:Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa
{{Short description|1998 single by Takashi Sorimachi}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa
| cover = Poison 1998 single cover.png
| caption = 1998 single cover
| alt = The cover of the 1998 "Poison" single. It is a collage of different photos showing scenery often found in big cities, spanning five rows and two columns: (top to bottom, left to right) a building, obscured by a red rectangle containing the song's title, Takashi Sorimachi's name, and copyright and catalog information; a car driving towards the camera; two girls walking away from a street crossing; a zoom-in of a red stop light; a lift next to a white office building; a digital clock showing the time at 12:01; road safety equipment; a skyscraper and the sky, tinted to a yellow hue; a busy pedestrian crossing; and a zoom-in of city lights.
| type = single
| album = High Life
| artist = Takashi Sorimachi
| language = Japanese
| genre =
- Rock
- J-pop{{cite web|url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/poison/3198051029|title=反町隆史 / POISON [廃盤]|trans-title=Takashi Sorimachi / Poison (Discontinued)|website={{ill|CDJournal|ja|CD Journal}}|language=ja|access-date=November 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128202453/https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/poison/3198051029|archive-date=November 28, 2023|url-status=live}}
| B-side = If You Love Me, Don't Forget Me
| released = {{Start date|1998|7|29}}
| length = 04:05
| label = Mercury Music Entertainment
| composer = {{ill|Jinjirō Inoue|ja|井上慎二郎}}
| lyricist = Takashi Sorimachi
| producer = {{ill|Ken Yoshida (composer) {{!}} Ken Yoshida|ja|吉田建}}
| prev_title = One
| prev_year = 1998
| next_title = Free
| next_year = 2000
| misc = {{Extra album cover|header=Movie Mix cover
| type = single
| cover = Poison Movie Mix cover.png
| alt = The cover to the Movie Mix release of "Poison". It shows the upper body of Sorimachi, in costume as Eikichi Onizuka, in front of a white background that transitions to black towards the edges. Below Sorimachi is the text "POISON" in silver/metallic stylization, the text "moviemix" in white and red, and Sorimachi's name in white.
}}
{{External music video|header=Audio
| type = single
| 1 = {{YouTube|4FAM-s3vSPY|"Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa"}}
}}
}}
{{nihongo|"Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa"|POISON 〜言いたい事も言えないこんな世の中は〜|extra=lit. "Poison: In This World You Don't Say What You Want to Say"|lead=yes}}{{efn|Also known as {{nihongo|"Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka ja"|POISON 〜言いたい事も言えないこんな世の中じゃ〜|lead=yes}}.}} is a song by Japanese actor and singer Takashi Sorimachi from his second studio album, High Life (1998). It was written as the main theme to the drama series GTO, starring Sorimachi as the schoolteacher Eikichi Onizuka. Produced by {{ill|Ken Yoshida (composer) {{!}} Ken Yoshida|ja|吉田建}} and composed by {{ill|Jinjirō Inoue|ja|井上慎二郎}} with Sorimachi in charge of lyrics and vocals, "Poison" is a rock and J-pop track written in E major with an allegro tempo. The song was released as Sorimachi's fourth single on July 29, 1998, carrying the Mercury Music Entertainment label.
Upon release, "Poison" entered at No. 9 on Oricon's Singles Chart, and went on to chart in the top 20 for nine weeks. By the end of 1998, the single had surpassed 250,000 sales, taking No. 88 on Oricon's year-end chart and earning a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). A renewed single, titled the Movie Mix, was released on December 18, 1999, and peaked at No. 38 on Oricon's chart.
Post-release, "Poison" has appeared alongside various GTO projects and has been called representative of Sorimachi. In 2018, the song became an Internet phenomenon for its ability to soothe crying babies, attributed by academics to a rise and fall of a sound in the song, particularly during a guitar riff in the intro. This renewed attention caused the song to debut at No. 38 on Billboard Japan{{'s}} Hot 100 chart, established in 2008. "Poison" has received two subsequent Gold certifications from the RIAJ: one in 2014 for 100,000 digital downloads, and another in 2023 for 50 million streams.
