Ginga / Itsumademo

"Ginga/Itsumademo"
Single by Misia
from the album Just Ballade
Released	June 10, 2009
Recorded	2008–09
Genre	Pop, R&B
Length	4:38 ("Ginga") 1:32 ("Itsumademo")
Label	BMG Japan
Songwriter(s)	Misia, Shusui, Fredrik Hult, Carl Utbult, Tebey, Sinkiroh
Producer(s)	Utbult, Hult, Sinkiroh
Misia singles chronology
"Catch the Rainbow" (2008) "Ginga/Itsumademo" (2009) "Aitakute Ima" (2009)

"Ginga/Itsumademo" (銀河/いつまでも, lit. "Galaxy/Forever") is the twenty-second single by Japanese recording artist Misia. It was released on June 10, 2009 as the third single from Misia's ninth studio album Just Ballade.[1]

Overview

"Ginga/Itsumademo" was released simultaneously with The Tour of Misia Discotheque Asia concert DVD and is Misia's first double A-side single since "Luv Parade/Color of Life" (2006).[1] The first pressing of the single comes housed in a sleeve case and includes a bonus photo book comprising pictures from Misia's Discotheque Asia tour.[2][3] The first press edition also included a special code which allowed fans to stream the fan club-only live concert Hoshizora no Etude Just Ballade, held on July 7, 2009 to celebrate Misia's birthday.[4]

"Ginga" was written by Misia, composed by Shusui and co-composed and produced by Swedish songwriters Fredrik Hult and Carl Utbult. "Itsumademo" was also written by Misia and composed and produced by Sinkiroh. In an interview with The Japan Times, Misia revealed that the inspiration behind "Ginga" was her late grandfather.[5] She elaborated:

("Ginga") is related to my recent experiences, but the most inspiring thing for me was meeting my grandfather. It might be the last time I see him. I told him that I would never be able to thank him enough. I thanked him for taking me out for a walk when I was a child, for teaching me how to fold origami and make shadow pictures, and for telling me stories. I couldn't stop saying thank you.[5]

Both A-sides were featured in commercials for Kose cosmetics Sekkisei Supreme and Sekkisei, respectively, starring Nanako Matsushima.[6] When asked about the use of "Ginga" in the commercials, Matsushima commented:

Misia has written many songs that have been used in dramas and commercials I have starred in. This song ("Ginga"), which also showcases her powerful range, has helped me broaden my horizons. I always feel energized by Misia's sweet and positive songs.[4]

In addition to being the theme song of Misia's Hoshizora no Live V Just Ballade tour, "Ginga" was also chosen as the official image song for the International Year of Astronomy and its music video, which features the position, size and distance data of stars and other celestial bodies, presented in 4-D, was created in collaboration with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.[2][7] The song "Sukoshi Zutsu Taisetsu ni", which was previously released as a standalone digital single, was included as a B-side.[8]

Chart performance

"Ginga/Itsumademo" debuted on the Oricon Daily Singles chart at number 11 and peaked at number 15 on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, with 6,319 copies sold in its first week.[9][10] The single charted for six weeks and sold a total of 9,930 copies.[11][12]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Misia

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"Ginga" (銀河 "Galaxy")	Shusui, Fredrik Hult, Carl Utbult, Tebey	4:38
2.	"Itsumademo" (いつまでも "Forever")	Sinkiroh	1:32
3.	"Sukoshi Zutsu Taisetsu ni"	Sinkiroh	5:13
4.	"Sukoshi Zutsu Taisetsu ni (Gomi's the World is Waiting for a Change Mix)"	Sinkiroh	7:59
5.	"Ginga (Instrumental)"	Shusui, Hult, Utbult, Tebey	4:37
6.	"Sukoshi Zutsu Taisetsu ni (Instrumental)"	Sinkiroh	5:08
Total length:			29:07

Charts

Chart (2009)	Peak position
Billboard Japan Hot 100[13]	9
Billboard Japan Hot Top Airplay[14]	7
Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales[15]	17
Oricon Daily Singles[9]	11
Oricon Weekly Singles[10]	15
SoundScan Japan Weekly Singles[16]	19
Taiwan Five Music J-pop/K-pop Chart[17]	9
Taiwan G-Music J-pop Chart[18]	13

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Japan[19]	June 10, 2009	CD, digital download	BMG Japan
Taiwan[20]	June 12, 2009	CD	Sony Music Entertainment
Hong Kong[21]	June 15, 2009

References

1. "MISIA、シングルと映像作品を同時リリース". Barks (in Japanese). ITmedia. 2009-04-26. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
2. "2009.6.10 Release!!! 銀河/いつまでも" (in Japanese). Rhythmedia. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
3. "MISIA、2009年第1弾シングル「銀河/いつまでも」発表！ 着うた（R）の先行配信がスタート". CDJournal (in Japanese). OngakuShuppansha. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
4. "MISIA「銀河/いつまでも」着うた(R)フル配信スタート！ 松嶋菜々子とのWコラボも実現". CDJournal (in Japanese). OngakuShuppansha. 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
5. Poole, Robert Michael (2009-06-26). "Misia changes with charity". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
6. "MISIA「銀河/いつまでも」、国内外で松嶋菜々子とダブル・コラボ". Barks (in Japanese). ITmedia. 2009-06-13. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
7. "MISIA、ニューシングル「銀河」が＜世界天文年2009＞イメージソングに". Barks (in Japanese). ITmedia. 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
8. "MISIA話題のCMソング＆アジアツアーDVDを同時リリース". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 2009-04-26. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
9. 倉木麻衣が接戦を制して初日首位☆6/9付 シングルデイリー (in Japanese). 2009-06-10. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
10. 2009年6月第4週の邦楽シングルランキング情報. Oricon (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
11. "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」". Oricon (in Japanese). Oricon Research. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
12. "【榜单】2009/07/27付周榜单／专辑top300／单曲top200" (in Chinese). 2009-07-23. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
13. "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link. 2009-06-22. Archived from the original on 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
14. "Billboard Japan Hot Top Airplay". Billboard (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
15. "Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales". Billboard (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link. 2009-06-22. Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
16. "週間 CDソフト TOP20" (in Japanese). SoundScan Japan. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
17. "Five Music - 五大唱片(5大唱片) -五大金榜" (in Chinese). Five Music. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
18. "G-Music 風雲榜 (東洋榜)" (in Chinese). G-Music. Archived from the original on 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
19. 銀河／いつまでも (in Japanese). JBooks Corporation. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
20. 銀河 / 直到永久 (in Chinese). Sony Music Entertainment Taiwan. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
21. "「銀河 / 直到永久 (CD Single)」" (in Chinese). Sony Music Entertainment Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-06-18.

External links

• Official music video on YouTube
• Official website