Fast Car (Namie Amuro song)

Last updated
"Fast Car"
Promotional single by Namie Amuro
from the album Past<Future
ReleasedDecember 16, 2009
Recorded2009
Genre Pop
Length3:20
Label Avex Trax
Songwriter(s)
  • Tiger
  • Anne Judith Wik
  • Ronny Svendsen
  • Robin Jensen
  • Nermin Harambasic
  • Chris Young
Producer(s) Dsign Music

"Fast Car" is a song by Namie Amuro. It was released as the main promotional track from her 9th album, Past<Future , in November 2009. [1] Amuro finds the song indicative of her sound on Past<Future. The album puts more emphasis on songs with "bright melodies/coolness," instead of the R&B/hip-hop beats of Play and previous albums. [2]

Contents

Composition

The song is an upbeat pop song with a retro, with influences of "cabaret" jazz. [2] The lyrics use a 'fast car' as a metaphor for how the song's protagonist sees her lover. She wants him to "speed it up," and states that "nobody else can ride (him)" (誰にも 乗らせない, dare ni mo norasenai.) [3] Amuro describes the lyrics as being a "playful adult love song," where a woman is teasing a boy by saying that he is hers. [2] Amuro chose the song for her album after listening to a demo from pop music production team Dsign Music. She liked it for its "analog atmosphere," and said it reminded her of the Sofia Coppola film Marie Antoinette . [4] The song was composed and its English lyrics written by the Dsign Music team, [3] while female Japanese rapper Tiger wrote the song's lyrics, who had previously worked with Amuro in 2003 single "So Crazy." [2]

Release

The song was first released to radio on November 24, when it was played on the J-Wave "Groove Line" radio show. [1] It was released as a ringtone download on December 2. [5] The song charted on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in early December, and peaked at #5 on the December 28 chart. [6] The song also charted on the RIAJ Digital Track Chart Top 100 at #24 (though only after the album has been released, due to the song not being released for full chaku-uta (cellphone download) or digital download). [7]

Music video

Bourgeois theme in the music video for "Fast Car." Namie FastCarmusicvid.jpg
Bourgeois theme in the music video for "Fast Car."

The music video was shot by director Shigeaki Kubo, [8] and was shot over two days. [9] The video has a "gorgeous bourgeois world" theme, [9] and was given the concept after Amuro's first impressions of listening to a demo of the song., [4] The video made its TV Premiere November 26, 2009.

The video centers around scenes shot in four different Palace of Versailles-inspired rooms: a bedroom, a hallway, a main hall, and a more contemporary striped alcove. In the bedroom, she performs a dance with hand-held fans, with four female dancers on a four poster bed. In the hallway scene, she walks in from the door at the end and performs a contemporary style dance with four male dancers in a bourgeois/cabaret-inspired outfit. The main hall dance begins in a contemporary style with all eight dancers, and transitions to a ballroom style. In the red alcove, she poses in a black dress and leather stilettos without dancing, instead mouthing the song's lyrics and making small posture changes. The majority of scenes in the last minute focus on the main hall dance.

Amuro found the video the most difficult music to create in her 17-year music career, due to the clothing and choreography. [4] She calls the video the highlight of the Past Future session videos. [4]

The video won the award for Best Female Video at the 2010 MTV World Stage VMAJ, as well as the Best Video of the Year award and Best Art Direction Video award at the 14th Space Shower Music Video Awards. [10]

Charts

ChartPeak
position
Billboard Japan Hot 100 [6] 5
RIAJ Digital Track Chart Top 100 [7] 24

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Namie Amuro</span> Japanese singer (born 1977)

Namie Amuro is a retired Japanese singer. She rose to prominence as a teen idol, and transitioned into a leading pop artist due to her versatility across music styles and visual presentation. Due to her career reinventions and longevity, she is known as an icon across Japan and Asia. She has been referred to as the "Queen of Japanese Pop", and her influence domestically has drawn equivalent comparisons to artists such as Janet Jackson and Madonna in Western pop culture.

<i>Queen of Hip-Pop</i> 2005 studio album by Namie Amuro

Queen of Hip-Pop is the seventh studio album by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released on July 13, 2005, by Avex Trax. The album's lyrical content, composing and arrangement was handled by multiple music collaborators, such as Nao'ymt, Sugi-V, Michico, Tricky Stewart, T.Kura, among many others. It is her second full-length urban contemporary record, and is made up of songs of various musical genres. Amuro uses the term "hip-pop" to describe the music on the album because it fuses pop music with other genres including R&B and hip-hop music. Three different formats were released to promote the album: a standalone CD, a limited edition Playbutton, and a digital download.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Light (Namie Amuro song)</span> 2005 single by Namie Amuro

