Wikipedia

60s 70s 80s

"60s 70s 80s" is a triple A-side single by Japanese singer Namie Amuro from her third greatest hits album, Best Fiction (2008). It was released on March 12, 2008, through Avex Trax and consists of the songs "New Look," "Rock Steady" and "What a Feeling," each sampling from a specific decade in music, hence the title. "New Look" represents the 1960's and features a sample from The Supremes' "Baby Love." "Rock Steady" represents the 1970's and features a sample from Aretha Franklin's song "Rock Steady." The last song, "What a Feeling" represents the 1980's and features samples from Irene Cara's "Flashdance... What a Feeling," which was the theme for the 1983 film Flashdance.

"60s 70s 80s"
CD only cover
Single by Namie Amuro
from the album Best Fiction
A-side"New Look"
"Rock Steady"
"What a Feeling"
ReleasedMarch 12, 2008 (2008-03-12)
Recorded2007
StudioGiant Swing Studio Tokyo
GenreJ-pop
Length22:28
LabelAvex Trax
Producer(s)
Namie Amuro singles chronology
"Funky Town"
(2007) 		"60s 70s 80s"
(2008) 		"Wild / Dr."
(2009)
Alternative cover
CD+DVD cover

All three songs on "60s 70s 80s" were used for Vidal Sassoon's advertising campaign for its line of hair care products. World-renowned creators Patricia Field and Orlando Pita were brought on as creatives for the hair and makeup, and three cut-down size promotional videos for each age group were aired in the TV commercial.

The single solidified her comeback following the success of her eighth studio album, Play (2007), released nine months prior. "60s 70s 80s" became her first number-one single in nine years and three months on the Oricon Singles Chart and her tenth overall. Individually, "New Look" peaked at number-one on the then-newly established Billboard Japan Hot 100, while "What a Feeling" peaked at number 28.

Background and composition

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"New Look"
"New Look" represents the 1960s era with a sample of The Supremes' "Baby Love," one of Amuro favourite songs.
"Rock Steady"
"Rock Steady" represents the 1970s era with a sample of "Rock Steady" by the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.
"What a Feeling"
"What a Feeling" is a deep house song that draws inspiration from music of the 1980s.
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Amuro was thrilled at the chance to reinterpret classic hits, commenting that though her ideas in general weren't always fruitful, the end product of "60s 70s 80s" was as "new and unprecedented" as she had expected. Amuro found the production process difficult as she and her team struggled to find the middle ground in how much of the original composition to sample, seeking the best method to reinterpret these "masterpieces."[1]

Amuro brought on three producers who each worked on a single song, with Michico receiving co-writing credits on all three. Michico is the sole lyricist on the release, apart from sample credits.[2] "New Look" was produced by T.Kura, and features a sample of "Baby Love" by the Supremes from 1964; Holland–Dozier–Holland received writing credits as a result.[2] The song "Baby Love" is reportedly a prior favorite of Amuro's.[3] Other contenders for sampling included music by the Beatles and Deep Purple.[4] "New Look" references prominent English model Twiggy and the styles popularized during the swinging 60s. Amuro stated that the finished product of "New Look" was just as she had envisioned.[1]

"Rock Steady," produced by Muro, features a sample of the similarly-titled "Rock Steady" by Aretha Franklin from 1971; Franklin received writing credits as a result.[2] Amuro previously worked with Muro when they were both a part of the collective project Suite Chic back in 2002. Amuro sings about an elopement: "I think the '70s was a time when women were becoming stronger, and it was interesting to see how Michico's take on that would be "kakeochi" (駆け落) (laughs). I thought it was unexpectedly bold and cool."[1] The final track, "What a Feeling," is a deep house production by Shinichi Osawa, and features a sample of "Flashdance... What a Feeling" by Irene Cara from 1983; Cara and Keith Forsey received lyrical credits and Giorgio Moroder received compositional credits as a result.[5][2] It utilizes a military cadence-styled call-and-response in its bridge.[5] Amuro found the melodies to songs from the 1980s to be particularly nostalgic, and thought that its lyrics would resonate with people who dance.[1]

Release and promotion

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The single was announced in January 2008. "60s 70s 80s" was billed as a collaboration single between Amuro and the hair care segment of Vidal Sassoon, under the advertising campaign called "Fashion Music, Vidal Sassoon."[6] A launch event was held on January 17, 2008, where Amuro performed a medley of "New Look" and "Rock Steady."[7] As part of the "Fashion Music, Vidal Sassoon" campaign, a giant poster with a life-size Namie Amuro design was displayed in the Shinjuku underground passage Metro Promenade from January 28 to February 3, 2008.[8] Eighty-four Namie Amuros were displayed in life-size using sequential photographs in a total of 56 meters; whenever a passerby would hold their mobile phone over the poster, a website would open, and by accessing the URL on the website, they could listen to "New Look", a track from Amuro's new single "60s 70s 80s."[9] For the campaign and music videos, Patricia Field and Orlando Pita were brought on to create period-inspired looks for Amuro; they were presented as "collaboration films" and a title card preceded each with all three "billed" in their respective roles. The music videos were re-cut and spliced with conventional beauty ad footage of Amuro for use in commercials that began airing in late January.[10]

