"So Special"
CD-only cover
Single by Ai and Atsushi
from the album Viva Ai
Language
A-side"Okuribito"
ReleasedSeptember 10, 2008 (2008-09-10)
Recorded2008
Genre
Length4:13
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Uta
Ai singles chronology
"Taisetsu na Mono"
(2008) 		"So Special" / "Okuribito"
(2008) 		"Broken Strings"
(2008)
Music video
"So Special (Version Ai)" on YouTube

"So Special" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai and Japanese singer-songwriter Atsushi of Exile. It was released on September 10, 2008 alongside "Okuribito" as a double A-side single, by Island Records and Universal Sigma. The song and "Okuribito" served as the lead singles for Ai's seventh studio album, Viva Ai.

Background

"So Special" was written by Ai and Atsushi as a duet. Two versions of the song were recorded, a "Version Ai" and a "Version EX". In July 2008, Avex Group announced the "Version EX" of the song was to be included on Exile's greatest hits album, Exile Entertainment Best [ja].[1] The band's greatest hits album was initially announced in June 2008.[2] In August, Universal Japan announced Ai's version of the song was to be included on the physical release of "Okuribito", a song she recorded for Departures, as a double A-side single.[3][4]

Promotion and live performances

"So Special" was used as the Music Fighter power play song.[5] Ai performed "So Special" with Atsushi on Music Station on September 12.[6]

Charts

Chart (2008) Peak
position
Japan Singles Chart (Oricon)[7] 15
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan)[8] 14

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "So Special"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[9]
Digital Download 		Gold 100,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Inc, Natasha. "EXILEベストにATSUSHIとAIの友情コラボ曲収録". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved January 17, 2022. ((cite web)): |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ Inc, Natasha. "EXILEベスト第2弾は新曲満載＆話題のアニメ収録". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved January 17, 2022. ((cite web)): |last= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "AI、感動から生まれた新曲「おくりびと」". BARKS (in Japanese). August 3, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  4. ^ Inc, Natasha. "AIの両A面新作はATSUSHI・久石譲とのＷコラボ". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved January 17, 2022. ((cite web)): |last= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ "AI - タイアップ" [Ai - tie-ups]. CDJournal. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  6. ^ "ミスチルが「Mステ」スペシャルで新曲テレビ初披露" [Mr. Children debut new song on TV, at M-Ste special]. Natalie (in Japanese). September 12, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  7. ^ "おくりびと/So Special -Version AI- | AI". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  8. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100: 2008 September 17". Billboard Japan.
  9. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – Atsushi + Ai – So Special" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 17, 2022. Select 2014年12月 on the drop-down menu
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