Seiko Matsuda

Seiko Matsuda
, known professionally as , is a Japanese singer-songwriter, known for being one of the most popular Japanese idols of the 1980s. Since then, she is still actively releasing new singles and albums, doing annual summer concert tours, winter dinner shows, high-profile TV commercials and movies, and makes frequent TV appearances and radio broadcasts.
Due to her popularity in the 1980s and her long career, she has been dubbed the "Eternal Idol" by the Japanese media. In January 2011, the Japanese music television program Music Station listed her as the 2nd best-selling idol of all time in Japan, with 29,510,000 records sold. She placed right behind pop group SMAP and ahead of Akina Nakamori, her biggest rival from the 1980s, who was listed in third place. In 2016, however, Ian Martin of The Japan Times compared her output unfavorably with that of Hikaru Utada, describing Matsuda as "first and foremost an idol rather than an artist. Her legacy is best expressed in singles rather than albums."
Matsuda once held the record for 25 number-one hits for general artist from 1983 to 2000 (broken by B'z) and for female solo artist (broken by Ayumi Hamasaki in 2010). Matsuda was the overall finale performer of Kouhaku (Red White Music Battle) in 2014 and 2015, the prestigious NHK New Year's Eve Music show on which she has performed 24 times (until 2020).
Early life and family
Noriko Kamachi was born on 10 March 1962, in Chikuhō, Mizuma, Fukuoka Prefecture (present-day Arakimachi, Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture), as the eldest daughter of her parents. She was born in a state of suspended animation due to a difficult birth at Kōradai Hospital, where her aunt was the director's wife. Her father was a government official at the Ministry of Health and Welfare and her mother was from a family of former village heads from Yame. She is a descendant of Kamachi Akimori of the Kamachi clan, the lords of Yanagawa Castle who were the most powerful feudal lords in Chikugo Province in the service of the Ōtomo clan in the Sengoku period.
Career
1978-1980
In 1978, Seiko attended the Miss Seventeen contest held by a popular teenage magazine, where she won the top prize. Following this win, she was spotted and scouted by CBS Sony Producer, Muneo Wakamatsu. The sixteen-year-old Noriko Kamachi from Kurume, Fukuoka had to choose between the stage names Seiko Arata or Seiko Matsuda, Noriko chose Seiko Matsuda. In 1979, she started to rise popularity as a magazine teen idol and in the same year, debuted as an actresses in the television series Odaijini, which was broadcast by Nippon TV, appearing in the all 26 episodes.
In January 1980, Seiko made her debut as an radio personality, who appeared regularly weekly for the entire on the radio program The Punch Punch Punch broadcast by radio station Nippon Radio.
In April 1980, she made her musical debut with the song "Hadashi no Kisetsu" (lit. "Barefoot Season"). The song was featured in a television commercial for Shiseido's Ekubo, which broadcast two months before release, in February. During the commercial broadcast, it was assumed that the actresses on the commercial was singing the song. Originally, Seiko was supposed to be commercial actresses, however she had a failed audition and was replaced by Yukiko Yamada. The single received immediate interest by listeners, debuting at chart 12 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 280k copies.
In July 1980, she released her second single Aoi Sangosho, which served as a television commercial song for the Glicco's ice cream product Yorel. It became her first single to debut at Top 3 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and has sold over 600k copies. The single was nominated at the 22nd Japan Record Awards in the category New Artist Award and has been rewarded with the special award on the 11th Japan Music Awards along with the Toshihiko Tahara. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 15th place. In September 1980, Seiko has launched her first concert titled First Kiss.
With the popularity of the Aoi Sangosho, the female fans all over the country has been inspired by the Seiko's haircut, which has become massive requests of the hair cuts among the hair-dresses and has received a special social phenomenon called Seiko-chan cut.。The hair-cut has been inspired by the future debuting idols such as Akina Nakamori or Minako Honda.
In August 1980, she released her first studio album Squall, which includes previously 2 released single and 8 newly recorded songs. The single debuted at No.2 charts on the Oricon Weekly charts.
In October 1980, she released her third single "Kaze wa Akiro" (lit. "Wind Is Autumn Color"). It became her third television commercial song to be associated with the Shideo, this time for the product Ekubo: Milky Fresh. The song has become her first single to debut at peak 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 796k copies. On the 1980 yearly Oricon rankings, the single ranked at 14th place and in 1981 yearly Oricon rankings, the single remained on 65th place. The single has become one of the first songs of her 24 consecutive number one hits in Japan.
In December 1980, she released her second studio album North Wind, 4 months after the previous album release. The album includes single Kaze wa Akira along with its B-side Track Eighteen and 8 newly recorded songs. The album debuted at No.1 charts on the Oricon Weekly charts.
At the end of the year 1980, she made her first appearance in the 21st new-year program Kohaku.
1981-1982
In January 1981, she released her fourth single Cherry Blossom. Unlike the previous singles, it did not receive a promotional usage. Despite little promotion, the single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 676k copies.On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 9th place. After the release, Seiko stated in the interview one of her favorite songs during that time.
In April 1981, she released her fifth single Natsu no Tobira. It became her fourth television commercial song to be associated with the Shideo, and for the second time for the same Ekubo product: Milky Fresh. The single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 568k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 14th place. On the same month, she launched her firs nationwide series of concerts "81 Seiko Big Concert in Tokyo". Soon after, she launched another concert tour Nice Summer Seiko, which has lasted between July and September.
In May 1981, she released her third studio album "Silhouette", which includes two previousy released singles and 8 newly recorded songs. The album debuted at No.2 charts on the Oricon Weekly charts.
In July 1981, she released her sixth single Shiroi Parasol. The single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 488k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 23th place. In August 1981, she received her first major role as an actresses for the movie Nogiku no Hana as well as performed theme song "Hana Hitoiro -Nogiku No Sasayaki-" for the movie. The song was recorded as the B-side track of the single Shiroi Parasol.
The following seventh single, Kaze Tachinu was released in October 1981 and has made big vocal changes since the beginning of her career. During the recording, the Seiko vocals had suffered a lot and occasionally in the television performances has cried for not being able to sing properly.</ref> The single has been written by during the time well-known musician. Eichi Ohtaki. It became her second television commercial song for the Glico's sweet Pocky. The single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 519k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 34th place. It has received Golden Idol Award in the 23rd Japan Record Awards and Radio Music Award in the 12th Japan Music Awards.
Three weeks after the single released, was released her fourth studio album under the same title, "Kaze Tachinu", which includes the name following single along with Shiroi Parasol and 8 newly recorded songs. The album debuted at No.1 charts on the Oricon Weekly charts. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the album ranked at 34th place.
In November 1981, the recording studio has released her first compilation album titled Seiko Fragrance. It included singles, b-side track and selective tracks from the previously released studio albums. The album debuted at No.3 charts on the Oricon Weekly charts.
At the end of the year 1981, she made her first appearance in the 22nd new-year program Kohaku.
In January 1982, she released her eight single Akai Sweet Pie. From this single, Seiko has changed her visual appearance by cutting her hair very shortly and had to found new vocal technique in order to continue singing. The song has been written by Yumi Matsutoya, under her pen-name Karuho Kureta. The single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 500k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 12th place. The song has become one of the most iconic song for her career.
In April 1982, she released her ninth single Nagisa no Balcony. The production team is same as from the previous single. The single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 514k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 11th place. The song has become one of the most iconic song for her career.
Between April and May, Seiko has launched concert tour titled Fantastic Concert.
During the concert tour, Seiko has released her fifth studio album Pineapple on May, which includes Akawi Sweet Pie, Nagisa no Balcony along with its B-Side track and 7 newly recorded songs. The album debuted at No.1 charts on the Oricon Weekly charts.
In June 1982, she released her first home-video release "Fantastic Concert Lemon no Kisetsu". The footage includes songs performed in the concert which held between April and May in the same year. The release had failed to reach on the Oricon Charts.
In July 1982, she released her tenth single Komugiiro no Marmalade, making it the third single consecutively being written by Yumi Matsutoya. The single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 467k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 23rd place. The single has received Golden Prize award at the 24th Japan Record Awards.
In October 1982, she released her eleventh single Nobara no Etude. The single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 450k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings in 1982, the singled ranked at 41st place and in 1983 yearly rankings, the single ranked at 75th place. The single has received Grand Prix award at the 11th FNS Music Festival and radio music award at the 13th Japan Music Awards.
