| "Again" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Shizuka Kudo | ||||
| from the album Mysterious | ||||
| Released | December 2, 1987 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:15 | |||
| Label | Pony Canyon | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Shizuka Kudo singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio sample | ||||
"Again" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo for her debut solo studio album, Mysterious . Pony Canyon released the track as the second single from Mysterious on December 2, 1987, in both 12-inch vinyl and maxi single format.
"Again" was Kudo's first solo release following the disbandment of the idol girl group Onyanko Club, which she joined in 1986. [1] The song was the ending theme for the CX teen drama and variety television series Momoiro Gakuen Toshi Sengen!!, of which Kudo herself was a cast member. [2]
"Again" was put together by the same songwriting duo as Kudo's debut single: it was written by Yasushi Akimoto and composed, arranged and produced by Tsugutoshi Gotō. The song is composed in the key of E minor and set to a tempo of 140 beats per minute. [3] Kudo's vocals span one octave, from B3 to B4. Lyrically, the song talks about a woman breaking off a romantic relationship because of her feelings of inadequacy.
The song is described by CDJournal as a bouncy midtempo track with a funky and unusually complicated melody line for an idol singer's second single. [4] Kudo was praised for matching the song with an effortless vocal performance, and for showcasing potential for breaking out of the idol mold. [4]
The single debuted at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 61,000 copies in its first week. [5] It dropped to number seven the following week, with 20,000 copies sold. [5] "Again" stayed in the top 100 for a total of twelve weeks and ranked number 53 on the year-end Oricon Singles Chart for 1987. [6]
All music is composed by Tsugutoshi Gotō
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Arranger(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Again" | 4:15 | ||
| 2. | "If" |
| 3;48 | |
| Total length: | 8:03 | |||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Arranger(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. | "Ai ga Itai Yoru" (愛が痛い夜 "Nights When Love Hurts") |
|
| 4:05 |
| Total length: | 12:08 | |||
| Chart (1987–88) | Peak position | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon) [7] | 3 | 159,000 [6] |
| Japan Monthly Singles (Oricon) [8] | 4 | |
| Japan Yearly Singles (Oricon) | 53 |
"Kōsa ni Fukarete" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo, released as a single through Pony Canyon on September 6, 1989. It is Kudo's last single to be released in 7-inch vinyl format. The song, which has never appeared on an original album, was included in the compilation album, Harvest. It was featured on commercials for Taiyo Yuden That's cassette tapes.
"Kindan no Telepathy" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo, from her debut solo studio album Mysterious. It was released through Canyon Records as the lead single from Mysterious on August 31, 1987.
"Daite Kuretara Ii no ni" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. The song was released as a single by Pony Canyon on March 2, 1988. Despite being included in several subsequent compilation albums, "Daite Kuretara Ii no ni" was never included in any studio album. An English version of the song was recorded for Kudo's 1998 ballad compilation album Best of Ballade: Current, on which it is dubbed "Let Me Sleep In Your Arms".
"Fu-ji-tsu" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo for her eponymous second studio album, Shizuka. It was released on June 1, 1988 through Pony Canyon as the album's leading single. The song was written by Miyuki Nakajima and composed and produced by Tsugutoshi Gotō. This collaboration with a respected singer-songwriter like Nakajima, as well as Kudo's overall shift in image, were seen as a catalyst for the end of the 1980s idol phenomenon, with Kudo's career path being regarded as the blueprint for the successful transition from idol to artist.
"Mugon... Iroppoi" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was released as a single by Pony Canyon on August 24, 1988. It was used in the Kanebo Cosmetics televised ad campaign of fall 1988, for which the catchphrase was "n... Iroppoi". Kudo made her first appearance on the 39th Kōhaku Uta Gassen and performed "Mugon... Iroppoi" for the Red team. The song was nominated for the Grand Prix at the 30th Japan Record Awards.
"Arashi no Sugao" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo, released as a single by Pony Canyon on May 3, 1989. Although the song is one of Kudo's most recognizable hits, as well as widely considered to be her breakout hit, and despite the fact that it was included on the compilation album Harvest, released later that same year, it was never featured on any of Kudo's studio albums. At the fourth Japan Gold Disc Awards, "Arashi no Sugao" was one of the five recipients of the award for Best Single of the Year. In 2015, DAM asked their users to select their favorite Shizuka Kudo songs to sing karaoke to and compiled a top ten list; "Arashi no Sugao" was ranked number seven.
"Kuchibiru Kara Biyaku" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo for her fifth studio album, Rosette. It was released by Pony Canyon as the album's lead single on January 10, 1990. Although it was not officially released on vinyl, a few copies were produced for promotional use. Kudo performed the song on the 41st Kōhaku Uta Gassen, marking her third appearance on the program. In 2015, DAM asked their users to select their favorite Shizuka Kudo songs to sing karaoke to and compiled a top ten list; "Kuchibiru Kara Biyaku" came in at number six.
