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Promise/Star
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Wikipedia article
'Promise/Star' is the first double a-side single by Japanese artist Koda Kumi. It was the final single released before her first compilation album, 'Best ~first things~.' It managed to chart at #4 on Oricon and stayed on the charts for 14 weeks.
Information
'Promise/Star' is Japanese R&B-turned-pop star Kumi Koda's 18th single domestic single under the Avex sub-label Rhythm Zone. The single was Kumi's first attempt at a double a-side and was her final single released before her first greatest hits album, 'Best ~first things~.' It peaked at #4 on the Oricon Singles Charts and remained on the charts for 14 weeks.
The single consisted of the upbeat pop song "Star" and the emotional ballad "Promise," along with their corresponding instrumentals. The CD only edition was of limited release and contained unique cover art, compared to the CD+DVD edition.
"Promise" was used as the ending theme on the TV Asahi show 'Telechika,' while "Star" was used as a promotional campaign for the Nintendo DS game 'Urusei Yatsura: Endless Summer.'
Despite being a double a-side, "Star" only received a short version, the music video only being a minute and a half long. It was speculated that the full version would be released on 'Best ~first things~,' but a complete version was never released.
Packaging
'Promise/Star' was released in two editions: CD and CD+DVD. Along with the music videos on the DVD, a behind-the-scenes making video was also included.
While the single received two editions, the CD only was of limited release.
Limited editions of the single contained specialized cover art for both the CD and CD+DVD editions. However, on the standard editions, both "Promise" and "Star" received their own cover art, whereas the booklets were reversible.
Music video
"Promise" carried a sad theme of a woman crying at a wedding altar, missing her fianc, who had died prior to their wedding. In the video, Kumi is donning a wedding dress and veil during the past scenes and a full black ensemble during the mourning present day scenes.
"Star" was more optimistic, with Kumi in front of a starry background. There were no scene changes in "Star," instead only changes in camera angles.
Track listing
(Source)
Chart history
Oricon 2005 Singles Top 999
Chart position: #165Oricon Weekly Singles Top 200
Charts and sales
Sales
First week estimate: 34,589Total estimate: 61,312
Alternate Versions
'Promise'
#'Promise': Found on the single and corresponding album Best ~first things~ (2005)
#'Promise [Instrumental]': Found on the single (2005)
#'Promise [ELMER VoVo Remix]': Found on Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 6 (2014)
References
#Avex Network (2005), [https://web.archive.org/web/20050519024103/http://www.avexnet.or.jp/koda/ Koda Kumi Official Web Site]
#Oricon Style (2005), [http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ Ranking Oricon Style]
Category:2005 singles
Category:2005 songs
Category:Koda Kumi songs
Category:Rhythm Zone singles
Category:Songs written by Koda Kumi
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