The music video for "New Look" was directed by Yuichi Kodama, and is a dream sequence where Amuro receives a makeover in mod and space-age inspired fashions, as well as posing with store mannequins that come to life. Field makes a cameo appearance. "Rock Steady" follows Amuro as a rising star and was directed by Yusuke Tanaka, with filming done in Los Angeles.[1] "What a Feeling" was directed by Takeshi Nakamura and places Amuro against a troupe of robots in a dance battle, being the most choreography-focused of the three videos from "60s 70s 80s."

"What a Feeling" was the first song to premiere from "60s 70s 80s," being broadcast on J-Wave's Groove Line radio program on February 25, 2008.[11]

The physical single for "60s 70s 80s" was made available in two formats: a CD-only edition containing six tracks (three being instrumentals), and a CD+DVD edition containing three music videos. Different artwork was issued for each format, both photographed by Shoji Uchida. Amuro is depicted covering her chest with a shawl of black feathers in one, and is enveloped in a fur jacket in the other.[2]

Reception

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Critical reception

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A writer for CD Journal gave "60s 70s 80s" a favorable review, hailing it as a "feat of artistry" while complimenting Amuro's presence on the tracks.[12] In its track-by-track commentary of the single's parent album, Best Fiction (2008), the website praised "New Look" in being able to modernize its 1960s references, and found Muro's work on "Rock Steady" to be "innovative" in "retaining Aretha's power while emphasizing Amuro's cool beauty side."[5] "Rock Steady" is highlighted as a track pick by AllMusic in their listing for Best Fiction.[13]

Commercial performance

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"60s 70s 80s" debuted at number two on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, moving 114,719 copies, becoming Amuro's best first-week sales since 2000's "Never End."[14][15] It ascended to the top of the charts in its second week with 38,162 copies sold,[16] making it her first number-one single after 9 years and 3 months since 1998's "I Have Never Seen" peaked at number-one on January 11, 1999.[17] The single reached number two in its third week, being out sold by 20th Century's "Ore ja Nakya, Kimi ja Nakya" by only 1,686 copies.[18] In December 2008, "60s 70s 80s" was listed as Japan's 18th best-selling CD single of the year.[19] "60s 70s 80s" is ranked as Amuro's seventeenth highest-selling single according to Oricon Style,[20] spending a total of 21 weeks on the charts,[21] and has since shipped approximately 293,097 copies.[22]

"60s 70s 80s" as a whole was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for shipping 250,000 copies nationwide.[23] Individually, "New Look" proved to be the most successful song from the set, receiving a triple platinum certification for ringtone sales in October 2008 and a double platinum certification in digital downloads in January 2014.[24][25] "What a Feeling" and "Rock Steady" were certified platinum and gold in digital downloads, respectively, in January and July 2014.[25][26]

"New Look" debuted at number 69 on the then newly-established Billboard Japan Hot 100, during the week of March 5, 2008.[27] It jumped to number 29 the next week, and reached the summit during the week of April 2, 2008.[28][29] It spent 14 weeks in total on the Hot 100 and ranked at number 12 on the year-end chart.[30][31] "What a Feeling" debuted and peaked at number 28 during the week of March 19, 2008.[32]

Live performances

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"What a Feeling" was initially the only song from "60s 70s 80s" to receive promotion. Amuro performed it for the first time during the March 10, 2008, broadcast of the music program Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ, prior to the single release.[33] It was performed on subsequent Music Fighter, CDTV and Utaban appearances throughout March; "New Look" and "Rock Steady" made their televised debut on the April 5, 2008, episode of Music Fair.[11]

All the songs were performed in a concert setting for the first time during the Taiwanese leg of her Play tour on April 12 and 13, 2008. Her record label held an annual shareholder meeting at the Saitama Super Arena on June 22, 2008, where she performed "New Look," "What a Feeling" and "Chase the Chance" to an audience of nearly 9,000.[34] Additionally, "What a Feeling" was a part of her set list at A-Nation, a summer concert series exclusive to her labelmates, in July and August 2008.[35] It was Amuro's first and only appearance in the event's history.

