Genki o Dashite explained

Genki o Dashite
Cover:Hiroko_Kokonshu.jpg
Artist:Hiroko Yakushimaru
Album:Kokinshū
Genre:J-pop
Length:4:00

is the 1st track on Japanese actress/singer Hiroko Yakushimaru's 1984 debut album . It was written by singer-songwriter Mariya Takeuchi. Takeuchi recorded her own version of the song for her Request album, released in 1987. It was released as a single from the album in 1988.

The song later appeared on her greatest hits albums Love Collection (released in 2000) and (released in 2002).

Mariya Takeuchi version

Genki o Dashite
Cover:Takeuchi_Genki.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Mariya Takeuchi
Album:Request
B-Side:Oh No, Oh Yes!
Genre:J-pop
Length:4:45
Label:Moon Records
Producer:Tatsuro Yamashita
Prev Title:After Years/Eki
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:Single Again
Next Year:1989

Mariya Takeuchi, the writer of the song, recorded her own version in 1987. It was originally released as the B-side of her single in 1987, however was later added to her self-cover album, Request. After being selected for use as a commercial song for watchmaker Seiko's range in 1988, the song was released as the album's 5th single.

Hiroko Yakushimaru features background vocals in Takeuchi's self-cover.

The B-side, Oh No, Oh Yes!, is a self-cover of a song Takeuchi wrote for singer Akina Nakamori's 1986 album Crimson. This song is also present on Takeuchi's self-cover album Request.

While not doing well on the charts in its single format, the song has been recognised as one of Takeuchi's signature songs. It was re-recorded twice: once on Takeuchi's 1987 self-cover album Request and once as the 08 New Remaster on her 2008 single, . The song has appeared on her greatest hits compilations Impressions (1994) and Expressions (2008). The song is frequently covered by other artists.

Chart Rankings

Oricon Charts (Japan)

Release[1] ChartPeak PositionFirst Week SalesSales TotalChart Run
Oricon Daily Singles Chart
Oricon Weekly Singles Chart701,74012,9207 weeks
Oricon Yearly Singles Chart

Shimatani Hitomi version

Genki o Dashite
Cover:GenkiwoDashite_COVER.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Hitomi Shimatani
B-Side:Tsuki no Inori
Genre:J-pop
Length:3:35
Label:Avex Trax
Producer:Ōno Hiroaki
Prev Title:Akai Sabaku no Densetsu
Prev Year:2003
Next Title:Perseus
Next Year:2003

Hitomi Shimatani covered this song and released it as her 11th single on June 4, 2003. It was as a theme song for 7 of the 27 serial dramas in NHK's special NHK Yoru no Renzoku Dorama serial dramas, over a period of 6 and 1/2 months.

Shimatami performed the song at the 54th Kōhaku Uta Gassen annual New Year's Eve music variety show at the end of 2003.

The song appears on her third album as the Gate Version. This version is the version used for her 2003 greatest hits album, . The original version appears on her second greatest hits album, Best & Covers, released in 2009.

Chart Rankings

Oricon Charts (Japan)

ReleaseChartPeak PositionFirst Week SalesSales TotalChart Run
Oricon Daily Singles Chart
Oricon Weekly Singles Chart1015,90840,84310 weeks
Oricon Yearly Singles Chart

Various charts

Other cover versions

Notes and References

  1. Web site: オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 . . 2009-11-14. (subscription only)
  2. http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song8128.html CDTV