"White Light" is a song by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released by Avex Trax in Japan on November 16, 2005, as a double A-single with "Violet Sauce". "White Light" was supposed to promote Amuro's eighth studio album Play (2007), but it was scrapped from the final track list. Instead, an alternative version of "Violet Sauce" appeared. A demo version of the song was sent to Amuro, who decided it needed a warmer tone and reworked it as a Christmas song. It was modified by Nao'ymt, the song's sole composer, producer, and writer. Musically, it's a midtempo Christmas song with lyrics about love and holiday festivities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Sleep, Can't Eat, I'm Sick</span> 2006 single by Namie Amuro

"Can't Sleep, Can't Eat, I'm Sick" is the 31st single by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released by Avex Trax in Japan alongside "Ningyo" on May 17, 2006, as a double A-single. "Can't Sleep, Can't Eat, I'm Sick" served as the second single from Amuro's eighth studio album Play (2007), but "Ningyo" was excluded from the track list. "Can't Sleep, Can't Eat, I'm Sick" was produced by her two most frequent collaborators at the time: T.Kura and Michico for Giant Swing Productions. Musically, it is an upbeat urban contemporary and dance pop song that features a hefty amount of saxophones. Lyrically, it speaks of a lovesick person who can't get anything done when he or she thinks about their lover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say the Word (Namie Amuro song)</span> 2001 single by Namie Amuro

"Say the Word" is the 18th single by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro, and her 7th vinyl record. The CD single was released on August 8, 2001, by Avex Trax. The vinyl edition was released on September 12, 2001, by Rhythm Republic. This is Amuro's first single since severing ties with her former long-time producer Tetsuya Komuro. The song is not found on any of her studio records, but was later placed on her second best album Love Enhanced Single Collection, which was released five months later. It was produced by Swedish producers Ronald Malmberg and Thomas Johansson who are best known for their work with Swedish pop group A-Teens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chase the Chance</span> 1995 single by Namie Amuro

"Chase the Chance" is the fourth single by Japanese singer Namie Amuro from her second studio album, Sweet 19 Blues (1996). It was released as the album's second single on December 4, 1995, through Avex Trax.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never End (song)</span> 2000 single by Namie Amuro

"Never End" is the 17th single by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released on July 12, 2000, as the lead single from her fifth studio album Break the Rules (2000). The track was made specifically for the 26th G8 summit that took place in Amuro's home prefecture Okinawa during July of that year. "Never End" was written, composed and arranged solely by her long-time producer Tetsuya Komuro. Musically, it is a pop ballad that takes influences from Okinawan music. Lyrically, the song describes distant memories, distant places, and distant emotions, indicating a longing for connection and understanding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">60s 70s 80s</span> 2008 single by Namie Amuro

"60s 70s 80s" is a triple A-side single by Japanese singer Namie Amuro from her third greatest hits album, Best Fiction (2008). It was released on March 12, 2008, through Avex Trax and consists of the songs "New Look," "Rock Steady" and "What a Feeling," each sampling from a specific decade in music, hence the title. "New Look" represents the 1960's and features a sample from The Supremes' "Baby Love." "Rock Steady" represents the 1970's and features a sample from Aretha Franklin's song "Rock Steady." The last song, "What a Feeling" represents the 1980's and features samples from Irene Cara's "Flashdance... What a Feeling," which was the theme for the 1983 film Flashdance.

<i>Best Fiction</i> 2008 greatest hits album by Namie Amuro

Best Fiction is the third greatest hits album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released on July 30, 2008, by Avex Trax and features seventeen singles released between 2002-2008, which included five new songs, three of which were released as a triple A-side single called "60s 70s 80s." Furthermore, the album tracks "Do Me More" and "Sexy Girl" were released as digital singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild (Namie Amuro song)</span> 2009 single by Namie Amuro

"Wild" is a song by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released by Avex Trax on March 16, 2009, and serves as the lead single for her ninth studio album, Past<Future (2009). Furthermore, all physical and digital formats included the A-side titled "Dr.," which appears on the parent album. Amuro intended to depart from her previous releases with "Wild" and "Dr.", her first forays into new material. Michico, T. Kura, and Nao'ymt created and produced "Wild," which was recorded at Tokyo's Azabu-O-Studio with Ryosuke Kataoka's assistance.

<i>Past Future</i> 2009 studio album by Namie Amuro

Past<Future is the ninth studio album by Japanese pop singer Namie Amuro. It was released on December 16, 2009, through Avex Trax. This was her first original album to be released in two and a half years. The record came after the release of her blockbuster greatest hits album Best Fiction (2008), which sold over a million copies. Unlike her previous studio albums, Queen of Hip-Pop (2005) and Play (2007), Past<Future features a more electropop and synth-pop sound that was prevalent in the Western music charts at the time.

