Jump to content

Flavor of Life

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Imdaegyum (talk | contribs) at 09:10, 4 February 2007 (→Chaku-Uta downloads chart (Japan)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Future single

"Flavor of Life"
Song

"Flavor Of Life" is Utada Hikaru's eighteenth Japanese single (23rd overall). The single will be released on February 28, 2007 as her first single for 2007.[1] Utada originally alluded to this new single on December 20, 2006 through a blog entry's title.[2] This release was accompanied with a website update that revealed a February release date for this new single as well as the release of the track list. [3]

There are three versions of the "Flavor Of Life," that will be released discounting its karaoke track. This includes an original version, a ballad version of the song, and an exclusive CD-only remix.

The ballad version of "Flavor Of Life" was arranged by Utada as well as two other professionals; the original version was arranged by Utada alone, and the Antidote mix of the song was arranged by Alexis Smith, who provided additional arrangement for ULTRA BLUE tracks such as "Keep Tryin'" and "This is Love".[4]

The ballad version of "Flavor Of Life" is an image song for a popular drama or dorama, Hana Yori Dango 2.[5] In early 2006, this drama contacted her about an image song that would sound similar to "First Love". When the director wanted to express the heroine's wavering feelings, "'First Love' came into my mind", and so, a request was made to Utada.[6]

This is Utada Hikaru's first drama tie-in since the commercially, successful "SAKURA Drops" five years ago.[7]Hana Yori Dango 2 recently topped a poll of most anticipated winter Japanese winter drama, winning in almost every group polled, including every female age group except 40-year olds.[8] The popularity of this drama may translate into popularity for the single, as it did for Ai Otsuka's Planetarium.

Mass reception

The 45 second download of the ballad version of "Flavor Of Life", a ring tone version of the song, was released on January 6, 2007, debuting at number 14 on the Chaku-Uta download chart.[9] On its second day of sales, it jumped to the number five position on the download chart.[10] It has since peaked at number one on the ring tone and composite download chart. Within five days of release, it was confirmed that "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-" had been downloaded as a ring tone over 100,000 times.[11] Just two weeks later, figures were released that confirmed that the "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-" had sold in excess of 500,000 ringtones.[12]

"The "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-" aired on radio in Japan on January 15, 2007, the same day as the release of the PV. It has since reached the top twenty airplay rankings of various FM Japanese radio charts [13][14][15]

On January 26, 2007, three more versions of the "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-" ring tone were released.[16] These were the "2nd Chorus Version," "Bridge Version," and "Last Chorus Version." With the release of these new ring tones came the "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-"'s re-emergence at number one on the Chaku-Uta ring tone download chart.

On February 1, 2007, the TV performance dates of "Flavor Of Life" were released through Utada's official site.[17] The first performance will be on CDTV on February 24th, and the final one will be performed on Utaban on March 8th.

Utada's official website released another update on February 1, 2007 concerning the mediums, in which she will appear to promote "Flavor Of Life". This promotion season will last from early February to early March.

Fan reception

Overall, fan reception of the ballad version of "Flavor Of Life" has been positive. Some of those who have listened to the song have complained of Utada's wavering voice, although some believe this to be a manifestation of her emotion.[18][19][20] With the full release of the rip of the drama song, fans were able to hear a low quality audio version of the ballad version. Additionally, the ballad version was released as a the ring tone, allowing for many to form an opinion of the ballad version far before the February 28, 2007 release of the song.[21]

The original version had a preview released on January 25, 2007, featuring a similar singing style to the ballad version, but drastically different instrumentals. Most have thought this song sounds like a mixture between 80s pop and the style of Utada's latest album, ULTRA BLUE.[22]

Promotional video

The promotional video, or PV, for the ballad version of "Flavor Of Life" was released on January 15, 2007. The PV of the ballad version features in-studio footage of Utada recording the song alongside a guitarist, a pianist, a cellist and various violinists.[23] There is no official confirmation of a PV for the original version yet.

