Koi no Kisetsu

"Koi no Kisetsu" (恋の季節, lit. "The Season of Love") is the debut single by the Japanese band Pinky & Killers. Written by Tokiko Iwatani and Taku Izumi, the single was released on July 20, 1968 by King Records.[1][2] A musical film based on the song was released by Shochiku on February 21, 1969.[3][4]

"Koi no Kisetsu"
Single by Pinky & Killers
from the album Pinkira Double Deluxe
LanguageJapanese
English titleThe Season of Love
B-side"Tsumetai Ame"
ReleasedJuly 20, 1968 (1968-07-20)
Recorded1968
GenreKayōkyoku
Length3:23
LabelKing Records
Composer(s)Taku Izumi
Lyricist(s)Tokiko Iwatani
Pinky & Killers singles chronology
"Koi no Kisetsu"
(1968)		 "Ore to Kanojo"
(1968)

Background

"Koi no Kisetsu" earned Pinky & Killers the New Artist Award at the 10th Japan Record Awards in December 1968.[1] The band also performed the song on the 19th Kōhaku Uta Gassen that year, making them the first mixed group to perform on NHK's New Year's Eve special. After much deliberation, the show's producers assigned the band to the Red team, as vocalist Yōko Kon ("Pinky") was the band leader.[5]

The song was featured in the soundtrack of the 2009 anime film Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.

Commercial performance

The single stayed at No. 1 on Oricon's singles chart for 17 combined weeks from September 23, 1968 to January 20, 1969 and landed at No. 3 on Oricon's 1968 year-ending chart and at No. 4 on Oricon's 1969 year-ending chart, selling over 2.7 million copies. The song was ranked at No. 18 on Oricon's historical singles chart.[1][2]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Tokiko Iwatani; all music is composed and arranged by Taku Izumi.

7-inch vinyl
No.TitleLength
1."Koi no Kisetsu" ((恋の季節, lit. "The Season of Love"))3:23
2."Tsumetai Ame" ((つめたい雨, lit. "Heavy Rain"))2:56
Total length:6:19

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1968) Peak
position
Japan (Oricon) 1

Year-end charts
Chart (1968) Peak
position
Japan (Oricon) 3
Chart (1969) Peak
position
Japan (Oricon) 4

Personnel
  • Yōko Kon – lead vocals
  • George Hamano – backing vocals
  • Louis Takano – guitar
  • Endy Yamaguchi – bass
  • Pancho Kagami – drums

Cover versions
  • Sachiko Nishida covered the song in her 2007 CD box set Nishida Sachiko Kayōdaizenshū.
  • GO!GO!7188 covered the song in their 2008 cover album Tora no Ana 2.
  • Akina Nakamori covered the song in her 2009 cover album Mood Kayō: Utahime Shōwa Meikyoku Shū.
  • Naomi Sagara covered the song in her 2010 compilation Golden Best: Naomi Sagara Complete Singles + Hit Cover Collection.
  • Kiyomi Suzuki covered the song in her 2011 cover album Woman Sings the Blues.
  • Hideaki Tokunaga covered the song in his 2012 cover album Vocalist Vintage.
  • Yutaka Mizutani covered the song in his 2015 cover album Toki no Tabibito 2015.
  • Begin covered the song in their 2017 album Begin no Marcha Chora 2.[6]

References
  1. "今明かされるピンキーとキラーズの秘話". Mainichi Broadcasting System. 2018-07-03. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  2. "今陽子 岩谷さんは「音楽の母」". Daily Sports. 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  3. "恋の季節(DVD)". Shochiku. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  4. "恋の季節". Movie Walker Plus. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  5. "19th Kōhaku Uta Gassen History". NHK. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  6. "ビギンのマルシャ ショーラ2". Teichiku Records. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
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