Welcome Rain

Last updated

"Welcome Rain"
Ai - Welcome Rain (From the First Take).jpg
The First Take cover
Song by Ai
from the album Dream
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
ReleasedFebruary 23, 2022 (2022-02-23)
Recorded2021
Genre R&B
Length4:31
Label EMI
Songwriter(s) Naoki Yamata
Producer(s) Nao'ymt
Live performance video
"Welcome Rain" on YouTube

"Welcome Rain" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai from her twelfth studio album, Dream . Written and produced by Nao'ymt, the song has been used in web commercials for Asahi Breweries. Lyrically, the song is about communication through a difficult situation. Critics have compared the song to "Aldebaran". [1]

Contents

Background

"Welcome Rain" was included on Ai's twelfth studio album Dream as its fourth track. Although not released as a single, Ai teamed up with Asahi Breweries to promote the song. [2] In March 2022, The First Take revealed they would be releasing a live recording of Ai performing the song on their official YouTube channel. [3] [4] The performance would serve as her second appearance on the channel, her first previous appearance was a week prior performing "Aldebaran". [5] The performance premiered on March 2. [6] On March 6, EMI Records announced Ai's First Take version of "Welcome Rain" would impact digital stores on March 25. [7] [8] In promotion of the live performance, Asahi Breweries released a limited version of their beer with the design of The First Take logo on the can, along with a QR code to watch the performance on YouTube. [9] [2]

Music and lyrics

Barks has described "Welcome Rain" as a song with a "delicate" melody with a "deep message", comparing it to Ai's 2021 single, "Aldebaran". [1] Natalie Music has described the lyrics having the theme of spring. [2]

Live performances

Ai performed "Welcome Rain" live for The First Take. Ai additionally performed the song at her Dream Tour. [10]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Dream liner notes and Tidal. [11] [12] [13]

Original version

The First Take version

Release history

Release history and formats for "Welcome Rain"
RegionDateFormatVersionLabelRef.
VariousFebruary 23, 2022Original [14]
March 25, 2022First Take [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 "【コラム】AI、アルバム『DREAM』に込めた願いとメッセージとは？". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "AI「アルデバラン」の「THE FIRST TAKE」バージョンを配信リリース（動画あり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie Music. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "AI、「THE FIRST TAKE」で新曲「Welcome Rain」初披露". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  4. ↑ "AI、新曲「Welcome Rain」を『THE FIRST TAKE』にて初披露". THE FIRST TIMES (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  5. ↑ "AIが今夜「THE FIRST TAKE」初登場、朝ドラ主題歌「アルデバラン」披露｜ウーマンエキサイト". ウーマンエキサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ "AI、アルバムより新曲「Welcome Rain」を 『THE FIRST TAKE』にて初披露". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  7. ↑ "AI、「アルデバラン」「Welcome Rain」の「THE FIRST TAKE」バージョンをリリース". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  8. ↑ "AI、THE FIRST TAKEバージョン「アルデバラン」「Welcome Rain」配信リリース". Billboard Japan . March 5, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  9. ↑ "AI、「アルデバラン」「Welcome Rain」の『THE FIRST TAKE』バージョン配信リリース". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  10. ↑ "AIとまやりんがコラボ、"大切な人"を描く「アルデバラン」動画公開". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  11. ↑ Dream (CD). Ai. EMI Records/Universal/Def Jam Recordings. 2022. UPCH-20614.
  12. ↑ "AI / Dream (Credits TIDAL US)". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  13. ↑ "AI / Welcome Rain (From the First Take) (Credits TIDAL US)". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  14. ↑ "AIがオリジナルフルアルバム「DREAM」リリース、5月から全国ツアー開催". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie Music. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
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