Tsubame (song)

"Tsubame"
A colorful painting of a swallow flying toward the city in the distance
Single by Yoasobi featuring Midories
from the EP The Book 2
LanguageJapanese
English title"The Swallow"
ReleasedOctober 25, 2021
GenreJ-pop
Length3:37
LabelSony Japan
Songwriter(s)Ayase
Producer(s)Ayase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Taishō Roman"
(2021) 		"Tsubame"
(2021) 		"Mr."
(2022)
Music video
"Tsubame" on YouTube
"The Swallow" on YouTube

"Tsubame" (ツバメ, "swallow") is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi, featuring children group Midories, from their second EP, The Book 2 (2021). It was released as a single on October 25, 2021, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The song featured as a theme for SDGs children television program series Hirogare! Irotoridori.

Written by Ayase and based on Nana Ototsuki's short story Chiisana Tsubame no Ōkina Yume, "Tsubame" expresses aspects and behavior of humans towards nature and sympathy for others from the perspective of a swallow. Commercially, the song debuted at number 19 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and number 29 on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart. The accompanying music video premiered on December 2.

Background

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On April 20, 2021, Yoasobi announced being in charge of performing a theme for Hirogare! Irotoridori, a television show series by NHK to introduce children about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[1][2] The song would be written and based on the winner's original story from the project Yoasobi to Tsukuru Mirai no Uta, under the heading "living together".[3] The winning story was announced on July 9, titled Chiisana Tsubame no Ōkina Yume (小さなツバメの大きな夢, "A Big Dream of a Small Swallow"), written by 15-year-old Nana Ototsuki, from a total of more than 700 works.[4]

The title, "Tsubame", was revealed on September 28. Ayase explained about the song, "I wanted to make a song that brightens the message of what we can do about the perspective of swallows flying in the sky, the activities and problems of the people we can see from there, just by listening to it."[5] The group formed by NHK, called Midories, was also announced on the same day, consists of five elementary school students from the first to the fifth grades—Atsuki, Ukyou, Lexie, Ririna, and Yumeri—to feature vocals of the song with Yoasobi.[6] In addition, the song also featured as Minna no Uta's on-air song in October and November 2021.[7]

Release

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On October 1, 2021, Yoasobi announced their second EP, The Book 2, which included their singles released that year, and added two tracks "Tsubame" and "Moshi mo Inochi ga Egaketara", a theme of the stage of the same name. It would be released on December 1, 2021.[8] A week later, on October 8, the song was announced to release as a standalone single on October 25 to digital music and streaming platforms.[9][10] The full song was first aired at the duo's radio show Yoasobi's All Night Nippon X on October 19[11] and played at several places in Japan before release, including Lawson, FamilyMart, Ministop, Matsuya, Sukiya, Shibuya Center Gai, and Takeshita Street.[12] A cover artwork for "Tsubame" depicts a painting of a swallow flying toward the city in the distance, designed by Nina Ai, who also teamed up with "Yoru ni Kakeru", and "Gunjō".[2] The English version, titled "The Swallow", was released on November 4, 2022,[13] preceded the duo's second English-language EP E-Side 2, released on November 18.[14]

Lyrics and composition

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"Tsubame" means a swallow (pictured) in Japanese.

"Tsubame" was written by Ayase, a member, and producer of Yoasobi, and recorded by the vocals of the duo Ikura, featuring the vocals of Midories. It was composed in the key of B♭ major, 105 beats per minute with a running time of three minutes and 37 seconds.[15] Lyrically, like the based story Chiisana Tsubame no Ōkina Yume, "Tsubame" tells from the perspective of a swallow as a protagonist, shows the tragedy of the sea it went through, positive and negative aspects and behavior of humans towards nature, sympathy for others, and ends up with a scene where swallows bring happiness to people. The song incorporates the idea that even small swallows can achieve big things if they cooperate together, which leads to the efforts of SDGs.[16]

