Aiko (singer)

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aiko (real name: Aiko Yanai [柳井 愛好]) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter. She was born on November 22 (horoscope: the Scorpio), 1975 in Suita, Osaka, Japan. She majored in popular music vocals at the Osaka College of Music and received AA in 1996.

aiko writes love songs such as Hanabi (1999), Sakura no Toki (2000), and Hatsukoi (2001). She is popular among a wide range of fans, however, especially young girls. She is short (with a height of 152cm / 5 feet), and is known for her cheerful character. aiko's songs go over Japan, and reach East Asia and beyond.

In July, 1998, aiko made her nationwide debut in Japan with a release of Ashita. Since then, her songs are well used in TV commercials, dramas, etc., and attract many listeners. After she released Hanabi (1999), aiko has been recognized nationwide. She began to appear on nationwide TV programs every time she appears her works. Sakura no Ki no Shita (2000) got over 1 million sales. aiko has become one of the major artistes leading Japanese pop music. She appears on the screen in the end of every year. On New Year's Eve of 2000, for example, she sang Boyfriend in "Kohaku Uta Gassen" of NHK (also Eriashi in 2003, and Hanakaze in 2004). In 2001, aiko was elected as the best 30 artistes in a NTV program. In summer 2003, she appeared on a TV commercial of Glico's "café au lait" with her song Andromeda, but specially in Kyushu region, with Chocho-musubi.


Contents

Works

Dotei omnibus vol. 1

This limited CD (c. 1996) was made by a variety of minor singers. aiko and her friends participated in this CD when they were students. Because of a hand-made CD, aiko sings to the accompaniment of a piano solo. Only 1,000 copies exist.

aiko's contribution:

  • more & more
    • more & more is newly re-recorded in Sakura no Ki no Shita (2000).
  • AB型の二人 [AB-gata no futari; the couple's blood type is AB]
    • aiko's blood type is AB.
  • あの子へ [anoko-e; to the boy]
    • Anoko-e is newly re-recorded in Rosie (2001).

References: あいこ園ドーテイオムニバス解体新書

jomon records

Before her nationwide debut (July 1998), aiko's CDs are used to be distributed by jomon records which is not a member of the Recording Industry Association of Japan. Those CDs are currently not available.

CD albums

  • astral box (20 December 1997)
    • Power of Love is re-recorded in Sakura no Ki no Shita (2000).
    • Kiss de Okoshite is re-recorded in Rosie (2001).
  • GIRLIE (30 May 1998)
    • Ijiwaruna Tenshi yo, Sekai wo Warae! is re-recorded in Chiisana Marui Kojitsu (1999)
    • Hachimitsu is re-recorded in Mikuni-eki (2005).
    • Rosie is re-recorded in Rosie (2001) and Natsufuku (2001).

CD singles

  • ハチミツ (20 May 1998) Hachimitsu [honey (sweet substance)]
    • Hachimitsu is re-recorded in Mikuni-eki (2005).

PONY CANYON

CD singles

  1. あした (17 July 1998) Ashita [tomorrow] Music by Minoru Komorita
  2. ナキ・ムシ (3 March 1999) Naki-mushi [a cry-baby]
  3. 花火 (4 August 1999) Hanabi [fireworks]
  4. カブトムシ (17 November 1999) Kabutomushi [a beetle]
  5. 桜の時 (17 February 2000) Sakura no Toki [a season of cherry blossoms]
  6. ボーイフレンド (20 September 2000) Boyfriend
  7. 初恋 (21 February 2001) Hatsukoi [my first love]
  8. ロージー (30 May 2001) Rosie
  9. おやすみなさい (21 November 2001) Oyasuminasai [good night]
  10. あなたと握手 (24 April 2002) Anata to Akushu [shaking hands with you]
  11. 今度までには (14 August 2002) Kondo made niwa [by next time]
  12. 蝶々結び (23 April 2003) Chocho-musubi [a [[butterfl]y]] tie]
  13. アンドロメダ (6 August 2003) Andromeda
  14. えりあし (6 November 2003) Eriashi [the hairline along the neck]
  15. かばん (28 April 2004) Kaban [a bag]
  16. 花風 (1 September 2004) Hanakaze [the flower wind]
  17. 三国駅 (16 February 2005) Mikuni-eki [Mikuni Station]
  18. キラキラ (3 August 2005) Kirakira [glitter, glitter]

CD albums

The 2nd – 5th album titles associate with seasons; Sakura for spring, natsu for summer, aki for fall, and akatsuki for winter.

