Her singing voice that I heard from CRT TV had a shadowy side. When she shouted, her voice pierced the darkness. I was only five at that time, and like a trauma she stole my heart.
It was not until a little later that I came to know "Shoujo" and "Sayonara dake wa Iwanaide". Strong and unwavering pitch reflects her inner strength, and her delicate vibrato tells the womanly side of her. I know no other singer who can depict such a gentle and dry image in her writing (lyrics).
Congratulation on the 50th anniversary from the bottom of my heart.

I'd say you and I are real colleagues!
We've both worked so hard to get to this point!
We're both same age and from same hometown, Nakano, and having someone with similar background is extremely rare now!
You also joined the concert I had as a goodwill ambassador for the IUNC (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). We practiced together in my office, just the two of us, in a cozy atmosphere!
We snacked while we practiced! I was so happy!
Anyway, I have always loved your voice!
I look forward to the day when we can sing together again.
In a cozy atmosphere just like the old times!
Congratulations, Itsuwa-chan!
From Iruka

Congratulations on your 50th anniversary of your career in music!

We started working together in 1980.
Unlike today, we would not know how of the arrangement of a song would turn out until the musician played it.
Therefore, there were often disputes in the studio if the arrangement differed from what was expected.
However, no matter what kind of arrangement I made, you would immediately make it your own.
I recall with nostalgia how I was overwhelmed every time we recorded, seeing how everything became Mayumi Itsuwa's music when you sang.

I am often asked, "Out of all songs arranged by Motoki Funayama, which is my favorite?" The answer is always "Koibito yo".
It is one of the most important songs in my musical career. It has not faded away even after 40 years have passed.
I wish I could make another work like "Koibito yo" with you.
Such thought is building in my heart now.

Motoki Funayama

Congratulations on the 50th anniversary of your debut.
My mother always played your song in the car.
I was a junior high school student at that time, she was driving me home from my private tutoring class. We didn't have much conversation in the car, so I focused on your songs.
We drove the dark roads of winter.
Looking back at it now, it was a very solemn listening time.

I am proud of the fact that I listened to your music during susceptible period of adolescence.

Shinichiro Azumi

Dearest Mayumi,
It is so hard to believe that you are going to be celebrating your 50th anniversary of your wonderful career in music. It was such a joy for me to have had the opportunity to play music with you back in the early days of both our careers. I have a photograph of us playing live in my music room and see it every day and it makes me smile and happy. Wishing you all the very best always and look forward to seeing you again next time I come to Japan.

Leland Sklar