The sixth studio album, Candy was released half year after the previous album. The album includes Nobara no Etude and 9 newly recorded songs.The album debuted at No.1 charts on the Oricon Weekly charts.
On the same year in 1982 December, Seiko held her first concert in the venue Nippon Budoukan titled Christmas Queen and appeared at the New Year television program Kohaku for the 3rd time.
1983-1984
In February 1983, she has released her twelfth single Himitsu no Hanazono, making it the fourth single being written by Matsutoya. The production has been harshly prepared by suddenly changing composer staff, who originally was to be Kazuo Saitsu. The single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 396k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings in 1982, the singled ranked at 22nd place and in yearly rankings. In the television performances, Seiko has wore the mini skirt which has become a big topic among the watchers and the fans. The single became 10 consecutive number 1 singles, which she shattered the former Japanese record of nine consecutive number-ones by popular 1970s music duo Pink Lady.
On 28 March 1983, Seiko has become victim of the physical attack with attacking with baseball hitter 6 times by one of the male audience during performance of concert held in the Okinawa. Seiko had received left eye injury and as the result the rest of the concert has been postponed. One week later, she was able to fully recover and managed to perform once again. However the events left Seiko traumatized and did not perform again at all in Okinawa until 2007.
In April 1983, the months after the previous single, was released her thirteenth single Tengoku no Kiss. The single was written by Haruomi Hosono from the Yellow Magic Orchestra. The single served as a theme song for the movie Primeria no Densetsu Tengoku no Kiss, in which Seiko has starred herself. The single charted at No.1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 471k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings in 1982, the singled ranked at 16th place and in yearly rankings.
From this year, Seiko has started her activities slowly as a lyricist to her own songs. In July 1983, Seiko has released her 7th studio album Utopia. She wrote lyrics for the first time when she produced her song "Chiisana Love Song" (lit. "Little Love Song") under pen-name SEIKO. It includes two previous released singles Himitsu no Hanazono, Tengoku no Kiss and 8 newly written songs. The album debuted at No.1 charts on the Oricon Weekly charts. On the same month, Seiko launched her concert tour titled in French Un Deux Trois and has been released in the cinema theatre her second main-role movie Primeria no Densetsu Tengoku no Kiss.
In August 1983, she released her fourteenth single Glass no Ringo/Sweet Memories. Lead single has been write by Hosono. The B-side song, Sweet Memories served as a television commercial for Suntory's can drink beer. Due to the song popularity, the single has received double releases titles Sweet Memories/Glass no Ringo. The first edition release of the single debuted at 1 rank on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 857k copies, as of 2023 it her second best-seller hit during her career. The single has received multiple awards: Golden Grand Prix at the 1983 year Anata ga Erabu Zen Nihon Kayou Ongakusai, Golden Award at the 25th Japan Record Awards, Best Broadcast Music Award at the 14th Japan Music Awards and Best Performance Award at the 12th FNS Music Festival.
In October 1983, she released her fifteenth single Hitomi wa Diamond/Aoi Photograph, making it the fifth single being written by Matsutoya.. The B-side track has served as a theme song for the television drama Ao ga Chiru. The single debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 568k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings in 1983, the singled ranked at 46th place and in 1984 yearly Oricon rankings at 28th place.
In December 1983, Seiko has released her 8th studio album Canary, in which she wrote lyrics for the same titled track. It includes one previous released single along with its B-side track and 8 newly written songs. The album debuted at No.1 charts on the Oricon Weekly charts. On the same month, she held her 2nd concert at the Budokan titled Seiko Land and appeared at the New Year Television program Kohaku for the 4th time.
Following year, 1984, has been marked in her career as the busiest year in the terms of the launching 4 concert tours within 1 year and lasted over all year: "Jewels" between January and April, "Fantastic Fly" between April and June, "Magical Trump" between July and the November and "Golden Juke" in the December.
In February 1984, she released her sixteenth single Rock'n Rouge, making it the sixth single being written by Matsutoya. The song served as the television commercial for the cosmetic company Kanebo product Lady 80BIO Lipstick. The single debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 674k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 3rd place. On the same month was released her second home-video release Seikoland: Budoka Live 1983, which includes footage from the second concert held at Budokan in 1982. Like with the previous release, it had failed to chart at the Oricon Weekly charts.
In May 1984, she released her seventieth single Jikan no Kuni no Alice, making it the seventh single being written by Matsutoya. B-side track Natsufuku no Eve served as a theme song for the theatrical cinema movie under the same title (screened in July in the same year), starred by Seiko herself. The single debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 477k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 15th place.
In June 1984, she released her 9th studio album Tinker Bell. Unlike in the two previous released albums, it does not contain track to be written by Seiko herself. The album includes singles Rock'n Rouge, Jikan no Kuni no Alice and 7 newly written songs. Until this release, the album always had 10 tracks in total, however in Tinker Bell case, it turned out to be only 9 due to her busy schedule with the live tour series. The album debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly sales.
In August 1984, she released her eighteenth single Pink no Mozart, written by Hosono. It become her second television commercial song to be associated with the Kakubo series of the products launched under title 1984 Aki. The title itself has nothing to do with the famous composed and the origin of the idea has never been explained to the public. The single charted at number one on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 424k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 17th place.
In November 1984, she released her nineteenth single Heart no Earring. It has become her second single which did not receive any promotional ties. With this single, Seiko's all singles since the debut has been statistically recorded to sold over 10 million copies. The single debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 477k copies. On the yearly 1984 Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 68th place and in 1985 Oricon rankings at 66th place.
In December 1984, she released her 10th studio album Windy Shadow. Trackless includes singles Pink no Mozart, Heart no Earring and 8 newly written tracks. In this album, Seiko has self-written one song in this album titled Bara to Pistol. The album debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly sales. On the same month, she made appearance on the New Year television program Kohaku for the fifth time.
1985-1986
The year 1985 has been very turbulent and changing in Seiko's private life. In January, it has started with following the break-up with the singer singer Hiromi Go, one month later announced engagement with the actor Masaki Kanda and in April the marriage and ceremony in June. As the result, the musical activities has been minimized in the comparison with the previous years and lead to the situation of the hiatus (previously thought by everyone as official retirement).
In January 1985, she released her twentieth single Tenshi no Wink, written by Amii Ozaki. The song served as a television commercial song for the automobile manufacturer Daihatsu's model titled "New Charade". The single debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 414k copies. It has become her last single which reached selling numbers over 400k (later being overcomed by 1 million seller Anata ni Aitakute in 1996).
Between April and May, she held concert tour Seiko Prism Agency before the planned hiatus.
In May 1985, she released her twenty-first single Boy no Kisetsu, making it second consecutive single written by Amii. It became her first single in with both A-side and B-side track has received an commercial purpose: lead single served as a theme song for the animation movie Penguin's Memory: Koufuku Iron and B-side track Caribbean Wind served as well as movie song for the movie Caribbean: Ai no Symphony, which become her 4th main role and played with her husband Kanda. The filming of the movie happened in late 1984, before engagement announcement. The single debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 356k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singled ranked at 19th place
In June 1985, she released her 11th studio album The 9th Wave. The album includes singles Tenshi no Wink, Boy no Kisetsu and 8 newly recorded songs. The album debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month, she released her first English single Dancing Shoes under English stage-name Seiko. The single was released on the same day as their marriage ceremony. In February, Seiko went in New York for recording. There were plans to debut as a singer in the overseas, however the plans were canceled by the marriage announcement few months later. The single was released during her hiatus period, in June. Despite the little promotion, the single managed to debut at number 1 on Oricon Weekly Charts and stayed at number 65 on the Oricon Yearly Charts.
After the marriage, in August 1985 the music company has released her first English studio album Sound of My Heart. Well known musicians from the band Chicago, Billy Joel and music producer Phil Ramone were involved with the album production. During the recording of the single, there was idea for the whole project to be released in overseas as well, after decision it remained to be released only domestically. Compared to the previous studio albums, the album debuted at number 2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. In the same month was released her third home-video release Seiko Call: Live 85. It includes footage from the same-year tour Seiko Prism Agency. The release failed to chart at the Oricon Weekly Charts.