  1. 小さな丸い好日 (21 April 1999) Chiisana Marui Kojitsu [trivial but nice day]
  2. 桜の木の下 (1 March 2000) Sakura no Ki no Shita [under the cherry tree]
  3. 夏服 (20 June 2001) Natsufuku [summer clothes]
  4. 秋 そばにいるよ (4 September 2002) Aki, Soba ni Iru yo [autumn…staying at your side]
  5. 暁のラブレター (27 November 2003) Akatsuki no Love Letter [love letters at dawn]
  6. 夢の中のまっすぐな道 (2 March 2005) Yume no Naka no Massugu na Michi [a straight road in a dream]

VHS/DVDs

Books

  • aiko; ever for music & Sony Magazines (2005), aiko bon, Sony Magazines. ISBN 4789724964
    • aiko appeared monthly in GbMusicnet published by Sony Magazines.
      • "aikoの死なば道づれ" [aiko no shinaba michizure; aiko's "To be or not to be"], February 2000 – May 2001
      • "aikoの歩みより" [aiko no ayumiyori; aiko's stepping-up], June 2002 – May 2003
      • "aiko式" [aiko shiki; aiko's style], June 2003 – February 2005

Unreleased songs

  • あなたに思うこと [anata ni omou koto; thoughts on you]
  • 時間よ止まれ [jikan yo tomare; Stop time!]
  • I'm happiness

Cover songs, duets, choruses, and contribution to other artistes' works

CDs

  • Kyoko Fukada (1999), 最後の果実 [saigo no kajitsu; the last fruit], PONY CANYON. Background vocal by aiko
    • Minoru Komorita composed this song. He also composed aiko's major debut single Ashita (1998).
  • CXCO (CHECKICCO) (1999), あたしの靴あなたの靴 [atashi no kutsu, anata no kutsu; my shoes, your shoes] in "CXCO", PONY CANYON. Words and music by aiko
  • Kirinji (2001), 雨は毛布のように [ame wa mofu no yoni; rain as a blanket], Warner Music Japan. Background vocal by aiko
  • Omnibus (2002), セシルの週末 [Cecile no shuumatsu; Cecile's weekend] in "Queen's Fellows: yuming 30th anniversary cover album", TOSHIBA EMI. Cover song by aiko
  • Yuka Kawamura (2003), hometown in "around the PIANO", EPIC RECORDS JAPAN. Words and music by aiko and Yuka Kawamura
    • aiko and Yuka sang this song in "MINAMI GOES ON" (sponsor: fm-osaka) in July 2002. "Minami" [south] is located in Sennichimae and Dotombori of Osaka city.
  • TV sound tracks (2004), Fantastic Story, H*A, and HAL in "プライド" [pride], PONY CANYON. All 3 musical compositions by Kurubushi Keiko (one of stage names of Aiko Yanai)

References:

Sing! aiko

"歌え！aiko" [Utae! aiko; Sing! aiko] is a musical performance in an aiko's radio programme, aiko's @llnightnippon.com (1999-2003). When musical guests were invited to the program, aiko lively played the piano and covered the guests' or others' songs or sang her own songs with the guests. Rarely, aiko improvised a short song with a guest.

References:

