Taiyou no Komachi Angel

Taiyou no Komachi Angel
Single by B'z
Released	June 13, 1990
Promotions	#1 (Kameria Diamond CM)
Length	9:05
Label	BMG Rooms; Vermillion Records (2003 Remaster)
Producer	Tak Matsumoto
B'z singles chronology

Taiyou no Komachi Angel (太陽のKomachi Angel, Town Angel from the Sun) is the fifth single by B'z and their first number-one hit, released on June 13, 1990. The single was released less than three weeks after fellow non-album single "BE THERE" as part of one of the busiest years in the band's history but would also prove to be amongst their most important. Here, the band captured their first number one single and began their record-setting run of consecutive number-one singles. It would first be collected as part of the best-selling B'z compilation B'z The Best "Pleasure" in 1998. Ultimately, the song was a near miss for the 30 fan selections included on B'z The Best "ULTRA Treasure" in 2008 after ranking in at 34. However, it would be found again amongst all of the band's other singles on B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013 as part of their 25th anniversary commemoration.

The title song would become the first B'z song to begin with the bridge and chorus before seguing into the first verse. At the time of recording, Tak originally resisted the title Koshi had suggested but it eventually stuck. The tune is one that feels very distant from the band's Japanese roots with strong influence of Latin dance at its core. Koshi stated in an interview that they "tried to reflect 'season' through the melody and arrangement" and that the song is one "filled with the feeling of 'season'". The song was given a completely English makeover on the 1990 mini album WICKED BEAT under the title "Komachi-Angel Red Hot Style".

The song's energy and lively audience interaction moments have made it a trademark staple for many of their most memorable LIVE-GYMs. The Latin-infused rhythm is accentuated with clapping led by Koshi for the audience, seen in most of the song's live performances. During such performances, Koshi also typically vocalizes the guitar solo as Tak leads. This would lead to the song being performed 170 times as of the band's 25th anniversary tour, with appearances beginning in "BREAK THROUGH" and followed by seminal appearances during Pleasure'93, The Final Pleasure, and even in an acoustic-based version would be during SHOWCASE 2007 -19- and SHOWCASE 2007 -B'z In Your Town-. As a result, it has been released on numerous home videos.

As the band's first number-one hit, B'z were a hot topic in the music industry at the time and even appeared on Hit Studio Night twice within two weeks to perform the single. Interestingly, the song premiered at the top of the charts without a music video. In the years since, live footage has been substituted when needed for television airings. Additionally, as with "Easy Come, Easy Go!", the title song also served as a theme to a Camilla Diamond commercial.

The release of the single would prove to be one of the most pivotal in the band's history. With its debut at the top of the Weekly Oricon Singles chart with 52,000 in sales, it gave the band their first number one single and would begin a record streak of consecutive singles that have continued to take home the honor for over two decades. The single ranked as the 27th highest-selling for the year of 1990 and spent a total of 47 weeks on the charts. Ultimately, the single was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

The single was simultaneously remastered and re-released on March 26, 2003 along with nine other of the band's older singles and the then-latest single, "IT'S SHOWTIME!!". On the daily chart at launch, B'z held a monopoly over the chart's top eleven slots, with the new single ranking at the top and the re-issues covering the remaining ten. Ultimately, B'z would set a record that week for holding nine of the Top 10 slots for the week of release, with "Taiyou no Komachi Angel" coming in tenth place.

Track listing

Taiyou no Komachi Angel — Town Angel from the Sun, 太陽のKomachi Angel
File:s05 01.ogg As the band's first number-one hit, "Taiyou no Komachi Angel" is remembered by the general public and fans alike as a signature B'z song. Its Latin-inspired rhythm makes it a unique entry in the band's wider catalogue and its kinetic live energy makes it a perennial live choice. The signature clapping rhythm and choral interactions with the audience have made it a mainstay amongst the band's shows, for which it is typically brought out for Pleasure shows at this point. While originally a non-album single, it would be collected eight years later on B'z The Best "Pleasure" and later B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013.
Good-bye Holy Days
File:s05 02.ogg In contrast to the end-of-summer energy of the A-side, "Good-bye Holy Days" is a soft ballad number. The song was premiered live in acoustic form during B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure'92 "TIME" in its only live appearance. Although guitar is not a major feature in the single version, Tak said in early interviews that it was one of his favorites of all the band had produced to that point. To date, the full tour has not been released on home video nor has it been collected on any other album or release.

Reversion history

Main article: B'z Reversioned Songs

Original Song	Reversion History
Taiyou no Komachi Angel SINGLE (1990)	ENGLISH: Komachi-Angel Red Hot Style [English Version] (1991) English version found only on English mini album WICKED BEAT. KARAOKE: Taiyou no Komachi Angel [Karaoke Version] (1992) Karaoke version found only on B'z TV Style SONGLESS VERSION.