"Gift"[a] is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released April 24, 2020, by EMI Records. The song served as the theme song for TBS' King's Brunch and subsequently as the fifth and final single from Ai's extended play, It's All Me, Vol. 1.

"Gift"
Single by Ai
from the EP It's All Me, Vol. 1
LanguageJapanese
ReleasedApril 24, 2020 (2020-04-24)
Recorded2019
GenreJ-pop
Length3:38
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Uta
  • Uemura
Ai singles chronology
"Good as Gold"
(2020)
"Gift"
(2020)
"Not So Different"
(2020)
Music video
"Gift" on YouTube

Background and promotion

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In March 2020, TBS announced Ai would be releasing a song titled "Gift", which would serve as the theme song for their King's Brunch variety show in celebration of its 25th anniversary.[1] The program's chief producer Wataru Hiraga stated that only the chorus of the song would be used for the theme song, but recommended to listen to the full song.[1]

A lyric video teaser was released two days prior to the song's release.[2] In June, "Gift" was revealed to be included on Ai's extended play, It's All Me, Vol. 1 as the fifth and final single.[3]

Music and lyrics

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Billboard Japan described "Gift" as a "message song" that shows the value of Ai, comparing the song to her 2011 single, "Happiness".[2]

Music video

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A music video for "Gift" was released in June 2020. Directed by Kensaku Kakimoto, Ai is seen singing with various flowers in the background, meant to represent life forces.[4] A red thread is shown connecting the flowers, referring to the read thread of fate.[5]

Live performances

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Ai performed "Gift" during her Global Citizen Together at Home performance live on Instagram.[6] She additionally performed the song live on Nippon Television's Sukiri on June 24, 2020.[7]

Track listing

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Digital download and streaming

  1. "Gift" — 3:38

Charts

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Chart performance for "Gift"
Chart (2020) Peak

position

Japan Digital Singles Chart (Oricon)[8] 44
Japan Download Songs (Billboard Japan)[9] 53

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[10]

  • Ai Uemura – songwriting, production, lead vocals
  • Uta – songwriting, production

Release history

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Release history and formats for "Gift"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various April 24, 2020 [1]

Notes

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  1. ^ Japanese: ギフト; Hepburn: Gifuto

References

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  1. ^ a b c "AIの新曲が「王様のブランチ」テーマソングに". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie, Inc. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "AI、感動と笑顔の新曲「ギフト」配信リリース&リリックビデオ公開". Billboard Japan. April 23, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  3. ^ "AI、20周年アニバーサリーミニAL第一弾『IT'S ALL ME – Vol.1』 発売 最新ビジュアルはとんだ林蘭が担当". Real Sound|リアルサウンド (in Japanese). June 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  4. ^ "AI、『スッキリ』で披露した新曲「ギフト」MV公開". Real Sound|リアルサウンド (in Japanese). 24 June 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  5. ^ "AI、「ギフト」MV公開。"花"と"赤い糸"で楽曲のメッセージを表現". BARKS (in Japanese). 24 June 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  6. ^ "AI、世界のアーティストと連携するオンライン企画「Together At Home」に日本人初参加". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie, Inc. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  7. ^ "AI 新曲「ギフト」MV完成、6月24日に日本テレビ系『スッキリ』に生出演 | SPICE - エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス". SPICE(スパイス)|エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "AIのデジタルシングル売上TOP4作品". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  9. ^ "Billboard Japan Download Songs Chart: Week of May 5, 2020". Billboard Japan. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  10. ^ "Credits / Gift / AI - TIDAL". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved April 29, 2022.