"Baby Don't Cry" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Namie Amuro | ||||
from the album Play | ||||
B-side | "Nobody" | |||
Released | January 24, 2007 | |||
Recorded | 2005 On Air Azabu Studio (Minato-ku, Tokyo) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 5:22 | |||
Label | Avex Trax | |||
Songwriter(s) | Nao'ymt | |||
Producer(s) | Nao'ymt | |||
Namie Amuro singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Alternative cover | ||||
"Baby Don't Cry" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro for her eighth studio album, Play (2007). It was written, composed, arranged, and produced by Japanese musician Naoaki Yamato, under the alias Nao'ymt. The single also included the B-side track "Nobody", a re-recorded version of her single "White Light". It premiered on January 24, 2007 as the third single from the album in Japan. It was also released worldwide on February 21, 2007 through Avex Entertainment Inc. Musically, "Baby Don't Cry" is a pop ballad, influenced by R&B music.
Upon its release, the track garnered generally favorable reviews from music critics, who highlighted the song as one of Amuro's best singles, and commended the production and her vocals. It achieved success in Japan, peaking at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart. The single has been certified within three different categories by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). An accompanying music video was shot by Masashi Muto; it features Amuro walking around a city, singing in the winter time. With additional promotion through Japanese commercials and television shows, the song has been performed on several concert tours by Amuro, including her 2007 Play tour and 2008 Best Fiction tour.
On December 28, 2006, Japanese magazine CD Journal confirmed the release of a new single, entitled "Baby Don't Cry". [1] It was written, composed, arranged, and produced by Japanese musician Naoaki Yamato, under the alias Nao'ymt. The song was recorded in 2006 at On Air Azabu Studio, Minato-ku, Tokyo by Toshihiro Wako. The song contains backing vocals by Japanese vocalist Hiromi. [2] The single also included the B-side track "Nobody", a re-recorded version of her single "White Light". It was intended to appear on Amuro's eighth studio album, Play , as the original version was omitted. However, the re-recorded version did not end up on the final track list. [3] It premiered on January 24, 2007 as the third single from the album in Japan. It was also released worldwide on February 21, 2007 through Avex Entertainment Inc. [4]
The CD single contains both "Baby Don't Cry" and "Nobody", plus shortened versions of the tracks. These versions were used for various Japanese television commercials. The CD artwork features a close-up facial shot of Amuro, whilst the DVD single has a close up with her face and eyes closed. [5] The DVD single includes the music video to "Baby Don't Cry". [6] Both formats features an extra lyric booklet, printed on plain white paper. [5] [6] Musically, "Baby Don't Cry" is a pop ballad, influenced by R&B and J-pop music. [4] Japanese music editor Random J compared the composition to the works of American recording artist, Janet Jackson. [7] CD Journal staff member's felt the song's composition was "simplistic", and described the lyrical content as "painful". [8]
Upon its release, "Baby Don't Cry" received positive reviews from most music critics. Staff members from Amazon were positive in their review, labeling the song and Amuro's vocal delivery as "impressive". They also complimented Nao'ymt's "perfect" collaboration with Amuro. [4] An editor writing from CD Journal praised the song's mixture of R&B and pop genres. They also felt it was a "classic representation" of Amuro's music inside of the 21st century. [8] AllMusic's editor Adam Greenberg commended the song's departure from the album's electronic music, saying "'Baby Don't Cry' finally gives a peek at Amuro's vocals with less electronic additions...". [9] AllMusic staff selected the single as one of Amuro's best songs in her discography. [10]
Commercial, "Baby Don't Cry" was successful in Japan. It debuted at number three on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart, and stayed there for four days. This resulted in a debut position of number three on the Oricon Singles Chart, two positions behind entries by Mr. Children and Masafumi Akikawa; it sold 52,168 units within its first week of sales. [11] [12] [13] This became Amuro's first single in six years to sell over 50,000 units in its first week since "Say the Word". [12] The following week, it fell to number four with 24,643 units sold within its second week of sales. [14] It slipped again to number seven with 18,663 units sold in its third week of sales, [15] and had its last top ten appearance the following week at number nine; it sold 13,088 units. [16] It lasted 15 weeks in the Top 200 chart, and sold over 144,081 units by the end of 2007; it ranked at number 48 on Oricon's Annual Singles Chart. [17] This became Amuro's highest selling single since "Say the Word" (with 184,000 units sold), [12] and was her highest selling single until it was outsold by her 2011 single "Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!/Love Story" (with 162,000 units sold). [12] [upper-alpha 1] "Baby Don't Cry" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 100,000 units. [19]