In December 1985, she made appearance on the New Year television program Kohaku for the sixth time. Afterwards, Seiko did not appear in television for over the whole year.
During the pregnancy, in 1986, Seiko had released studio album Supreme with 10 newly written songs including one written by herself. The album debuted at number 1 on Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 699k copies. The album has been received well by critics as and result won Best Album Award at the 28th Japan Record Awards. During the same year, Seiko provided for the first time lyrics for the other artist under pen-name Seiko by the release on the single Kuchibiru ni Network, written by Ryuichi Sakamoto and performed by idol-singer Yukiko Okada. At the end of year, she made television appearance for the first time in year on New Year Television program Kohaku for the seventh time, performing song from the released album. On 1 October, she gave birth to her child, Sayaka.
1987-1989
During the marriage period in 1985, Seiko has not announced whenever she would continue or will retire afterwards. Compared to her senior singer, Momoe Yamaguchi, who retired after marriage, Seiko's will and support from the husband of continuing career has received from the public nickname Mama Doll-mother, works as an idol. Although she made comeback, the live tours and releases were not as frequently and busy as during her teen years.
In April 1987, she has fully resumed her music activities by releasing her twenty-second single Strawberry Time. It was her new single to be released for the first time in 1 year and 10 months. Until the release of twenty-fifth single, the singles has received no promotion usage. Originally, there were no plans for the single release and was planned to be only part of the upcoming new studio album under the same title, however by the strong wish by the Seiko, the release has realized. The single debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 317k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the singles charted at number 5.
One month later, in May 1987, she released after one year the new studio album under same titles as included single-Strawberry Time. It includes 9 newly written song in which one of them Seiko wrote by herself. The album debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and had sold over 1 million copies. On the same month, Seiko launcher her first live tour after two years titled Seiko Super Diamonds Revolution, which laster until June.
In September 1987, she released her fourth home-video release Super Diamond Revolution, in which includes footage from the live tour launched in the same year.
In November 1987, she released her twenty-third single Pearl White-Eve written by Senri Oe. The single still managed to debut at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 202k copies. On the yearly Oricon charts, the single charted at number 48.
On 31 December 1987, she made appearance on the New Year television program Kohaku for the eighth time.
In April 1988, she released her twenty-fourth single Marrakech written by Steve Kipner and Paul Bliss. The single debut at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 182k copies. On the yearly Oricon rankings, the single charted at number 43.
In May 1988, she released her fifteenth studio album Citron fully produced by David Foster. The recording of the album has started in late 1987 in Los Angeles. It includes single Marrakech and 9 newly written songs, one of them being the duet song with Foster himself titled Every Little Hurt. Zoku: Akai Sweet Pie represent the continuation of the story from the 1982 released single. From this album, Seiko has completely distanced from her idol image and switcher her focus to be a pro singer. As of 2023, it has become her last studio album, which debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month, Seiko launcher concert tour Sweet Spark Stream which lasted until September.
In September 1988, Seiko released her twenty-fifth single Tabitachi wa Freesia. It has become the first single which credited Seiko as a writer. At the same time it became her first single which has received a triple promotion: as a television image song for the railways event Orient Express 88 and at the same time as a theme song Fuji Television television program Naruhodo! The World. B-side track Angel Tears written by Anri, has been promoted as a commercial song for the pharmaceutic company Yamanouchi product Kakonal. for the As of 2023, it become her last single, which debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 209k copies.
In December 1988, she made appearance on the New Year television program Kohaku for the ninth time and at same time the last appearance in the 1980's decade.
In June 1989, Seiko has ended contract with the Sun Music Production, in which she was under custody since her pre-debut times, and in August established her own private affiliated office Fantic with her brother, Mitsushisa Kamachi being the representative director and president. The reasons for the independence is for her long-term dream since 1985, "to make debuting in overseas more easier and effectively which in the previously office is has been difficult to manage".
In September 1989, she released her 5th home video release Sweet Spark Stream, in which would include footage from the 1988 live tour under the same title.
On November 1989, she released her twenty-sixth single Precious Heart for the first time in year and two months. It has been written by Seiko herself, not using anymore pseudonym Seiko but fully romanized Seiko Matsuda. From this single, she took parts away with the long-working producer Muneo Wakamatsu and switched to Hirofumi Sato. The song has received promotion as a commercial song for the Subaru model Rex AI. The single debuted as number 2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 129k copies. It was her only single to be released on that year.
In December 1989, she released her sixteenth studio album Precious Moment for the first time in one year and 7 months. From this album, all the songs in the album are being written by Seiko herself. The album debuted at number 6 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. In the same month, Seiko launched held concert tour Precious Moment which lasted December 1989 and January 1990.
1990-1992
Although some up-and-coming female singers like Namie Amuro and Hamasaki became successful after the end of the 1980s, most "typical" pop idols from Matsuda's era disappeared as the golden age of idols began to fade away, except Matsuda, who was still going strong, releasing single after single.
After finishing all preparations for personal agency in the late 1989, Seiko could finally make her dreams true-debut in the overseas.
In April 1990, she released her second single All the way to Heaven written by Michael Jay and Michael Cruz. The single was released under new stage name Seiko and solely released in England and not in Japan. However the single failed to chart at the Rankings. On the same month, she released her 6th home-video release Precious Moment, in which includes footage from the live tour Precious Moment in 1989-1990. The following single released in July 1990, she released her third single The Right Combination, a duet song with the vocalist from the boyband New Kids on the Block, Donnie Wahlberg. Each of the versions released in the different countries contained different B-side track. The single has achieved moderate success, sending over 300k copies and charted on the weekly charts in the Canada, Australia, England and in USA's chart board Billboard 100 and Oricon Weekly Charts as well. In June 1990, Seiko released her second English album under the same name as stage name-Seiko. The album has been released in several countries and Japan included. It was promoted in the magazines such as Us Weekly and Intersect. and The album debuted at number 2 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 300k copies in Japan, 150k copies both in United States and Europe and 70k copies in the Southeast Asia. It was the first time in ten years for Japanese artists to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 since Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Computer Game" reached number sixty in 1980. To promote further album, she released in October 1990 her fourth English single Who's that boy, which was originally included in the album Seiko, however the single version includes re-recording vocals. Despite having it as the television commercial song for the Subaru's model Subaru Rex, the single failed to chart at the rankings.
In autumn 1990, Seiko has temporarily returned to Japan to release in November her thirty-first single We Are Love written by Masanori Sasaji. The single debuted at number 16 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 63k copies. Next month on the December, Seiko has released her under the same title-We are love. The album contains all songs written and produced by Seiko herself. The album version of the song We Are love includes English duet version with the actor Jeff Nichols, while the single version is performed in the Japanese. The album debuted at number 3 on the Oricon Weekly Charts.
In May 1991, she has released her firth cover as well as her first english-cover album Eternal. The album contains ballads songs which Seiko personally wanted to sing. he album debuted at number 3 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month, between May and July 1991, Seiko held concert tour Amusement Park. In August 1991, she released her seventh home release Seiko Clip, which contains music videoclips English songs from the album Seiko and cover album Eternal. In September 1991 was released her eighth home-video release which includes footages from the concert tour held on that year. In December 1991, she released compilation album Bible, which includes mix of singles, b-side tracks and selective tracks from the albums By this, the series of the compilations work under subtitles Bible continues to release as of 2023. The album debuted at number 8 on the Oricon Weekly Rankings, charted in total 22 weeks and sold over 500k copies. The first ever album release of Bible series was successful enough to certified a double-platinum disc from the RIAJ in 2004.
While in the two first years in the 1990 decade, Seiko has been focused on marketing in United States and perform,release songs mainly in English, with the year 1992 Seiko had primarily made her activities in her home country.
