Kudaranai no Naka ni

"Kudaranai no Naka ni"
The single's standard edition cover. It is edited to grayscale and features Gen Hoshino looking at the camera, wearing a casual sweater and jeans.
Standard edition cover
Single by Gen Hoshino
from the album Episode
LanguageJapanese
B-side"Uta o Utau Toki wa"
  • "Yuge"
  • "Blanco"
  • "Kuse no Uta"
ReleasedMarch 2, 2011 (2011-03-02)
Studio
Genre
Length4:19
Label
Songwriter(s)Gen Hoshino
Producer(s)Gen Hoshino
Gen Hoshino singles chronology
"Kudaranai no Naka ni"
(2011) 		"Film"
(2012)
Music video
"Kudaranai no Naka ni" (Official Video) on YouTube

"Kudaranai no Naka ni" (Japanese: くだらないの中に, lit. "In the Nonsense")[a] (Japanese pronunciation: [kɯdaɾanaꜜi no naꜜka ɲi]) is the debut single by Japanese musician Gen Hoshino, who self-produced and wrote it for his second studio album, Episode (2011). The single was released by the Daisyworld and Speedstar labels on March 2, 2011. It is a love song, composed with a calm, lonely sound. Reviewers attributed an erotic feel to the song and noted the mention of senses and feel in its lyrics. It peaked at No. 17 on Oricon's Singles Chart and at No. 12 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, becoming the 44th best-selling single in its month of release.

Composition and lyrics

Gen Hoshino came up with the chorus idea for "Kudaranai no Naka ni" in the shower and hurriedly wrote it down while still naked. Usually, he would pen lyrics at the same time as melody. He included the word 愛 (ai, love) in the final text, adding what he viewed as a sort of sweetness. Hoshino had not been a fan of the term "love song" and was embarrassed after it was attributed to his debut solo album Baka no Uta (2010). He thought singing of love directly was ridiculous and hoped to represent such emotions in his music without outright mention. However, looking at "Kudaranai no Naka ni", he ended up agreeing with the categorization and began referring to the single as his first "from-the-front love song".[2][3]

"Kudaranai no Naka ni"
A sample from the intro. The song draws from Western jazz for a "heartwarming" and "lonely" sound, described as ballad by Hoshino.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

With influences from the Western jazz that Hoshino's parents listened to when he was younger,[2] "Kudaranai no Naka ni" is a "heartwarming"[4] Japanese rock and pop[1] song, described by Hoshino as a ballad with firm melody.[3] It has a runtime of 4 minutes and 19 seconds,[5] composed in the key of A-flat major per sheet music on At-Elise.com. The song is marked with the time signature of 4
4 and has a tempo of 74 beats per minute.[6] A reviewer for CDJournal called the song's sound "lonely", supported by "bittersweet" lyrics that call upon the true meaning of the world.[1]

Shinji Hyogo, editor for Rockin'On Japan, called the song fetishistic / erotic for seemingly prioritizing senses and feel over meaning, but did not believe that this was Hoshino's intention.[7] Tower Records Japan's Satō, reviewing Episode (2011), called "Kudaranai no Naka ni" the song of a pervert, and wrote that it will make listeners realize they are also perverted themselves.[8] As Hoshino was to perform "Kudaranai no Naka ni" and "Kuse no Uta" (2010) on a Music Station special in 2017, Real Sound's Natsuna Murakami wrote that the songs showcases a different style in Hoshino's music prior to dance tracks like "Sun" (2015) and "Koi" (2016), while still holding similarities in underlying happy themes and melody. For the lyrics, Murakami noted Hoshino usage of all five senses, with the line "We smelled each other's hair"[b] for example representing smell and "The sound of our hearts breaking"[c] representing hearing. She described his singing style on the tracks as more calm and slow, as if he was speaking to the listener.[9]

"Kudaranai no Naka ni" was written, arranged, and self-produced by Hoshino,[10] who also provided guitar. Other musicians assisted with performance of drums, bass, piano, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, and horn. The song was recorded by Naoyuki Uchida at Shibuya's Freedom Studio and Setagaya's Sound DALI Studio, whereas mastering was handled by Tanaka Mitsukazu at Bernie Grundman Mastering, also in Shibuya.[11]

