Something 'Bout the Kiss

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"Something 'bout the Kiss"
Standard CD cover.
Single by Namie Amuro
from the album Genius 2000
ReleasedSeptember 1, 1999
RecordedJuly 1999
Studio
  • Darp Studios (Atlanta)
  • True Kiss Disc Studios (Tokyo)
  • Yamaha Epicurus Studio (Tokyo)
Genre
Length4:25
LabelAvex Trax
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Austin
Namie Amuro singles chronology
"Toi et Moi"
(1999) 		"Something 'bout the Kiss"
(1999) 		"Love 2000"
(2000)
Alternative cover
Mini disc cover

"Something ‘Bout the Kiss" is a song by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released on September 1, 1999 by Avex Trax, and serves as the third single from her fourth studio album Genius 2000 (2000). Furthermore, all physical and digital formats included an additional B-side called "You Are The One," which appears on the parent album. "Something 'Bout the Kiss" was written by Lysette Titi, Chan Hai, and its producer Dallas Austin. Musically, it is a melancholy ballad with R&B and J-pop influences.

Music critics praised "Something 'Bout the Kiss" for its production quality, describing it as an important moment in Amuro's transition to R&B music. Critics acknowledged the song as a career highlight, while winning the Yoshida Tadashi Award at the Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards. It was a commercial success in Japan, with two formats reaching the top ten on the Oricon Singles Chart and being certified gold twice by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for more than 100,000 sales across both formats.

Masashi Mutō directed the music video for the single, which appeared on her video albums Filmography (2001) and Best Clips (2002). The song also served as the commercial theme for the Japanese cosmetics brand Kosè. It was also featured on the set lists of three Amuro concerts and subsequent live releases. "Something 'Bout the Kiss" has been reworked and re-recorded for Amuro's second greatest hits album, Love Enhanced Single Collection, released in 2002.

Development and composition[edit]

After the success of her third studio album Concentration 20 (1997), Amuro began working with producer Tetsuya Komuro to create new music.[1] During the sessions, Komuro approached American producer Dallas Austin about collaborating with him and Amuro's team on new music. He accepted the invitation and submitted demo recordings to Komuro.[2] Amuro was excited about the opportunity to work with Austin because she had admired his work with the American girl group TLC, which had inspired her at the time.[2][3]

The collaboration resulted in the songs "Something 'Bout the Kiss," "Leavin' for Las Vegas," "Still in Love," and "Things I Collected," which all appeared on the parent album Genius 2000 (2000).[2] Lysette Titi, Chan Hai, and Austin wrote "Something 'Bout the Kiss," with Junko Kudo translating some of the lyrics into Japanese; the chorus section and rap during the bridge used English lyrics.[1] Musically, it is a melancholic ballad with strong R&B and J-pop influences, and it has been described as Amuro's attempt to incorporate Western elements into her music.[a]

Release and promotion[edit]

Avex Trax released "Something 'Bout the Kiss" on September 1, 1999, as the third single from Genius 2000.[8] It was released as a standard CD with four additional tracks, including the B-side "You Are The One" featuring Imajin.[8] The mini CD contains three songs without the All Out mix from the previous format and has a different cover art.[8] The standard CD was released in Hong Kong in October of that year.[9] On November 19, Rhythm Republic released a vinyl with four additional tracks, Amuro's first single on the format.[8]

Masashi Mutō directed a music video showcasing Amuro in minimalist rooms with minimal furnishings. In one scene, Amuro is seen performing in a long gown with two backup dancers.[b] The video later appeared on her video albums Filmography (2001) and Best Clips (2002).[10][11] The song also served as the commercial theme for Kosè, a Japanese cosmetics company which included Amuro.[12] "Something 'Bout the Kiss" was later added to Amuro's setlist for three different tours: Genius 2000, Break the Rules, and So Crazy.[13][14][15] "Something 'Bout the Kiss" was further re-worked and re-recorded for Amuro's second greatest hits album, Love Enhanced Single Collection (2002).[16]

Reception[edit]

Music critics gave "Something 'Bout the Kiss" positive reviews. AllMusic cited the song as a standout from Amuro's discography.[17] Animefringe writer Diana Kou praised Amuro's delivery and overall sound, naming it one of her favourite songs from Genius 2000.[4] Japanese magazine CDJournal gave the song a mixed review, questioning Amuro's execution but highlighting Austin's contributions.[6] However, its inclusion in the Love Enhanced Singles Collection was praised for its R&B sound as well as its "melancholic" and "authentic" vibe.[7] Furthermore, "Something' Bout the Kiss" received the Yoshida Tadashi Award at the Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards in 1999.[18]