The single was certified million in May 2007 by the RIAJ for ringtone sales of one million units in Japan. This is her first single to be certified million by RIAJ since her 1997 single "How to Be a Girl", and was her sixth overall. [20] [21] Although the song has not charted on any digital record charts in Japan, it was cerfifed double platinum by the RIAJ for cellphone sales of 500,000 units. [22] It was certified gold in December 2012 by the RIAJ for digital sales of 100,000 units. [23]
The single has been performed on several tours conducted by Amuro, and has appeared on Japanese commercials and television series. "Baby Don't Cry" made its debut live performance on her Play Tour (2008), which was in support of the album with the same title. The live DVD was released on February 27, 2008. [24] [25] It was included on Amuro's greatest hits concert tour, Best Fiction 2008–2009; it was performed as the final song from the setlist. The live DVD was released on September 9, 2009. [26] [27] The track appeared on her Past<Future concert tour in 2010, and was included on the live release on December 12, 2010. [28] In celebration of Amuro's 20th music career anniversary, the single was included on her 5 Major Dome concert tour in Japan; the song was performed as an encore track. The live DVD was released on February 27, 2013. [29] The song's most recent appearance was her Live Style concert tour (2014), where it was included on as the last track from the setlist. The live DVD was released on February 11, 2015. [30]
"Baby Don't Cry" was used as the theme song for the Japanese television drama series, Himitsu no Hanazono (2007). Alongside this, it was included in three Japanese commercials: the Avex Trax "Myu-Umo" music commercial, the Pokemero Joysound commercial, and for the Fuji TV television series, Secret Garden. [8] An accompanying music video was shot in Japan by Masashi Muto. It opens with Amuro running on outdoor steps, and walking along a pavement bridge. As the chorus starts, intercut scenes of trees are shown, as she walks through the city. The second verse has her walking through a park, with yellow-ish leaves on the ground. She witnessed two small children on a park bench, holding the chain to a dog. The third chorus then has her walking through a city square, and ends with her standing on a beach front at sunset. A short version of the video was uploaded on Amuro's YouTube page on November 16, 2011, [31] whilst a full version was uploaded one month later. [32]
|
|
Credits adapted from the liner notes of the Play album. [2]
|
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Japan (RIAJ) [19] Physical | Gold | 144,081 [12] |
Japan (RIAJ) [33] Digital | 3× Platinum | 750,000* |
Japan (RIAJ) [34] Ringtone | Million | 1,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Japan [5] [6] [35] | January 24, 2007 |
| |
United States [36] | February 21, 2007 | Digital download | Avex Entertainment |
Australia [37] | |||
New Zealand [38] | |||
Canada [39] | |||
United Kingdom [40] | |||
Germany [41] | |||
Ireland [42] | |||
France [43] | |||
Spain [44] | |||
Taiwan [45] | |||
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.
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 several 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 hip-hop and R&B songs as well as one power ballad. The term "Hip-Pop" has been coined to the describe the music on the album because of her image as a pop music icon and her transition to R&B/Hip-Hop music. Three different formats were released to promote the album: a standalone CD, a limited edition Playbutton, and a digital download.
Sweet 19 Blues is the second studio album by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. The album was released in four different slipcases, with the first three cases limited to 1,000,000 copies each—were put on sale on July 20, 1996, throughout Japan, and were distributed two days later to the rest of Asia by Avex Trax. The album was primarily handled by Japanese producer Tetsuya Komuro, with the assistance of Cozy Kubo, Akio Togashi, Takahiro Maeda, M.C.A.T. and Randy Waldman, it is her debut solo album to date since the spilt of Super Monkey's.