Track listing

  1. "Flavor Of Life"
  2. "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-"
  3. "Flavor Of Life (Original Karaoke)"
  4. "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version- (Original Karaoke)"
  5. "Flavor Of Life -Antidote Mix-" (CD Only Bonus Track)

[24]

Charts

Chaku-Uta downloads chart (Japan)

Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
1/1-1/7 - - - - 14 5 2
1/8-1/14 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1/15-1/21 1 2 2 2 2 2 2
1/22-1/28 2 2 2 2 1 1 1
1/29-2/3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2/4-2/10 - - - - - - -

Total Ring Tone Downloads (As of 1/24): 500,000+

Oricon sales chart (Japan)

Release Chart Peak Position Sales Total Chart Run
February 28, 2007 Oricon Daily Singles Chart TBA TBA TBA
February 28, 2007 Oricon Weekly Singles Chart TBA TBA TBA
February 28, 2007 Oricon Monthly Singles Chart TBA TBA TBA
February 28, 2007 Oricon Yearly Singles Chart TBA TBA TBA

Television performances

Utada is set to promote Flavor of Life by live performances on the following networks:

Feb. 24th CDTV　２４：５５～
Feb. 26th HEY!HEY!HEY! MUSIC CHAMP ２０：００～
Mar. 2nd Music Station ２０：００～
Mar. 2nd MUSIC FIGHTER ２５：５０～
Mar. 8th Utaban １９：５４～

It is curently unknown what versions of Flavor Of Life she will be singing.

Magazine/online promotion

Utada is set to promote the Flavor of Life through appearances in these media:

Feb. 4th Gyao Magazine
Feb. 14th CD data
Feb. 14th WHAT'S IN
Feb. 14th TV Pia
Feb. 20th TOWER (Tower Records Flyer)
Feb. 20th VA(TSUATYA FP)
Feb. 21st Digital Audio Fan
Feb. 21st Oricon Style(WEB)
Feb. 22nd Pia
Feb. 23rd ORICON STYLE
Feb. 27th B-PASS
Feb. 28th ＴＶ LIFE
Mar. 1st MSN MUSIC(WEB)
Mar. 9th PATIPATI
Mar. 15h MUSICA [COVER + INTERVIEW]

References

  1. ^ http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/hikki/news/index_j.htm
  2. ^ http://www.u3music.com/message/index.php?m=1&d=2006122017453j.xml
  3. ^ http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/hikki/news/index_j.htm
  4. ^ http://joshinweb.jp/dp/4988006210073.html
  5. ^ Article on Flavor Of Life and info on Hana Yori Dango 2
  6. ^ http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/p-et-tp0-20070105-138437.html
  7. ^ http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/p-et-tp0-20070105-138437.html
  8. ^ http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/ranking/40802/
  9. ^ http://recochoku.jp/recochoku_ranking/uta.html
  10. ^ http://www.utada-online.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7972
  11. ^ http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000029304
  12. ^ http://www.utada-online.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7972&page=6
  13. ^ http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/hikki/news/index_j.htm
  14. ^ http://fmosaka.net/ncf_top100.html
  15. ^ http://www.fmfukuoka.co.jp/cgi-local/countdown/w_countdown.cgi
  16. ^ https://recochoku.jp/search/Srch?fkw=&tgt=mid&o=0&ftgt=mid&ext=1&mid=0%3a20066588
  17. ^ http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/hikki/news/index_j.htm
  18. ^ http://www.jpopmusic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=67131&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
  19. ^ http://www.utada-online.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7945
  20. ^ http://www.utada-online.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7958
  21. ^ http://www.jpopmusic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=67131&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=255
  22. ^ http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/app/scripts/access.php?cid=foozay&id=hikki_toct26067_03&url=foozay/hikki/toct40095_01.wma
  23. ^ http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/hikki/news/index_j.htm
  24. ^ http://www.tsutaya.co.jp/item/music/view_m.zhtml?pdid=20302628
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flavor_of_Life&oldid=105536331"