Kachi Ikusa

"Kachi Ikusa" (勝ち戦, "Winning Battle"), also known by its English language title "Win Every Fight",[1] is a song by Japanese rock band Tokyo Jihen, led by musician Ringo Sheena. It was one of the promotional songs for the band's fourth album Sports, released on February 24, 2010, and was used in commercials for Ezaki Glico's Watering Kissmint gum.

"Kachi Ikusa"
Song by Tokyo Jihen
from the album Sports
ReleasedJanuary 16, 2010 (2010-01-16)
Recorded2009
GenrePop-rock, alternative rock
Length3:28
LabelEMI Music Japan
Songwriter(s)
Ringo Sheena

Robbie Clark

Background and development

In 2009, Tokyo Jihen released the single "Nōdōteki Sanpunkan", which was their first song to feature in commercials for Ezaki Glico's Watering Kissmint brand of gum.[2] The single was commercially successful, peaking at number one on Oricon's singles chart, and being certified gold twice for digital downloads.[3][4][5]

The Sports album was first announced on December 15, 2009.[6]

Writing and production

The song is one of two entirely written and composed by Sheena from Sports. It features lyrics written by Sheena, translated into English by Robbie Clark.[7] Sheena felt that she needed to create some "spirited sporty songs" to match the compositions Ichiyo Izawa and Ukigumo had already written for the album. The song was recorded by the band without much special preparation, just naturally performing.[8]

Promotion and release

The song served as the second song used in Ezaki Glico's Watering Kissmint advertisement campaign featuring Ringo Sheena as a spokesperson. The commercials began airing on January 16, 2010, and the song was released digitally to cellphones on the same day.[9][10] The commercials were directed by Yuichi Kodama, who had worked as a music video director with the band since "OSCA" in 2007.[9]

The song was first performed on December 30, 2009, at the band's Countdown Japan festival appearance. The song featured as a part of the set-list for their Ultra C (2010) and Bon Voyage (2012) tours, and also was performed at the EMI Rocks festival in 2010.[11][12] The band also appeared on Music Station on February 19, 2010 to perform the song.[13]

On February 8, 2010, a music video directed by Kodama was released for the song.[14][15] It features the band posing in the centre of a stage, while rotating cameras move around them. The final scenes feature the band performing the song with their instruments on the circular stage.

Critical reception

CDJournal believed the song had the ability to invigorate and excite people, and felt the band was using a "Beatles manner".[16] Listenmusic reviewer Yoshiki Aoyuki noted the song's "geometric and advanced ensemble", likening it to the works of Steely Dan.[17]

Personnel

Personnel details were sourced from Sports' liner notes booklet.[7]

Chart rankings
Charts (2010) Peak
position
Japan Billboard Adult Contemporary Airplay[18] 41
Japan Billboard Japan Hot 100[19] 30
Japan RIAJ Digital Track Chart[20] 58

Release history
Region Date Format Distributing Label
Japan January 16, 2010 (2010-01-16)[10] Ringtone, cellphone download EMI Music Japan
February 24, 2010 (2010-02-24)[21] PC download

References
  1. "Sports / INCIDENTS TOKYO". Kronekodow. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  2. "東京事変の新曲『ドーパミント！』、CMタイアップ＆配信限定リリース決定！" (in Japanese). Universal. July 27, 1010. Archived from the original on June 21, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  3. "能動的三分間" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  4. "レコード協会調べ 1月度有料音楽配信認定" [Record Association Investigation: January Digital Music Download Certifications] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. February 20, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  5. "レコード協会調べ 3月度有料音楽配信認定" [Record Association Investigation: March Digital Music Download Certifications] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. April 20, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  6. "東京事変、待望のニューアルバム『スポーツ』発売決定！" (in Japanese). Universal. December 14, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  7. Sports (Media notes) (in Japanese). Tokyo Jihen. Tokyo, Japan: EMI Music Japan. 2010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. "「スポーツ」オフィシャル・インタビュー" [Sports Official Interview] (in Japanese). Toshiba EMI. Archived from the original on June 17, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  9. "椎名林檎「キスミント」新CMでバケツ大回転に挑戦" (in Japanese). Natalie. January 15, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  10. "ニューアルバムからタイアップCM曲『勝ち戦』先行モバイル配信を開始！" (in Japanese). Universal. January 15, 2010. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  11. チャンネルガイド-東京事変オフィシャルブック- [Channel Guide: Tokyo Jihen Official Book] (in Japanese). Tokyo: Kronekodow (published February 29, 2012). February 2012. pp. 186–187. ISBN 978-4884182984.
  12. "東京事変、"最期の生実演"を完全収録した映像作品6/13発売決定" [Tokyo Jihen, DVD footage of their final concert to be released on 6/13.] (in Japanese). Barks. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  13. "主演者ラインップ" [Performer line-up]. TV Asashi. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  14. "東京事変、闘志全開の表情をとらえた新曲ビデオ完成" (in Japanese). Natalie. February 8, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  15. "勝ち戦" (in Japanese). Space Shower. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  16. "東京事変 / スポーツ" (in Japanese). CDJournal. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  17. Yoshiki Aoyuki. "新譜レビュー > 東京事変／スポーツ" (in Japanese). Listenmusic. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  18. "Adult Contemporary Airplay 2010/02/08". Billboard (in Japanese). February 8, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  19. "Japan Billboard Hot 100 2010/02/01". Billboard (in Japanese). February 1, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  20. "レコード協会調べ2010年01月13日～2010年01月19日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞" [Record Association Investigation: January 13, 2010 to January 19, 2010 (For Short: Recokyō Chart (Chaku-uta Full))]. RIAJ (in Japanese). August 6, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  21. "本日（2/24）からニューアルバム『スポーツ』全曲モバイル＆PC配信開始！" (in Japanese). Universal. January 15, 2010. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
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