| "Jaguar Line" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Shizuka Kudo | ||||
| from the album Expose | ||||
| Released | July 21, 1994 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:09 | |||
| Label | Pony Canyon | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Shizuka Kudo singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio sample | ||||
"Jaguar Line" | ||||
"Jaguar Line" 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 second and final single on July 21, 1994.
"Jaguar Line" was written by Kudo, under the pseudonym Aeri, and Masaya Ozeki. It is the second consecutive single penned and produced by Kudo. The song is written in the key of G minor and set to a tempo of 110 beats per minute. [1] Kudo's vocals span from G3 to B♭4 in modal voice, and to D5 in head voice. The track is as an electronic dance-rock number. [2] It has been compared to the sound of The Chemical Brothers and described as a far cry from the idol days of Kudo. [2] She received positive feedback for challenging herself by branching out into different genres. The song is cited as experimental and indicative of Kudo's personal artistic growth. [2] Lyrically, the song chronicles the adventure of the narrator who presents herself as a metaphorical jaguar moving through the Savannah and being pursued by a hunter, facing a kill-or-be-killed predicament. [2]
Kudo's live performances of "Jaguar Line" followed the same style as her previous single, "Blue Rose": revealing outfits and a sultry choreography, created by TRF's Chiharu. Kudo performed the song in a leopard print one-shoulder crop top, mini skirt and knee-high boots and was accompanied by two backup dancers.
In 1995, Priscilla Chan recorded a cover of the song for her album, Welcome Back, on which it is dubbed "Love Is Not Clear" (不清晰的戀愛). As well as regularly performing it in concert when they were on the come up, Namie Amuro and the Super Monkey's covered the song on the AX music show The Yoru mo Hit Parade in 1994.
The single debuted at number eight on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 57,000 copies in its first week. [3] It slid to number nine on its second week, holding on to the top ten with 44,000 copies sold. [4] It spent a total of 12 weeks in the top 100.
All lyrics are written by Aeri.
| No. | Title | Music | Arranger(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Jaguar Line" |
|
| 4:09 |
| 2. | "Naked Love" |
|
| 4:58 |
| 3. | "Jaguar Line" (Original Karaoke) |
|
| 4:09 |
| Total length: | 13:16 | |||
| Chart (1994) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon) [5] | 8 |
| Japan Monthly Singles (Oricon) [6] | 14 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (RIAJ) [7] | Gold | 200,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
"Blue Velvet" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo for her thirteenth studio album, I'm Not. It was released by Pony Canyon as the album's leading single on May 28, 1997. It served as the third ending theme song to the Fuji Television anime series Dragon Ball GT, from episode 42 to episode 50. Out of all the artists that have contributed to the series' soundtracks, Kudo is the only one who is unaffiliated with a Being Inc. label. Kudo, who is a self-proclaimed Dragon Ball fan, received an autographed hand-drawn illustration of Goku from series creator Akira Toriyama for her 28th birthday.
"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.
"Koi Hitoyo" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo, released on December 28, 1988, by Pony Canyon as the lead single from her third studio album Joy (1989). Almost a year later to the day, Kudo marked her second appearance on Kōhaku Uta Gassen by performing "Koi Hitoyo".
"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.
"Watashi wa Knife" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was released as a single through Pony Canyon on June 2, 1993. It made its first album appearance on the compilation album, Super Best, released later that same year.
"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".
"A.S.A.P." is a song recorded by Japanese comedian Takaaki Ishibashi and Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo, under the unit name, Little Kiss, as part of an act for the AX variety show Tunnels no Nama de Daradara Ikasete!!, co-headed by Ishibashi. It was released as a single through Pony Canyon on Valentine's Day 1997. The song was featured on TV commercials for Ginza Jewelry Maki's exclusive jewelry brand Rhapsoamo.
