Loveletter (Yoasobi song)

"Loveletter" (ラブレター, Raburetā) is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi from their second extended play, The Book 2 (2021). It was released on August 9, 2021, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The song was written by Ayase and based on Hatsune's letter Ongaku-san e, which won the Letter Song Project, a collaboration with radio show Sunday's Post. "Loveletter" peaked at number three on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart, and number four on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

"Loveletter"
Single by Yoasobi
from the EP The Book 2
LanguageJapanese
ReleasedAugust 9, 2021
GenreJ-pop
Length3:32
LabelSony Japan
Songwriter(s)Ayase
Producer(s)Ayase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Sangenshoku"
(2021)		 "Loveletter"
(2021)		 "Taishō Roman"
(2021)
Music video
"Loveletter" on YouTube
English version on YouTube

Background and release

On August 30, 2020, Sunday's Post, Tokyo FM's radio show owned by Japan Post Service, announced a collaborative contest with Yoasobi called Letter Song Project to perform a song based on a letter written by listener about thoughts or expectations under the theme "thank you".[1][2] The winner was announced on July 25, 2021, as sixth-grade student Hatsune's letter, titled Ongaku-san e (音楽さんへ, lit. "To Music"), which spells out gratitude for music. The song, titled "Loveletter", was aired for the first time on the radio show on August 1,[3][4] and released on August 9 to digital music and streaming platforms.[5][6] Later, the song appeared on Yoasobi's second extended play The Book 2, released on December 1.[7] The English version was included on the duo's second English-language EP E-Side 2, released on November 18, 2022.[8]

Composition and lyrics

"Loveletter" was written by Ayase, a member of the duo, and composed in the key of G major at 100 beats per minute with a running time of 3 minutes and 32 seconds.[9] The song is described as a "magnificent" song that depicts a vivid spread of music and love with various feelings. "Loveletter" featured brass band club from Osaka Tōin Senior High School, who also co-starred in their online concert, Sing Your World.[5]

Commercial performance

In Japan, "Loveletter" debuted at number one on the Oricon Digital Single Chart dated of August 23, 2021 with 37,281 download units, becoming their seventh number-one song on the chart.[10][11] The song also peaked at number three on the Combined Singles Chart,[12] and number 18 on the Streaming Chart.[13] For Billboard Japan Hot 100, "Loveletter" opened at number four, behind SixTones's "Mascara", BTS' "Butter" and "Permission to Dance",[14] topped of Download Songs with 31,392 download units,[15] and reached number 17 on Streaming Songs.[16] "Loveletter" also peaked at number 96 on the Billboard Global Excl. US.[17]

Music video

An accompanying music video of "Loveletter" was initially set to premiere on August 24, 2021,[6] but had been postponed to August 31 due to production reasons.[18] Directed by Satoru Ohno from ThinkR, art directed by Banishment, and animation directed by Ryō Ishii, the music video depicts the various gratitude contained in the based letter spreading on the music with the vivid scene.[19] The music video begins with a girl holding her letter showing her love in music. It continues as she walks through her school until she sees a heart that explodes into music staves as it flies across the sky, and she runs after it. It ends up with the girl's friends joining her, chasing after the music, and enjoying it together with musical instruments background.[20]

Live performance and usage in media

Yoasobi gave a debut performance of "Loveletter" on music show Songs on December 2, 2021, alongside "Taishō Roman", and "Tsubame".[21] "Loveletter" featured in the 20th anniversary commercial of Puré, starring Marika Itō.[22]

Credits and personnel

Song

Music video

  • Satoru Ohno (ThinkR) – director
  • Yumi Nakamura – character design, executive animation director, color scheme design
  • Kaori Fukui – animation director
  • Aoi Yamane – original animation director assistant
  • Takahide Ejiri – original animation director assistant
  • Yū Kaneshiro – original animation director assistant
  • Fumio Matsumoto – key animation
  • Yoshito Narimatsu – key animation
  • Yū Fukuoka – key animation
  • Naoko Hayashi – key animation
  • Haruna Hashimoto – key animation
  • Mitsutaka Echigo – key animation
  • Tetsuya Yoshimoto – second key animation
  • Kaichi Baba – second key animation
  • Kashiwaten – second key animation
  • Ryūnosuke Kamida – second key animation
  • Seiko Terashima – second key animation
  • Yoshi Kirishima – second key animation
  • Celenecosmos – second key animation
  • Porkky – second key animation
  • Leandro Duarte – second key animation
  • Masashi Makino – in-between animation
  • Shenron – in-between animation, finishing
  • FAI – in-between animation, finishing
  • GK Sales – in-between animation, finishing
  • Inō Akihiro – in-between animation checking
  • Saori Murakoshi – color style, color checking
  • Defer Co., Ltd. – checking assistant
    • Hajime Satō
    • Ayumi Nakahara
    • Yuki Tozawa
  • Nodoka Kadowaki – production assistant
  • Banishment (Flat Studio) – art director, 3D CGI
  • Studio WHO – art production assistance
  • Sachiko15 – art production assistance
  • Anhelo – art production assistance
  • Shūsaku Takayanagi – 3D CGI director, compositing director
  • V-Sign – 3D CGI
  • Acca Effe – compositing
  • Emi Irisa – compositing
  • Sanneku Animation Co., Ltd. – compositing
  • Lucas Cisterne – compositing
  • Toshihide Fujii – compositing
  • Kiyotake Tamura – compositing
  • Hironobu Nagasawa – compositing
  • Tomoyuki Ishiyama – compositing
  • Shin Kuribayashi (Silver Link.) – compositing assistant
  • Konbu – compositing assistant
  • Haruka Wakai – graphic design
  • Shogo Saitō – production manager
  • Matsumoto Kohei (ThinkR) – producer
  • Ryō Ishii (Flat Studio) – animation producer