Composition and release
File:Takashi Sorimachi 2019 Taiwan (cropped).jpg in 2019]]
"Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa" is a Japanese rock and pop song that lasts for 4 minutes and 5 seconds,{{cite web|url=https://tower.jp/item/544338/|title=POISON～言いたい事も言えないこんな世の中は～/If you love me,don't forget me|trans-title=Poison: In This World You Don't Say What You Want to Say / If You Love Me, Don't Forget Me|language=ja|publisher=Tower Records|access-date=November 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123200759/https://tower.jp/item/544338/|archive-date=November 23, 2023|url-status=live}} composed in E major with an allegro tempo of 138 beats per minute, according to sheet music from Doremi Music Publishing.{{cite web|url=https://www.at-elise.com/elise/JPDPDO00205/|title=POISON～言いたい事も言えないこんな世の中は～|trans-title=Poison: In This World You Don't Say What You Want to Say|language=ja|publisher=Doremi Music Publishing|date=December 26, 2019|access-date=November 23, 2023|via=At-Elise}} It opens with an instrumental intro, featuring a continuously rising and falling guitar riff. In the verse and chorus, the song lays mostly flat with high melody range. Vocals remain deep throughout the entire song.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2199062/full/|title=反町隆史「POISON」で赤ちゃん泣き止む説の立証に喜び「みなさんの役に立っている」|trans-title=Takashi Sorimachi celebrates proof that "Poison" has an ability to ease crying children: "I'm glad it's been helpful to everyone."|language=ja|publisher=Oricon|date=July 3, 2021|access-date=November 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121045024/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2199062/full/|archive-date=January 21, 2023|url-status=live}}
The song was written by Takashi Sorimachi as the main theme to the 1998 television drama GTO, in which Sorimachi also stars in the lead role as the perverted but well-intent schoolteacher Eikichi Onizuka. Writing the song, Sorimachi thought back to his own time as a student, basing the lyrics in the feelings he remembered holding towards adults and society at that time.{{cite web|url=https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/17326534/|title=反町隆史がPOISON振り返る「ぶっちゃけ…」|trans-title=Takashi Sorimachi looks back on "Poison": "To tell the truth..."|website=Livedoor News|language=ja|date=November 3, 2019|access-date=November 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111080052/https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/17326534/|archive-date=November 11, 2022|url-status=live}} The song was produced and arranged by {{ill|Ken Yoshida (composer) {{!}} Ken Yoshida|ja|吉田建}} from composition by {{ill|Jinjirō Inoue|ja|井上慎二郎}}; Sorimachi was in charge of lyrics and vocals.{{cite AV media notes|year=1998|title=POISON 〜言いたい事も言えないこんな世の中は〜|trans-title=Poison: In This World You Don't Say What You Want to Say|language=ja|type=1998 CD single back cover|publisher=Mercury Music Entertainment|id=PHDL-1170}}
"Poison" was released as an 8cm CD single on July 29, 1998, through Mercury Music Entertainment.{{cite web|url=https://ranking.oricon.co.jp/contents/search/detail.asp?itemcd=187886&samecd=1|title=POISON|url-access=subscription|language=ja|publisher=Oricon|access-date=November 17, 2023}} It is Sorimachi's fourth single overall,{{cite web|url=https://www.tfm.co.jp/song/index.php?catid=1415&itemid=52499|title=Today's Song: POISON～言いたいことも言えないこんな世の中は～|trans-title=Today's Song: Poison: In This World You Don't Say What You Want to Say|publisher=Tokyo FM|language=ja|date=June 12, 2012|access-date=November 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127210826/https://www.tfm.co.jp/song/index.php?catid=1415&itemid=52499|archive-date=November 27, 2023|url-status=live}} and the second single from his second studio album, High Life.{{cite web|url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/high-life/3198070808s|title=反町隆史 / HIGH LIFE [廃盤]|trans-title=Takashi Sorimachi / High Life (Discontinued)|website={{ill|CDJournal|ja|CD Journal}}|language=ja|access-date=November 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124211610/https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/high-life/3198070808|archive-date=November 24, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite AV media notes|year=1998|title=HIGH LIFE|language=ja|type=CD album back cover|publisher=Mercury Music Entertainment|id=PHCL-5111}} A renewed maxi single, titled the Movie Mix, was released on December 18, 1999. It included a remake of the song created for the 1999 GTO film and a drum and bass remix entitled "Poison 2000".