Koufukuron
- Artist
- Shiina Ringo
- 8cm Single
- Koufukuron (幸福論; Theory of Happiness)
- Released
- 1998.05.27
- Tracklist
- Koufukuron (幸福論; Theory of Happiness) Image:Headphone.jpg ((Sample))
- Suberidai (すべりだい; Launch Platform)
- Artist
- Shiina Ringo
- 12cm Single
- Koufukuron (Re-Issued Version) (幸福論; Theory of Happiness)
- Released
- 1999.10.27
- Tracklist
- Koufukuron (幸福論; Theory of Happiness Image:Headphone.jpg ((Sample))
- Suberidai (すべりだい; Launch Platform)
- Toki ga Bousou Suru (時が暴走する; Time Runs Wildly)
- Information
Koufukuron is Shiina Ringo's first single. It was used as the ending theme song to the TBS TV show Ai no Hinadan. When it was originally released as an 8cm single in 1998, it failed to chart on Oricon's top 100 singles chart. However, in 1999, the the single was re-released simultaneously as Honnou, this time in 12cm format and featuring an extra track. The re-released version of Koufukuron rose to #10 in Oricon Charts and charted for 24 weeks. The re-released version of Koufukuron sold a total of 261,090 units in Japan.
Originally Shiina planned to release Suberidai as her debut single, however it was decided by her record company that it was a better decision to release Koufukuron. A 12cm version of the single was released for aesthetic reasons. The song Suberidai can be seen as happening before the events of Koufkuron, and the song Toki ga Bousou Suru before Suberidai. To Shiina, she believed that the original two-track single felt unfinished to listeners. Also, prior to the release of the 12cm version, it was announced that Shiina would be appearing in a swim suit on the cover. However, when the cover was finally revealed, it showed a seven-year-old Shiina Ringo at the beach with her family (naturally in a swimming suit).
Contents
Song Information
- Lyrics
- Shiina Ringo
- Music
- Shiina Ringo
- Other Information
- Arrangement: Kameda Seiji
- Bass: Kameda Seiji
- Drums: Kawamura Bokai
- Guitar: Nishikawa Susumu
- Synthesizer: Kitoashiro Hakase
- Recording/Mastering: Kitoashiro Hakase
Music Video
The PV for Koufukuron was directed by Usui Hiroshi. The first scene shows Shiina in a schoolgirl outfit lying rigidly on concrete amongst some apples, with a crowd gathering around her and looking at her. When the camera focuses on members of the crowd, they lip synch to the lyrics of the song. Occasionally the scene switches, to show Shiina performing the song with a band in a blue-lit warehouse. After Shiina gets up, she is shown riding a bicycle through town.
Disambiguation
There are five known versions of Koufukuron to be found in Shiina Ringo's discography. These include:
- Koufukuron
- Found on the Koufukuron single as #1. This is the version set to the PV.
- Koufukuron (Etsuraku-hen) (幸福論(悦楽編); Pleasure Version)
- Found on the Muzai Moratorium album as track #4. This version is much more upbeat and features a stronger rock arrangement. Also, Shiina's vocals are put through a vocal filter in this version of the song.
- Koufukuron (Etsuraku-hen) (Gekokujyo Xstasy Live)
- Found on the Gekokujyo Xstasy Live DVD as track #12.
- Koufukuron (Etsuraku-hen) (Electric Mole Live)
- Found on the Electric Mole DVD as track #1.
- Koufukuron (Ringohan Taikai Live)
- Found on the Dai Ikkai Ringohan Taikai no Moyou DVD as track #11.
Oricon Chart Positions
12cm Single
| Date | Week Rank | Week Sales | Total Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999.11.08 | 10 | 40,150 | 40,150 |
| 1999.11.15 | 16 | 24,870 | 65,020 |
| 1999.11.22 | 11 | 39,380 | 104,400 |
| 1999.11.29 | 17 | 24,370 | 128,770 |
| 1999.12.06 | 26 | 19,810 | 148,580 |
| 1999.12.13 | 24 | 15,760 | 164,340 |
| 1999.12.20 | 31 | 13,120 | 177,460 |
| 1999.12.27 | 33 | 9,220 | 186,680 |
| 2000.01.03 | 40 | 8,150 | 194,830 |
| 2000.01.10+17 | 33 | 16,150 | 210,980 |
| 2000.01.24 | 35 | 5,970 | 216,950 |
| 2000.01.31 | 46 | 4,260 | 221,210 |
| 2000.02.07 | 40 | 8,610 | 229,820 |
| 2000.02.14 | 64 | 4,180 | 234,000 |
| 2000.02.21 | 57 | 4,520 | 238,520 |
| 2000.02.28 | 69 | 3,210 | 241,730 |
| 2000.03.06 | 84 | 3,040 | 244,770 |
| 2000.03.13 | 70 | 3,180 | 247,950 |
| 2000.03.20 | 96 | 1,990 | 249,940 |
| 2000.03.27 | 75 | 2,580 | 252,520 |
| 2000.04.03 | 95 | 1,990 | 254,510 |
| 2000.04.10 | 79 | 2,380 | 256,890 |
| 2000.04.17 | 83 | 2,340 | 259,230 |
| 2000.04.24 | 88 | 1,860 | 261,090 |