Amuro has performed the three songs on several of her Japan and greater East Asia-based tours, with "What a Feeling" making the most appearances:

Track list

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Disc 1: CD
No.TitleLyricsMusicArranger(s)Length
1."New Look" (sample: The Supremes' "Baby Love" from 1964)Michico, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie HollandT.Kura, Michico, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie HollandT.Kura for Giant Swing Productions3:58
2."Rock Steady" (sample: Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady" from 1971)Michico, Aretha FranklinMuro, Michico, Aretha FranklinMuro (King of Diggin' Production)3:29
3."What a Feeling" (sample: Irene Cara's "Flashdance... What a Feeling" from 1983)Michico, Keith Forsey, Irene CaraShinichi Osawa, Michico, Giorgio MoroderShinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso)3:49
4."New Look" (instrumental)   4:00
5."Rock Steady" (instrumental)   3:31
6."What a Feeling" (instrumental)   3:47
Disc 2: DVD
No.TitleDirector(s)Length
1."New Look" (music video)Yuichi Kodama 
2."Rock Steady" (music video)Yusuke Tanaka 
3."What a Feeling" (music video)Takeshi Nakamura 

Personnel

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  • "New Look"
    • Namie Amuro – vocals
    • Namie Amuro, Tiger, Michico – background vocals
    • T.Kura – all instruments
  • "Rock Steady"
    • Namie Amuro – vocals
    • SUI – programming & keys
  • "What a Feeling"
    • Namie Amuro – vocals
    • Shinichi Osawa – all instruments

Production

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  • "New Look"
    • Producer – T.Kura
    • Vocal Producer – Michico
    • Director – Yuichi Kodama
    • Choreographer – Moritsune Morita, Nami Segawa, & Raymond Johnson
  • "Rock Steady"
    • Producer – Muro
    • Vocal Producer – Michico
    • Director – Yusuke Tanaka
    • Choreographer – Shun
  • "What a Feeling"
    • Producer – Shinichi Osawa
    • Vocal Producer – Michico
    • Director – Takeshi Nakamura
    • Choreographer – Tetsuharu

Release history

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Region Date
Japan March 12, 2008 (2008-03-12)
South Korea March 19, 2008 (2008-03-19)

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications and sales for "60s 70s 80s"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[44]
Physical 		Platinum 293,097[22]
Certifications for "New Look"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[45]
Digital 		2× Platinum 500,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[46]
Ringtone 		3× Platinum 750,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Certifications for "Rock Steady"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[47]
Digital 		Gold 100,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Certifications for "What a Feeling"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[48]
Digital 		Platinum 250,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

MiSaMo remake

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"New Look"
Single by MiSaMo
from the EP Haute Couture
LanguageJapanese
ReleasedOctober 9, 2024 (2024-10-09)
GenreJ-pop
Length3:16
LabelWarner Japan
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • Eddie Holland
  • Brian Holland
  • Lamont Herbert Dozier
  • Michico
MiSaMo singles chronology
"Do Not Touch"
(2023) 		"New Look"
(2024) 		"Identity"
(2024)
Music video
"New Look" on YouTube

Japanese sub-unit MiSaMo, composed of Twice's members Mina, Momo, and Sana, recorded the cover of "New Look". It was released on October 9, 2024, through Warner Music Japan as a pre-release single from their upcoming EP, Haute Couture, set for release on November 6, 2024. The remake marks the group's first release since their debut EP Masterpiece in 2023 and celebrates classic '60s fashion inspired by British model Twiggy. With lyrics that echo themes of self-expression and style, the song combines pop and retro elements, blending nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary visuals in its music video.[49]

Charts

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Chart performance for "New Look"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[50] 8
Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[51] 10