"My Love" is a song by Namie Amuro. It was released as a radio single from her 9th album "Past<Future" in October 2009, after being chosen as one of two commercial songs simultaneously used in Vidal Sassoon hair product campaigns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Change Myself (song)</span> 2010 single by Iconiq

"Change Myself" is a song recorded by Japanese-born South Korean singer Iconiq, for her first album, Change Myself. The song was central to much of the album's promotion, such as its use in commercials for Shiseido's Maquillage cosmetics range. The song's lyrics influenced the change theme to Iconiq's debut. The song was somewhat successful in the digital market, peaking at #1 on Recochoku's weekly ringtone ranking chart. However, the song only received moderate success as a full-length download, peaking at #20 on RIAJ's Digital Track Chart.

<i>Checkmate!</i> (album) 2011 compilation album by Namie Amuro

Checkmate! is a collaboration album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro, featuring a collection of her collaborations with other musicians released between 2003 and 2011, as well as four new collaborations. The album was released on April 27, 2011, about one month after its original release date, due to 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

"Wonder Woman" is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro, featuring R&B singer and rapper Ai as well as rock musician Anna Tsuchiya. The song was the lead promotional single for Amuro's collaboration-compilation album, Checkmate!, released in April 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!/Love Story</span> 2011 single by Namie Amuro

"Sit! Stay! Wait! Down! / Love Story" is an extended play by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro from her tenth studio album and debut bilingual album Uncontrolled (2012). The EP contains the songs "Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!" and "Love Story" from the parent album and two new tracks "Higher" and "Arigatou". The EP was produced by Michico, T. Kura, Miriam Nervo, Olivia Nervo, T-SK, Tesung Kim, and Nao'ymt, and is divided into two dance-pop songs and two pop ballads.

<i>Uncontrolled</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Namie Amuro

Uncontrolled is the tenth studio album by Japanese pop and R&B musician Namie Amuro, released on June 27, 2012. This marks Amuro's first original album in two and a half years since her last album Past<Future (2009) and her first original album for her 20th anniversary of her debut. It was released in three formats: CD+DVD, CD and Playbutton. Uncontrolled consists mostly of songs sung in Japanese, however this was the first album of Amuro's to feature several songs sung entirely in English. "Go Round" and "Yeah-Oh" are songs with entirely English lyrics, and are included under the titles "Go Round " and "Singing "Yeah-Oh!"" respectively. The new songs "In The Spotlight (Tokyo)," "Hot Girls" and "Only You" are also include entirely English lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Contrail (song)</span> 2013 single by Namie Amuro

"Contrail" is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro, taken from her eleventh studio and second Japanese–English bilingual album Feel (2013). The singer was approached by the Tokyo Broadcasting System team to record the official theme song for their television series Flying Public Relations Office, which resulted into the process of "Contrail". The track was written, composed, arranged and produced entirely by long-time collaborator Nao'ymt, and recorded at Daimonion Studios in Shibuya, Tokyo. Musically, "Contrail" is a dance number that includes instrumentation of synthesizers, keyboards and a drum machine. A self-empowerment anthem, the title derives from the literal term, and is delivered as a metaphor for confidence and hope.

<i>Genic</i> 2015 studio album by Namie Amuro

Genic is the twelfth studio album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released on various physical and digital formats on June 10, 2015 by Amuro’s label Dimension Point, and serves as the singers final studio album before her retirement in September 2018. Amuro began working on the album in 2014 and received over 200 demo recordings from her team, which included a diverse group of collaborators. Finally, she chose tracks based on their introductions and what was trending in music at the time.

<i>Finally</i> (Namie Amuro album) 2017 greatest hits album by Namie Amuro

Finally is the seventh greatest hits album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released in a variety of formats by her label Dimension Point on November 8, 2017, and was later distributed to other markets in Asia. It is the singer's final music release upon announcing her retirement from the entertainment industry in September 2018.

References

  1. 1 2 "New Album｢PAST < FUTURE｣のリード曲となる｢FAST CAR｣､そして久しぶりのバラード曲となる｢The Meaning Of Us｣がラジオ初オンエア決定!!". 2009-11-20. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "安室奈美恵 - bounce.com インタビュー". Bounce. 2009-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-12-19. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  3. 1 2 "FAST CAR 安室奈美恵 歌詞情報 - goo 音楽". Archived from the original on 2009-12-28. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "安室奈美恵『驚きのコラボで話題のミュージックビデオについて語る！』". Oricon Style Music. 2009-12-16. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  5. ↑ "12月2日(水)から､｢FAST CAR｣「The Meaning Of Us｣着うた(R)先行配信決定!!". 2009-11-27. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  6. 1 2 "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. 2009-12-28. Archived from the original on 2010-12-23. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  7. 1 2 レコード協会調べ 2009年12月23日～2010年01月05日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞ Archived 2011-10-08 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ "安室奈美恵 FAST CAR (from「PAST ＜ FUTURE」)" . Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  9. 1 2 "安室奈美恵 ニュー・アルバムのジャケットを解禁！！". 2009-11-26. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2010-01-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ↑ "「SPACE SHOWER MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS」、大賞に安室奈美恵、ベストアーティストに椎名林檎" (in Japanese). Barks. Retrieved 2010-03-23.[ dead link ]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.