{{cite web|url=https://ranking.oricon.co.jp/contents/search/detail.asp?itemcd=181353&samecd=1|title=POISON Movie Mix|url-access=subscription|language=ja|publisher=Oricon|access-date=November 17, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/poison-moviemix/3199100345|title=反町隆史 / POISON-movie mix [廃盤]|trans-title=Takashi Sorimachi / Poison: Movie Mix (Discontinued)|website={{ill|CDJournal|ja|CD Journal}}|language=ja|access-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120184212/https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/poison-moviemix/3199100345|archive-date=November 20, 2023|url-status=live}} Despite its popularity, "Poison" would be one of Sorimachi's final singles, followed only by "Free" in 2000.{{cite web|last=Tagata|first=Tomoyuki|url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/E1450245735550/|title=『POISON』以外にも名曲が！反町隆史の歌手活動|trans-title=Other great songs apart from "Poison"! The singing career of Takashi Sorimachi|website={{ill|Excite (website) {{!}} Excite|ja|エキサイト}}|language=ja|date=December 24, 2015|access-date=November 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124213050/https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/E1450245735550/|archive-date=November 24, 2023|url-status=live}}
Reception
= Critical reception =
A comment for CDJournal described "Poison" as a song that "cheers for a man who keeps fighting without deceiving himself." The site's review for the Movie Mix wrote that the chorus will possibly move many listeners to tears, calling the single an item of interest for fans. The Movie Mix review also directed praise to "Poison 2000", opining that "Poison" in a drum and bass style was "surprisingly cool."
= Commercial performance =
"Poison" debuted on the weekly Oricon chart dated August 10, 1998, with 48,640 CD sales, placing at No. 9, its peak position. The single spent nine weeks in the top 20 of the chart, and in total charted for twelve weeks. When it left the chart in October, it had reached 270,010 sales, earning it a Gold certification from the RIAJ for surprassing 200,000,{{efn|Per the RIAJ's pre-2003 criteria, the 1998 single was certified Gold for 200,000 physical sales. Under current criteria, it would have received a Platinum certification.|name=RIAJcrit}} and a placement at No. 88 on Oricon's year-end chart.{{cite web|url=https://ranking.oricon.co.jp/contents/ranking/past_chart|title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」|url-access=subscription|trans-title=Oricon Ranking Information Service "You Taiju"|language=ja|publisher=Oricon|access-date=November 17, 2023}} It saw similar success on the CDTV chart, peaking at No. 9 on its weekly chart and No. 87 on its year-end chart.{{cite web|url=https://cd100.net/cdtv/singer.php?singer=反町隆史|title=アーティスト名が「反町隆史」の曲|trans-title=Songs by Artists Named "Takashi Sorimachi"|language=ja|publisher=Tokyo Broadcasting System|access-date=November 19, 2023|via=CD100.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119130002/https://cd100.net/cdtv/singer.php?singer=反町隆史|archive-date=November 19, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://cd100.net/cdtv/1998ty.html|title=CDTV 1998年 年間総合ランキング|trans-title=CDTV 1998 Year-End Ranking|language=ja|publisher=Tokyo Broadcasting System|access-date=November 19, 2023|via=CD100.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123125357/https://cd100.net/cdtv/1998ty.html|archive-date=November 23, 2016|url-status=live}} "Poison" also saw significant use in karaoke, finishing 64th on Joysound's 1998 ranking.{{cite web|url=https://www.joysound.com/web/s/karaoke/memories/ranking/1998|title=あの頃のヒット曲 [1998年]|trans-title=The Hit Songs of Back Then (1998)|language=ja|publisher=Joysound|access-date=November 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608224710/https://www.joysound.com/web/s/karaoke/memories/ranking/1998|archive-date=June 8, 2023|url-status=live}}
The Movie Mix single opened at No. 45 on Oricon's chart with 5,610 sales in December 1999; it rose to a peak position at No. 38 the next week in January 2000. In total, the Movie Mix charted for four unconsecutive weeks and moved 23,930 units.
