Dear, You
| "Dear, You" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Ai Otsuka | ||||
| from the album Ai Am Best, Too | ||||
| Language | Japanese | |||
| Released | October 4, 2018 | |||
| Genre | J-pop | |||
| Length | 5:29 | |||
| Label | Avex Trax | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Aio | |||
| Producer(s) | Seiji Kameda | |||
| Ai Otsuka singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Dear, You" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Ai Otsuka, released as a digital single on October 4, 2018, through Avex Trax.[1]
Background and release
[edit]"Dear, You" was released as the theme song for the stage play Kare Phone, a romantic fantasy drama written and directed by Osamu Suzuki which premiered on October 4, 2018.[2] This marked Otsuka's first venture into composing a theme song for a stage play.
The song was written and composed and Otsuka, while it was arranged and produced by Seiji Kameda.[3] It originated from a melody Otsuka composed at the age of fifteen, which she described as her first-ever musical creation.[2] Reflecting on the song's origins, Otsuka noted that its youthful composition carries a dreamy and idealistic tone, characteristic of her early songwriting. The lyrics draw from personal and relatable experiences, evoking memories of her teenage years.[4] Upon receiving the offer to compose the theme song, Otsuka expressed initial apprehension, stating, "Honestly, I wondered if I was up to the task, but I wanted to embrace this new challenge and create something special."[2] Encouraged by Suzuki's request to capture the poignant emotions of a young woman's love story, Otsuka crafted a track that complements the play's bittersweet narrative.[2]
The song was broadcast in full for the first time on a Line Live streaming on July 21, 2018, as part of a special program dedicated to Kare Phone.[5]
The single was released on digital platforms on October 4, 2018, coinciding with the premiere of Kare Phone. The digital single includes a piano instrumental version of the song which was used in the production.[2]
"Dear, You" was ultimately included as the only new song featured on Otsuka's 2019 greatest hits album Ai Am Best, Too.[6]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Aio.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dear, You" | 5:29 |
| 2. | "Dear, You" (Piano Instrumental) | 5:10 |
| 3. | "Dear, You" (Instrumental) | 5:29 |
| Total length: | 16:07 | |
References
[edit]- ^ "Ai Otsuka - Dear, You". Avex Portal (in Japanese). Avex Entertainment. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "大塚 愛、舞台『カレフォン』主題歌の新曲は15歳の時の処女作". Barks (in Japanese). October 4, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ 亀の恩返し 公式アカウント [@kameon_official] (October 4, 2018). "【info】大塚 愛「Dear, you」先行配信スタート！" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "大塚愛さんが歌詞集を刊行 夢見がちな若さも、自分より大切なものへの感情も、一生懸命生きていれば歌詞になる". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun Company. February 27, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ "舞台「カレフォン」主題歌「Dear, you」初解禁！！". Ai Otsuka Official Website (in Japanese). Avex. July 6, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ "大塚 愛、オールタイムベスト「愛 am BEST, too」のジャケットアートワークとアルバムの全貌を解禁！本人登壇の発売を記念したシアターツアーの開催も！". Avex Portal (in Japanese). Avex Management Web. November 16, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2025.