Kōfukuron

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"Kōfukuron"
File:Sheenakofuku8cm.jpg
8cm 1998 edition cover.
Single by Ringo Sheena
from the album Muzai Moratorium
Released May 27, 1998 (1998-05-27) (8cm Single)
October 27, 1999 (1999-10-27) (12cm Single)
Format CD Single
Recorded Studio Terra
Genre pop
Length 7:38 (8cm)
12:52 (12cm)
Label Toshiba EMI, East World
Writer(s) Ringo Sheena
Producer(s) Hiroshi Kitashiro (M1, 2)
Uni Inoue (M3)
Ringo Sheena singles chronology
"Kōfukuron"
(1998)
"Kabukichō no Joō"
(1998)
12cm 1999 edition cover.
12cm 1999 edition cover.

"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]

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 C/W song "Suberidai" as a title tune. However, she gave up it because of opposition from the EMI staff. Since Sheena was not pleased with 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 songs written and composed by Ringo Sheena, arranged by Seiji Kameda. 

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

All songs written and composed by Ringo Sheena. 

Resale edition (12cm Single)
No. Title Arranger(s) Length
1. "Kōfukuron (幸福論 A View of Happiness?)"   Seiji Kameda 3:37
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

Toki ga Bōsō Suru

References

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  2. Mozart's "Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331" is used for this song.
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