Arashi no Sugao

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"Arashi no Sugao"
Single by Shizuka Kudo
ReleasedMay 3, 1989 (1989-05-03)
Genre
Length3:30
LabelPony Canyon
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Tsugutoshi Gotō
Shizuka Kudo singles chronology
"Koi Hitoyo"
(1988) 		"Arashi no Sugao"
(1989) 		"Kōsa ni Fukarete"
(1989)
Audio sample

"Arashi no Sugao" (嵐（あらし）の素顔（すがお）, lit. "The True Face of the Storm") 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,[1] as well as widely considered to be her breakout hit,[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

Composition and critical reception[edit]

The song was written by Yoshiko Miura and composed and produced by Tsugutoshi Gotō.[5] Lyrically, the song explores themes of scorned love and vulnerability. Miura describes a protagonist's volatile state of mind after being abandoned by a condescending lover, to whom she vows to "raise up a storm and destroy everything". Kudo was praised for her vocal performance and unique tone, credited by critics as one of the main elements behind the success of the song.[2]

Live performances[edit]

The live performances of "Arashi no Sugao" achieved fame for the accompanying choreography.[6] After delivering the choruses, Kudo would perform a specific hand movement which involved moving her hand repeatedly below and along the side of her face to the beat of the song.[7] Bobby Yoshino, who choreographed the routine, was inspired by tutting to create the famous hand move. Along with the shoulder-padded skirt suit Kudo wore to perform the song, this signature hand movement is often replicated by comedians performing impressions of Kudo.[7]

Cover versions[edit]

In 2006, Nana Kitade recorded a cover for her second EP, Cutie Bunny.[8] In 2012, Janet Kay recorded an English-language cover of the song for her cover album Idol Kay.[9] In 2014, the girl group Feam recorded a cover of the song for their album, Re:Idol: Hajimete no Chū.[10] "Arashi no Sugao" was covered by Kenichi Suzumura as part of the Shizuka Kudo-as-sung-by male voice actors tribute album, Shizuka Kudo Tribute, released in 2017.[11] In 2015, Nanase Aikawa, who credits Kudo as being the artist who inspired her to become a singer and whose songs, including "Arashi no Sugao", she sang at auditions, performed a duet of the song with Kudo at her concert commemorating her 20th anniversary.[12][13]

Chart performance[edit]

"Arashi no Sugao" debuted at number-one on the Oricon Singles Chart, where it stayed for three consecutive weeks.[14][15][16] It charted in the top ten for nine straight weeks.[17] "Arashi no Sugao" stayed in the top hundred for a total of 21 weeks and moved over 500,000 copies during its run.[18] The single ranked at number eight on the year-end Oricon Singles Chart for 1989, and was one of three singles released by Kudo that year to rank in the yearly top ten.[19]

Track listing[edit]

All music is composed by Tsugutoshi Gotō

No.TitleLyricsArranger(s)Length
1."Arashi no Sugao" (嵐の素顔, "The True Face of the Storm")
3:30
2."Eien no Bōhatei" (永遠の防波堤, "The Mole of Eternity")
  • Keiko Asō
  • Gotō
4:27
Total length:7:57

Charts[edit]

Chart (1989) Peak
position
Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon)[20] 1
Japan Monthly Singles (Oricon)[21] 1
Japan Yearly Singles (Oricon)[19] 8

Certification[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[23] Platinum 524,000[22]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "工藤静香、30年ぶり"伝説ソング"ほか大ヒット曲メドレー披露「SONGS」". Excite. September 14, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "工藤静香 / ミレニアム・ベスト". CDJournal. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  3. ^ "第4回日本ゴールドディスク大賞 / Gold Disc Hall of Fame 3rd". Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  4. ^ "カラオケで歌いたい工藤静香BEST10が発表！". Livedoor. December 1, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  5. ^ "工藤静香、Mステで23年前の幻の名曲「Without Your Love」と「嵐の素顔」を披露". Musicman. May 14, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  6. ^ "今夜のMステにて工藤静香が嵐の前で『嵐の素顔』を披露！あの振り付けも……!?". 33man. May 13, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  7. ^ a b "工藤静香「嵐の素顔」のふりつけの秘密". Excite. June 1, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  8. ^ "次は"ゴスかわ"!? 北出菜奈、全米進出". Barks. July 11, 2006. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  9. ^ "ジャネット・ケイが贈る、アイドル系カヴァー・アルバム". Tower Records. May 22, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  10. ^ "アイドル名曲発掘プロジェクト「RE:IDOL」が9月3日にカバーアルバムをリリース". Excite. August 6, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  11. ^ "工藤静香トリビュートに鈴村健一、谷山紀章、関智一、梶裕貴ら人気男性声優7名". Natalie. October 26, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  12. ^ "相川七瀬、"憧れ"工藤静香とライブ初共演 「長い間夢みていた」と感涙". Oricon. November 8, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  13. ^ "工藤静香と共演、TETSUYAらが楽曲提供！ 相川七瀬が世代を越えて愛される理由". Real Sound. October 26, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  14. ^ "1989年5月15日付 CDシングル/アルバムランキング". Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  15. ^ "1989年5月22日付 CDシングル/アルバムランキング". Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  16. ^ "1989年5月29日付 CDシングル/アルバムランキング". Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  17. ^ "1989年7月10日付 CDシングル/アルバムランキング". Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  18. ^ "工藤静香が"うしろ髪ひかれ隊"の曲含む10曲メドレー披露、吉田豪からの質問でたじたじに!? 「SONGS」". Entame Week. September 14, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  19. ^ a b "オリコン 1989年TOP100". Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  20. ^ "嵐の素顔 工藤静香". Oricon. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  21. ^ "オリコン(oricon)「1989年05月」の月間シングルCDランキング". Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  22. ^ "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 15, 2017.
  23. ^ "Japanese single certifications – Shizuka Kudo – Arashi no Sugao" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 1989年6月 on the drop-down menu
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