1999
  1. Ami Suzuki (1999), OUR DAYS, Sony Music. Covered by aiko
  2. SMAP (1999), Fly, Victor Entertainment. Covered by aiko
  3. T.M. Revolution (1998), THUNDERBIRD, Antinos record. Covered by aiko
  4. PornoGraffitti (1999), アポロ [the Apollo], Sony Music. Covered by aiko
  5. B'z (1992), いつかのメリークリスマス [itsuka no Merry Christmas; a Christmas day in memories] in "FRIENDS", VERMILLION. Covered by aiko
  6. Original words by Josef Mohr, music by Franz Gruber (1818), Silent Night, first performed in Austria. Sung by aiko in the English version
  7. Taiyo & Ciscomoon (1999), 丸い太陽 [marui taiyo; a round sun], UP-FRONT WORKS. Covered by aiko
  8. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. Sung by aiko, Yuzu, and Taiyo & Ciscomoon
2000
  1. Yuzu (1999), いつか [itsuka; someday], TOY'S FACTORY. Covered by aiko
  2. Hana*hana (1999), あ～よかった [ah, yokatta; ah, I feel fine], azip. Sung with Hana*hana
  3. Mr.Children (1996), 花 [hana; flowers], VAP. Covered by aiko
  4. Masaharu Fukuyama (1999), Squall, BMG JAPAN. Covered by aiko
  5. Yen Town Band (1996), Swallowtail Butterfly, Epic Records Japan. Covered by aiko
  6. SPITZ (1996), チェリー [cherry], Polydor. Covered by aiko
  7. L'Arc~en~Ciel (1999), Pieces, KRE. Covered by aiko
  8. Yumi Matsutoya (1994), 春よ、来い [haru yo koi; Come on! Spring], TOSHIBA EMI. Covered by aiko
  9. Masayoshi Yamazaki (1997), One more time, One more chance, Polydor. Covered by aiko
  10. KinKi Kids (2000), 好きになってく 愛してく [sukini natteku, aishiteku; more like, more love], Johnnys. Sung with Tsuyoshi Domoto
  11. Kiroro (1999), 好きな人 [sukina hito; my love], Victor Entertainment. Sung with Kiroro
  12. Iruka (1990), なごり雪 [nagori yuki; farewell snow], Crown Record Japan. Covered by aiko and Kiroro
  13. aiko's Kabutomushi (1999). Sung with Yuzu
  14. Stevie Wonder (1996), Isn't She Lovely? Motown. Sung with a Swedish person, Ether (?)
  15. SMAP (1998), 夜空ノムコウ [yozora no muko; over a night sky], Victor Entertainment. Covered by aiko and Yuka Kawamura
  16. Akiko Kosaka (1988), あなた [anata; you], Warner Music Japan. Covered by aiko
  17. SPITZ (2000). An impromptu song
  18. LUNA SEA (1998), I for You, Universal. Sung with LUNA SEA
  19. The LOVE (1997), ひまわりの観覧車 [himawari kanransha; a Ferris wheel of a sunflower], BMG JAPAN. Sung with The LOVE
  20. aiko & SILVA (2000), ぬるラジオ [nuru radio; a sloppy radio programme]. An impromptu song
  21. Nana Kinomi & Hiroshi Itsuki (1991), 居酒屋 [izakaya; a pub], Tokuma Japan Communications. Covered by aiko and Masaharu Fukuyama
  22. SMAP (2000), らいおんハート [lion heart], Victor Entertainment. Covered by aiko
2001
  1. aiko & PornoGraffitti (2001), 夢の女ポルノ [yume no onna, Porno; a fantastic girl, Porno]. An impromptu song
  2. aiko & Tsuyoshi Domoto (2001), 21世紀の野望 [niju-isseki no yabo; an ambition in the 21st century]. An impromptu song
  3. Yuzo Kayama (1988), 君といつまでも [kimi to itsumade-mo; forever with you], BMG JAPAN. Covered by aiko and Fureai
  4. aiko & Gackt (2001), 春のハグチュッチュ [haru no haguchutchu; spring: hugging, kissing]. An impromptu song
  5. Carole King (1999), So Far Away in "Tapestry", Epic Records. Covered by aiko and The Gospellers
  6. Kirinji (2001), 雨は毛布のように [ame wa mofu no yoni; rain as a blanket], Warner Music Japan. Sung with Kirinji
  7. aiko & Chemistry (2001), 秋のハモケミ [aki no hamokemi; an autumnal harmony with CHEMISTRY]. An impromptu song
  8. Southern All Stars (1988), シャ・ラ・ラ [sha la la], Victor Entertainment. Covered by aiko and Yuzu
2002
  1. Miyuki Nakajima (1988), 時代 [jidai; a period], PONY CANYON. Covered by aiko and Kobukuro
  2. aiko & the brilliant green (2002), あそこのどんつき [asoko no dontsuki; at the end of a street over there]. An impromptu song
  3. Kome Kome Club (1992), 君がいるだけで [kimi ga iru dake-de; only stays with you], Sony Music. Covered by aiko and Reo Tsuchiya
  4. Every Little Thing (2001), fragile, avex. Sung with Kaori Mochida (Every Little Thing)
2003
  1. Suga Shikao (2001), 坂の途中 [saka no tochu; on my way to the top of a slope] in "Sugarless", UNIVERSAL SIGMA. Sung with Suga Shikao