"Funky Town" is Namie Amuro's 32nd solo single under the Avex Trax label. It was released in CD and CD&DVD formats on April 4, 2007, three months after the release of her previous single "Baby Don't Cry".
Play is the eighth studio album by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released on June 27, 2007, by Avex Trax and was available in physical and digital formats. Following the success of her previous album, Queen of Hip-Pop (2005), Amuro enlisted long-time collaborators Nao'ymt and T. Kura to produce the album. Play, like its predecessor, is a R&B-influenced record with elements of pop music, rock, dance-pop, and hip-hop. Lyrically, the record explore themes of love, frustration, and relationships.
Guilty is the ninth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on January 1, 2008 by Avex Trax. Guilty marks Hamasaki's ninth consecutive album to be fully produced by Japanese producer and manager Max Matsuura, while she contributes to the album as the lead vocalist, background vocalist, and songwriter to all songs. Recorded in Japanese with minor phrases in English, Guilty is a rock album with numerous musical elements such as pop rock, heavy metal, synthrock, and power ballad melodies.
Feel is the eleventh studio album by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released on July 10, 2013 in both physical and digital formats, and it is her first studio release through Dimension Point, a sub-division of Amuro's label Avex Trax. Feel, like its predecessor Uncontrolled (2013), features a diverse range of producers and songwriters from outside of Japan, including collaborations with Zedd, Dsign Music, Anthony Maniscalco, and Steven Lee.
Ballada is the sixth compilation by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released by Dimension Point on June 4, 2014 in three physical formats, and for digital consumption. It works as a concept album that compiles ballads released during her time with Avex Trax, including three re-worked tracks. Additionally, the album features its only single "Tsuki". Upon its release, Ballada received positive reviews from music critics, most whom praised Amuro's maturity and vocals, alongside the re-worked tracks.
Genic is the twelfth and final studio album and final bilingual (English–Japanese) album by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released on June 10, 2015 in three physical formats, and for digital consumption; additionally, it serves as the singer's final studio record since her retirement announcement for September 2018. The album was handled by Western producers, including David Guetta, Bardur Haberg, Joacim "Twin" Persson, Sophie, amongst others. Stylistically, Genic divides its sound between electronic dance music and R&B, and focuses on themes of self-empowerment, having fun, glamour and fashion.
"Birthday" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro for her twelfth studio and third English album, Genic (2015). It was written by Emyli, composed by Andreas Carlsson, Gabrielle Symons, Michael Lerios, Demitri Lerios, Svante Halldin and Jakob Hazell, whilst production was handled by Halldin and Hazell. The promotional recording premiered on May 11, 2015, and served as the first promotional single from the album. Musically, "Birthday" is dance-pop song, influenced by pop and bubblegum pop. Lyrically, it celebrates Amuro's birthday.
"Tsuki" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Namie Amuro for her ballad-inspired concept compilation, Ballada (2014). It was distributed by Avex Trax and Amuro's record label, Dimension Point, on January 29, 2014 in Japan, and released worldwide as a digital single by Avex Music Creative Inc. The physical and digital formats included the two B-side tracks "Neonlight Lipstick" and "Ballerina", which later served as promotional singles online. "Tsuki" was written by Tiger, whilst production was handled by Hiro Doi and Zetton. Musically, the single is a J-Pop ballad with instrumentation consisting of synthesizers, bells, and chimes.
"Heaven" is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro from her eleventh studio album and second bilingual album Feel (2013). The song was released as the album's lead promotional single on July 10, 2013, the same release date as Feel. "Heaven" was written by Emyli and produced by German-Russian DJ Zedd. Composed by Zedd, Emyli and Tommy Clint, "Heaven" is a house song.
