Gekijō

"Gekijō" (激情（げきじょう）, lit. "Passion") 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.[1][2] "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".

"Gekijō"
Single by Shizuka Kudo
from the album Dress
Released	November 7, 1996
Genre	Pop
Length	4:39
Label	Pony Canyon
Songwriter(s)	Miyuki Nakajima
Producer(s)	Miyuki Nakajima Ichizō Seo
Shizuka Kudo singles chronology
"Yū" (1996) "Gekijō" (1996) "A.S.A.P." (1997)
Audio sample
"Gekijō" file help

Background and composition

"Gekijō" marks the first collaboration between Kudo and Nakajima since "Dōkoku", and the first song Nakajima has written for Kudo on which she is credited for both the lyrics and the music. It is composed in the key of G minor and set to a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[3] Kudo's vocals span from G₃ to C₅. Nakajima produced the song with her long-time collaborator Ichizō Seo. Lyrically, the song deals with the theme of infidelity. Nakajima writes about a protagonist having to face adversity in love because her lover is romantically committed to someone else. The narrator laments having to cause others pain and ponders where succumbing to passion will lead her.

Nakajima received acclaim for the sorrowful and typically Japanese tone of her lyrics and melody.[4] Kudo's vocal performance was praised for its firmness.[4]

Cover versions

In 1997, Nakajima covered the song in concert while touring for the album Paradise Cafe. In 2014, Momoiro Clover Z performed the song with Kudo on the CX variety show Shin Dōmoto Kyōdai.[5] That same year, Tomomi Kahara performed "Gekijō" in duet with Kudo on the CX music show Atashi no Ongaku.[6] In 2017, Tomokazu Seki recorded a cover of the song for the tribute album, Shizuka Kudo Tribute.[7]

Chart performance

"Gekijō" debuted at number ten on the Oricon Singles Chart with 68,000 copies sold in its first week, becoming Kudo's first single to break the top 10 since "Ice Rain".[8][9] It slid to number twelve on its second week, selling 52,000 copies.[10] It spent the following five weeks in the top 20 before dropping to number 25 on its tenth charting week. The single charted for a total of 15 weeks.[11]

With only its first two weeks counting towards the year-end tally, "Gekijō" did not place in the top 100 for 1996. However, with sales exceeding 303,000 copies, the single ranked at number 99 on the year-end Oricon Singles Chart for 1997.[12]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Arranger(s)	Length
1.	"Gekijō" (激情, "Passion")	Miyuki Nakajima	Ichizō Seo	4:39
2.	"Nagai Kami" (長い髪, "Long Hair")	Aeri Toshiaki Matsumoto	Akihisa Matsūra	4:51
3.	"Gekijō" (Original Karaoke)	Nakajima	Seo	4:39
Total length:				14:09

Charts

Chart (1996–97)	Peak position
Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon)[13]	10
Japan Monthly Singles (Oricon)[14]	15
Japan Yearly Singles (Oricon)[12]	99

Certification

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[15]	Platinum	424,000[16]

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References

1. "激情 (工藤静香) 音楽ダウンロードはドワンゴジェイピー". Dwango. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
2. "工藤静香が愛人役で出演！「ゆずれない夜」主題歌は自身が歌う【激情】". Middle Edge. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
3. "激情 楽譜:メロディ譜 工藤 静香". @Elise. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
4. "工藤静香 / Shizuka Kudo 20th Anniversary the Best [2CD]". CDJournal. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
5. "工藤静香×ももクロ、堂本兄弟で中島みゆき作「激情」歌唱". Natalie. May 8, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
6. ""伝説を紡ぎます"フジCSで「あたしの音楽」". Natalie. October 1, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
7. "歌声初解禁！"男性声優による"工藤静香ヒット曲カバーアルバム　メイキング映像公開［オタ女］". BIGLOBE. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
8. "1987.08.31 工藤静香 アイドル・ポップ・データベース". Retrieved December 20, 2017.
9. "1996年11月18日付 CDシングル/アルバムランキング". Retrieved December 20, 2017.
10. "オリコン 1995.11.25". Retrieved December 20, 2017.
11. "工藤静香 - アーティスト別シングル売上補完". @wiki. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
12. "オリコン 1997年TOP100". Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
13. "激情 工藤静香". Oricon. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
14. "オリコン(oricon)「1996年12月」の月間シングルCDランキング". Retrieved January 18, 2018.
15. "Japanese single certifications – 工藤 静香 – 激情" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 31, 2021. Select 1996年12月 on the drop-down menu
16. "音楽を語ろう特集『中島みゆきが詞・曲を提供！工藤静香の名曲を語ろう』". Oricon. Archived from the original on August 23, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2017.