B-sides

Four B-sides were recorded for the song's single release. The first is "Uta o Utau Toki wa", covering topics of "rules, manners, ethics, principles, [and] logic", similar to songs from Sakerock.[7] The second, "Yuge", takes a harsh approach in sound, the polar oppositie direction to "Kudaranai no Naka ni" according to Hoshino.[3] Cinra's Takanori Kuroda called "Yuge" an early example of Hoshino blending African-American music influences into his work, a style later found on tracks such as "Sun".[12] The last two B-sides are "Blanco" (a bundle bonus for the manga of the same name) and "Kuse no Uta" (from Baka no Uta). They are marked as House Versions; Hyogo (Rockin'On) speculated that this refers to their home, hikigatari  [ja] recording, rather than to their musical style.[7]

Release and reception

"Kudaranai no Naka ni" was announced as a single in late December 2010.[13] It was jointly issued by Haruomi Hosono's Daisyworld and Victor Entertainment's Speedstar Records on March 2, 2011, as Hoshino's debut single.[1] First editions included the extra DVD Kudaranai no Nakami (Japanese: くだらないの中身, lit. "The Inside of the Uselessness"), directed by Santa Yamagishi [ja], who had previously been in charge of video works for Hoshino's instrumental band Sakerock. The DVD has a runtime of about 70 minutes, featuring video clips from the music videos of "Kudaranai no Naka ni" and "Kuse no Uta", a documentary to the creation of Baka no Uta, and various live performances.[14] Part of the song's music video was uploaded to Victor Entertainment's YouTube channel on March 9, intersected by a trailer for Kudaranai no Nakami.[15][16] To promote the release, Hoshino held a talk event at a Shibuya Tower Records store, where was also performed "Henshū-sha no Uta".[14] "Kudaranai no Naka ni" was included as the fourth track on Hoshino's second studio album, Episode, released September 28, 2011. It is the album's only single.[17]

Tower Records reviewer Oguri called "Kudaranai no Naka ni" symbolic of Hoshino, and praised the song's gentle lyrics on everyday love, which they wrote would make listeners think that "there are no better loves songs".[18] Hyogo (Rockin'On) complimented all songs on the single as good; for the title song, he wrote that it showcases an "important truth of life" through its lyrics on human sense, and highlighted the line where Hoshino calls not having hope "inconvenient" as skillful.[7] Commercially, "Kudaranai no Naka ni" sold 5,294 copies upon release, taking peaks at No. 17 on Oricon's Singles Chart[19] and No. 12 on Billboard Japan's Hot 100.[20] On the contemporary airplay chart, it peaked at No. 15.[21] Rising to 8,704 sales, it was the 44th best-selling single in March 2011 according to Oricon.[22] The single has reappeared on the charts in later years; in early 2017, whilst Hoshino's "Koi" was charting in the top 10, "Kudaranai no Naka ni" took post-release peaks on the Hot 100 at No. 50[23] and on Oricon at No. 86.[22] By April 2019, its most recent week on the charts, Oricon had reported a total of 16,838 sales.[22]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Apple Music and Daisyworld.[10][11]

Track listing

  1. "Kudaranai no Naka ni" – 4:19
  2. "Uta o Utau Toki wa" – 2:31
  3. "Yuge" – 2:55
  4. "Blanco" (House Version) – 4:44
  5. "Kuse no Uta" (House Version) – 4:45
Total length: 19:14

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Kudaranai no Naka ni" (2011)
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Japan (Oricon)[24] 17
Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100)[20] 12
Japanese Adult Contemporary (Billboard Japan)[21] 15
Weekly chart performance for "Kudaranai no Naka ni" (2016–19)
Chart (2016–19) Peak
position
Japan (Oricon)[19] 86
Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100)[23] 50

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Kudaranai no Naka ni"
Region Date Format Label Catalogue code Ref(s).
Japan March 2, 2011 CD
VICL-36633 [1]
CD+DVD VIZL-409 [25]
Worldwide Digital download Speedstar Records — [26]
June 23, 2015 Streaming — [27]

