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Happiness (Ai song)

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = Happiness

| cover = Ai_-_Happiness_2.jpg

| alt =

| caption = 2013 reissue cover

| type = single

| artist = Ai

| album = Independent

| language =

| A-side = Letter in the Sky

| released =

| recorded = 2011

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 4:17

| label =

| writer = Ai Uemura

| producer =

| chronology = Ai

| prev_title = Stronger

| prev_year = 2010

| title = Happiness

| title2 = Letter in the Sky

| next_title = Beautiful Life

| next_year = 2012

| misc =

}}

"'Happiness'" (Japanese: ; Hepburn: 'Hapinesu') is a song written and recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. Originally released digitally on November 18, 2011 as the second single from Ai's ninth studio album, 'Independent', it was released physically on December 14, 2011, by EMI Music Japan alongside "Letter in the Sky".

Used as a commercial theme song for Coca-Cola's Christmas campaign in Japan from 2011 to 2015, "Happiness" became one of Ai's best performing singles in the 2010's to date with 3 million digital downloads. In 2013, the single received a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

Background and release



In October 2011, "Letter in the Sky" was released digitally as the lead single for 'Independent'. With the release, it was announced the song would be released physically in December.

"Happiness" originally was released to Chaka-Uta, a digital transmission technology in Japan used to distribute ringtones and songs to Japanese mobile phones in November 2011. It later was released to other digital stores. On December 14, "Happiness" was released physically with "Letter in the Sky" as a double A-side single.

Music videos



Three music videos were made for "Happiness" and its remixes. The original music video was released in December 2011. In the video, Ai portrays a janitor, a high school principal, and a salesman driving a Coca-Cola delivery truck. The video switches between the three characters she portrays. At the end of the music video, Ai is seen performing the song as herself with the students of the school.

In 2012, a music video for the "Smile Version" of "Happiness" was released. The music video was shot in Yokohama.

In 2013, a music video for the "Giving Version" of "Happiness" was released.

Commercial performance



The physical release of "Happiness / Letter in the Sky" debuted at number 14 on the Oricon weekly singles chart. On the 'Billboard Japan' charts, "Happiness" debuted at number 4 and peaked at number 2 on the Japan Hot 100. The physical single peaked at number 13 on the Top Singles Sales chart. "Happiness" appeared in many year-end rankings.

Track listing



All tracks written and produced by Ai Uemura unless noted. All tracks produced by Uta unless noted.

Charts



Weekly charts

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Chart performance for "Happiness"

!Chart (2011-12)

!Peakposition

|-

|Japan Singles Chart (Oricon)

| align="center" |14

|-

|Japan Hot 100 ('Billboard Japan')

| align="center" |2

|-

|Japan Top Singles Sales ('Billboard Japan')

| align="center" |13

|-

|Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay ('Billboard Japan')

| align="center" |1

|}

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Chart performance for "Happiness"

!Chart (2013)

!Peakposition

|-

|Japan Albums Chart (Oricon)

| align="center" |139

|}

Year-end charts



Credits and personnel



Credits adapted from Tidal.

Original version



* Ai Uemura vocals, songwriter, producer

* Uta producer, programming, recording arranger

English version



* Ai Uemura vocals, songwriter, producer

* Uta producer, programming, recording arranger

* Latisha Hyman songwriter

Reggae Summer remix



* Ai Uemura vocals, songwriter, producer

* Uta producer, programming, recording arranger

* Mighty Crown arranger, work arranger

* Danny Bassic bass (vocals)

* Kirk Drummie drums

* Monti guitar

* Deen Fraser horn

* Devon keyboards

* Sami-T programming, recording arranger

Certifications



Release history



Happiness (Gospel Version)



On October 30, 2019, Ai released a gospel version of "Happiness" as promotional single from her 2019 compilation album, 'Kansha!!!! - Thank You for 20 Years New and Best'.

Background

To celebrate her twenty-year anniversary in the music industry and the then upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics, Ai traveled to Los Angeles, California to record new material, which later was revealed to be 'It's All Me, Vol. 1' (2020) and 'It's All Me, Vol. 2' (2021). While recording new material, Ai recorded gospel arrangements of her previously released hit singles.

Release history



Eito version



Japanese musician Eito covered "Happiness" for the Coca-Cola winter 2020 campaign. His cover was released on November 11, 2020, by A.S.A.B. His cover was included as a bonus track on his debut studio album, 'Sukkarakan'.

Live performances

Eito performed the song live with Ai at the '"Coca-Cola" Ribbon Bottle Happiness Night' on December 10, 2020.

Release history



Footnotes



References





Category:2011 singles

Category:2011 songs

Category:Ai (singer) songs

Category:EMI Music Japan singles

Category:Japanese Christmas songs

Category:Songs written by Ai (singer)

Category:Song recordings produced by Ai (singer)

Category:Songs about the 2011 Thoku earthquake and tsunami

Category:Coca-Cola in popular culture

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