Matsuken Samba II

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Matsuken Samba is the collective name of a series of songs by a popular Japanese taiga actor and singer named Matsudaira Ken. The Matsuken in the title refers to a shortened version of the singer's name, a combination of Matsu from Matsudaira and Ken, his given name, to create Matsuken.

The Matsuken Samba songs combine traditional-style Japanese vocals with a slight Spanish flair from the samba music and the inclusion of several Spanish words and phrases in the lyrics. The performances of the songs have a very glitzy, showy production value, trademarked by Matsuken's glittery gold kimono.

The first single of the Matsuken Samba line was Matsuken Samba II, released on July 7, 2004. The song was officially a sequel to Matsuken Samba I, a song that Matsudaira had been performing at the close of his concerts prior to 2004, but the song did not get released on CD until it was added as one of the b-sides to Matsuken Samba II. Thus the latter is still regarded as the official, first Matsuken Samba.

Upon release, Matsuken II was a modest hit, mostly among Matsudaira Ken's fanbase of primarily middle-aged women, but a gradual increase in media coverage and affectionate parodies of the song and dance by "Katsuken" on the popular idol group SMAP's TV show SMAP X SMAP, made Matsuken Samba II a certified hit. The single remained on the Oricon Top 100 chart for over a year, and spawned two additional single releases, Matsuken Samba II: Ole! EP, a CD of remixes of the original single, and Matsuken Samba III, a follow-up single that borrowed liberally from its predecessor.