Written by Yukinojo Mori and Kōji Tamaki, the single was released March 21, 1986, by Canyon Records together with "Ohikkoshi, Wasuremono" (お引越し・忘れもの, lit.

"Kanashimi yo Konnichi wa" was used as the first opening theme of the anime TV series Maison Ikkoku.

[3][notes 1] The B-side release was "Ohikkoshi, Wasuremono", which was written by Saito and Toshio Kamei.

is a rearranged single by Yuki Saito, released on November 28, 2007, through Team Entertainment.

Several artists have released cover versions of "Kanashimi yo Konnichi wa".

From the anime series White Album, the character Yuki Morikawa (voiced by Aya Hirano) covered "Kanashimi yo Konnichi wa" on the character CD single Koiiro Sora.

[20] Singer and actor Yūzō Imai also released a cover on his album Kimi to Aruita Jikan.