"Watashi ga Obasan ni Natte mo" (私がオバさんになっても; lit. "Even If I Become an Old Lady") is the 16th single by Japanese singer-songwriter Chisato Moritaka. It was released by Warner Music Japan on June 25, 1992, as a track from the album Rock Alive.
Background
Moritaka wrote the song at age 20 after being told by male staff at her management company that women reach their prime at age 19. The lyrics express a woman's wish for a man to accept her regardless of her age. The song partially draws inspiration from The Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four." It was used as the opening theme of the NTV drama series Matta Nashi! (まったナシ!; "Total Pear!").
Composition and Release
- Language: Japanese
- English title: "Even If I Become an Old Lady"
- B-side: "Jitensha Tsūgaku" (自転車通学; "Bicycle Commuting")
- Genre: J-pop, pop rock
- Length: 4:16
- Label: Warner Music Japan
- Lyricist: Chisato Moritaka
- Composer: Hideo Saitō
- Producer: Yukio Seto
Chart Performance and Reception
The single peaked at No. 15 on the Oricon Singles Chart and sold 228,000 copies. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) in December 1992. The song has since become one of Moritaka's most popular works. During the 43rd Kōhaku Uta Gassen, host Hikari Ishida introduced the song as "A song that gave all women the courage!" (すべての女性に勇気を与えた歌です！). Music journalist Tomonori Shiba noted in 2019 that the song symbolized a shift in women's attitudes during the Heisei era.
Other Versions
Moritaka has released several alternate versions, including a slow version used in Kosé cosmetics commercials (2015), a remix by tofubeats (2014), and a live album parody titled "Aru OL ga Obasan ni Natte mo" (2013). The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Tsubaki Factory, Misono, Nozomi Tsuji, Konomi Suzuki, and others.
