Let’s turn back the hands of time and look back on the songs that made the Japanese music industry what it was on the Oricon Weekly Chart. This week we look back at the second week of February for both 2010 and 2015. Japanese pop vocalist aiko and Johnny’s boy group Johnny’s WEST reigned supreme with “Modorenai Ashita” and “Zundoku Paradise” respectively. But what exactly made these songs so great?

“『戻れない明日』” (“Modorenai Ashita”) - aiko

By 2010 aiko had already became a staple in the Japanese music industry. “Modorenai Ashita” was the twenty-sixth single that aiko released and was used for the drama Magerarenai Onna, a ten-episode mini-series which aired from January 13 to March 17 of 2010. In its first week it sold over 58,000 copies and was only released in one edition, a CD-only which included a total of four tracks. “Modorenai Ashita” opens up with a charming combination of piano and drums that swells as the keyboard joins them; the whole effect feels timeless and classic as the music fades when aiko starts singing. The experience is on full display here with her amazing vocals, lyrics, and melody which she wrote and composed. She absolutely proves how this song claimed the number one spot for the second week of February in 2010.

“『ズンドコパラダイス』(Zundoku Paradise)” was Johnny’s WEST’s third single and the second single to reach number one on the Oricon charts, selling over 97,000 copies. The single originally came in three editions including a CD-only regular edition and a CD + DVD limited edition Type A which included a music video & making-of for the lead track “Zundoku Paradise”, and the CD + DVD limited edition Type B included a digest of Johnny’s WEST’s Debut Commemorative Event. The talented and famous CHOKKAKU, known for contributing to artists such as AKB48, Ueto Aya, Shibasaki Kou, etc. arranged two songs on this single, including the title track “Zundoku Paradise”. The amazing Takafumi Iwasaki wrote and composed the lead track while rising star AIMYON wrote the B-side track “Time goes by”. “Zundoku Paradise” starts off slowly then dives into a high energy beat with harmonious yet boisterous vocals. This track will lift your spirits and induce a jump in your step with its high spirited composition and arrangement. Each member has their own vocals in the verses that brings a variety of vocal capabilities while in the chorus they all come together, exhibiting an amazing unity. The high spirited energy from every member, the composition, and words made this song a chart-topper and left quite the impression on the industry.

Thanks for joining us in a look back and we and hope to see you next week!

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