Aitakute Ima

"Aitakute Ima"
Single by Misia
from the album Just Ballade
Released November 18, 2009
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded 2009
Genre Pop
Length 6:02
Label Ariola Japan
Writer(s) Misia, Jun Sasaki
Producer(s) Sasaki
Misia singles chronology
"Ginga/Itsumademo"
(2009)
"Aitakute Ima"
(2009)
"Hoshi no Yō ni..."
(2009)
Alternative cover
Artwork for the first press edition sleeve case

"Aitakute Ima" (逢いたくていま, lit. "Missing You Now") is the twenty-third single by Japanese recording artist Misia. It was released on November 18, 2009 as the fourth single from Misia's ninth studio album Just Ballade.[1]

Background

"Aitakute Ima" was written by Misia, while the composition and production were handled by Jun Sasaki.[2] It served as theme song for the first season of the TBS drama Jin, starring Takao Osawa, Haruka Ayase and Miki Nakatani.[3] "Aitakute Ima" is Misia's first song in five years to be used in a TV drama.[3] The first pressing of the single came housed in a sleeve case with a see-through cutout.[4] The single includes two B-sides: "Kuchibiru to Kuchibiru," also featured on Just Ballade, which Misia describes as the mature version of the song "Kiss Shite Dakishimete," from her first album Mother Father Brother Sister, and "Love Truly," which was written by essayist Mayumi Satō and first performed during The Tour of Misia Discotheque Asia.[5]

Composition

"Aitakute Ima" was made at the request of producer Akihiko Ishimaru, who was keen on having Misia sing the theme song for the drama.[6] In a press release, he commented:

"Aitakute Ima"
A 30-second sample of the first chorus of "Aitakute Ima."

Problems playing this file? See media help.
When I imagined the music that would match the epic story and visuals of the drama, Misia's overwhelmingly powerful and bittersweet voice was all that came to mind. I wanted it to be touching and nostalgic and for it to bring to life the earnestness of the people from the Edo period and the feeling of a love that transcends time, so I asked Misia to write an epic ballad like only she can. Once I heard the song, I became even more confident in the drama and am certain it will liven up the production [...] I want the viewers to focus on the lyrics, as they may be hinting at the climax of the drama.[6]

In an interview with Excite Music, Misia explained that one of Ishimaru's directives was to not read the original manga series, in order to avoid giving away potential spoilers in the song. The lyrics of the song were therefore influenced by the story's theme of longing and nostalgia.[5]

Critical reception

CDJournal described the song as "an impactful piano ballad" which "speaks of the fundamental theme of love across time" and that has "the power to bring forth memories."[4] As a result of its popularity with viewers and critics alike, "Aitakute Ima" won the Television Drama Academy Award for Best Drama Song.[7] The song was ranked 19th most memorable drama theme song in a nationwide poll conducted by Music Station in April 2011.[8] With over 11 million views, the music video for "Aitakute Ima" is the most viewed video on Misia's official YouTube channel.[9]

Chart performance

"Aitakute Ima" debuted on the Oricon Daily Singles chart at number 9 on November 17, 2009 and climbed to number 6 on November 21, 2009.[10][11] It peaked at number 9 on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, with 15,804 copies sold in its first week.[12] It is Misia's first single to enter the top ten since "Royal Chocolate Flush" (2007).[13] The song has sold over 750,000 downloads since its release and was certified triple platinum in download sales.[14][15] (Download) "Aitakute Ima" appeared in the year-end charts of both the iTunes Store and Mora at number 85 and number 44, respectively.[16][17] The single charted for twelve weeks and has sold 46,524 copies in total.[18][19]

Track listing

No. TitleLyricsMusic Length
1. "Aitakute Ima" (逢いたくていま "Missing You Now")MisiaJun Sasaki 6:02
2. "Kuchibiru to Kuchibiru" (唇と唇 "Lip to Lip")HinataSinkiroh 4:55
3. "Love Truly"  Mayumi SatōToshiaki Matsumoto 4:14
4. "Aitakute Ima (Instrumental)"   Sasaki 5:58
Total length:
21:11

Charts, certifications and sales

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Billboard Japan Hot 100[20] 3
Billboard Japan Hot Top Airplay[21] 3
Billboard Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay[22] 10
Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales[23] 9
Oricon Daily Singles[10] 6
Oricon Weekly Singles[12] 9
Oricon Monthly Singles 21
Oricon Yearly Singles[24] 185
SoundScan Japan Weekly Singles[25] 12
Taiwan Five Music J-pop/K-pop Chart[26] 19

Certifications and sales

Country Certifications Sales
Japan 3× Platinum[15] 46,524[19]

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Japan[27] November 18, 2009 CD, digital download Ariola Japan
Taiwan[28] December 4, 2009 CD Sony Music Entertainment Taiwan

References

  1. "MISIA、話題の歴史SFドラマに王道バラード提供". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 2009-10-03. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  2. 逢いたくていま (in Japanese). Rhythmedia. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  3. 1 2 "MISIA、5年ぶりドラマ主題歌を10/23にリリース" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-10-05. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  4. 1 2 "MISIA / 逢いたくていま". CDJournal (in Japanese). OngakuShuppansha. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  5. 1 2 女性的な想いの詰まった3曲です。. Excite Music (in Japanese). Excite Japan. 2009-11-01. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  6. 1 2 "日曜劇場『JIN-仁-』に、MISIA王道のバラード". Barks (in Japanese). ITmedia. 2009-10-04. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  7. "ザテレビジョン ドラマアカデミー賞: 【第63回 ドラマソング賞】「逢いたくていま」MISIA" (in Japanese). The Television. 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  8. "アーティストイメージ一斉調査春の国民投票SP". Music Station (in Japanese). TV Asahi. 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  9. "RhythmediaChannel's Channel". YouTube. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  10. 1 2 山下智久、3年半ぶりソロシングルが初日首位発進☆11/17付 シングルデイリー (in Japanese). 2009-11-18. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  11. "EXILE、嵐がデイリー再浮上☆11/21付 シングルデイリー" (in Japanese). 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  12. 1 2 2009年12月第1週の邦楽シングルランキング情報 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  13. "NEWS・山下智久、3年半ぶりソロシングルで2作目も首位獲得" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-11-24. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  14. "MISIA 新曲が劇場版アニメ主題歌に". Biglobe Music (in Japanese). Nec Biglobe. 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  15. 1 2 レコード協会調べ 1月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: January Digital Music Download Certifications]. RIAJ (in Japanese). February 28, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  16. 2010年 年間トップ100 ダウンロード・ランキング (in Japanese). Mora. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  17. "iTunesが2010年間ランキングを発表". iTunes Store (in Japanese). Apple Inc. 2010-12-09. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  18. "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」". Oricon (in Japanese). Oricon Research. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  19. 1 2 "アニメ・ゲーム・特撮CD売上スレ175" (in Japanese). 2010-01-13. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  20. "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link. 2009-11-30. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  21. "Billboard Japan Hot Top Airplay". Billboard (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link. 2009-11-30. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  22. "Billboard Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay". Billboard (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link. 2009-11-30. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  23. "Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales". Billboard (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link. 2009-11-30. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  24. 2009年度シングル年間売上ランキング (in Japanese). 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  25. "週間 CDソフト TOP20" (in Japanese). SoundScan Japan. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  26. "Five Music - 五大唱片(5大唱片) -五大金榜" (in Chinese). Five Music. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  27. 逢いたくていま (in Japanese). JBooks Corporation. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  28. 再見你一次 (in Chinese). Sony Music Entertainment Taiwan. Retrieved 2011-06-16.

External links

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