Kōfukuron

"Kōfukuron" (幸福論, lit.The theory of happiness) 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]

"Kōfukuron"
8cm 1998 edition cover.
Single by Ringo Sheena
from the album Muzai Moratorium
ReleasedMay 27, 1998 (1998-05-27) (8cm Single)
October 27, 1999 (1999-10-27) (12cm Single)
RecordedStudio Terra
Genrepop
Length7:38 (8cm)
12:52 (12cm)
LabelToshiba EMI, East World
Songwriter(s)Ringo Sheena
Producer(s)Hiroshi Kitashiro (M1, 2)
Uni Inoue (M3)
Ringo Sheena singles chronology
"Kōfukuron"
(1998)		 "Kabukichō no Joō"
(1998)
Alternative cover
12cm 1999 edition cover.

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".

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ringo Sheena, arranged by Seiji Kameda.

First Press Edition (8cm Single)
No.TitleLength
1."Kōfukuron (幸福論, A View of Happiness)"3:45
2."Suberidai (すべりだい, Slide)"　4:00

All tracks are written by Ringo Sheena.

Resale edition (12cm Single)
No.TitleArranger(s)Length
1."Kōfukuron (幸福論, A View of Happiness)"Seiji Kameda3:37
2."Suberidai (すべりだい, Slide)"Seiji Kameda　4:01
3."Toki ga Bōsō Suru (時が暴走する, Time Drives Recklessly)[2]"Seiji Kameda, Ringo Sheena　5:11

Chart rankings
Charts (1999) Peak
position
Japan Oricon weekly singles[3] 5
Charts (2011) Peak
position
Japan RIAJ Digital Track Chart[4] 92

Sales and certifications
Chart Amount
Oricon physical sales[5] 261,000
RIAJ physical certification[1] Gold (200,000)

Credits and personnel

Kōfukuron

Suberidai

  • Vocals: Ringo Sheena
  • Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar: Susumu Nishikawa
  • Contrabass: Hitoshi Watanabe
  • Synthesizer Programming: Hiroshi Kitashiro

Toki ga Bōsō Suru

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References
  1. "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年12月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. December 1999 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan. 483: 8. February 10, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  2. Mozart's "Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331" is used for this song.
  3. 「幸福論」 椎名林檎 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  4. "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))]. RIAJ (in Japanese). November 25, 2011. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  5. "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']. Oricon. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
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