Kōfukuron Explained

Kōfukuron
Cover:sheenakofuku8cm.jpg
Alt:A woman wearing a sailor suit, holding a blue guitar.
Caption:8cm 1998 edition cover.
Type:single
Artist:Ringo Sheena
Album:Muzai Moratorium
Released: (8cm Single)
(12cm Single)
Recorded:Studio Terra
Genre:pop
Length:7:38 (8cm)
12:52 (12cm)
Label:Toshiba EMI, East World
Producer:Hiroshi Kitashiro (M1, 2)
Uni Inoue (M3)
Chronology:Ringo Sheena
Next Title:Kabukichō no Joō
Next Year:1998

is the debut single by Japanese singer Ringo Sheena and it was released on May 27, 1998 by Toshiba EMI, East World.Since Sheena suddenly gained popularity, it was decided that this single was resold as a 12 cm single. New edition, including the new song, was re-released with the fourth single "Honnō" on October 27, 1999. The 1999 edition was certified gold by the RIAJ for 200,000 copies shipped to stores.[1]

Background

"Kōfukuron" and "Suberidai" were produced by Hiroshi Kitashiro, who is an audio engineer and synthesizer programmer, and "Toki ga Bōsō Suru" was produced by Uni Inoue, who is an audio engineer and multi-instrumentalist. Seiji Kameda arranged all songs. Sheena wanted to release not "Kōfukuron" but B-side song "Suberidai" as a title tune. However, she gave up on the idea because of opposition from EMI staff.

Since Sheena was not pleased with the arrangement of "Kōfukuron," the single version was not included in the album. The song was used as the theme song to the TBS variety show Ai no Hinadan, and the "Etsuraku-hen" version featured on Muzai Moratorium, in a 1999 commercial for Suntory's The Cocktail Bar Cassis & Orange.

The song was covered as a part of a medley by Rie Tomosaka on the television show The Yoru mo Hippare on September 9, 2000. It was later covered by Arashi members Jun Matsumoto and Masaki Aiba on their 2002 concert Arashi Storm Concert Tour 2003 "Atarashi Arashi".

Charts and sales

Chart (1999)Peak
position
Japan Oricon weekly singles[2] 5
Chart (2011)Peak
position
Japan RIAJ Digital Track Chart[3] 92

Sales and certifications

Chart Amount
Oricon physical sales[4] 261,000<--261,090-->
RIAJ physical certification[5] Gold (200,000)

Credits and personnel

Kōfukuron

Suberidai

Toki ga Bōsō Suru

References

  1. GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年12月度 . Gold Albums, and other certified works. December 1999 Edition . The Record . Bulletin . Japanese . . . February 10, 2000 . 483 . 8 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140117113742/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200002.pdf . January 17, 2014 . January 17, 2014.
  2. Web site: http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/237797/products/music/266800/1/ . ja:「幸福論」 椎名林檎 . Oricon . Japanese . May 3, 2014.
  3. Web site: レコード協会調べ 2011年11月16日~2011年11月22日 <略称:レコ協チャート(「着うたフル(R)」)> . Record Association Investigation: November 16, 2011 to November 22, 2011 (For Short: Recokyō Chart (Chaku-uta Full)) . . Japanese . November 25, 2011 . January 27, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140503165940/http://satsuki.musicdb.gr.jp/all_info/ranking_weekly/WeeklyRankingAction.do?term=2011s&weeklyCd=20111122&rankKbn=100 . May 3, 2014 .
  4. Web site: オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 . Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' . . subscription . April 21, 2014.
  5. GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年12月度 . Gold Albums, and other certified works. December 1999 Edition . The Record . Bulletin . Japanese . . . February 10, 2000 . 483 . 8 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140117113742/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200002.pdf . January 17, 2014 . January 17, 2014.