The song has seen more charting and certifications in the 2000s and onwards. In 2014, a 2009 digital download single of the song was certified Gold by the RIAJ for 100,000 downloads. In March 2020, the song debuted on Billboard Japan{{'s}} Hot 100 chart (established in 2008) at No. 38, powered by Twitter mentions and digital downloads. Billboard{{'s}} editorial team attributed the resurgence to the song's virality as an Internet meme.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/new-boy-band-jo1s-debut-single-infinity-rules-japan-hot-100-9334759/|title=New Boy Band JO1's Debut Single, 'Infinity,' Rules Japan Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811200334/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/new-boy-band-jo1s-debut-single-infinity-rules-japan-hot-100-9334759/|archive-date=August 11, 2023|url-status=live}} In July the next year, it took No. 41 on Billboard{{'s}} Top Download chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlsongs&year=2021&month=07&day=19|title=Billboard Japan Top Download Songs|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|date=July 14, 2021|access-date=November 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019040841/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlsongs&year=2021&month=07&day=19|archive-date=October 19, 2022|url-status=live}} In September 2023, "Poison" received a third Gold certification, awarded for 50 million streams.
Legacy
Kadokawa publication {{ill|The TV|ja|ザテレビジョン|italic=yes}} wrote in 2021 that the song had become representative of Sorimachi,{{cite web|url=https://thetv.jp/news/detail/1040361/|title=反町隆史、「POISON」で赤ちゃんが泣き止む動画に「僕の子どもがまだ小さい時に知ってたら…」|trans-title=Takashi Sorimachi reacts to video of "Poison" calming a crying baby: "If only I had known this when my kids were still small..."|website={{ill|The TV|ja|ザテレビジョン}}|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa|date=October 28, 2023|access-date=November 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706042615/https://thetv.jp/news/detail/1040361/|archive-date=July 6, 2021|url-status=live}} and CDJournal described it as his "big break" and hit as a musician in their comment for the 1998 single. A 2018 survey by Yukina Satō of Social Trend News asked people to finish "Iitai koto mo ienai konna yo no naka ja...", the hook to "Poison". With 360 responses, it found that most respondents aged 5–19 during GTO{{'s}} initial airing could accurately finish the hook, with an over 80% success rate for those who had been aged 14, 16, and 17.{{cite web|last=Satō|first=Yukina|url=https://social-trend.jp/44447/|title=「POISON」が通じない世代が会社にやってきた|trans-title=The generation without knowledge of "Poison" are now in the work force|website=Social Trend News|language=ja|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=November 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605165801/https://social-trend.jp/44447/|archive-date=June 5, 2023|url-status=live}}
"Poison" has appeared in subsequent GTO projects. In a 2020 drama adaptation of the GTO prequel Shonan Junai Gumi, starring {{ill|Ichirō Kan|ja|寛一郎}} as Onizuka, "Poison" was featured as an insert song.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2155223/full/|title=ドラマ『湘南純愛組!』予告編解禁 反町隆史の「POISON」が挿入歌に|trans-title=Trailer to Shonan Junai Gumi drama adaptation unveiled. Takashi Sorimachi's "Poison" to be used as an insert theme|language=ja|publisher=Oricon|date=February 12, 2020|access-date=November 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715041434/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2155223/full//|archive-date=July 15, 2022|url-status=live}} In July 2023, fashion site {{ill|Zozotown|ja|ZOZO}} announced a line of T-shirts based on "Poison" and the 1998 drama.{{cite web|url=https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/2023-07-24/gto-zozo/|title=ドラマ「GTO」がゾゾタウンとコラボ 反町隆史やPOISONのポスターヴィジュアルをTシャツに|trans-title=GTO drama collaborates with Zozo Town. Poster visuals of Takashi Sorimachi and "Poison" to be turned into T-shirts|website={{ill|Fashion Snap|ja|Fashionsnap.com}}|language=ja|publisher=Reco Orlando|date=July 24, 2023|access-date=November 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725215121/https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/2023-07-24/gto-zozo/|archive-date=July 25, 2023|url-status=live}} In September the same year, it was announced that Sorimachi would reprise his role as Onizuka for GTO Revival, set to premiere in spring 2024. The announcement caused "POISON" to trend on X, alongside "Sorimachi Takashi" (反町隆史), "Onizuka Eikichi" (鬼塚英吉), and "Sorimachi-san" (反町さん).