Hyakuman-kai no "I Love You" (100万回の「I love you」, lit. '1 million times "I Love You"') is a song by the Japanese singer Rake. It was released on March 9, 2011. The song is a popular song to use when confessing in Japan and even spawning an urban legend.
| "Hyakuman-kai no "I Love You"" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Rake | ||||
| from the album First Sight | ||||
| Language | Japanese | |||
| Released | March 9, 2011 | |||
| Genre | J-Pop[1] | |||
| Label | Ariola Japan | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Rake | |||
| Rake singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background and release
editThe song first release as a ringtone on November 9, 2010,[1] and as the third single of Rake release on March 9, 2011.[1] On an interview with PIA Kansai corporation, he said that the song was written 6 years prior to the release of the song. The release of the song was affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami as Rake was from Sendai stating on an interview with Natalie, he though that he might not be able to continue his music career, but the song gave him encouragement to continue.[2][3]
The song later included in his first album First Sight.[4]
Lyrics and composition
editOn an interview with PIA Kansai corporation, he said that he come up with guitar phase first then he work out with chorus adding the he use simple words on the song, concluding that the lyrics is "born inside me"[4] On an interview with Utanet, he said that he want everyone to be able to sang along to the song as well as "to touch the heart easily". He said on the same interview that he try to be more considerate with the lyrics as he was bothered by the line ""Dakishimetai Motto Tsuyoku Sotto Gyutto" (抱きしめたい もっと強く そっと ぎゅっと, transl. I want to hold you tighter, softly, tighter) on the chorus, he said that he "wanted the line to go "I want to hold you tighter, stronger, tighter" but he thought the other person want to be hold gently and change to the current line.[5]
On an interview with MFound, he said that he wanted people to smile to the song so he place importance with the tempo and groove by making the song feel fast-paced and exhilarating.[3]
Commercial performance
editThe song gained popularity when it was used in a Yokohama Tire commercial. It ranked first in USEN J-POP general chart in May 2011 and later become the first song in the chart's history to be in top 30 for 24 consecutive weeks. The song is on the Recochoku's Top 10 Weekly Ranking for 9 consecutive weeks.[1] It charted on Oricon's weekly chart 29 times.[6]
Reception
editThe song has been used as "confession song" in Japan and spawning an urban legend that "having this song as the ringtone of your phone will make your love come true".[1][5] After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, some people use the song to cope with the tragedy. On an interview with Mfound, Rake said that many couple from Sendai request him to perform the song in their wedding.[2][7][3]
Chart
edit| Charts | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USEN J-POP General Chart | 1[1] |
| Line Music Weekly Ranking | 11[8] |
| Oricon Weekly Ranking | 25[6] |
| Charts | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USEN J-POP 2011 Annual Overall Chart | 2[9] |
| Recochoku 2011 Annual Ranking Download (Single) | 4[10] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Rake USEN史上初の連続チャートイン記録を樹立！24週目にして初の1位を獲得！". Uta-net (in Japanese). Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "カラーボトル × Rake (3/3) - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). p. 3. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Rake「フタリヒトツ」インタビュー". Mfound.jp (in Japanese). pp. 1–4. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "ヨコハマタイヤCM曲『100万回の「I love you」』が話題沸騰！ Rakeが苦難と充実の1年を経てたどり着いた 初アルバム『First Sight』に迫るインタビュー - インタビュー＆レポート | ぴあ関西版WEB". kansai.pia.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "歌ネットBlog：「Rake」スペシャルインタビュー - 歌ネット". blog.uta-net.com. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "100万回の「I love you」 | Rake". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Rake、USEN史上初の連続チャートイン記録を樹立！". CD Journal. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Rake 『100万回の「I love you」』がLINE MUSIC300万回再生突破". JTR. August 6, 2015. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Rake「フタリヒトツ」インタビュー" (PDF). USEN. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "レコチョク年間ランキング2011発表(PDF" (PDF). Recochoku. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2024.