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Kuko / Yukigesho
Kuko / Yukigesho (Japanese: 空港 / 雪化粧; English: Airport / Snow Covered) is the first Japanese studio album recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng, released via Polydor Records on October 21, 1974. The album was supported with the release of three singles: "Konya Kashira Ashita Kashira", "Airport", and "Yukigesho". The album Kuko / Yukigesho was commercially successful in Japan, with the single "Airport" selling over 750,000 copies throughout Asia. A Mandarin version of the album was released as Love Songs of the Island: Goodbye My Love on September 10, 1975. BackgroundAfter recording various albums in Taiwan and Hong Kong in the 1960s and 1970s as a teenager, Teng, along with her record company, began to express interest towards expanding into the lucrative Japanese market. A Japanese executive was convinced that Teng would succeed in Japan as a "Taiwanese Hibari Misora"—an enka singer whom Teng had idolized since childhood. Teresa's father initially rejected the idea since she had already found adequate success in the Taiwanese and Hong Kong markets, but his opinion eventually changed and Teng subsequently began recording songs for her Japanese debut record.[1] SinglesTeng made her Japanese debut on March 1, 1974, with the release of her first single "Konya Kashira Ashita Kashira" (No Matter Tonight or Tomorrow). The release contained a track titled "Ame ni Nureta Hana" as its B-side. The single underperformed on the charts in Japan upon its release, however, selling only around 30,000 copies in the country. Some pointed out that the single's underwhelming performance was attributed to Teng's Japanese pronunciation; in response, she made efforts to improve her pronunciation as well as her singing style.[2][3] Teng would soon find greater success with the release of the album's second single "Airport" on July 1, 1974, coupled with the B-side track "Hagureta Koboto". The single reached number 29 on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart and saw significantly higher levels of sales compared to her previous effort, where it sold over 750,000 copies throughout Asia.[2][4] Its success led Teng to win various awards in Japan, including at the annual Japan Record Awards. The third single "Yukigesho", was released in conjunction with the album on October 21 and contained the B-side track "Tokukara Ai wo Komete". It performed modestly on the charts and reached number 41 on the Oricon Singles Chart.[5] Additionally, the song "Goodbye My Love" (a cover of Ann Lewis's song of the same name) was re-recorded in Mandarin and released as a single for the album Love Songs of Island: Goodbye My Love on September 10, 1975.[6] Accolades
Track listing
References
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