{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/b69857e0756479260c8b935cc03b7fcada29fee7|title=反町隆史「GTOリバイバル」放送決定に「激アツ」歓喜の声 "POISON" "冬月先生" 関連ワードもトレンド入り|trans-title=Broadcast confirmation for GTO Revival, starring Takashi Sorimachi, brings "extreme excitement". Related topics such as "Poison" and "Fuyutsuki-sensei" enter trending|website=Cinema Cafe|language=ja|date=September 15, 2023|access-date=November 30, 2023|via=Yahoo! News Japan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129233727/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/b69857e0756479260c8b935cc03b7fcada29fee7|archive-date=November 29, 2023|url-status=live}}
= Internet meme =
In early 2018, a post was made to the "0-Year Old Childcare" thread of Japanese textboard 2channel, stating that "Poison" could ease crying children and even put them to sleep if played for longer. As users of the site corroborated the song's effectiveness, the story spread around the Internet.{{cite web|author=Tks|url=https://internet.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/yajiuma/1124575.html|title=タケモトピアノだけじゃない? 赤ちゃんの寝かしつけに、あるJ-POPが効果絶大と話題に|trans-title=It's not just the Takemoto Piano jingle? For its ability to put children to sleep, a certain J-pop song gathers attention|website=Internet Watch|language=ja|publisher=Impress Corporation|date=May 30, 2018|access-date=November 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827004925/https://internet.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/yajiuma/1124575.html|archive-date=August 27, 2022|url-status=live}} Sorimachi was told of the phenomenon several times by his management and others, and said on a November 2019 episode of {{ill|Ken Radio|ja|KEN RADIO|italic=yes}}: "If only I had known earlier, maybe I could've used it on my own kids when they were little. My older child always cried [...] If I'd have known, I would've just put on my own song."
{{listen
|filename = Poison guitar riff.wav
|title = "Poison" intro sample
|description = The falling and rising guitar riff in the intro (riff isolated in audio file) was attributed to the song's ability to ease crying children.
|pos = right
}}
In an interview with {{ill|WithNews|ja|ウィズニュース}}, pedagog {{ill|Yōko Shimura|ja|志村洋子 (教育学者)}} of Saitama University attributed the song's ability to ease children to a "clear" rise and fall of sound in the song's basso continuo.{{cite web|last=Kanasawa|first=Hikari|url=https://withnews.jp/article/f0200411002qq000000000000000W07n10201qq000020865A|title=「POISON」聞いたら泣きやんだ 赤ちゃん「おやなんだ反応」の真相|trans-title=Babies stop crying when they hear "Poison". The truth behind their reaction|language=ja|publisher={{ill|WithNews|ja|ウィズニュース}}|date=April 11, 2020|access-date=November 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813120003/https://withnews.jp/article/f0200411002qq000000000000000W07n10201qq000020865A|archive-date=August 13, 2022|url-status=live}} In July 2021, Sorimachi's talent management company Ken-On released a YouTube video in which they tested the trend with Sorimachi. The video opens with Sorimachi reacting to clips showing the song effective on children from Japan, Brazil, the U.S., the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Sorimachi then video calls with the head of the {{ill|Japan Acoustic Lab|ja|日本音響研究所}}, who, similarly to Shimura, theorizes that the high frequency in the intro's rising and falling guitar riff is able to stimulate and calm babies up to two years old.{{cite web|last=Cheema|first=Sukhbir|url=https://sea.mashable.com/entertainment/16601/babies-mysteriously-stop-crying-whenever-this-song-is-played-to-them|title=Babies mysteriously stop crying whenever this song is played to them|website=Mashable Southeast Asia|date=July 9, 2021|access-date=November 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627111226/https://sea.mashable.com/entertainment/16601/babies-mysteriously-stop-crying-whenever-this-song-is-played-to-them|archive-date=June 27, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite AV media|editor-last=Toshiki|editor-first=Ebe|date=July 3, 2021|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1HCT9TqS2c|title=The baby stops crying with the song "Poison" sung by Takashi Sorimachi.|type=video|publisher=Ken-On|via=YouTube}} As of November 2023, the video has surpassed 2 million views.