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Inomata, Takashi (28 February 2008). 安室奈美恵特集 [Namie Amuro Special]. Yahoo! Music (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e 60s 70s 80s formats listed below:
  3. ^ 安室最新シングルはMURO、大沢伸一らがプロデュース [Amuro's latest single is produced by MURO, Shinichi Osawa and others]. Natalie Music (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 29, 2008. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  4. ^ "Namie News: New Single『60s 70s 80s』2008.3.12 on sale". Fan Space (Namie Amuro Official Magazine) (in Japanese). No. 21. 2008. p. 3.
  5. ^ a b c 安室奈美恵 / BEST FICTION. CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "London International Awards: Winners & Finalists 2009". London International Awards. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  7. ^ "安室奈美恵 夢のコラボで新曲初披露！！". Hot Express. January 18, 2008. Archived from the original on April 29, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "安室奈美恵と歩ける！ CMソングも聴ける!? 前代未聞の業界新発想ポスターが話題". Barks (in Japanese). Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  9. ^ "新宿地下に84人の安室奈美恵が出現". livedoor News (in Japanese). Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  10. ^ "安室奈美恵 news / 音楽情報サイト:hotexpress". Hot Express. 2009-08-16. Archived from the original on August 16, 2009. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  11. ^ a b "Information: News & Topics". Namie Amuro Official Website (in Japanese). Avex Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on April 3, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
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  13. ^ Namie Amuro - Best Fiction Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2024-01-02
  14. ^ オリコン 2008.3.24. Archived from the original on 2012-11-10. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  15. ^ オリコン 2000.7.24. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  16. ^ オリコン 2008.3.31. Archived from the original on 2012-11-10. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "オリコン 1999.1.11". Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
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  20. ^ 安室奈美恵のシングル売上TOP20作品 [Namie Amuro's Top 20 Singles Sales]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Retrieved January 2, 2024.
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  22. ^ a b "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  23. ^ ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2008年3月 [Gold and Other Certified Works (March 2008)] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. April 10, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  24. ^ レコード協会調べ 10月度有料音楽配信認定 [Paid music distribution certification for October by the Recording Industry Association of Japan] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. November 20, 2008. Archived from the original on January 20, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  25. ^ a b レコード協会調べ 1月度有料音楽配信認定 [Paid music distribution certification for January by the Recording Industry Association of Japan] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  26. ^ レコード協会調べ 7月度有料音楽配信認定 [Paid music distribution certification for July by the Recording Industry Association of Japan] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
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  29. ^ a b Hot 100 [ 2008/04/02 公開] [Hot 100 (Published on April 2, 2008)]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link Corporation and Billboard Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
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  32. ^ a b Hot 100 [ 2008/03/19 公開] [Hot 100 (Published on March 19, 2008)]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link Corporation and Billboard Media, LLC. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  33. ^ "Information: Media Schedule". Namie Amuro Official Website (in Japanese). Avex Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  34. ^ 安室貫録、ゴマキ洋楽でイメチェン、倖田涙...エイベックス20周年 株主総会 [Amuro's performance, Gomaki's Western music makeover, Koda's tears... Avex's 20th anniversary shareholders meeting]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). June 23, 2008. Archived from the original on June 23, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  35. ^ "安室奈美恵、初<a-nation>に超SEXYミニワンピで登場". BARKS (in Japanese). 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  36. ^ "安室奈美惠台北华丽开唱 穿着性感军装飙歌(图)_影音娱乐_新浪网". ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  37. ^ Hiraga, Tetsuo. 安室奈美恵 【namie amuro BEST FICTION tour 2008-2009】 | Special [Namie Amuro: Namie Amuro Best Fiction Tour 2008-2009]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link Corporation and Billboard Media, LLC. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  38. ^ Hiraga, Tetsuo. 安室奈美恵 【namie amuro PAST < FUTURE tour 2010】 | Special [Special — Namie Amuro: Namie Amuro Past < Future Tour 2010]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link Corporation & Billboard Media, LLC. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  39. ^ 安室奈美恵 LIVE STYLE 2011 | 音楽 | WOWOWオンライン [Namie Amuro Live Style 2011 — Music — Wowow Online]. Wowow (in Japanese). Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  40. ^ 安室奈美恵 「namie amuro 5 Major Domes Tour 2012 〜20th Anniversary Best〜」 [Namie Amuro — Namie Amuro 5 Major Domes Tour 2012: 20th Anniversary Best]. Namie Amuro Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved January 2, 2024.
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  42. ^ "安室奈美恵80万人動員のラストツアー終幕、最後は笑顔で「みんな元気でね!」" 安室奈美恵80万人動員のラストツアー終幕、最後は笑顔で「みんな元気でね!」 [Namie Amuro's last tour with 800,000 people in attendance comes to close, she said with a smile, "Take care, everyone!"]. Natalie Music (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 4, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  43. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales: As of April 14, 2008 (3/31 to 4/6)". Tsutaya. Archived from the original on 15 April 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  44. ^ "Japanese single certifications – Namie Amuro – 60s 70s 80s" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2008年3月 on the drop-down menu
  45. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – Namie Amuro – New Look" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2014年1月 on the drop-down menu
  46. ^ "Japanese ringtone certifications – Namie Amuro – New Look" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2008年10月 on the drop-down menu
  47. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – Namie Amuro – Rock Steady" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2014年7月 on the drop-down menu
  48. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – Namie Amuro – What a Feeling" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2014年1月 on the drop-down menu
  49. ^ Chin, Carmen (October 9, 2024). "TWICE's MISAMO release remake of Namie Amuro's 'New Look'". NME. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  50. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of October 23, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  51. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2024-10-28" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 24, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
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