Pale Blue (song)

"Pale Blue"
Single by Kenshi Yonezu
from the album Lost Corner
Language	Japanese
B-side	"Daydream" "Shinigami"
Released	June 16, 2021
Studio	ABS Bunkamura
Genre	J-pop
Length	4:57
Label	Sony Japan
Songwriter(s)	Kenshi Yonezu
Kenshi Yonezu singles chronology
"Uma to Shika" (2019) "Pale Blue" (2021) "Pop Song" (2022)
Music video
「Pale Blue」 on YouTube 「Shinigami（Short ver.）」 on YouTube

"Pale Blue" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu. It was released as a single by Sony Music Records on June 16, 2021. It reached number one on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. ^[1]

Background and release

Of the three songs included, "Yume Utsutsu" was written first. In August 2020, Yonezu received a collaboration offer and began production. "Pale Blue" was written after three rejections, and Yonezu said it was "the most difficult time in [his] career to date". "Shinigami" was written with the relief that "Pale Blue" had been completed in time for the deadline. Yonezu made it while thinking about how it would be popular or whether it would make people laugh. ^[2]

"Pale Blue" was written and first released as the theme song for the drama Rikokatsu. The artist visuals were posted prior to the musical released. ^[3] On April 30, 2021, the jacket artwork, said by Yonezu to depict "the moment of falling in love", was released and a special website was opened. ^[4] The single was released with three editions: puzzle, ribbon, and regular. The first limited edition contains a "Pale Blue Fragrance" card with an original scent created with the image of the song, as well as a "Pale Blue" card where Yonezu's illustrations and signature appear when immersed in water. "Pale Blue Letter" was also included as a surprise package. ^[5] Additionally, to coincide with the advance release of "Pale Blue", distribution of Yonezu's past songs began on TikTok. ^[6]

A music video directed by Tomokazu Yamada for "Pale Blue" was released on June 4, 2021. Yamada had previously directed the music videos for "Lemon", "Uma to Shika", and "Campanella". Koharu Sugawara, who had previously appeared as a dancer for Yonezu's performance of "Lemon" at the 69th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen , appeared in the music video. ^[7] A music video for the short version of "Shinigami" was released on June 24. Set in a rakugo vaudeville theater, Yonezu plays the rakugo storyteller, the Shinigami , and the audience. ^[8]

Composition

"Pale Blue" is a love song characterized by the classical sound created by the use of acoustic instruments such as string instruments and the piano. ^[9] The two choruses are reminiscent of the baroque style, and then the rhythm shifts from four beats to a ⁶
₈ waltz rhythm after a brief triptych. The lyrics are in present tense after the meter change. ^{[10] [11]}

"Yume Utsutsu" is a song with motifs of anger and anxiety. According to music journalist Tomonori Shiba, the chords and melody have elements of modern jazz, and the groove is physically pleasing. ^[2]

"Shinigami" was composed because Yonezu liked the sound of the phrase Ajarakamokuren tekerettsu no pā (アジャラカモクレン テケレッツのパー) in the rakugo story Shinigami; he said that he made it into music. ^[2]

Critical reception

Yusuke Nagano, writing for Rhythm&Drum Magazine, points out the drums in "Pale Blue", saying that the "highly textured closed rim shot that makes you feel like you're playing at close range". He also said that the sixteenth note kick sounds "add a refreshing dynamism". ^[12] Masateru Hori played the drums for "Pale Blue". ^[13] Music critic Atsushi Shikano praised the rhythmic shifts, saying "it creates order in the modulation of the song, and it makes you fall in love with the dynamic cruelty of love". ^[10]

Comedian Hikaru Ijūin talked about "Shinigami" during his radio program and said that he "can't describe the sound of rakugo , or the feeling of Shinigami, but [the song] reproduces the feeling of an old man talking about Shinigami. ^[14] Music journalist Tomonori Shiba said that the important point of "Shinigami" was that "of course, there is rakugo, but it starts with the 'sound of footsteps' and ends with the 'sound of blowing out candle flames' and there are other sounds ... that accompany one's physicality". ^[15]

Commercial performance

The title track "Pale Blue", which was pre-released on May 31, 2021, sold 84,385 downloads in its first week and placed first on the Billboard Japan Download Songs released on June 9. It also debuted at second on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. ^[16] In the second week, it placed first on Download Songs for a second week and ranked third on Billboard Japan Hot 100. ^[17] When the physical CD was released, it recorded 161,252 initial sales and ranked second on the Billboard Japan Top Single Sales released June 23. Additionally, in the same week's Japan Hot 100, it had the highest score of a solo artist in 2021 and placed first. ^[18] It also placed first for the third week in that week's Download Songs. ^[19] The following week, "Pale Blue" again topped the Download Songs, and ranked third in the Japan Hot 100. Additionally, "Shinigami", digitally released that week, placed second in the Japan Hot 100, and "Yume Utsutsu" rose from sixth to third place. ^[20]