In February 1992, Seiko had released her thirty-second single Kitto, Mata Aeru.... It became her first main single in which he does not only write but also compose the single on her own. The song served as a theme song for the TBS television drama Otona no Sentaku, in which Seiko starred herself. The single had been quite successful-debut at number 4 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, sold over 323k copies. It has become her first single in 3 years which could be in Top 10 of the Weekly Charts. On the 1992 yearly rankings, the single charted at number 63. The single had received a Best Vocalist Award at the 34th Japan Record Awards and certified with a Golden disc at the RIAJ. One month after the single release in March 1992, she released her twentieth studio album 1992 Nouvelle Vague. It became her first album in which Seiko composed all of the songs on her own with the assistance of her long-future collaborator Ryo Ogura. The album debuted at number 8 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. In June 1992, Seiko released her ninth home-video release Seiko Clips2 1992 Nouvelle Vague, which contains some of the videoclips from the album Nouvelle Vague. On the same month, between June and July, she launcher her concert tour 1992 Nouvelle Vague. In August 1992, she released her thirty-third single Anata no Subete ni Naritai. The song served as an insert-theme song for the continuation of the TBS television drama Otona no Sentaku. The song was originally included in the album 1992 Nouvelle Vague. In comparison to the previous single, it did not sold well- debuted only at number 31 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold only 46k copies. In October 1992, she released her tenth home-video release LIVE 1992 Nouvelle Vague, which includes footage from he concert tour held on the same year. In December 1992, she release her twenty-first studio album Sweet Memories 93. The album contains 4 new songs, duet song with her daughter Sayaka and re-arranged and re-recorded songs selected by Seiko herself. The album debuted at number 12 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month, Seiko launched her first Christmas Dinner Show, which continue to held them since them once in a year (with exception of years 2021-2022).
1993-1995
In April 1993, Seiko had managed to release another hit song from the 1990s decade with the thirty-fourth single Taisetsu na Anata. The song served as a theme song for the TBS television drama "Watashitte Busu Dattano?", starring herself in. The single debut at number 7 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 323k copies. In the 1993 Oricon Yearly Rankings, the single charted at number 74. In May 1993, she released on the same day her thirty-fifth single A Touch of Destiny and her twenty-second studio album Diamond Expression. The single song served as an opening theme for the TV Asahi television program Oh L Club. The single did not receive as big popularity as the previous, charted only at number 51 and sold merely 14k copies. The album debuted at number 4 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. For album promotion, Seiko held concert tour Diamond Expression between June and July in the same year. On the same month, Seiko has released her eleventh home-video release Seiko Clips3 1992 Diamond Expression, which contains some of the videoclips from the album Diamond Expression. In November 1993, she released her twenty-third studio album A Time for love, her first fully themes Christmas album with newly recorded songs and written, produced by Seiko herself. The album debuted at number 21 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month she released her twelfth home-video release Live Diamond Expression, which includes footage from the concert tour held on the same year.
In May 1994, she released her thirty-seventh single Mou Ichido, Hajime kara. The song serves as an ending theme for the Nippon TV television program The Wide. The single debuted at number 22 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 65k copies. In June 1994, she released her twenty-fourth studio album Glorious Revolution and her thirteenth home-video release Seiko Clips4 Glorious Revolution, which contains music video clips from the album released. The album debuted at number 8 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month, Seiko started to held concert tour Glorious Revolution which lasted until August. In October 1994, she released her fourteenth home-video release Live Glorious Revolution, it includes footage from the live tour on the same year. In December 1994, she released her thirty-eighth single Kagayaita Kisetsu he Tabitatou. Until the rest recent works, she used her full stage name in the credits for lyrics, this time she used new pen name Meg.C. The pen name was inspired from the American actresses Meg Ryan. It served as a television commercial song Takano Yuri's Esthetic clinic "Beauty Clinic". The single debuted at number 12 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 371k copies. On the Oricon Yearly rankings, the single charted at number 94. On the same month, Seiko made appearance at the New Year television program Kohaku for the 10th time, making the first appearance on the prestige program for the first time in five years.
In March 1995, she released her fifteen home-video release Video Bible: Best Hits Video History, it includes mixed live footages between years 1982 and 1994 of hit songs and selective album tracks. In April 1995, she released her thirty-ninth single Suteki ni Once Again. B-side track Omoide no Nagisa no Balcony lyrics represents continuation to the single Nagisa no Balcony released in 1983. The song served as an ending theme to the TV Asahi television program Kinkin no Koto Koukishin. The single debuted at number 22 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 10k copies. In May 1995, she released her twenty-fifth studio album It's Style '95. It includes 2 singles and 9 newly written songs. The album debuted at number 2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Between June and August 1995, Seiko held concert tour Glorious Revolution. In June 1995 was released her sixteenth home-video release Seiko Clips5 It's Style'95, which includes music videoclips from the released album on the same year. In November 1995, was released her seventeenth home-video release LIVE It's Style'95. It includes footage from the concert tour launched on the same year. After the release, Seiko has left the music label Sony, in which she has been since her debut days. Until the return in 2002, Sony continued to release compilation albums without her provision. In December 1995, Seiko made appearance at the New Year television program Kohaku for the 11th time.
1996-1998
In April 1996 she has released her fortieth single "Anata ni Aitakute ~Missing You~" (lit. "I want to meet you ~Missing you~"). It became her first single to be released under the transferred music label Mercury Records by Universal Music Japan. It served as an ending theme to the TV Asahi television program Beat Takeshi no Tackle. B-side track Ashita he Nukedashite Yukou served as an opening theme to the television anime Mysterious Thief Saint Tail. The single which would become her last number-one single to chart on the Oricon Weekly Charts as of 2023. It sold over 1.1 million copies and it was certified a million-seller by RIAJ. On the Yearly Oricon rankings, the single charted at number 14. In 2020, Seiko speaks out for the first time about the production process of the single on the television program Kanjam Kanzennen Show.
After six years, Seiko had tried for the third time to break through the Unites States music market. On the same month in April, she released her fourth single Let's Talk About It written by singer-songwriter, Robbie Nevil. The song was released under previously used oversea stage name Seiko. The single was released only abroad, however it failed to enter on the music charts. In May 1996, she released her third English studio album Was it the future fully produced by Nevil. Although the album failed to chart on the American, European or Canadian or Asian music rankings, it debuted at number 12 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Two days after the album release, was released her second duet-single I'll Be There For You with Neil. The song served as a theme song for the movie Sweet Evil, starred Seiko herself. The single failed to chart on the oversea market, however managed to top on number 35 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month in May, she released her twenty-seventh studio album Vanity Fair. It became her first album to be released under the transferred music label. It includes one single along with its b-side track and 8 newly written track. The album debuted at number 2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. In June 1996, Seiko launcher her concert tour Vanity Fair. In November 1996, she released her forty-third single Sayonara no Shunkan. The song served as a theme song to the television drama Dear Woman. The single debuted at number 5 and sold over 20k copies. In December 1996, Seiko has numbers of the releases: her twenty-eight studio album Guardian Angel which includes 1 single, 2 re-recorded previously released songs and 3 newly recorded tracks. and The album debuted at number 10 on the Oricon Weekly Charts; her fifth English single Good for you written by Nevil, which have finally make it through rankings and charted at number 37 on the Billboard Dance Chart; her twenty-first home-video release Was it future, which includes selective tracks from her third English album and from fortieth single, her nineteenth home-video release "Bon Voyage: The Best Lives and Clips" and twentieth home-video release "Live Vanity Fair'96" were released on the same day. With the success of the single Anata ni Aitakute, Seiko made appearance at the New-year television program Kohaku for the twelfth time.
In April 1997, she released her forty-first single Watashi Dake no Tenshi:Angel. Seiko dedicated whole song to her daughter Sayaka. The single cover consist the hand of daughter as well. It serves as a image song for the holding company "Unimat Holding". The B-side track Anata no Soba ni served as an ending theme to the TV Asahi television program Saturday Night at the Mysteries. The single debuted at number 5 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and has sold over 248k copies. As of 2023. It has become Seiko's last single which reached over one hundred thousand copies. In May 1997, she released her twenty-ninth studio album My Story. It includes one single along with its b-side track and 8 newly written songs. The album debuted at number 5 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 150k copies. Between June and July 1997, she held concert tour My Story. In June, she released her twenty-second home-video release My Story, which include special interview footage and selective songs from the same titled album. In October, she released her twenty-third home video release Seiko Live'97 My Story, it includes footage from the live tour held on the same year. In December 1997, she released her forty-second single Gone with the rain. It served as an ending theme to the TBS television program Wonderful. The single debuted at number 28 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 17k copies. On the same month, she released her thirtieth album Sweetest Time. The album is divided into half of songs being performed in English and Japanese. The album debuted at number 12 on the Oricon Weekly charts.
