Liar (Akina Nakamori song)

"Liar" (ライアー, Raiā) is the 23rd single by Japanese entertainer Akina Nakamori. Written by Mitsuko Shiramine and Kazuya Izumi, the single was released on April 25, 1989, by Warner Pioneer through the Reprise label. It was also the lead single from her 14th studio album Cruise.[1][2]

"Liar"
Single by Akina Nakamori
from the album Cruise
LanguageJapanese
B-side"Blue on Pink"
ReleasedApril 25, 1989 (1989-04-25)
Recorded1988
Genre
Length4:35
LabelReprise Records
Composer(s)Kazuya Izumi
Lyricist(s)Mitsuko Shiramine
Akina Nakamori singles chronology
"I Missed the Shock"
(1988)
"Liar"
(1989)
"Dear Friend"
(1990)
Music videos
"Liar" (Live) on YouTube

Background

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"Liar" was recorded and released at a time Nakamori experienced a crisis in both her career and personal life. Despite being a chart-topper and award-winner, she saw her record sales steadily declining in favor of newer idol singers. Furthermore, she was in a very unstable relationship with Masahiko Kondō.[2] It was revealed through the tabloid Friday that Nakamori had been funding Kondō's side hobbies such as auto racing and that he owed her and her former talent agency tens of millions of yen. In July 1989, three months after the release of the single, Nakamori attempted to commit suicide amidst rumors of Kondō having an affair with Seiko Matsuda. This led to the "Golden Screen Incident" months later, when both Nakamori and Kondō held a press conference in front of a gold-colored backdrop (which is traditionally used to announce engagements) to explain the events leading to Nakamori's suicide attempt. In the aftermath of the press conference, both Nakamori and Kondō were dropped from the lineup of the 40th Kōhaku Uta Gassen while Nakamori was shunned by the industry, leading to her alcohol and smoking addiction during the 1990s.[3][4]

Nakamori has re-recorded "Liar" for the 1995 compilation True Album Akina 95 Best.

Chart performance

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"Liar" became Nakamori's 20th No. 1 on Oricon's weekly singles chart and sold over 274,700 copies.[5][6] It was also certified Gold by the RIAJ.[7]

Track listing

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Original release
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Liar"Mitsuko ShiramineKazuya IzumiAkira Nishihira4:35
2."Blue on Pink"Yoshiko MiuraWataru KuniyasuKei Wakakusa3:42
Total length:8:17
1998 reissue bonus track
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
3."Liar" (Live Version)ShiramineIzumi 

Charts

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Chart (1989) Peak
position
Japan (Oricon)[5] 1

Certification

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[7] Gold 200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Year Format(s) Serial number Label(s) Ref.
1989 7inch LP, 8cm CD, CT 06L7-4070, 09L3-4070, 09L5-4070 Warner Pioneer [8]
1998 12cm CD WPC6-8680 Warner Pioneer [9]
2008 Digital download - Warner Pioneer [10]
2014 Digital download - remaster - Warner Pioneer [11]

References

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  1. ^ "中森明菜(なかもりあきな)ディスコグラフィ". Idol.ne.jp. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  2. ^ a b "中森明菜(27)LIAR(ライアー)". Nakamori Akina Miryoku no Subete. 2011-06-18. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  3. ^ "Scandal Recap: On the Infamous "Golden Screen" Event". Arama! Japan. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  4. ^ "Pop diva Nakamori idled by health". The Japan Times. 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  5. ^ a b "LIAR | 中森明菜". Oricon. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  6. ^ "中森明菜". Yamachan Land. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  7. ^ a b "Japanese single certifications – 中森 明菜 – LIAR" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2022-08-22. Select 1989年5月 on the drop-down menu
  8. ^ "7inchシングル Liar 中森明菜". surugaya.co.jp (in Japanese). Surugaya. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  9. ^ "中森明菜 / Liar CD" (in Japanese). WMJ. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  10. ^ "中森明菜 / Liar Digital Purchase-Archived". listen.jp (in Japanese). listen japan. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  11. ^ "Liar (+3) [2014 Remaster]". mora.jp (in Japanese). Mora. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
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