Candies (group)

Japanese idol trio (1973–1978)

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Kayōkyoku
teen pop

Years active1973–1978LabelsCBS SonyPast members

Ran Itō
Yoshiko "Sue" Tanaka
Miki Fujimura

WebsiteSony Music/candies

Candies (キャンディーズ, Kyandīzu) was a Japanese idol trio formed in 1973, their first single being "Anata ni Muchū". The trio was composed of three girls: Ran (ラン) (Ran Itō (伊藤蘭, Itō Ran)), Sue (スー, Sū) (Yoshiko Tanaka (田中好子, Tanaka Yoshiko)), and Miki (ミキ) (Miki Fujimura (藤村美樹, Fujimura Miki). Songwriters included Michio Yamagami, Kōichi Morita, Yūsuke Hoguchi, and Kazuya Senka.^[1] The group was popular among young Japanese people.

History

Biography

The Candies had eight top 10 songs: "Toshishita no Otokonoko", "Haru Ichiban", "Natsu ga Kita!", "Yasashii Akuma", "Shochū Omimai Mōshiagemasu", "Un, Deux, Trois", "Wana", and "Hohoemi Gaeshi". They were a representative idol group of Japan in the 1970s along with Pink Lady.

In 1977, at the height of their popularity, they dropped out of the music business with the famous phrase of "Futsū no on'nanoko ni modoritai" (普通の女の子に戻りたい, "We want to return to being ordinary girls.") Their farewell concert was held at the Korakuen Stadium on April 4, 1978.

A few years after leaving the industry, Ran and Sue came back as actresses. Miki returned to singing, but quit shortly after getting married.

In 2008, there were plans for a Candies reunion tour to celebrate 35 years since their debut and 30 years since their epic farewell concert. The tour never came about, mainly due to Sue's acting schedule and Miki's desire to remain out of the public eye for the sake of her family. However, the trio contributed pictures and essays to release a commemoration "Time Capsule" best-of album instead and did not meet during production.

Sue died from breast cancer in April 2011.^[2] Ran and Miki delivered the eulogy at her funeral. Sue also left behind a recording of her final thoughts. In this recording (as well as in Miki's eulogy), it was revealed that all three members never again had the chance to reunite, yet have always desired to perform again.

In 2011, the Japanese music program Music Station listed them in their Top 50 Idols of All-time based on their sales figures. They were placed no. 32, with sales exceeding 5,000,000.^[3]

In 2019, Ran started performing again as a solo singer.

Legacy

Two years after their breakup, the Candies were depicted as anthropomorphic cats in the 1980 anime Sue Cat, titled after member Sue.^[4]

Discography

Anata ni Muchū: Uchiki na Candies (1973)
Abunai Doyōbi: Candies no Sekai (1974)
Namida no Kisetsu (1974)
Toshishita no Otokonoko (1975)
Sono Ki ni Sasenaide (1975)
Haru Ichiban (1976)
Natsu ga Kita! (1976)
Candies 1½: Yasashii Akuma (1977)
Candy Label (1977)
Sōshunfu (1978)

Filmography

TV

Kōhaku Uta Gassen appearances

Year / Broadcast	Appearance	Song	Appearance order	Opponent
1975 (Shōwa 50) / 26th^[5]	Debut	"Toshishita no Otokonoko"	4/24	Zoo True Bee
1976 (Shōwa 51) / 27th^[6]	2	"Haru Ichiban"	3/24	Four Leaves
1977 (Shōwa 52) / 28th^[7]	3	"Yasashii Akuma"	7/24	Hideki Saijo

References

^ Martin, Ian F. (2016). Quit Your Band: Musical Notes From the Japanese Underground. Awai Books. p. 59. ISBN 978-1-937220-05-1.
^ "2,400 Attend Funeral for Former Candies Singer Yoshiko Tanaka". Japan Today. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
^ "Music Station announces their Top 50 Idols of All time". Tokyo Hive. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
^ Masataka, Yoshida (2016). "On Two-Dimensional Cute Girls: Virtual Idols -- Overlap with the Real World". In Galbraith, Patrick W.; Karlin, Jason G. (eds.). Media Convergence in Japan. Kinema Club. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-692-62995-6. Retrieved 2024-05-22 – via Archive.org.
^ "「紅白歌合戦ヒストリー第26回（1975年／平成1年）」". NHK. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
^ "「紅白歌合戦ヒストリー第27回（1976年／平成1年）」". NHK. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
^ "「紅白歌合戦ヒストリー第28回（1977年／平成1年）」". NHK. Retrieved 2022-03-23.