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for "Loveletter"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[26] Platinum 100,000,000†

† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Loveletter"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various August 9, 2021
Sony Japan [27]

References
  1. "全員に返事が届くYOASOBIとの文通企画「LETTER FOR YOASOBI」が始まります！". &Post (in Japanese). March 28, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  2. "YOASOBIがリスナーからの手紙を原作に楽曲制作 『日本郵便 SUNDAY'S POST』レターソング・プロジェクトが始動". Spice (in Japanese). August 30, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  3. "YOASOBI、TOKYO FM"日本郵便 SUNDAY'S POST"にて実施していた "レターソングプロジェクト"でリスナーからの手紙を原作に制作した楽曲が完成。8/1放送の番組内にて初オンエア決定". Skream! (in Japanese). July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  4. "YOASOBI新曲は手紙が原作の"レターソング"、日本郵便ラジオ番組で初オンエア". Fashion Press Inc. (in Japanese). July 26, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  5. "YOASOBI新曲は小学6年生の手紙から構想、郵便局のポスターでショート版が聴ける". Natalie (in Japanese). August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  6. "YOASOBI、本日8/9リリースの新曲「ラブレター」ティーザー映像解禁。MVは8/24公開". Skream! (in Japanese). August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  7. "YOASOBI、12月に新作リリース&日本武道館2daysで初の有観客ライブ決定". Oricon (in Japanese). October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  8. "YOASOBI楽曲の英語版8曲入り「E-SIDE 2」配信決定（動画あり）". Natalie (in Japanese). November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  9. "Key, BPM of ラブレター by YOASOBI". Musicstax. August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  10. "YOASOBI、新曲「ラブレター」が通算7作目の1位に 通算1位獲得作品数は歴代2位【オリコンランキング】". Oricon (in Japanese). August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  11. "週間 デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング 2021年08月23日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. August 23, 2021. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  12. "週間 合算シングルランキング 2021年08月23日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. August 23, 2021. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  13. "週間 ストリーミングランキング 2021年08月23日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. August 23, 2021. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  14. "【ビルボード】SixTONES「マスカラ」504,232枚を売り上げ総合首位に初登場 "音楽"への感謝を綴るYOASOBI「ラブレター」総合4位に初登場". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  15. "【ビルボード】YOASOBI「ラブレター」がDLソング首位、トップ10圏内に6曲が初登場". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  16. "【ビルボード】BTS「Permission to Dance」がストリーミング5連覇 エビ中「イヤフォン・ライオット」自身初のトップ3入り". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  17. "Billboard Global Excl. US The Week of August 28, 2021". Billboard. August 28, 2021. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  18. YOASOBI [@YOASOBI_staff] (August 24, 2021). "【お知らせ】" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved August 24, 2021 – via Twitter.
  19. "YOASOBI「ラブレター」MVプレミア公開決定、本日ローソンでレターセット発売". Natalie (in Japanese). August 30, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  20. Topham, Michelle (August 31, 2021). "YOASOBI's 'Love Letter' music video beautifully animates Hatsune's love for songs". LeoSign. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  21. "YOASOBIが「SONGS」で語る紅白の舞台裏、ミドリーズとの初共演も実現". Natalie (in Japanese). November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  22. "YOASOBI、「ラブレター」が"ピュレグミ"20周年記念CMに起用。楽曲に乗せて伊藤万理華が舞い踊るCM公開". Skream! (in Japanese). April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  23. "Yoasobi Chart History (Global Excl. US)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  24. "Yoasobi Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  25. "Billboard Japan Download Songs Year-End 2021". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  26. "Japanese single streaming certifications – YOASOBI – ラブレター" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved July 26, 2023. Select 2023年6月 on the drop-down menu
  27. "8/9(月)新曲「ラブレター」配信リリース決定！(TOKYO FM『日本郵便 SUNDAY'S POST』共同企画"レターソングプロジェクト"楽曲) 全国の郵便局にて楽曲のショートVer.と本人コメントが聴ける、限定ポスター掲出スタート。8/24(火)には、楽曲の世界観を楽しめるレターセットの販売も決定。". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). August 1, 2021. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
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