Commercially, it was a success in Japan. The CD version of the single debuted at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 130,510 units, while the mini CD debuted at number seven, selling 49,160 in its first week.[19] Both formats spent eight weeks on the chart, with the CD version finishing as the 87th best-selling single of the year, selling 253,000 copies in the region.[20][21][22] The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified both formats gold for sales exceeding 100,000 copies.[23][24]

Formats and track listing[edit]

CD / digital / streaming formats[8][25]

  1. "Something 'Bout the Kiss" – 4:26
  2. "You Are The One" – 5:31
  3. "Something 'Bout the Kiss" (The All Out Mix) – 5:52
  4. "Something 'Bout the Kiss" (Instrumental) – 4:26

Mini CD[8]

  1. "Something 'Bout the Kiss" – 4:26
  2. "You Are The One" – 5:31
  3. "Something 'Bout the Kiss" (Instrumental) – 4:26

Credits and personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Genius 2000.[1]

Locations

  • Recorded at Darp Studios in Atlanta, and True Kiss Disc Studios and Yamaha Epicurus Studio in Tokyo. Mixed at Darp Studios in Atlanta.

Personnel

  • Namie Amuro - vocals
  • Debra Killings - backing vocals
  • Alvin Speights - audio mixer
  • Vernon J. Mungo - audio mixing assistant
  • Dallas Austin - arranger, composer, producer, songwriter
  • Carlton Lynn - recorder
  • Teruyuki Satake - recording assistant
  • Rick Sheppard - sound designer
  • Chan Hai - songwriter
  • Lysette Titi - songwriter
  • Jasper Cameron - songwriter
  • Kimberly Smith - production coordinator

Charts[edit]

Certification[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[23]
CD version. 		Gold 50,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[24]
Mini CD version. 		Gold 50,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

"Something 'Bout the Kiss" release history
Region Date Format Label Ref(s).
Japan September 1, 1999
Avex Trax [8]
Hong Kong October 1999 CD single [9]
Japan November 1999 Vinyl Rhythm Republic [8]
Various N/A/
Avex Trax [25]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ [3][4][5][6][7]
  2. ^ Video description taken from footage on both Filmography and Best Clips.[10][11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Amuro, Namie (2000). Genius 2000 (liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11756.
  2. ^ a b c "Nikkan Sports Shimbun". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Japan. September 1999. p. 26.
  3. ^ a b Takahashi, Hiro (June 26, 2019). "安室奈美恵がJ-POPの女王になれた秘密――「売れたモノこそ実は先鋭的である」" (in Japanese). ITMedia. p. 3. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Kou, Diana (June 2000). "Namie Amuro - Genius 2000". ANIMEfringe. p. 14. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  5. ^ "Namie Amuro / Genius 2000". CDJournal (in Japanese). Japan. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Namie Amuro / Something 'Bout the Kiss". CDJournal (in Japanese). Japan. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Namie Amuro / Love Enhanced Single Collection". CDJournal (in Japanese). Japan. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Something' About the Kiss" formats listed below:
  9. ^ a b Amuro, Namie (1999). Something 'Bout the Kiss (CD: liner notes). Hong Kong: Avex Trax. AVTCDS-195.
  10. ^ a b Amuro, Namie (2001). Filmography (DVD: liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVBD-91045.
  11. ^ a b Amuro, Namie (2002). Best Clips (DVD: liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVBD-91130.
  12. ^ "Something 'Bout the Kiss" (in Japanese). Namie Amuro's official website (namieamuro.jp). Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  13. ^ Amuro, Namie (2000). Namie Amuro Tour Genius 2000 (DVD: liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVBG-91017.
  14. ^ Amuro, Namie (2003). Namie Amuro Tour 2001 Break the Rules (DVD: liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVBD-91163.
  15. ^ Amuro, Namie (2004). Namie Amuro So Crazy Tour Featuring Best Singles 2003-2004 (DVD: liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVBD-91187.
  16. ^ Amuro, Namie (2002). Love Enhanced Single Collection (CD: liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-17102.
  17. ^ "Namie Amuro Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  18. ^ "Biography" (in Japanese). Namie Amuro's official website (namieamuro.jp). Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "1999.9.13付　シングルTOP20" (in Japanese). Oricon (via Geocities). September 13, 1999. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Something 'Bout the Kiss - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Something 'Bout the Kiss - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "1999年　シングル年間TOP100" (in Japanese). Oricon (via Geocities). 1999. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Japanese single certifications – Namie Amuro – Something 'Bout the Kiss" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 1999年9月 on the drop-down menu
  24. ^ a b "Japanese single certifications – Namie Amuro – Something 'Bout the Kiss" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 1999年9月 on the drop-down menu
  25. ^ a b "Something 'Bout the Kiss - EP by Namie Amuro". Spotify. Retrieved March 31, 2024.

External links[edit]

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