Start Again (Ai song)

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"Start Again"
Single by Ai
from the album Respect All
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
ReleasedOctober 3, 2022 (2022-10-03)
Recorded2022
GenrePop
Length4:20
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Uta
  • Ai
Ai singles chronology
"Aldebaran"
(2021)
"Start Again"
(2022)
"Magnetic"
(2022)
Music video
"Start Again" on YouTube

"Start Again" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released October 3, 2022, by EMI Records. Based on a true story of a mother and daughter's interaction with one another, the song was written by Ai with additional composition by producer Uta.

Upon its release, the song failed to enter any Billboard Japan or Oricon charts.

Background and release[edit]

In February 2022, Ai released the promotional single "First Time", from her twelfth studio album, Dream. In promotion of the release, Ai teamed up with Nestlé to advertise Kit Kats within Japan. Despite the song being recorded entirely in English, "First Time" was featured in an animated commercial directed by Naoko Yamada, who directed A Silent Voice.[1][2][3] The commercial was also Nestlé's first anime commercial.[4]

Near the end of September 2022, Ai announced on her social media that a new single would be released on October 3, titled "Start Again". On the day of its release, Ai revealed the song would be used in a new set of animated commercials by Nestlé to further advertise Kit Kats within Japan.[5] Similar to the previous animated commercials, Yamada served as the director.

Lyrics[edit]

Lyrically, "Start Again" is based on a true story of a mother and daughter.[6] 2,319 applicants applied to have their story shared by Nestlé in a television commercial.[7][8] In a video interview by Nestlé, Ai commented she related to the story submission based on her experiences as a mother.[9]

Credits and personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[10]

  • Ai Carina Uemura – vocals, songwriting, production
  • Uta – songwriting, production, recording arrangement
  • D.O.I – mixing
  • Randy Merrill – mastering

Release history[edit]

Release history and formats for "Start Again"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various October 3, 2022 EMI [11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Harding, Daryl. "A Silent Voice's Director Naoko Yamada Helms KitKat's 1st Ever Anime Commercial". Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  2. ^ "Naoko Yamada Directs Animated KitKat Commercial". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  3. ^ "山田尚子監督が手がけた「キットカット」アニメCM放送開始". アニメハック (in Japanese). Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "「キットカット」史上初のアニメCM 先行きの見えない時代に励まし・エールのブレイクを進化 ネスレ日本(食品新聞)". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "山田尚子×「キットカット」アニメCM第2弾、公募で選ばれた母娘の実話をもとに制作(動画あり / コメントあり)". コミックナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  6. ^ "「キットカット」の実話を元に山田尚子監督がアニメ化、AIさんが新曲「Start Again」をTVCMソングとして書き下ろし!"きっかけは、キットカットで。"新TVCM第2弾、10月3..." プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1|PR TIMES. October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  7. ^ "「キットカット」のアニメCMで流れている曲は? - CDJournal リサーチ". www.cdjournal.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "山田尚子監督によるキットカットのアニメCM第2弾応募総数2139件から選ばれた母娘の実話を映像化". Ameba News [アメーバニュース] (in Japanese). Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  9. ^ "山田尚子×「キットカット」アニメCM第2弾、公募で選ばれた母娘の実話をもとに制作". www.mangazenkan.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  10. ^ "Credits / Start Again / Ai". Tidal. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  11. ^ "AI "きっかけは、キットカットで。"新TVCM第2弾ソングとして新曲「Start Again」を書き下ろし!10月3日よりデジタル配信&キャンペーンスタート! -MUSIC LOUNGE ニュース-". www.music-lounge.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved October 14, 2022.