The year 1998 has been marked as a popularity decline for the Seiko, which the low sold copies for both single and album, difficulty for single charts to be above top 30 and have decided to a temporal departure with her long collaborator Ryo Ogura (he would return once again in 2005). In May 1998, she released her thirty-first studio album Forever, which consist of completely new songs without previous singles to be included in. The album debuted at number 12 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. In June 1998, Seiko released her forty-second single Koisuru Omoi: Fall in Love. It was originally part of the studio album Forever. The song served as an ending theme to the NTV television program Super TV Jōhō Saizensen. The single debuted at number 34 at the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 18k copies. On the same month, she released her twenty-fourth home-video release Forever, which includes music videoclips of selected tracks. Seiko launched long concert tour Forever in June which lasted until November. In July, Seiko was spotted in the American movie Armageddon who starred role as a Japanese tourist. In October 1998, she released her twenty-fifth home-video release Seiko Live'98 Forever. It became her first video to be released before the concert tour has finished. Soon after the concert tour ended in November 1998, she released her forty-eighth single Touch the Love. It served as a theme song for the Disney Video in which Seiko starred herself in. The single debuted at number 66 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold merely 7k copies. In December 1998, she released her twenty-sixth home video release Seiko '96〜'98 which consist of the music videoclips from the singles released between years 1996-1998.
1999-2003
In 1999, after making some discussion over with her previous management agency's producer, Mueno Wakamatsu, Seiko has transferred her staff from private agency Fantastic to Wakamatu's agency Green Mark Music. Due to these following events and circumstances, Seiko couldn't held as usual Budokan live or Concert tour, instead in October she launched her first live house tour Zepp Tour. In July, Seiko appeared and was credits as an actresses in the American movie Drop Dead Gorgeous, in which he starts foreigner names Tina/Seiko Haward. On the same month, she released her forty-ninth single Kanashimi no Port. The song served as an insert theme song to the Fuji TV television drama Out: Tsumatachi no Hanzai. The single debuted at number 27 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 49k copies. In December 1999, she released her thirty-second studio album Eien no Shojo. Unlike the previous studio albums, none of the tracks were written and produced by herself. Instead, she collaborated with the musicians and writers, who helped rise her fame and popularity in the 80's, such as Masanori Sasaji, Akira Inoue or Takashi Matsumoto, who wrote all the songs. The album includes lyrics written by her daughter under pen-name Alice. The album track Sakura no En was written by Masaaki Oomura, who died in 1997. Originally, the song was mean to be performed by other singer, however after the press by Matsumoto and his own personal desire, the staff decide to let it sing by Seiko by Matsumoto's wish. On the same month, she made appearance on the New Year television program Kohaku for the 13th time.
The year 2000 marks as Seiko's 20th debut anniversary.
In March, was released her twenty-seventh home-video release "Seiko Matsuda Zepp Tour 1999", which includes footages from the live house tour held in 1999. For the anniversary celebration releases, it slated on May with the fiftieth single 20th Party. The b-side track includes written song by daughter Sayaka, which was previous included in her studio album Eien no Shojo. The single debuted at number 17 and sold over 36k copies. In June, she released 2 singles and 1 studio album: fifty-first single Shanghai Love Song. From this single, Seiko started to collaborate with the new musician collaborator and later sound producer, Shinji Harada. The single debuted at number 37 and sold over 11k copies. The second single released on the same month, overall her fifty-second single "Unseasonable Shore" served as an ending theme to the Nippon TV program The Sunday. The song debuted at number 35 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 11k copies. Her thirty-third studio album 20th party has songs divided half written by Ryo Ogura, left previously at the stock and Harada. The album debuted at number 16 on the Oricon Weekly charts. Between July and August, Seiko held her first concert tour for the first time in 2 years "Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2000". In September 2000, she released duet single True Love Story with her first boyfriend, Hiromi Go, produced by Max Matsuura. It served as a television commercial song to the Wacoal's product "Point Shaver". The single debuted at number 7 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, making it her single for the first time in 3 years to be in the Top 10. In November she released her fifty-fourth single The Sound of Fire. The song served as an image song to the 2001 International Open Figure Skating Championships. The single debuted at number 46 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 12k copies. In December, was released her twenty-eighth home-video release Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2000 20th Party, it includes from the live tour which was held on the same year. On the same month, she made appearance on the new year television program Kohaku for the 14th time.
In June 2001, she released her fifty-fifth single Anata shika Mienai. The single debuted at number 30 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 11k copies. On the same month, she released her thirty-fourth studio album LOVE & EMOTION Vol.1. The album debuted at number 19 on the Oricon weekly charts. Between July and August, Seiko held concert tour LOVE & EMOTION. In November, she released her fifty-sixth single Ai♡Ai:100% Pure♥Love. It served as a theme song to the Fuji TV television program "100%Kyaeen!". The single debuted at number 49 and sold over 7k copies. This single marked the same low copies sold for the first time since 1998. On the same month, she released her thirty-fifth studio album LOVE & EMOTION Vol.2 and thirtieth home-video release "Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2001 LOVE & EMOTION". The album which represents the continuation of the album released in June at the same year. One of the songs were written by her daughter Sayaka, it became her second song since the 1999. It debuted at number 43 at Oricon Weekly charts. It become her last work to be released under Universal Music Japan, formerly known as Kitty MME. The home-video release includes footage from the live tour launched on the same year. On the same year, she made appearance on the New Year television program Kohaku for the 15th time. Seiko would not appear again in 10 years, until 2011.
In 2002, Seiko has transferred back to her former music label, Sony for the first time since 1995. During the same time, Seiko transfers once again from former producers's agency the Green Park Music to her private Fantic. On the same year in April, Seiko made her fourth attempt to publish successful work in the United States by releasing English single "All to you". Unlike the previous English works, she used this time her full stage name Seiko Matsuda. The single All to you debuted at number 19 on the Billboard Dance charts, number 1 on the Chicago Dance Chart, number 3 on the Boston Dance charts and number 10 on the Los Angeles Dance Chart. In June, she released her 36th album, at the same time her sixth English album "area62" under Indies label HIP-O RECORDS. The album was exclusively to be released only in the America. Some of the songs were produced by her previous English collaborator, Robbie Nevil. However, this attempt us marked to be not successful as well, as it did not appear on the Billboard charts or any other independent music charts. On the same month, she released her fifty-seventh single Sutekina Ashita. The song served as a theme song to the Fuji TV news program Mezamashi TV, which broadcast between April and September. The single debuted at number 29 and sold over 14k copies. Between June and August, Seiko held her concert tour "Jewel Box". In July, her daughter Sayaka made major debut as a singer under stage name Sayaka with the single "ever since". On the tour, her daughter made appearance and performed duet song together. In November, she released her thirty-second home-video release "Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2002 Jewel Box", which includes footage of the live tour held on the same year. In December, the song "Just for tonight " from the album area62 was released as a single, however it did manage to only debut at only 1 music chart-on number 15 on the Billboard Dance charts.
In 2003 June, she released her sixtieth single Call me. The single debuted at number 17 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 17k copies. Between June and August, Seiko held concert tour "SEIKO MATSUDA CONCERT TOUR 2003 Call me". In November, she released her thirty-third home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
2004-2008
In May 2004, she released her sixty-first single Aitai. It served as a television commercial song to the Daikyo Incorporated, in which Seiko starred together with her daughter Sayaka. The single debut at number 12 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 4k copies. In the yearly Oricon rankings, the single stayed at number 247. As of 2023, it became her last single to sold over 4k copies. In June 2004, she released her thirty-seventh studio album Sunshine. It is new album to be released for the first time in two years, since she left previous recording label. It is marked to be last album to be produced by Harada. The album has received positive feedbacks by debuting at the number 6 on the Oricon Weekly charts, making into top 10 with the album for the first time since 1997. Between June and July, Seio held concert tour "SEIKO MATSUDA CONCERT TOUR 2004 Sunshine" In July 2004, she released duet song Smile on me with the comedian Takaaki Ishibashi under stage name SEIKO & Crazy.T. It served as a theme song to the sport television program "S☆1 BASEBALL". The single debuted at number 18 on the Oricon Weekly charts. In November 2004, she released her thirty-fifth home-video release "SEIKO MATSUDA CONCERT TOUR 2004 Sunshine", it includes footage of concert tour which launched on the same year.
