Boku wa Kuma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Boku wa Kuma" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by Utada Hikaru | ||
| Released | November 22, 2006 | |
| Format | CD, CD+DVD, CD+Picture Book | |
| Recorded | 2006 | |
| Genre | J-Pop | |
| Length | 2:21 | |
| Label | Toshiba-EMI | |
| Writer(s) | Utada Hikaru | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
||
| Utada Hikaru singles chronology | ||
| "This Is Love" (2006) |
"Boku wa Kuma" (2006) |
"Flavor Of Life" (2007) |
"Boku wa Kuma" (ぼくはくま? lit. I'm a Bear) is Utada Hikaru's 17th Japanese single (22nd overall). The single was released on November 22nd of 2006, just a matter of months after Hikaru's last studio effort, ULTRA BLUE, and only two months after the end of her tour, UTADA UNITED. [1]
"Boku wa Kuma" was her first try at writing a children's song. On October 1, 2006, it aired on the children's music program Minna no Uta on radio , and on TV the day after. Due to strong demand, the song has been planned for continuous rebroadcasting from October 2006 to January 2007 on Minna no Uta. [2]
A limited pressing edition of the single also includes a children's picture book Bonjour! Kuma-chan created by Utada as a bonus. [3]
The song is about a bear, what he can and cannot do, and what he is not (such as a car, chocolate, etc.). His rival is fried shrimp.
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
- Boku wa Kuma
- Boku wa Kuma (Instrumental)
[edit] Charts
[edit] Oricon sales chart (Japan)
| Release | Chart | Peak Position | Sales Total | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 22, 2006 | Oricon Daily Singles Chart | #4 | ||
| November 22, 2006 | Oricon Weekly Singles Chart | #4 | 145,703 copies* | 19 weeks* |
| November 22, 2006 | Oricon Monthly Singles Chart | #9 | ||
| November 22, 2006 | Oricon Yearly Singles Chart | #127 (2006) | 76,785 |
- *Still charting
[edit] Trivia
- Utada owns a stuffed bear named Kuma-chan; "kuma" is "bear" in Japanese, and "-chan" is an affectionate suffix added to names. She often posts photos of him on her U3 blog. After discovering the "made in China" tag on Kuma-chan's bottom, he was given the full name of "Kuma Chang" (which is technically pronounced identically to "Kuma-chan" in Japanese anyway). A staff pass was issued to him for the "Utada United 2006." tour. [4] It is thought that Kuma Chang was a gift to her for her birthday in 2006.
- In June 2006, Utada confessed on her blog that she has "pillow dependence".[5] She calls her pillow "makura-san" (Mr. Pillow). She enjoys the comfort of feeling the pillow against her face, and would even hold the pillow all day long when she's stressed out. She was later surprised to find out there are many "pillow-addicts" out there, and joked about setting up a "pillow club". 'Makura-san' and Kuma are apparently good friends. [6]
[edit] References
- ^ Yahoo! Taiwan news article
- ^ http://www.nhk.or.jp/minna/ Minna no Uta official site
- ^ http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/hikki/news/index_j.htm Utada Hikaru's Official Website
- ^ http://www.u3music.com/message/backnumber/ja/20060620j.html
- ^ http://www.u3music.com/message/backnumber/ja/20060622j.html
- ^ http://www.u3music.com/message/backnumber/ja/20060810j.html
| Utada Hikaru |
|---|
| Albums |
|
Japanese:
First Love | Distance | Deep River | Ultra Blue Compilation Album: Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 1 |
| Singles |
|
Japanese:
Automatic / time will tell | Movin' on without you | First Love Addicted To You | Wait & See ~Risk~ | For You / Time Limit | Can You Keep A Secret? Final Distance | traveling | Hikari | Sakura Drops / Letters Colors | Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro | Be My Last | Passion | Keep Tryin' Boku wa Kuma | Flavor Of Life Digital Single: This Is Love English:
Close To You REMIX: Fly Me To The Moon Easy Breezy | Devil Inside | Exodus '04 | You Make Me Want To Be A Man Digital Single: Easy Breezy | Devil Inside |
| Theme Songs |
| Various |
| Full discography | Albums | Singles |