TV programs

  • "Love Love あいしてる" [- - aishiteru; Love, Love, I love you; (1996 – 2001)] was a variety show of FTN hosted by KinKi Kids, Takuro Yoshida and Tomoe Shinohara. March 2001
    • Sugar Babe (1975; 1999), 今日はなんだか [kyo wa nandaka; I don't know why, but today …] in "Songs", re-recorded edition, Warner Music Japan. Covered by aiko
    • aiko's Hatsukoi (2001). Sung with KinKi Kids
  • "SMAP × SMAP" (1996 –) is a variety show of FTN hosted by SMAP. aiko has made a guest appearance twice. Both of them sing their own songs together in a show. SMAP unofficially asked aiko to make an original song in the first appearance (2002).
    • September 2002
      • aiko's Anata to Akushu (2002)
      • aiko's Hanabi (1999)
      • SMAP (1997), セロリ [celery], Victor Entertainment.
    • March 2005
      • aiko's Boyfriend (2000)
      • SMAP (1993), 君は君だよ [kimi wa kimi dayo; you're only one], Victor Entertainment.
      • aiko's Mikuni Eki (2005)

References:

Live concerts

  • aiko made a guest appearance in Dreams Come True's end-year event of 2000, and Miwa Yoshida and aiko sang in a duo:
    • DREAMS COME TRUE
      • (1989), うれしい！たのしい！大好き！ [ureshii, tanoshii, daisuki; happy, cheerful, dearest] in うれし はずかし朝帰り [ureshi, hazukashi asagaeri; happy but shameful morning go-home], Epic Records Japan.
      • (1995), LOVE LOVE LOVE, Epic Records Japan.
    • In July, 2004, Miwa and aiko sang in a duo for celebration of the 50th anniversary of the NBS:
      • DREAMS COME TRUE (2004), マスカラまつげ [mascara matsuge; the eyelashes in mascara], Universal Japan.
      • aiko's Andromeda (2003)
  • In "Baby Peenats Meeting vol. 2" of 2004, aiko covered:
    • The Beatles (1968), Julia in "The Beatles (The White Album)" and "Anthology 3".
    • KAN (1996), 今度君に会ったら [Kondo Kimi ni Attara; if I see you next time] in "MAN", Kitty MME. She also had covered this song to the accompaniment of a piano played by KAN in Free Beat of FNN in 1999. In December, 2004, aiko and KAN sang aiko's Kabutomushi (1999) together in "Act against AIDS Live" in Osaka.

References:

  • SANSPO.COM (17 July 2004), aiko、大感激！ドリカム吉田と一夜限りのデュオ結成, the Sankei Shimbun.

Musical live tours

  • "Love Like Pop" (1998-2002, 2004, 2005; 9 times) 
Love Like < 愛好 (ai [to love] + ko [to like])
  • College musical festivals (1999, 2003; 7 places in all)
  • "Love Like Rock" (2002, 2003; no-seat concerts)
  • "Baby Peenats Meeting" (2001, 2004; fan club members only)
    • "Baby Peenats" (not peanuts) is a name of the aiko's official fun club managed by ever for music.
  • "Love Like Aloha" (Summer 2003 at Katase beech, Enoshima)

Awards

  • Teen's Grand Prize – Aitsu wo Furimukaseru Hoho (Teen's Music Festival Final, 1995)
  • Excellence Prize – Himawari ni Nattara (Music Quest Japan Final, 1996)
    • Pony Canyon Award (Music Quest Japan Final, 1996)
  • Saku ya Kono Hana Award, Music (Osaka city, 2000)
    • This award is given to a person or an organisation who contributes to a promotion of Osaka culture.
  • Stop-smoking Grand Prize (Metropolitan Action on Smoking or Health, 2002)
  • Rock Album of the Year – Natsufuku (the Japan Gold Disc Award, 2002)
  • Rock & Pop Album of the Year – Akatsuki no Love Letter (the Japan Gold Disc Award, 2004)

Radio programs

Before her debut (July 1998), she had had radio programs, so she had already been recognized in the Kansai area. Currently, she has no regular radio programs; however, when she releases a new CD, aiko appears on the radio.

  • COUNT DOWN KANSAI TOP40 (fm osaka, April 1996 – December 2001)
  • Poppun Kingdom (MBS, April 1997 – ?)
  • Young Town MUSIC MAX (MBS, October 1997 – September 1999)
  • Baby Peanuts (fm osaka, October 1998 – ?)
  • aiko's @llnightnippon.com (NBS, November 1999 – March 2003)

aiko's favorite singers

Non-Japanese

Japanese

External links

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