Year 2005 is marked at Seiko's 25th debut anniversary. It is also marked as a period for sale declines for her career history. In February 2005, she released her sixty-third single Eien sae kanji yoru produced by Ogura. It became her second consecutive single to be served as a commercial song for the Daikyo, in which once again she starred herself in together with her daughter. The single debuted at number 34 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 1k copies. Up until 2010, Seiko's single would continue to sell with the low numbers. In April 2005, she released her thirty-eighth album Fairy, fully produced by Yuji Toriyama. The album debuted at number 7 on the Oricon Weekly charts. Between June and August, she launched her national tour Fairy. In response to strong requests from Taiwanese fans, the final performance of the live tour was held in Xinzhuang, Taiwan. It became he first overseas performance since debut in 1980. During the live in Taiwan, Seiko performed some songs in the Chinese. In August 2005, she released her sixty-fourth single I'll fall in love, fully produced by Ogura. With this album, she fully reunited with the music collaborator from the 1990s decade, Ryo Ogura. The song served as a theme song to the japanese remake-version of the American movie Bewitched. The single debuted at number 30 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 1K copies. In September 2005, she released her sixty-fifth single Shiawase na Kimochi. It served as a campaigning song to the Japanese national commercial broadcast AM radio. The single debuted at number 28 and over 700 copies. On the same month, she released her first Chinese album "I'll fall in love 愛的禮物". In November 2005, she released her thirty-seventh home-video release which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year. In December 2005, she released her thirty-ninth album Under the beautiful stars, produced by Ryo Ogura. The album charted at number 34 on the Oricon Weekly charts.
In April 2006, she released her sixty-sixth single Bless you, fully written by her daughter Sayaka under pen name Jun Uehara. The single debuted at number 29 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 500 copies. One month later in May, she released her sixty-seventh single WE ARE under pen-name PawPaw. It became Sayaka's second single to be written for her mum. The song served as a theme song to the animation series "Tama & Friends: Search for It! The Magic Puni-Puni Stone". On the same month, she released her fortieth studio album Bless you, fully produced by Ryo Ogura. The album debuted at number 14 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Between June and July, Seiko held concert tour "SEIKO MATSUDA CONCERT TOUR 2006 bless you". In July 2006, Sony has released compilation album Seiko Matsuda, which consisted of 74 CDs, debuted at number 96, becoming the highest-priced album in the Oricon history at the price of 100,000 yen (about 850 dollars). Hibari Misora, a well-known enka singer from the 1950s held the previous record with her 1989 album Kyō no Ware ni Asu wa Katsu (60,000 yen). In September 2006, she released her thirty-ninth home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year. In December 2006, she released her second English cover-album Eternal II, which represents continuation of her cover album released back in 1990s. As of 2023, among of the all original and cover albums, Eternal II has charted very lowly, at number 54 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the Christmas dinner show, she met with the director of the Sun Music Company, Hideyoshi Aizawa for the first time in 17 years. The following year, in March 2007, shed entered into a business partnership with Sun Music based on suggestion they came up with together.。
In April 2007, national television NHK broadcast her documentary program "Matsuda Seiko: Josei no Jidai no Monogatari" produced by herself. A documentary program focused on her way of the life and women of the same generation who sympathize with it. The viewer rating was around 9.3%. In May 2007, she released her sixty-eighth single Namida ga Tada Koboreru dake. The single debuted at number 37 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 700 copies. In June 2007, she released her forty-second original album Baby's Breath. The entire album has been written and composed by herself and at the same time it became her first completely self-produced album. The album debuted at number 19 on the Oricon weekly charts. In August 2007, she released her duet single Manatsu no Yoru no Yume with the Takashi Fujii. The song served as an image song to the sport event "Women's Volleyball World Grand Prix 2007". In September 2007, she released her forty-first home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year. In November, she released her seventieth single Christmas no Yoru. It became her second Christmas themed single, for the first time 20 years. The single debut at number 34 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 600 copies.
In April 2008, she released her seventieth-first single Hanabira May Kisetsu ni, fully written and produced by Seiko herself. The single debut at number 32 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold 600 copies. In May 2008, she released her fortieth-third original album My pure Melody. It's her second original album to be fully written and produced by herself. The album track Hoshizora no Shita no Kimi he served as image song to the live-action version of the movie Grave of the Fireflies. The album debut at number 15 on the Oricon Weekly charts. In June 2008, she released her seventieth-second single Love is all. The song served as an image song to the sport event "Women's Volleyball World Grand Prix 2008". The single debut at number 32 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold 7OO copies. On the same month, Seiko launched concert tour "SEIKO MATSUDA CONCERT TOUR 2008 My pure melody", which lasted until August. In July 2008, was premiered live-action version of the Ghibli movie Hotaru no Haka, in which Seiko starred the role of Seita's mother, it became her first movie role for the first time in 7 years. In October, she released her seventieth-third single And Kagayaita Kisetsu. The single debut at number 30 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 600 copies. It became her last single to be released under Sony before moving back to Universal Music Japan. On the same month, she released her forty-third home-video release, which includes footage of the concert tour held on the same year.
2009-2014
In June 2009, Seiko has announced her transfer from the Sony to the Universal Music Japan, belonging to the record label for the first time since 2002. On the same month, Seiko launched her concert tour Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2009 "My Precious Songs".
In August 2009, her previous label Sony re-released 16 of Matsuda's early albums under the Blu-spec CD format. Thirteen of these entered the Oricon Top 100 Album Chart at the same time, surpassing the record set by Hibari Misora (12 albums) and making her the first female artist to do so. In November 2009, she released her fortieth-fifth home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
In 2010, Seiko marks her 30th debut anniversary. This period marks for revival of the popularity, mainly visible in the sales and charts rankings. In April 2010, Matsuda made a guest appearance on Fox Broadcasting Company's popular TV dramas "Bones" on its 5th season in episode 15.In May 2010, she released her seventy-fifth single Ikutsu no Yoke wo Kazoetara. The song served as a theme song to the television drama General Rouge no Gaisen. It has become Seiko's first television drama song to be promoted for the first time in 14 years. The single debut at number 12 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 1k copies. It become her first single since 2004 to debut on the Top 20 charts. On the same month, Seiko has released her forty-fourth original album My Prelude, fully produced by herself and written with the assistance of Ogura. The album debut at number 4 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. It has become her first album to appear in Top 5 Weekly charts for the first time since 1997. Between June and August, Seiko launched concert tour SEIKO MATSUDA CONCERT TOUR 2010 "My Prelude". In October 2010, Seiko made a special guest appearance on the David Fosters's concert tour "DAVID FOSTER & FRIENDS JAPAN TOUR 2010". In November 2010, was released her forty-eighth home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
In June 2011, she released her forty-fifth original album Cherish, fully produced and written by Seiko herself. Unlike the previous albums, it has no singles to be released before and after and includes 10 newly written songs. The album debut at number 10 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. It has become her first album in 6 years to debut at Top 10 in Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month, Seiko has launched concert tour SEIKO MATSUDA CONCERT TOUR 2011 Cherish which lasted until August. In September 2011, she was invited to perform in American music producer Quincy Jones's concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. In November 2011, she released her seventy-sixth single Tokubetsu na Koibito, fully written and produced by Mariya Takeuchi. This is the first time in about 26 years that a female artist provided lyrics and music for Seiko. The single debut at number 14 on the Oricon Weekly charts and sold over 2,8k copies. On the same month, she released her fiftieth home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year and made appearance on the new year television program Kohaku for the 16th time as well as for the first time in 2001. Instead of performing her original song, she covered Kyu Sakamoto's Sukiyaki along with her daughter Sayaka.
