Recorded 2012 Length 4:34 | Genre Pop, R&B Label Ariola Japan | |
Released June 20, 2012 (2012-06-20) Format CD single, music download | ||
"Koi wa Owaranai Zutto" (恋は終わらないずっと, lit. "Love Never Ends") is the twenty-sixth single by Japanese recording artist Misia. The single is set for simultaneous release with The Tour of Misia Japan Soul Quest: Grand Finale 2012 in Yokohama Arena concert DVD on June 20, 2012. The song was written by Misia and Jun Sasaki, with the latter also producing the track. "Koi wa Owaranai Zutto" currently serves as theme song to the Yoshino Kimura-led NHK television drama, Hatsukoi. The song's lyrics, written specifically to echo the plot of the TV drama, speak of a woman who is unable to forget her first love. The drama marks the second collaboration between Misia and scriptwriter Miho Nakazono (中園ミホ), and first since Yamato Nadeshiko (やまとなでしこ) (2000), for which Misia's "Everything" served as theme song.
Contents
Along with "Koi wa Owaranai Zutto", the single includes three other tracks: the B-side "Hyakunen'ai", written by essayist Mayumi Satō (佐藤真由美) and Jun Sasaki, a stripped-down piano version of the title track, and a remixed version of Misia's "Ribbon in the Sky" cover from the album Misia no Mori: Forest Covers. The single will be released in two formats: a standard, CD-only edition and a limited edition, which will include a poetry anthology written by Misia herself on the theme of "first love" titled Hatsukoi Uta (はつ恋歌).
The cover art for the single was designed by Japanese balloon artist unit Daisy Balloon, who also designed tour costumes for Misia's 2012 arena tour, The Tour of Misia Japan Soul Quest Grand Finale 2012. It features Misia wearing a floral headpiece and shoulder ornaments, made entirely of balloon material, and holding a balloon bear. The red apple sitting on the bear's head is meant to represent the intensity of a first love.
Composition
"Koi wa Owaranai Zutto" was written by Misia and Jun Sasaki, while production of the song was completed by Sasaki. The song was recorded on April 14, 2012. "Koi wa Owaranai Zutto" is Misia's first single co-written and produced by Sasaki since "Aitakute Ima" (2009). In a press release regarding the release of the single, Misia explained, "Love, even if lost, is something that lives on in our memories and can change the course of our lives. After reading the script, I was inspired to put into song this strong feeling of an 'endless love'. I sing this song hoping it will resonate with the viewers."
The B-side, "Hyakunen'ai", was written by essayist Mayumi Satō and Sasaki. Speaking of her inspiration for the song, Satō commented, "When it dawned on me that we won't be around in a hundred years' time, I began thinking 'does love end when our bodies are no longer?' Part of the lyrics are a dedication to a post-disaster Tōhoku. Misia has taught me through her voice that, whether on the brink of giving up or in despair over the unchanging reality of these difficult times, believing in our future and in our love for each other as people is one of the answers we need. Let there be nature, song and love a hundred years from now."
Chart performance
"Koi wa Owaranai Zutto" made its chart debut on the weekly Recochoku truetone chart on May 30, 2012, at number 27.
Background
The music video for "Koi wa Owaranai Zutto" was filmed in May 2012 in Hokkaido and was directed by Mitsuo Shindō. It premiered on May 24, 2012 on Space Shower TV's Big Hits! program. The video was filmed at several locations throughout Hokkaido, including Lake Chimikeppu (チミケップ湖) in the town of Tsubetsu, where the album cover for Misia's extended play The Glory Day was previously shot, the Pierson Memorial Museum (ピアソン記念館), in the city of Kitami, and the vicinities of Notoro Point Lighthouse (能取岬灯台), in Abashiri city.
Synopsis
The video's concept shows Misia traveling around various locations seemingly reminiscing on her first love. The video begins with a shot from a car moving through an Hokkaidan street. Misia is then seen wandering along a lake shore as the first verse begins. The camera fades into a shot of Misia looking out of the window of a moving train. She is then shown, in profile, singing the pre-chorus. Misia dons a white chiffon wedding dress as she stands next to a tree by the shore. A close-up shot of the bottom-half of the dress follows and Misia is seen holding a baby's breath bouquet. The camera alternates between shots of Misia in the train and shots of the Hokkaido scenery.
As the second verse begins, Misia is shown from the side, sitting on the edge of a sofa. As she begins to sing, she turns around to face a window. Shots of Misia driving a car and resting in it are intercut with shots of the scenery. The camera then fades back to a sitting Misia. This is followed by more scenery shots, a shot of a café-like environment, and one of Misia leaning against a stone wall. Misia is shown gazing out of a window, singing the second chorus while different shots are intercut. She is then seen walking toward a lighthouse. As the bridge comes to an end, the camera fades to a shot of the singer walking on a dock in her wedding dress. The camera cuts to a shot of Misia dressed in black and playing the piano while singing. The final chorus begins and several shots of Misia singing are repeated. The video ends with a shot of Misia reposing her chin on her hand and staring out of the window of a train as her name and the song's title appear in white font.