Commercial performance

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In Japan, "Tsubame" entered Billboard Japan Hot 100 at number 19,[17] and also debuted at number three on the Download Songs with 13,355 download units,[18][19] and number 77 on the Streaming Songs.[20] The song landed on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart at number 29,[21] and the Digital Singles Chart at number three, selling 15,660 units in its first week.[22]

Music video

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An accompanying music video of "Tsubame" premiered on December 2, 2021, illustrated and directed by Nina Ai.[23][9] The NHK E's children program Zawazawa'en no Ganpē-chan released their own version of the music video on October 21.[24] The full version of the dance music video was uploaded on October 25, the same day as the single release on Hirogare! Irotoridori official website and NHK's official YouTube channel.[25]

The music video for the English version "The Swallow" was uploaded on November 4, 2022, alongside the release. The "World version" music video premiered via NHK E's Aokiiro on November 7, featuring characters from Sesame Street and children from 23 countries supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).[26]

Live performances

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Midories and Hirogare! Irotoridori's mascots, Ao and Kii, performed the two minutes and twenty seconds version of "Tsubame" for the first time on October 1 at Minna no Uta. Mikiko handled its choreography, shows flying hopefully to the future like a swallow, called "tsubame dance".[6][11] Yoasobi gave a debut performance of "Tsubame" with Midories for the first time at music show Songs on December 2, 2021, alongside "Loveletter", and "Taishō Roman".[27] The duo performed the song at the 72nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen as part of Colorful Special Project on December 31,[28] and Sugo E Fes Live Broadcast Special on November 25, 2023.[29]

Other versions

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A cover of "Tsubame" by Japanese ska and jazz band Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, featuring Midories, Neru Nagahama, and Tokyo Metropolitan Katakura High School brass band club, was released digitally on May 11, 2022, alongside the performance video, for the special edition Minna no Uta, Minna no Uta: Hirogare! Irotoridori, aired in May.[30][31]

On July 4, 2022, the sole Midories version of "Tsubame" was released through digital music platforms, including on their studio album Tsubame to SDGs no Uta, collaborated with Ryūnosuke Kamiki and Fumi Nikaido, who voiced the Hirogare! Irotoridori's mascot Ao, and Kii, respectively. It was released on July 27.[32]

Track listing

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  • Digital download / streaming
  1. "Tsubame" (ツバメ) – 3:37
  • Digital download / streaming
  1. "The Swallow" (English version) – 3:37

Credits and personnel

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  • Ayase – songwriter, producer
  • Ikura – vocals
  • Midories – chorus
  • AssH – guitar
  • Nana Ototsuki – based story writer
  • Takayuki Saitō – vocal recording
  • Masahiko Fukui – mixing
  • Hidekazu Sakai – mastering
  • Nina Ai – cover artwork design, music video animation

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Tsubame"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[34] Platinum 100,000,000†

† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Tsubame"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various October 25, 2021
Original (Japanese) Sony Japan [35]
November 4, 2022 English [13]

