In 1961, Kyu Sakamoto recorded Ue O Muite Aruko (I Look Up When I Walk). For Americans, it was released with the title Sukiyaki. At about the same time, Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen received some notice for its instrumental version. In 1981, A Taste Of Honey reworked the song and brought it to number one again. 4 P.M. (for positive music) later made a dance version, and the song hit number one a third time. For both Kyu Sakamoto and 4 P.M. (for positive music), this was a top 20 one hit wonder.
Doug E. Fresh & M.C. Ricky D stole lyrics from Sukiyaki in their song La-Di-Da-Di.