In May 2012, Seiko released her seventy-seventh single Namida no Shizuku, written and produced by herself. It served as an image song to the movie Chronicle of My Mother. The single debut at number 20 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 800k copies. After one month in June, she released her forty-sixth original album Very Very, produced by herself and co-written with Ogura. The album debut at number 9 on the Oricon weekly charts and charted for 4 weeks. On the same month, Seiko launched concert tour SEIKO MATSUDA CONCERT TOUR 2012 Very Very which lasted until August. In September 2012, Seiko has performed as a guest vocalist on the album "Esprit De Four" by the contemporary Jazz super-group Fourplay. In October 2012, Seiko made special guest appearance on the live event Tokyo Jazz 2012 along with Bob James. In November 2012, she released her fifty-second home video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
In May 2013, she released her seventy-eighth single LuLu!!, written by Chara. The single debut at number 23 on the Oricon Weekly charts. In June 2013, Seiko was credited as a writer and producer to the Takashi Fujii's single "She is my new town". On the b-side track, she provided back-vocals. On the same month, Seiko has launched concert tour SEIKO MATSUDA CONCERT TOUR 2013 A Girl in the Wonder Land which lasted until July and released her forty-seven studio album A Girl in the Wonder Land. The album debut at number 5 on the Oricon Weekly charts. In August 2013, Seiko appeared as a secret guest to the Quincy Jones live concert, who held in Japan for the first time in 30 years. In October 2013, she released due tinsel Yume ga Samete with the Christ Hart. The single debut at number 14 on the Oricon Weekly charts. The single has received Planning award on the 55th Japan Record Awards. In November 2013, she released her fifty-fourth home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year. In December 2013, she appeared on the New year television program Kohaku together with Christ Hart. From this year until year 2020, Seiko made yearly annual appearances on the program.
In February 2014, Seiko moves away from the Fantic and established hew new agency Felicia club. In May, she released her eightieth single I love you: Anata no Hohoemi ni. It served as a television commercial song to the life insurance company Daido. The single debut at number 27 on the Oricon Weekly. In June 2014, she released her forty-eighth original album Dream & Fantasy, produced by Seiko herself. The album debut at number 5 on the Oricon weekly charts. On the same month, she launched concert tour Pre 35th Anniversary: Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2014 Dream & Fantasy which lasted until August. In November 2014, she released her fifty-sixth home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
2015-2019
2015 has marked as her 35th debut anniversary. In June 2015, she released her forty-ninth original album Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo. It is her first album in 4 years which includes no single and consist of only newly recorded songs. It is also the last album in which the long-period collaborator Ryo Ogura. The album debut at number 6 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month, she launched concert tour "35th Anniversary: Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2015 "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo".
In October 2015, she released her eighty-first single Eien no Motto Hate made written by Yumi Matsutoya, who used same pen-name as during the releases of 1980s decade. It is the first single in 31 years since the 1984 single "Alice in the Land of Time", with music composed by Yumi Matsutoya. This single was produced to commemorate the 35th anniversary of his debut. It has been released under Universal's sub recording label Emi Records. The song served as a theme song to the Japanese dubbed version of the movie Pan. The single debut at number 11 on the Oricon weekly charts. It has received Best singer award on the 57th Japan Record Awards, for the first time in 23 years. In December 2015, she released her fifty-seventh home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
In June 2016, she released her fiftieth album Shining Star. It has been produced, written and composed on her own. The album track "Summer Time Magic" served as a television commercial song to the sunglasses company MEGANETOP. The album debut at number 5 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. On the same month, she launched concert tour "Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2016 Shining Star" which lasted until September. In September 2016, she released her eighty-second single Bare no youni Saite Sakura no youni Chitte, written and produced by Yoshiki (X Japan). It served as a themes song to the television drama Seisei sure Hodo, Aishiteru. The single debut at number 6 on the Oricon Weekly charts. It's her first single in 16 years, which debuted above number 7 on the Weekly Charts. The single charted over 7 weeks. As of 2023, it is Seiko's last single to be released in the physical format. The song was performed on same years's new-year television program Kohaku with Yoshiki playing on the piano. In November 2016, she released her fifty-eighth home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
In March 2017, Seiko has challenged herself with the new music genre-jazz by releasing her first jazz album and in overall third English-cover album Seiko Jazz, produced by Shigeyuki Kawashima and arranged by David Matthews. The album debut at number 6 on the Oricon Weekly charts. The album has received Planning award on the 59th Japan Record Awards and award for the Best Jazz Album of the year on the 32nd Japan Gold Disc Award. In June 2017, she released her fifty-first original album Daisy. On the same month, she launched concert tour "Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2017 Daisy" which lasted until September, written and produced by Seiko herself. The album track "Ima wo Aishitai" served as a television commercial song to the juice brand HILLS AVENUE. The album debut on number 5 on the Oricon Weekly charts and charted over 7 weeks. In November 2017, Seiko held her first jazz themed live concert "SEIKO JAZZ 2017" at Orchard Hall. On the same month, she released her fifty-ninth home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
In 2018, following the success of the first jazz concert in 2017, she held three another jazz themed concerts in January, February and November. In June 2018, she released her fifty-second original album Daisy. The album track Atarashii Ashita served as a theme song to the television drama "Machi Kouba no Onna" broadcast in 2017. The album debut at number 10 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. It is her last original album to be released in 2010s decade.
On the same month, she launched concert tour "Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2018 Merry-go-round", which lasted until September. In November 2018, she released her sixtieth home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
In February 2019, she launched her second jazz alum and in overall fourth English-cover album "SEIKO JAZZ 2", produced and arranged by Mervyn Warren. The album debut at number 11 on the Oricon Weekly charts. For the album promotion of the second jazz album, Seiko launched "SEIKO JAZZ 2" Concert Tour 2019 at the Orchard Hall. Between June and August 2019, she launched concert tour Pre 40th Anniversary Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2019 "Seiko's Single Collection". In November 2019, she released her sixty-first home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
2020-present
2020 has marked as her 40th debut anniversary. Due to the following global pandemic situationcaused by Covid-19, the celebration live schedules and released did not go well as it was planned year before.
On March 2020, was supposed to be one-day live concert Premium Live on Seiko's birthday and between June and October big anniversary concert tour "Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2020 "Singles & Very Best Songs Collection", however both of the events were canceled due to the government restrictions. In April 2020, Seiko has released digital single Sweet Memories: Amai Kioku, self covering her song from the single released in 1983. In June 2020, Seiko has released digital single "Ruriiro no Chikyuu 2020", self covering her song from the album Supreme released in 1986. In October 2020, Seiko has launcher online concert 40th Anniversary Seiko Matsuda 2020 "Romantic Studio Live” by U-Next streaming service. It marks her first concert to be held through streaming since her debut. In September 2020, Seiko has released her first self-cover album and fifty-third album in general "Seiko Matsuda 2020". The album consist 4 self-cover songs, selected by Seiko herself and 6 newly written songs. The album debut at number 3 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. In December, Seiko has been rewarded by Special Achievement Award on the 62nd Japan Record Awards.
Unable to properly celebrate the big anniversary debut in 2020, the self-cover concept has continued in 2021 as well.
In May 2021, she released digital single Aoi Sangosho: Blue Lagoon, self covering her single released in 1980. In the music videoclip, Seiko is weird cut based on her legendary hair-cut Seiko-chan cut, which fans had chance to see for the first time in 40 years. In June 2021, she released digital single Jikan no Kuni no Alice: Alice in the world of time, self-covering her single released in 1984. After some of the restrictions were lifted during the summer, Seiko could finally held big concert tour Happy 40th Anniversary!! Seiko Matsuda Concer Tour 2020〜2021 "Singles & Very Best Songs Collection!!, originally scheduled to perform in 2020. In October 2021, she released her second self-cover album and in general fifty-fourth original album Seiko Matsuda 2021. It consist of 5 self-cover tracks selected by Seiko herself and 5 newly recorded songs. The album debut at number 4 on the Oricon Weekly charts. In November 2022, she made her debut as a director for the film Folkore 2 released on the television network HBO Asia. On the same month, she released her sixty-second home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year In December 2021, during the time when she was performing the Christmas Dinner show, she was informed by the staff about the sudden death of her only child and daughter, Sayaka. Following these events, Seiko has canceled her last days of the dinner showmini concerts held between 23 and 26 December, as well as decline of television appearance on the Kohaku. Since then until 2023, she did not make television appearance not even once.
Following the death of her daughter Sayaka, Seiko was unable to perform and stand on the stage for the long time. Although she did not release any new material on this year, she held numbers of the Dinner Shows held between April and May. In June she launched her annual concert tour Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2022“My Favorite Singles & Best Songs”. In December she released her 63rd home-video release, which includes footage from the live tour held on the same year.
As of 2023. Matsuda still holds annual concerts, Christmas dinner shows and New Year's Eve Countdown shows.
Artistry
Influences
Seiko has been cited by many musicians and idols as their main influence, mainly in the 1980s decade. She has been a secret idol for subsequent female celebrities such as Shoko Nakagawa who called Matsuda "God" and "My Universe".