References

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  1. ^ "YOASOBI、NHK 子ども向けSDGs番組シリーズ「ひろがれ！いろとりどり」テーマソング制作". Barks (in Japanese). April 20, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Billboard Japan (October 8, 2021). "Japan's YOASOBI Set to Drop New Single 'Tsubame'". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  3. ^ The Orchard Japan (April 20, 2021). "YOASOBI、NHK 子ども向けSDGs番組シリーズ「ひろがれ！いろとりどり」のテーマソングを制作することが決定！". PR Times (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  4. ^ "YOASOBI、『ひろがれ！いろとりどり』テーマ・ソングの原作となる物語が決定". CDJournal (in Japanese). July 9, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  5. ^ "YOASOBI「披露する場が紅白だったらうれしい」新こどもユニット結成". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). September 28, 2021. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "YOASOBI、NHK新こどもユニット「ミドリーズ」と共演「披露する場が紅白だったらうれしい」". Oricon (in Japanese). September 28, 2021. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "YOASOBI×小学生ユニットの新曲が「みんなのうた」でオンエア、ダンス振り付けはMIKIKO". Natalie (in Japanese). October 1, 2021. Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "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. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "YOASOBI、新曲「ツバメ」配信リリース ジャケット＆MVは「夜に駆ける」のクリエイター・藍にいな". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 8, 2021. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
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  13. ^ a b "YOASOBI、「ツバメ」の英語バージョン「The Swallow」を配信開始". The First Times (in Japanese). November 3, 2022. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  14. ^ "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. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  15. ^ "Key, BPM of ツバメ by YOASOBI". Musicstax. October 25, 2021. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  16. ^ "ツバメ【YOASOBI】「ともに生きる」をテーマに15歳の少女が書いた物語". Framu Media (in Japanese). October 11, 2021. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "Hot 100 [ 2021/11/03 公開 ]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  18. ^ "【ビルボード】LiSA「明け星」がDLソング2週連続首位、Ado／YOASOBI／日向坂46がトップ5デビュー". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  19. ^ "Download Songs [2021/11/03 公開]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  20. ^ "Streaming Songs [2021/11/03 公開]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  21. ^ a b "週間 合算シングルランキング 2021年11月08日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. November 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  22. ^ "週間 デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング 2021年11月08日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. November 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  23. ^ "YOASOBI、NHKの子ども向けSDGs番組シリーズ"ひろがれ！いろとりどり"テーマ・ソング「ツバメ」MVティーザー映像公開。MVは12/2 22時プレミア公開決定". Skream! (in Japanese). November 29, 2021. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  24. ^ ひろがれ！いろとりどり [@nhk_irotoridori] (October 21, 2021). "テーマソング #ツバメ / #ざわざわえんのがんぺーちゃん / バージョン公開‼️" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved October 24, 2021 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "YOASOBI、"ミドリーズ"による「ツバメ」ダンス映像フル・バージョンが公開。明日10/26 24時からの"YOASOBIのオールナイトニッポンX"にて英語版第4弾「Blue」初OA". Skream! (in Japanese). October 25, 2021. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  26. ^ "YOASOBI、"ツバメ"の英語バージョン"The Swallow"MV公開。11月7日公開のワールド・バージョンMVにはミドリーズ、世界の子どもたち、セサミストリートのキャラクターが出演". Tower Records Japan (in Japanese). November 4, 2022. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  27. ^ "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). Natasha, Inc. November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  28. ^ "YOASOBI with ミドリーズ、笑顔でコラボ ダンスに川口春奈、大泉洋らも参加【紅白歌合戦】". Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). December 31, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  29. ^ "NHKのこども向けコンテンツになぜ「うた」が欠かせないのか?". Oricon (in Japanese). November 25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  30. ^ "スカパラ、NHK『みんなのうた』初登場。ミドリーズ＆長濱ねるとYOASOBI「ツバメ」披露". Barks (in Japanese). April 28, 2022. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  31. ^ "スカパラ、「ツバメfeat.ミドリーズ&長濱ねる＆東京都立片倉高等学校吹奏楽部」MVを公開". The First Times (in Japanese). May 11, 2022. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  32. ^ "神木隆之介＆二階堂ふみが歌う「SDGsのうた」を収録したアルバムが発売決定". The First Times (in Japanese). July 3, 2022. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  33. ^ "Billboard Japan Download Songs Year-End 2022". Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  34. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – Yoasobi – Tsubame" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved July 25, 2024. Select 2024年6月 on the drop-down menu
  35. ^ "NHK「みんなのうた」にてOA中、NHK SDGs番組シリーズ「ひろがれ！いろとりどり」テーマソングYOASOBI with ミドリーズ「ツバメ」が10/25(月)配信リリース決定！". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. October 8, 2021. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
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