"Senryū no Shizuku" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was released as a single through Pony Canyon on May 9, 1990. It marks the debut of Kudo as a songwriter. The song was featured on commercials for Taiyo Yuden That's cassette tapes. Similarly to her previous single, "Kuchibiru Kara Biyaku", a limited number of 7-inch vinyls of the single were produced for promotional use. "Senryū no Shizuku" has never appeared on an original album, but was included in the compilation album Unlimited (1990).
"Watashi ni Tsuite" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was released as a single by Pony Canyon on September 21, 1990. The song made its first album appearance on the compilation album Unlimited, released that same year.
"Boya Boya Dekinai" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo for her sixth studio album, Mind Universe. It was released by Pony Canyon as the album's lead single on January 23, 1991.
"Please" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was originally intended to be included on Kudo's sixth studio album, Mind Universe, but was dropped at the last minute. The song was released as a single by Pony Canyon shortly thereafter on May 15, 1991. It made its first album appearance on the compilation album Intimate.
"Metamorphose" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It is the theme song for the CX television series Nandara Mandara, which starred Kudo herself. It was released as a single through Pony Canyon on October 23, 1991. "Metamorphose" made its first album appearance on the compilation album, Intimate. Kudo performed the song on her fourth appearance on Kōhaku Uta Gassen. In 2015, DAM asked their users to select their favorite Shizuka Kudo songs to sing karaoke to and compiled a top ten list; "Metamorphose" was one of the top vote-getters, rounding up the list at number ten.
"Mechakucha ni Naite Shimaitai" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo, from her seventh studio album, Trinity. It was released through Pony Canyon as the album's lead single on January 29, 1992. Kudo performed the song on the 43rd Kōhaku Uta Gassen, marking her fifth consecutive appearance on the annual show. In 2007, Kudo recorded a self-cover of the song with a jazz arrangement for the compilation album Shizuka Kudo 20th Anniversary the Best, released in commemoration of her 20th anniversary.
"Urahara" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was released as a single by Pony Canyon on May 21, 1992. The song made its first album appearance on the compilation album, Super Best.
"Koe o Kikasete" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was released as a single through Pony Canyon on August 21, 1992. The song was featured on the AX television series Kyōshi Natsuyasumi Monogatari. It made its first album appearance on the compilation album, Best of Ballade: Empathy, released later that same year.
"Dōkoku" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo for her eighth studio album, Rise Me. It was released by Pony Canyon as the album's lead single on February 3, 1993. "Dōkoku" is the theme song of the CX getsuku television series Ano Hi ni Kaeritai, starring Momoko Kikuchi and Kudo herself as two sisters who fall in love with the same man. Kudo performed the song on the 44th Kōhaku Uta Gassen, marking her sixth consecutive appearance on the annual show. With over a million copies sold, "Dōkoku" remains Kudo's best-selling single to date. In 2015, DAM asked their users to select their favorite Shizuka Kudo songs to sing karaoke to and compiled a top ten list; "Dōkoku" came in at number two.
"Anata Shika Inai Desho" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was released as a single through Pony Canyon on October 6, 1993. It made its first album appearance on the compilation album, Super Best, released later that same year.
"Blue Rose" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo, from her ninth studio album, Expose. It was released through Pony Canyon as the album's lead single on March 18, 1994. The song marks a significant change in artistic direction for Kudo, as it is her first single to be self-produced, as well as her first release since parting ways with long-time collaborator Tsugutoshi Gotō, who has helmed Kudo's songwriting team since her solo debut. It was featured on TV commercials for Seagaia Ocean Dome. The single's B-side, "Door", is the ending theme to the TX television series Tsumiki Kuzushi: Hōkai, Soshite.... Kudo performed "Blue Rose" on the 45th Kōhaku Uta Gassen, marking her seventh consecutive appearance on the show. It is the first in a trilogy of singles with the word "blue" in the title: "Blue Rose" was later followed by "Blue Velvet" and "Blue Zone".
"Ice Rain" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo for her tenth studio album, Purple. It was released through Pony Canyon as the album's lead single on November 18, 1994, merely two months following the release of her ninth studio album, Expose. The single was released simultaneously with Kudo's third video album, Female III. An English version of the song was recorded for the compilation album, Best of Ballade: Current (1998). In 2015, DAM asked their users to select their favorite Shizuka Kudo songs to sing karaoke to and compiled a top ten list; "Ice Rain" came in at number three and was the only song penned by Kudo to make the top ten.
"Gekijō" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo, from her twelfth studio album, Dress. It was released by Pony Canyon as the album's lead single on November 7, 1996. It is the theme song of the CX television series Yuzurenai Yoru, starring Kudo herself. "Gekijō" was written by Miyuki Nakajima specifically for the drama; after reading the script, Kudo immediately thought of Nakajima for the soundtrack and sought to have her write the theme song. Nakajima's lyrics invoke the series' title, which loosely translates to "Unyielding Night".
