is a song by Japanese pop rock band

Ryokuoushoku Shakai , abbreviated as , is a Japanese pop rock band formed in 2012 in Aichi Prefecture. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Haruko Nagaya, guitarist Issei Kobayashi, keyboardist Peppe, and bassist Shingo Anami. Originally a five-member group, ...

. It was released on August 7, 2023, under

Epic Records Japan Epic Records Japan is a Japanese record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Its founder was Shigeo Maruyama. Between 1978 and 1988 the label operated as a wholly owned subsidiary: Epic/Sony Inc. () was established in August 1978

, as the theme song for the

Fuji TV JOCX-DTV (channel 8), branded as or , is a Japanese television station that serves the Kantō region as the flagship (broadcasting), flagship station of the Fuji News Network (FNN) and the Fuji Network System (FNS). The station is owned-and- ...

television drama ''Cinderella of Midsummer''.

Background and release

The production of "Summer Time Cinderella" began with the composition. After receiving the offer for the theme song of ''Cinderella of Midsummer'', all of the members wrote several songs, with some members visiting

Enoshima is a small offshore island, about in circumference, at the mouth of the Katase River which flows into the Sagami Bay of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Administratively, Enoshima is part of the mainland city of Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Fujisawa, and is ...

, where the drama is set. Ultimately Shingo Anami's song was selected, with Issei Kobayashi later adding lyrics. Once they met with the drama's producer, Haruko Nagaya contributed to the lyrics while they were being revised. The lyrics of "Summer Time Cinderella" were written based on the script of the drama, and rewritten to remove specific elements of

Cinderella "Cinderella", or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a Folklore, folk tale with thousands of variants that are told throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press, 1988. The protagonist is a you ...

so it could be used in various scenes. The arrangement, originally by Anami, was also changed with the help of LASTorder after the drama team pointed out that the song sounded old fashioned. On July 7, 2023, it was announced that "Summer Time Cinderella" would be the theme song for the

television drama ''Cinderella of Midsummer'', set to begin broadcasting three days later. The band repeatedly discussed with the drama team and created and submitted several songs in the process of finding the theme song, and "Summer Time Cinderella" was selected. Advance distribution of the song began on July 24, with the jacket art as a photo of clothes thrown on the beach. On the same day, it was announced that "Summer Time Cinderella" would be released as a single on August 7 with "Magic Hour" from the soundtrack ''Cinderella of Midsummer'' as the B-side, with the CD release on September 6. "Magic Hour" was written by Kobayashi and arranged by the band members and LASTorder. The first press limited edition of the CD included live footage from Ryokuoushoku Shakai's performance on June 15 at the

Tokyo International Forum The is a multi-purpose exhibition center in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. The complex is generally considered to be in the Yūrakuchō business district, being adjacent to Yūrakuchō Station, but it is administratively in the Marunouchi district. Toky ...

during their national hall tour Pink Blue Tour 2023.

Music video

The music video for "Summer Time Cinderella" was released on August 7, 2023. It was directed by Takuro Okubo. The video featured the band performing on the beach as well as

fireworks Fireworks are Explosive, low explosive Pyrotechnics, pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large numbe ...

Accolades

Track listing

Personnel

Adapted from the booklet in "Summer Time Cinderella"Ryokuoushoku Shakai (2023). "Summer Time Cinderella" (booklet).

. ESCL 5875–6. ;Production * LASTorder – programming ;Instruments * Haruko Nagaya – vocals, guitar * Issei Kobayashi – guitar * Peppe – keyboard * Shingo Anami – bass * Osamu Hidai – drums * Atsuki Yumoto – trumpet

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{Authority control 2023 songs 2023 singles Ryokuoushoku Shakai songs Japanese television drama theme songs Songs in Japanese Sony Music Entertainment Japan singles