Notes

  1. ^ Alternatively romanized with the "ni" particle connected to "naka" as "Kudaranai no Nakani".
  2. ^ "Kami no ke no nioi o kagi atte" (髪の毛の匂いを嗅ぎあって)
  3. ^ "Kokoro ga wareru oto" (心が割れる音)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "星野 源 / くだらないの中に" [Gen Hoshino / Kudaranai no Naka ni]. CDJournal [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Hoshino, Gen (March 23, 2011). "「『愛してる』って言わないで、その気持ちが伝わるラブソングです」星野源1stシングル" ["It is a love song that expresses those emotions without saying 'love' ". Gen Hoshino's 1st single]. FanplusMusic (in Japanese). Interviewed by Takeshi, Hirayama. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Hoshino, Gen (October 3, 2011). "今話題の星野 源がセカンドアルバム『エピソード』リリース!!" [Gen Hoshino, currently a hot topic, releases second album Episode!!]. FanplusMusic (in Japanese). Interviewed by Aki, Itou. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  4. ^ "星野源、1stシングル「くだらないの中に」は充実5曲入り" [Gen Hoshino's 1st single "Kudaranai no Naka ni" contains 5 fulfilling songs]. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). December 27, 2010. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  5. ^ "Kudaranai no Nakani - EP". Apple Music. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  6. ^ "くだらないの中に" [Kudaranai no Naka ni] (sheet music) (in Japanese). Gakufu Shigoto Nin PAG. February 23, 2017. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via At-Elise.
  7. ^ a b c d Hyogo, Shinji (February 20, 2011). "星野源「くだらないの中に」全曲レビュー" [Gen Hoshino's "Kudaranai no Naka ni": A Review of All Songs]. Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Satō. "エピソード" [Episode] (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "星野源が"歌"で表現する、日常にある幸せ　今夜『Mステ』披露の「くだらないの中に」への期待" [The everyday happiness visualized by Gen Hoshino in song. Expectations towards tonight's performance of "Kudaranai no Naka ni" on Music Station]. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). February 10, 2017. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Kudaranai no Nakani - Song by Gen Hoshino". Apple Music. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "「くだらないの中に」 星野 源" ["Kudaranai no Naka ni" - Gen Hoshino]. Daisyworld Records. February 22, 2011. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Kuroda, Takanori (December 1, 2015). "一躍お茶の間の存在となった星野源。音楽家として何がすごい？" [Gen Hoshino. What makes the sudden house-hold artist so great?] (in Japanese). Cinra [ja]. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  13. ^ "星野源が3月に初のシングル「くだらないの中に」をリリース!" [Gen Hoshino will release first single "Kudaranai no Naka ni" in March!]. CDJournal [ja] (in Japanese). December 28, 2010. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "星野源、1stシングルのPVと初回盤DVD収録のドキュメント映像の予告編をYouTubeで公開" [PV and trailer for documentary included in first editions of Gen Hoshino's first single released to YouTube]. Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). February 23, 2011. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  15. ^ "星野源 - くだらないの中に (Official Video)" [Gen Hoshino - Kudarani no Naka ni (Official Video)]. Victor Entertainment. March 9, 2011. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "星野 源、新曲「くだらないの中に」MV＆特典DVD予告編を公開! 発売日に幻の曲を披露！" [Music video and limited DVD trailer for Gen Hoshino's new song "Kudaranai no Naka ni" released! A magical song will be performed on release day!]. CDJournal [ja] (in Japanese). February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  17. ^ "星野 源 / エピソード" [Gen Hoshino / Episode]. CDJournal [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Oguri. "くだらないの中に＜通常盤＞" [Kudaranai no Naka ni (Regular Edition)] (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  19. ^ a b "くだらないの中に" [Kudaranai no Naka ni] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 23, 2011. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 23, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  22. ^ a b c "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service "You Taiju"] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). February 15, 2017. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  24. ^ "くだらないの中に" [Kudaranai no Naka ni] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  25. ^ "星野 源 / くだらないの中に [CD+DVD] [限定]" [Gen Hoshino / Kudaranai no Naka ni (CD+DVD) (Limited)]. CDJournal [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  26. ^ "Kudaranai no Nakani - EP". Apple Music. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  27. ^ "星野 源、最新シングル「SUN」など全楽曲を一斉配信" [All of Gen Hoshino's songs, including new single "Sun", released for streaming]. CDJournal [ja] (in Japanese). June 23, 2015. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.