So Special (Ai and Atsushi song)

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"So Special"
CD-only cover
Single by Ai and Atsushi
from the album Viva Ai
Language
A-side"Okuribito"
ReleasedSeptember 10, 2008 (2008-09-10)
Recorded2008
Genre
Length4:13
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Uta
Ai singles chronology
"Taisetsu na Mono"
(2008)
"So Special" / "Okuribito"
(2008)
"Broken Strings"
(2008)
Music video
"So Special (Version Ai)" on YouTube

"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.

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 [ja].[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]

Certifications and sales for "So Special"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[9]
Digital Download
Gold 100,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ 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)
  2. ^ 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)
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ 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)
  5. ^ "AI - タイアップ" [Ai - tie-ups]. CDJournal. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "おくりびと/So Special -Version AI- | AI". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  8. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100: 2008 September 17". Billboard Japan.
  9. ^ "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