"Letter in the Sky" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai featuring American pop band The Jacksons. Originally released digitally on October 19, 2011, by EMI Music Japan, it was released physically on December 14, 2011, alongside "Happiness" as an A-side. "Letter in the Sky" served as the lead single from Ai's ninth studio album, Independent (2012).[1]

"Letter in the Sky"
Digital single cover
Single by Ai featuring The Jacksons
from the album Independent
Language
A-side"Happiness"
ReleasedDecember 14, 2011 (2011-12-14)
Recorded2011
StudioCandy House Studio (Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California)
Genre
Length4:43
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Ai Uemura
  • Curtis Jenkins
  • Danny Lashine
  • King David "The Future"
Producer(s)
  • King David "The Future"
  • Ai
Ai singles chronology
"Stronger"
(2010)
"Letter in the Sky" / "Happiness"
(2011)
"Beautiful Life"
(2012)
The Jacksons singles chronology
"Who's Lovin' You"
(1993)
"Letter in the Sky"
(2011)
Music video
"Letter in the Sky" on YouTube

Background

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In April 2011, Ai presented a music documentary, Ai Miss Michael Jackson: King of Pop no Kiseki, that was recorded for Music On! TV. In the documentary, she traveled to the United States and interviewed members of the Jackson family in their home.

Ai left Universal and signed a global publishing deal with EMI to release her music worldwide in June 2011.[2] Signing to EMI Music Japan, she started to work on her ninth studio album.[3]

In October 2011, "Letter in the Sky" was announced as Ai's first single under EMI Music Japan. Originally released digitally on October 19, 2011, a physical copy was later released.[4]

Release

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"Letter in the Sky" served as the theme song for the Michael Jackson Tribute: Live in Tokyo concert that took place December 13 and 14th, 2011 at Yoyogi National Stadium.[5]

Music video

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A music video was released on October 19, 2011. Various clips from the recording session of "Letter in the Sky" are used in the video.

Track listing

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"Letter in the Sky" – Digital single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Letter in the Sky" (featuring The Jacksons)
  • Ai Uemura
  • Curtis Jenkins
  • Danny Lashine
  • King David "The Future"
  • King David "The Future"
  • Uemura
4:44
"Happiness / Letter in the Sky" – CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Happiness"Uemura
  • Uemura
  • Uta
4:15
2."Letter in the Sky" (featuring The Jacksons)
  • Uemura
  • Jenkins
  • Lashine
  • King David "The Future"
  • King David "The Future"
  • Uemura
4:43
"Happiness / Letter in the Sky" – DVD bonus
No.TitleLength
1."Happiness" (music video) 
2."Letter in the Sky" (music video) (featuring The Jacksons) 
3."Legendary Night at Nippon Budokan with Super Special Guests" (Digest trailer) 

Charts

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Chart performance for "Letter in the Sky"
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan)[6] 36
Japan Singles Chart (Oricon)[1] 14
Japan Top Singles Sales (Billboard Japan)[7] 13

Credit and personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[8]

  • Ai Uemura – vocals, songwriter, producer
  • Jackie Jackson – vocals
  • Marlon Jackson – vocals
  • Tito Jackson – vocals
  • Curtis Jenkins – songwriter
  • Danny Lashine – songwriter
  • King David "The Future" – producer, songwriter, programming
  • Jesse Josefsson – guitar
  • Dan Manzoor – bass (vocal)

References

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  1. ^ a b "ハピネス/Letter In The Sky feat.The Jacksons | AI". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  2. ^ "AIがEMIミュージック・ジャパンに移籍". Music Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  3. ^ "AI、EMIミュージックに移籍 第1弾はMJトリビュートライヴのテーマソング". OkMusic. October 10, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  4. ^ "AI、移籍第1弾はジャクソンズ共演曲&伝説ライブ映像化". Music Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  5. ^ "'Letter in the Sky': New Single by AI feat. The Jacksons". The Jacksons Official Website. October 11, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  6. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100: 2011 October 19". Billboard Japan.
  7. ^ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales: 2011 December 21". Billboard Japan.
  8. ^ "Credits / Independent / AI - TIDAL (US)".