Live performances and covers
To promote High Life, Sorimachi embarked on the Live Tour 98 High Life throughout Japan, performing "Poison" among other songs from the album. The tour's final day, performed at the Nakano Sunplaza, was released to video on February 3, 1999. A DVD release followed on December 20, 2000.{{cite web|url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/2199020019|title=反町隆史/ライヴ・ツアー'98 ハイ・ライフ [VIDEO他]|trans-title=Takashi Sorimachi / Live Tour 98 High Life (Video / Other)|website={{ill|CDJournal|ja|CD Journal}}|language=ja|access-date=November 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127185016/https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/2199020019|archive-date=November 27, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/207617|title=LIVE TOUR'98 HIGH LIFE / UMBK-1511|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208085143/https://www.billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/207617|archive-date=February 8, 2021|url-status=live}} According to Goo Imatopi and Livedoor News, Sorimachi was intended to perform "Poison" on NHK's Kōhaku Uta Gassen, but was unable to since the song's title conflicted with the 1998 Wakayama Arsenic poison case, a murder case with heavy impact in Japan.{{cite web|url=https://ima.goo.ne.jp/word/244128/『新作スペシャルドラマ』放送決定！最終回の視聴率は35.7％を記録|title=『新作スペシャルドラマ』放送決! 最終回の視聴率は35.7％を記録|trans-title=Broadcast of new special drama decided! The audience rating for its final episode reached 35.7%|website=Goo Imatopi|language=ja|date=September 18, 2023|access-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125150642/https://ima.goo.ne.jp/word/244128/『新作スペシャルドラマ』放送決定！最終回の視聴率は35.7％を記録|archive-date=November 25, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/16484335/|title=反町隆史の好感度爆上がり中! "セクシー音痴"代表作『POISON』もその一因?【有名人の消し去りたい"黒歴史"】|website=Livedoor News|language=ja|date=May 19, 2015|access-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125170521/https://news.livedoor.com/articldetail/16484335/|archive-date=November 25, 2023|url-status=live}}
"Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa" has been remixed and covered by various other artists. It is the lead track of the techno remix album Cosmetic Dramatic (2009){{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/14418|title=反町隆史、ミスチル、のりピー他をピコピコカバー|trans-title=Takashi Sorimachi, Mr. Children, Nori-P, and others covered in electro|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=March 16, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125181124/https://natalie.mu/music/news/14418|archive-date=November 25, 2023|url-status=live}} and the 14th track on rock remix cover album Yanki Rock Non Stop Mix (2010).{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/42008|title=銀蝿からイエモンまで! 永遠のヤンキーソング25曲をカバー|trans-title=From Ginbae to Yellow Monkey! Covers of 25 eternal yankee songs|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=December 14, 2010|access-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031061055/https://natalie.mu/music/news/42008|archive-date=October 31, 2020|url-status=live}} As a television ending theme, "Poison" has been recorded in drama-related albums, including on Climax Love Story: Chapter 1 (2012), the first drama theme compilation album in a series of two,{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/74710|title=ヒット曲盛りだくさん、ドラマ主題歌コンピ2作同時発売|trans-title=Containing several hit songs, two albums of drama themes to receive same-day release|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=August 15, 2012|access-date=November 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110114217/https://natalie.mu/music/news/74710|archive-date=January 10, 2022|url-status=live}} and on Love Story: Dramatic Mix (2018) via a cover.{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/297195|title=ドラマ主題歌のノンストップミックスCD発売、福山雅治やドリカムら名曲収録|trans-title=Non-stop drama theme song mix CD released. Includes songs by Masaharu Fukuyama and Dreams Come True|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=August 28, 2018|access-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125181124/https://natalie.mu/music/news/297195|archive-date=November 25, 2023|url-status=live}} The song has also been covered during on-stage performances, such as by {{ill|Powan (band) {{!