"Pale Blue" was certified Platinum for the physical release and Gold for digital sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan in June 2022. ^{[21] [22]} It was also certified Platinum for streaming in September 2022. ^[23]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Kenshi Yonezu; all tracks are arranged by Yonezu and Yuta Bandoh.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Pale Blue"	4:57
2.	"Yume Utsutsu" (ゆめうつつ)	5:04
3.	"Shinigami" (死神)	3:00
Total length:		13:01

Charts

Chart (2021)	Peak position
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard) [1]	1
Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon) [24]	1

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ) [25] physical sales	Platinum	250,000^
Japan (RIAJ) [26] digital sales	Gold	100,000*
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ) [27]	Platinum	100,000,000†
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Kenshi Yonezu's 'Pale Blue' Scores Most Points for a Solo Artist in 2021 to Top Japan Hot 100". Billboard . June 24, 2021.
2. 米津玄師「Pale Blue」インタビュー｜ポップソングの面白さを追い求めたどり着いた、究極のラブソング - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー [Kenshi Yonezu's "Pale Blue" interview | The ultimate love song, arrived at by pursuing the fun of pop songs - Music Natalie Special Feature/Interview]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). June 12, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
3. 「Pale Blue」最新アーティストビジュアル公開 ["Pale Blue" latest artist visual released]. Reissue Records (in Japanese). April 16, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
4. 米津玄師、“恋に落ちた瞬間”描いた「Pale Blue」ジャケット公開 [Kenshi Yonezu releases “Pale Blue” jacket depicting “the moment she fell in love”]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). April 30, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
5. 米津玄師シングル購入者特典は「Pale Blue」の“香り”、共通のカードフレグランスをプレゼント（写真4枚） [Kenshi Yonezu single purchaser benefits include the "scent" of "Pale Blue" and a common card fragrance (4 photos)]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). May 14, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
6. 米津玄師「Pale Blue」先行配信に合わせてTikTokで楽曲一挙配信、「パンダヒーロー」などハチ曲も [Along with the advance distribution of Kenshi Yonezu's "Pale Blue," songs will be distributed all at once on TikTok, including Hachi songs such as "Panda Hero"]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). May 28, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
7. 米津玄師“フタフタゴーゴー”に「Pale Blue」MV公開、菅原小春と共演（動画あり） [Kenshi Yonezu's "Futafuta Go Go" released MV for "Pale Blue", co-starring with Koharu Sugawara (with video)]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). June 4, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
8. 米津玄師が噺家に、1人で何役も演じる「死神」MVショートVer.公開（動画あり） [Kenshi Yonezu becomes a storyteller, "Shinigami" MV short version released (with video)]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). June 24, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
9. Mori, Tomoyuki; Ichijō, Kōta (June 15, 2021). 米津玄師、宮本浩次、BTS、三代目JSB……6月16日リリースより新譜4作をレビュー [Kenshi Yonezu, Koji Miyamoto, BTS, Sandaime JSB... Review 4 new albums released on June 16th]. Real Sound (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
10. Shikano, Atsushi [@sikappe] [in Japanese] (June 12, 2021). 米津玄師の「Pale Blue」は本当に凄い。そもそもバロック調の曲が2サビが終わった後で一瞬の三連を経てワルツにリズムが転調するのが壮絶に美しいのだが、その2サビでマーチ（行進曲）をさり気なく刷り込み、ワルツへの転調に秩序を生み出し、さらにダイナミックに愛の残酷さを響かせ惚れ惚れする。 [Kenshi Yonezu's "Pale Blue" is really amazing. In the first place, after the second chorus of a baroque song, it is spectacularly beautiful that the rhythm changes to a waltz after a momentary triptych. It creates order in the modulation of the song, and it makes you fall in love with the dynamic cruelty of love.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023– via Twitter.
