"So Special" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai and Japanese singer-songwriter Atsushi of Exile. It was released on September 10, 2008 alongside "Okuribito" as a double A-side single, by Island Records and Universal Sigma. The song and "Okuribito" served as the lead singles for Ai's seventh studio album, Viva Ai.
| "So Special" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 CD-only cover | ||||
| Single by Ai and Atsushi | ||||
| from the album Viva Ai | ||||
| Language | ||||
| A-side | "Okuribito" | |||
| Released | September 10, 2008 | |||
| Recorded | 2008 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:13 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Uta | |||
| Ai singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "So Special (Version Ai)" on YouTube | ||||
Background
edit"So Special" was written by Ai and Atsushi as a duet. Two versions of the song were recorded, a "Version Ai" and a "Version EX". In July 2008, Avex Group announced the "Version EX" of the song was to be included on Exile's greatest hits album, Exile Entertainment Best.[1] The band's greatest hits album was initially announced in June 2008.[2] In August, Universal Japan announced Ai's version of the song was to be included on the physical release of "Okuribito", a song she recorded for Departures, as a double A-side single.[3][4]
Promotion and live performances
edit"So Special" was used as the Music Fighter power play song.[5] Ai performed "So Special" with Atsushi on Music Station on September 12.[6]
Charts
edit| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan Singles Chart (Oricon)[7] | 15 |
| Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan)[8] | 14 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (RIAJ)[9] Digital Download |
Gold | 100,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Inc, Natasha. "EXILEベストにATSUSHIとAIの友情コラボ曲収録". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved January 17, 2022.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Inc, Natasha. "EXILEベスト第2弾は新曲満載＆話題のアニメ収録". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved January 17, 2022.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "AI、感動から生まれた新曲「おくりびと」". BARKS (in Japanese). August 3, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Inc, Natasha. "AIの両A面新作はATSUSHI・久石譲とのＷコラボ". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved January 17, 2022.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "AI - タイアップ" [Ai - tie-ups]. CDJournal. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ "ミスチルが「Mステ」スペシャルで新曲テレビ初披露" [Mr. Children debut new song on TV, at M-Ste special]. Natalie (in Japanese). September 12, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
- ^ "おくりびと/So Special -Version AI- | AI". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100: 2008 September 17". Billboard Japan.
- ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – Atsushi + Ai – So Special" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 17, 2022. Select 2014年12月 on the drop-down menu