}} Powan|ja|ぽわん}} in 2015{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/160376|title=ぽわん、盛況ワンマンでファズミサキ脱退＆11月から毒まきツアー開催|trans-title=Fuzzy Misaki leaves Powan after successful one-man performance. Tour ongoing since November|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=September 18, 2015|access-date=November 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701211600/https://natalie.mu/music/news/160376|archive-date=July 1, 2017|url-status=live}} and by Coldrain featuring {{ill|Shūhei Igari|ja|猪狩秀平}} in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/232576|title=coldrain、HEY-SMITH、SiM「TRIPLE AXE」熱狂の3組コラボで終演|trans-title=Collaboration of Coldrain, Hey-Smith, and SiM ends final tour day|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=May 15, 2017|access-date=November 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011145005/https://natalie.mu/music/news/232576|archive-date=October 11, 2017|url-status=live}}
"Poison" has become a staple song of comedian Takashi Okamura, often performed by him during All Night Nippon (ANN) song festivals hosted by his comedy group Ninety-nine;{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/254715|title=「岡村隆史のANN歌謡祭」でaiko、May J.、知念里奈らToshlと熱狂のXジャンプ|trans-title=Aiko, May J., and Rina Chinen perform an enthusiastic X-jump with Toshl at Takashi Okamura's ANN Song Festival|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=October 30, 2017|access-date=November 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920091232/https://natalie.mu/music/news/254715|archive-date=September 20, 2021|url-status=live}} by October 2021, Okamura had performed the song six times.{{cite web|url=https://www.fujitv-view.jp/article/post-417142/|title=岡村隆史 初の矢部浩之との"ナイナイ歌謡祭"に喜び「『POISON』を歌うのは6回目」|trans-title=Takashi Okamura celebrates his first Nine-Nine Music Festival with Hiroyuki Yabe. "This is my 6th time singing 'Poison'"|language=ja|publisher=Fuji Television|date=October 31, 2021|access-date=November 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126214420/https://www.fujitv-view.jp/article/post-417142/|archive-date=January 26, 2022|url-status=live}} At the 2023 ANN festival, Sorimachi joined Okamura in performance of the song. Okamura, who had suffered a rupture of the achilles tendon on his right foot, sat on a chair with a visible cast and sang whilst Sorimachi stood. Okamura described the joint performance as something he couldn't have considered "even in [his] dreams."{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202310280001573.html|title=岡村隆史アキレス腱断裂から初の公の場「こんなことになるなんて...」ギプス姿のままステージ登場|trans-title=Takashi Okamura makes his first public appearance since rupturing his achilles tendon. "That this would happen..." Appeared on stage wearing a cast|newspaper=Nikkan Sports|language=ja|publisher=Asahi Shimbun Company|date=October 28, 2023|access-date=November 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101143556/https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202310280001573.html|archive-date=November 1, 2023|url-status=live}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from the 1998 single liner notes.
- Takashi Sorimachi – vocals, lyrics
- {{ill|Jinjirō Inoue|ja|井上慎二郎}} – composer
- {{ill|Ken Yoshida (composer) {{!}} Ken Yoshida|ja|吉田建}} – producer, arrangement
- {{ill|Hiroyuki Hanada|ja|花田裕之}} – composer ("If You Love Me, Don't Forget Me")
- Kō Nakayama – arrangement (Movie Mix)
Track listing
{{Track listing
|all_lyrics = Takashi Sorimachi
|headline = 1998 CD single (original)
|extra_column = Arrangement
|title1 = Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa
|music1 = {{ill|Jinjirō Inoue|ja|井上慎二郎}}
|extra1 = {{ill|Ken Yoshida (composer) {{!}} Ken Yoshida|ja|吉田建}}
|length1 = 4:05
|title2 = If You Love Me, Don't Forget Me
|music2 = {{ill|Hiroyuki Hanada|ja|花田裕之}}
|extra2 = Yoshida
|length2 = 4:42
|title3 = Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa
|note3 = Instrumental
|music3 = Inoue
|extra3 = Yoshida
|length3 = 4:05
|title4 = If You Love Me, Don't Forget Me
|note4 = Instrumental
|music4 = Hanada
|extra4 = Yoshida
|length4 = 4:42
|total_length = 17:34
}}
{{Track listing
|headline = Movie Mix maxi single
|extra_column = Arrangement
|title1 = Poison
|note1 = Movie Mix
|music1 = Inoue
|extra1 = Kō Nakayama
|length1 = 4:00
|title2 = Poison 2000
|music2 = Inoue
|extra2 = Nakayama
|length2 = 6:00
|title3 = Poison
|note3 = Movie Mix / Original Backing Tracks
|music3 = Inoue
|extra3 = Nakayama
|length3 = 4:00
|total_length = 14:00
}}
{{Track listing
|headline = Digital single
|extra_column = Arrangement
|title1 = Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa
|music1 = Inoue
|extra1 = Yoshida
|length1 = 4:02
}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
== 1998 single ==
