The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriter of record and a confirmed administrator (Warner Music Japan), with no dispute over the song’s own rights. The famous viral-video takedown was a dispute over an uncredited photograph, not the music — kept separate in Cultural Impact.
Used by independents?
Unconfirmed — the page doesn't yet document enough sampler detail to tell.
Quick Facts
Released1984
AlbumVariety
GenreCity Pop
LabelMoon Records
ProducerTatsuro Yamashita
Recorded atOnkio Haus, Tokyo
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Mariya Takeuchi
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Warner Music Japan
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — a city pop standard revived by YouTube’s algorithm (2017+); Warner Music Japan later released an official video and reissued the vinyl, and it broke into Japan’s top-ten sales chart decades after release.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found, but a confirmed administrator (Warner Music Japan) actively managing the catalog — no dispute over the song’s own rights.
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Mariya Takeuchi
The recording (current administrator)Warner Music Japan
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
The real rights dispute was over a PHOTO, not the song
The viral video’s iconic thumbnail — a 1984 photo of Takeuchi by LA photographer Alan Levenson, who says he was never compensated at the time — led Levenson to file a copyright strike over the photograph specifically, which got the video removed. A dispute over the photo, not the song’s own music or recording rights.
Musical Urbanism (Vassar) · read it →
One of the most famous cases of algorithmic revival
From around 2017, a fan-made YouTube upload was repeatedly promoted by YouTube’s own recommendation algorithm to millions worldwide, amassing 20M+ views — a now-famous case study in unexpected algorithmic music revival.
ShunPoly · read it →
A genuine long-delayed hit
Sustained fan demand led Warner Music Japan to release an official full-length music video and reissue the vinyl single — which then broke into Japan’s national top-ten sales chart for the first time, decades after original release; reissued again on vinyl in 2020.
Mixmag Asia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A city pop standard, revived worldwide
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
WM
Warner Music Japan
The confirmed current administrator
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Unique Angles Batch)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending a separate manual keyfinder pass