK image song for their broadcast of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, bringing her powerful voice to a huge mainstream audience.

The single features two tracks, both with lyrics by Mari Hamada:
A: Heart and Soul
B: My Tears

VIHX-1753 stands as a landmark release in Mari Hamada’s career, capturing her at the peak of her popularity and perfectly blending her rock power with polished, anthemic songwriting that reached a nationwide audience.