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| + {{nowrap|Weekly chart performance for "Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa" (original)}} ! scope="col"| Chart (1998) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| Japan (Oricon){{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/245460/products/187886/1/|title=POISON|language=ja|publisher=Oricon|access-date=November 17, 2023|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=}}
|9 |
|---|
| scope="row"| Japan (CDTV)
|9 |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| + {{nowrap|Weekly chart performance for "Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa" (original)}} ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2020&month=03&day=16|title=Billboard Japan Hot 100|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|date=March 11, 2020|access-date=November 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605104428/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2020&month=03&day=16|archive-date=June 5, 2022|url-status=live}}
|38 |
|---|
| scope="row"| Japan (CDTV)
|43 |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| + {{nowrap|Weekly chart performance for "Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa" (original)}} ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| Japanese Top Download Songs (Billboard Japan)
|41 |
|---|
== Movie Mix single ==
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| + {{nowrap|Weekly chart performance for "Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa" (Movie Mix)}} ! scope="col"| Chart (1999–00) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"| Japan (Oricon){{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/245460/products/181353/1/|title=POISON|language=ja|publisher=Oricon|access-date=November 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117202800/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/245460/products/181353/1/|archive-date=November 17, 2023|url-status=live}}
|38 |
|---|
| scope="row"| Japan (CDTV)
|51 |
{{col-2}}
= Yearly charts =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| + {{nowrap|Year-end chart performance for "Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa" (original)}} ! scope="col"| Chart (1998) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| Japan (Oricon)
|88 |
|---|
| scope="row"| Japan (CDTV)
|87 |
| scope="row"| Japanese Karaoke Songs (Joysound)
|64 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications and sales
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|title=POISON～言いたい事も言えないこんな世の中は～|artist=反町 隆史|type=single|award=Gold|salesamount=270,010|salesref=|note=1998 physical single|certmonth=10|certyear=1998|refname=RIAJPhysicalSales}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|title=POISON～言いたい事も言えないこんな世の中は～|artist=反町 隆史|type=single|award=Gold|note=Digital single|certmonth=02|certyear=2014|digital=true|refname=RIAJDownloads}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|title=POISON～言いたい事も言えないこんな世の中は～|artist=反町 隆史|type=single|award=Gold|note=Digital track|certmonth=09|certyear=2023|streamsonly=true|refname=RIAJStreams}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streamsonly=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Release dates and formats for "Poison: Iitai Koto mo Ienai Konna Yo no Naka wa" |
| scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format !scope="col"|Version !scope="col"|Label !scope="col"|Catalogue code !scope="col"|Ref(s). |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="3"|Japan
|July 29, 1998 |Original |rowspan="2"|Mercury Music Entertainment |PHDL-1170 |
| December 18, 1999
|12cm maxi single |Movie Mix |PHCL-11014 |
| September 30, 2009
|{{N/A}} |{{N/A}} | style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/POISON～言いたいことも言えないこんな世の中は～-反町隆史/dp/B00CRXRK56|title=POISON～言いたいことも言えないこんな世の中は～|trans-title=Poison: In This World You Don't Say What You Want to Say|language=ja|publisher=Amazon Music|access-date=November 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117204859/https://www.amazon.co.jp/POISON～言いたいことも言えないこんな世の中は～-反町隆史/dp/B00CRXRK56|archive-date=November 17, 2023|url-status=live}} |
= Via albums =
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Great Teacher Onizuka}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Subject bar|portal1=Japan|portal2=Rock music|portal3=Television|portal4=1990s|d=y}}
Category:Great Teacher Onizuka
Category:Internet memes introduced in 2018
Category:Japanese television drama theme songs