11. Shiba, Tomonori [@shiba710] [in Japanese] (June 5, 2021). 米津玄師「Pale Blue」は曲後半で4拍子から6/8拍子に変わるところがポイントで、そこまで「恋をしていた」「あなたのことが何よりも大切でした」と過去の描写なのが、「あなたの腕その胸のなか」「恋をしている」と現在形の言葉になる。時制の違いを拍子で表現してる。名曲。 [Kenshi Yonezu's "Pale Blue" is the point where the time signature changes from 4 to 6/8 in the latter half of the song, "I was in love" and "You were more important than anything else" are the past descriptions, but "In your arms and in your heart" and "I'm in love" are the present tense words. The difference in tense is expressed by the time signature. Famous song.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved September 8, 2023– via Twitter.
12. 米津玄師の最新曲「Pale Blue」のドラム的聴きどころ！ [Kenshi Yonezu's latest song "Pale Blue" is a drum-like highlight!]. Rhythm&Drum Magazine (in Japanese). June 6, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
13. Bearwear、Strip Joint、Q2の穴、米津玄師、マサ小浜……Mikiki編集部員が選ぶ今週の邦楽5曲 [Bearwear, Strip Joint, Q2 no Ana, Kenshi Yonezu, Masa Obama... 5 Japanese songs of the week selected by Mikiki editorial staff]. Mikiki (in Japanese). June 1, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
14. ジェイタメ (June 29, 2021). "伊集院光、米津玄師の新曲『死神』のMVに「1か月前だったら俺、絶対パクった方になる（笑）」 ｜ ジェイタメ". ジェイタメ (in Japanese). Retrieved September 9, 2023.
15. Shiba, Tomonori [@shiba710] (July 1, 2021). 米津玄師「死神」の重要なポイントは、もちろん落語もあるけど、「足踏みの音」で始まって「ろうそくの炎を吹き消す音」で終わる、他にも笑い声とか舌を転がす音とか、つまり自身の肉体性を伴う音が曲の具材になってることだと思う。「Flamingo」のボイスサンプルと同じく。 [The important point of Kenshi Yonezu's "Shinigami" is, of course, there is rakugo, but it starts with "the sound of footsteps" and ends with "the sound of blowing out candle flames", as well as laughter and tongue rolling sounds. I think that the sound that accompanies one's own physicality is the material of the song. Same as the voice sample of "Flamingo".] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023– via Twitter.
16. 【ビルボード】米津玄師「Pale Blue」がDLソング堂々首位、ラルク／宇多田／ゆずがトップ10デビュー [[Billboard] Kenshi Yonezu's "Pale Blue" tops DL songs, L'Arc/Utada/Yuzu debut in Top 10]. Billboard Japan . June 9, 2021.
17. 【ビルボード】米津玄師「Pale Blue」がDLソング2週連続首位、ヨルシカ「又三郎」初登場4位 [[Billboard] Kenshi Yonezu's "Pale Blue" tops DL song chart for 2 consecutive weeks, Yorushika's "Maatasaburo" debuts at 4th place]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 16, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
18. 【ビルボード】米津玄師「Pale Blue」、BTSとNMB48を抑え逆転総合首位獲得 [[Billboard] Kenshi Yonezu "Pale Blue" wins over BTS and NMB48]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 23, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
19. 【ビルボード】米津玄師「Pale Blue」がDLソング3週連続1位、Ado「夜のピエロ」が2位に続く＜6/24修正＞ [[Billboard] Kenshi Yonezu "Pale Blue" ranked first for DL songs for three consecutive weeks, followed by Ado "Yoru no Piero" at second place <Revised on 6/24>]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 23, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
20. 【ビルボード】米津玄師「Pale Blue」がDLソング4週連続1位、「死神」「ゆめうつつ」が続きトップ3独占 [[Billboard] Kenshi Yonezu's "Pale Blue" tops DL song chart for 4 weeks in a row]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 30, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
21. 6月度GD認定～BTSのアルバム「BTS, THE BEST」が今年初のミリオン認定に [GD certification in June ~ BTS's album "BTS, THE BEST" has been certified as a million for the first time this year]. PR Times. July 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
22. 6月度DL認定～DISH//「猫 ～THE FIRST TAKE ver.～」がプラチナ認定 [June DL certification ~DISH// "Cat ~THE FIRST TAKE ver.~" certified platinum]. PR Times. July 20, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
23. 2022年9月度ストリーミング認定～Ado、平井 大、BLOOM VASE、優里、米津玄師、夜のひと笑いがプラチナ認定 [September 2022 Streaming Certification-Ado, Dai Hirai, BLOOM VASE, Yuri, Kenshi Yonezu, Night Laughter Certified Platinum]. PR Times. October 26, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
24. "Pale Blue". Oricon .
25. "Japanese single certifications – Kenshi Yonezu – Pale Blue" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan.Select 2021年6月 on the drop-down menu
26. "Japanese digital single certifications – Kenshi Yonezu – Pale Blue" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan.Select 2021年6月 on the drop-down menu
27. "Japanese single streaming certifications – Kenshi Yonezu – Pale Blue" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan.Select 2022年9月 on the drop-down menu