"Brighter Day" is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. Released as a single on November 12, 2014 by Amuro's label Dimension Point through Avex Trax, the release contained the B-sides "Sweet Kisses", and "Still Lovin' You". It received mixed reviews from music critics; many commended Amuro's vocal abilities while some criticized the song's composition and production. Charted as a single on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart, it reached number eight, becoming her lowest chart single since "Alarm" which peaked at eleven. The title track was certified platinum by Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for digital sales of 250,000 and all three tracks charted on the Japan Hot 100.
"Go Round" is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro from her tenth studio album Uncontrolled (2012). It was released as a double a-side single with another album track "Yeah-Oh" and was served as the fourth single on March 21, 2012 by Avex Trax. "Go Round" was written by Aili, produced by T-Sk and co-composed by Tesung Kim and Australian duo Nervo. With a cover sleeve, photographed by Takaki Kumada, showing Amuro in front of a blurry window pane, "Go Round" was recorded both in English and Japanese language and is a dance-pop song.
"Red Carpet" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released on December 2, 2015 via Avex Trax and her label Dimension Point as the singer's third consecutive non-album single, being supported by B-side track "Black Make-Up". "Red Carpet" was distributed in two physical formats—a standard CD, and a CD and DVD bundle—and was made available for digital consumption. The recording was written and composed by Matthew Tishler, Paula Winger, Stephanie Lewis and Tiger, whilst production was handled by Tishler. Musically, the track features guitars, synthesizers, keyboards and drums as instrumentation. Lyrically, the songwriting focuses on themes of self-confidence, empowerment and narcissism, and uses the title as a metaphor for life experiences.
"Mint" is the 44th single by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released on May 18, 2016 in Japan and May 27, 2016 in Taiwan as a CD single, DVD single, and worldwide on May 18 as a digital download by Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan and Amuro's own label Dimension Point. It also served as Amuro's fifth non-album maxi single, after the release of her December 2015 single "Red Carpet", and features the B-side song "Chit Chat". The track was written by Andreas Öberg, Emyli, Maria Marcus, and Tiger, while production was handled by Oberg and Marcus.
"Hero" is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released as a stand-alone single on July 27, 2016 by Avex Trax and Amuro’s own label Dimension Point; it was distributed physically in Japan and Taiwan, and digitally worldwide. The song was written by Ryosuke Imai and Sunny Boy, whilst production and composing was handled by the latter collaborator. Originally slated to appear as a B-side track to her previous single "Mint", it served as the official Japanese theme song to the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, broadcast by the NHK. Alongside this, a B-side track titled "Show Me What You’ve Got" appeared on the release of "Hero".
"Dear Diary" is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro, released as a double A-side single with her track "Fighter". It was released on October 26, 2016 via Dimension Point and Avex Trax as Amuro's seventh consecutive non-album single, and is the theme song to the Japanese drama–horror film, Death Note: Light Up the New World (2016). It was distributed with "Dear Diary" in two physical formats—standard CD and CD/DVD bundle. "Dear Diary" was written, composed and produced by Matthew Tishler, Felicia Barton, Aaron Benward, and frequent collaborator Tiger. Musically, the recording is a pop ballad that lyrically focuses on the films title and recurring theme; furthermore, it delves into themes of empowerment and rising from pain and sorrow.
"Fighter" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Namie Amuro, released as a double A-side single with "Dear Diary". It was released on October 26, 2016 via Dimension Point and Avex Trax in two CD formats, and a DVD package; a digital release was made available for consumption on November 16. The single serves as the insert song to the Japanese drama–horror film Death Note: Light Up the New World, and the theme song to its accompanying spin-off series Death Note: New Generation (2016). "Fighter" was written, composed and produced by Japanese vocalist Emyli, with additional production credits to Reason.
"Dr." is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro, taken as the only A-side single from her ninth studio album Past<Future (2009). The track was written, composed, arranged and produced entirely by long-time collaborator Nao'ymt, and recorded at Azabu-O Studios in Minato, Tokyo. Musically, "Dr." is a dance number that is influenced by modern club music, and also samples an orchestral section from the musical piece "Boléro", composed by French conductor Maurice Ravel. Lyrically, it is a love song that uses the titular term to metaphorically describe Amuro's lover.