Legacy
Matsuda is also on the Top 3 list of Most No.1 albums, Most Top 10 singles and Most Top 10 albums for a solo artist. HMV Japan ranked her No. 10 Top Japanese Artist of All Time, and No. 7 Top Singer of All Time.
Matsuda is also listed as second only behind Eikichi Yazawa as an artist to have performed many concerts at the Nippon Budokan. Despite the high ticket prices (her dinner show tickets are the most expensive among female artists) for many years and to this day, she always performs to a sold-out crowd.
In a May 2011, an Oricon survey crowned her the No. 1 everlasting idol of all time, beating Momoe Yamaguchi (2), Kyōko Koizumi (3), Morning Musume (4) and Akina Nakamori (5). Her long staying power is mainly due to her continuous re-invention of herself. She was labeled a 'Mamadol' (idol who remains popular even after having children). Her hair styles, fashion sense and makeup have all been copied by millions of girls and women in Japan and in certain parts of Asia.
Between December 2022 and January 2023, on the survey of The best 100 80s Showa Idol held by Remindetop, Seiko topped on number 2. The magazine with the results of the survey has been published in March and special television program broadcast in July on the Kayo Pops television channel.
Personal life
At the beginning of her career in 1980, journalist and fans of idol-singer Toshihiko Tahara from the Johny's agency believed, that they were started dating after appearing together on the television commercial for Glico product and appeared together often on the music television shows, however Toshihiko claims "We were only friends all the time and the only thing we ever did was a small kiss on the cheek."
In 1983, Matsuda was romantically linked with singer Hiromi Go. Although there were rumours of an impending engagement, Go's traditional values would have required Matsuda to give up her singing career and focus on raising a family instead. Momoe Yamaguchi, Japan's top female idol of the 1970s, had followed such a course, but Seiko ended her relationship with Go instead. Her break from tradition set a precedent for Japanese women in the 1980s and 1990s to continue their careers even after marriage.
Matsuda has been married in her life three times. She married actor Masaki Kanda in 1985 and they divorced in 1997. Their only child and daughter, Sayaka Kanda (1986–2021), was also a singer. Her second husband, Hiroyuki Hatano, was a dentist whom she married in 1998 and divorced in 2000. On 13 June 2012, she announced her third marriage to university associate professor, Hiromasa Kawana, on her official website.
In February 1989, tabloid magazine Friday has released article with photo about her secret meeting between in the New York during the time Nakamori's boyfriend, Masahiko Kondo. Few months later in June, Seiko had announced through the press conference that the tabloids "only make this article for money, and they are only friends and mates who have debuted together on the same year, 1980 and nothing else". However, some of the journalists believes, that this case could have been one of the reason why Nakamori attempted suicide in July 1989. The real reason behind the action hasn't been spoken out as of 2023.
In 1995, actor Jeff Nichols has published with the help translation into Japanese book titled Kowareta Ai (Broken Love), in which he described the unhealthy and abusive affairr relationship with Seiko he had between years 1990-1993.
In 1997, during the same time when Seiko had first divorce, American dancer Christopher Conte, who used stage name Alan Reed, published book "Backstage of Seiko Matsuda" about his sexual harassment during his affair relationship with. In 1998, he sued Seiko in damages for sexual harassment in total 48 million yer-20 million yen for ailments, eczema and loss of sleep. Alan sued at the same time Seiko's agency Fantic 28 million yen for not paying off his songwriting work. Seiko has become the first Japanese woman who has been sued for sexual harassment in Japan.
In 2000, shortly before Seiko had second divorce, has been spread rumors about having affair with the temporal musician collaborator Shinji Harada (who had during that time wife as well), however both of them had denied it as they called their relationship "only for the music business and there is nothing more than that".
In 2013, Seiko was spotted with her daughter Sayaka on the funeral ceremony on Seiko's Sun Music director, Hideyoshi Aizawa.
In 2016 and 2017, Seiko had caused a stir in the Japanese entertainment industry when she modelled for lingerie company, Triumph International.
On 18 December 2021, Matsuda's only child and daughter, Sayaka Kanda, was found unconscious in the outer garden on the fourteenth floor of a hotel in Chūō ward, Sapporo. She was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The cause of death was determined to be traumatic shock, with the Hokkaido Prefectural Police suspecting that Kanda committed suicide by jumping from an upper floor of the hotel.
On 16 October 2023, the news websites has reported of Matsuda of donating over 10 million yen (66k dollars) to her hometown, Fukuoka which was affected by heavy rain in July on the same year.
Discography
Squall (1980)
North Wind (1980)
Silhouette (1981)
Kazetachinu (1981)
Pineapple (1982)
Candy (1982)
Utopia (1983)
Canary (1983)
Tinker Bell (1984)
Windy Shadow (1984)
The 9th Wave (1985)
Sound of My Heart (1985)
Supreme (1986)
Strawberry Time (1987)
Citron (1988)
Precious Moment (1989)
Seiko (1990)
We Are Love (1990)
Eternal (1991)
1992 Nouvelle Vague (1992)
Sweet Memories '93 (1992)
Diamond Expression (1993)
A Time for Love (1993)
Glorious Revolution (1994)
It's Style '95 (1995)
Was It The Future (1996)
Vanity Fair (1996)
My Story (1997)
Forever (1998)
Eien no Shoujo (1999)
20th Party (2000)
Love & Emotion Vol.1 (2001)
Love & Emotion Vol.2 (2001)
Area62 (2002)
Sunshine (2004)
Fairy (2005)
I'll Fall in Love (2005)
Under the beautiful stars (2005)
Bless You (2006)
Baby's Breath (2007)
My Pure Melody (2008)
My Prelude (2010)
Cherish (2011)
Very Very (2012)
A Girl in the Wonder Land (2013)
Dream & Fantasy (2014)
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (2015)
Shining Star (2016)
Seiko Jazz (2017)
Daisy (2017)
Merry-go-round (2018)
Seiko Jazz 2 (2019)
Seiko Matsuda 2020 (2020)
Seiko Matsuda 2021 (2021)
Filmography
Films
Nogiku no Haka (1981) (Tamiko)
Purumeria no Densetsu Tengoku no Kiss (1983)
Natsufuku no Eve (1984)
Karibu Ai no Symphony (1985)
Penguin's Memory: Shiawase Monogatari (1985) (Voice)
Docchimo Docchi (1990)
Final Vendetta (1996)
Armageddon (1998) (Cameo)
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)
GEDO The Final Blade (2000)
Sennen no Koi Story of Genji (2001)
(2007)
Grave of the Fireflies (2008)
Yazima Beauty Salon The Movie (2010)
Ramen Teh (2018)
TV
The Big Easy (1997) as Yuki (Episodes "Shrimp Stew" and "The Black Bag")
Partners (2000) as Lin
King of the Hill (2002) – Season 6, Episodes 21 & 22 (Rhythm game playing girl, and her song "Kimono Beat" is used.)
Tatta Hitotsuno Takaramono (2004)
Doraemon (2007) - Appearance cameo in Season 2, Episode 190 "We're Gonna Steal Mom's Diamond"
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (2007)
Bones (2010) – Season 5, Episode 15 (Riku Iwanaga)
Taira no kiyomori (2012), Gion no nyōgo
See also
List of best-selling music artists in Japan
Seiko-chan cut
References
Further reading
Schilling, Mark (1997). "Matsuda, Seiko" in The Encyclopedia of Japanese Pop Culture. New York: Weatherhill. .
External links
Official website
Sony Music public site
Universal Music public site
HMV Japan – Top 100 Japanese pop artists
1962 births
21st-century Japanese actresses
20th-century Japanese actresses
Japanese dance music singers
Japanese electronic musicians
Japanese women pop singers
Japanese women singer-songwriters
Japanese singer-songwriters
Japanese female idols
Japanese film actresses
Japanese television actresses
Japanese television personalities
Living people
20th-century Japanese women singers
20th-century Japanese singers
21st-century Japanese women singers
21st-century Japanese singers
Musicians from Kurume
People of Shōwa-period Japan
Sony Music Entertainment Japan artists
Universal Music Japan artists
Actors from Fukuoka Prefecture
Singers from Fukuoka Prefecture
Japanese women in electronic music
English-language singers from Japan