J-pop Glossary Entry 1: Single

26 June 2006

Original Single
As the name imply, an original single (or simply just known as single) is a CD release that contains a single song, which is also labelled as the A-side. Original single is usually named after the title of its A-side.

Despite its name, an original single would usually contain more than 1 track. Besides the A-side, an original single can also contain another song that is termed as the B-side or coupling/with (c/w). Under oricon standard, the maximum number of songs allow on an original single is 4 songs. oricon will classify CD with more than 5 songs as a mini album and those with more than 8 songs as a full album.

Other than the A-side and B-side, an original single would usually contains remix, instrumental (karaoke) and/or alternative version of the included A-side, B-side or other previously released songs. Do take note that only A-side and B-side are counted as songs. Remix and instrumental of included A-side and B-side are counted as track, whereas a remix or an alternative version of other previously released songs (i.e. songs that are not the included A-side and B-side) are counted as song.

Content format for original single varies across different artist and record label. Generally, original single can be categorized into 2 content formats. The first typical content format contains an A-side, one or more B-sides and instrumentals for the included songs. The other typical content format would contain an A-side coupled with remixes and instrumental of the A-side or other songs.

There is no limit on the number of singles that can be release prior to an original album. According to industry standard, usually 3 to 5 original singles will be released prior to an original album. But there is some original album that are being released with only 1 advance single. Simultaneous single and recut single might be cut from the album. Original album without any single release is becoming quite common.

A-side
A-side refers to the lead song of a single. To promote the single, A-side would usually have a promotion video (PV) and it is also featured in the single TV-CM.

The term A-side derived from the 2 reversible sides of a vinyl record. Initially, vinyl single contains 2 songs which are randomly recorded on either side. This causes confusion in identifying which is the lead song. To overcome this, record label started recording the lead song on the A-side. This tradition persists for cassette single, which also has 2 reversible sides, when it replaced the vinyl. However, with the popularization of CD, A-side becomes a virtual term as CD does not has any physical separation.

Most original single contain only 1 A-side. Single with multiple A-sides are called double-A-sides single, triple-A-sides single (e.g. Hamasaki Ayumi's "H") or quartet-A-sides single (e.g. Hamasaki Ayumi's "A"), depending on the number of A-side the single contain. Under oricon standard, the maximum number of A-side allow on a single is 4.

Although marketed as a multiple A-sides single, some of the included A-sides are actually glorified B-side, because it does not have a PV, TV-CM or tie-up. The reasons for upgrading these B-side into A-side might be because of high quality B-side that deserves re-classification as an A-side, lack of budget to film a PV, or simply to make the single appear more value for money.

B-side
Besides the A-side, a single can also contain another song known as B-side or coupling/with (c/w). B-side is included to increase the 'value for money' of the single. To maximize sales for the single, B-side is seldom included in an original album. Minus the A-side, the maximum number of B-side allows on a single is 3, as under oricon standard, a single can only have 4 songs.

Usually, B-side is a song that is not of A-side quality and never planned to be release as an A-side. However, B-side might be a song that was initially planned as an A-side, but switched out due to last minute commercial tie-up, lukewarm reception during preview, or decision from the management. B-side can also be a song that is of a style atypical of the artist; B-side of advance single or simultaneous single can be song of a style different from the original album. B-side of recut single can be a previously unreleased song recorded for the original album.

Occasionally, B-side might have a PV (e.g. SPEED's "熱帯夜"), TV-CM or tie-up (e.g. SPEED's "季節がいく時"), thus receiving equal or more publicity than it's A-side. In some instances, the B-side is even more popular than its A-side. This might result in the B-side being included in an original album (e.g. Kuraki Mai's "think about") or best album (e.g. Do As Infinity's "SUMMER DAYS") rather than the A-side.

Advance Single
Advance single is actually of no technical difference from an original single. Advance single is pretty much just a marketing strategy deployed to promote the upcoming original album.

The main distinction of an advance single is that the decision to release an advance single is make together with the announcement of the original album or after the decision to release an original album is confirmed (e.g. hiro's "Notice my mind). Advance single is release within a month before the upcoming album and is usually included as an album version in the album so as to achieve optimal sales for the advance single. Advance single also usually features similar concept, art direction and image as the album (e.g. Do As Infinity's "Desire").

Usually, the A-side of the advance single is initially not planned for single release, but for particular reasons, the artist, management or record label decided to cut the song into an advance single. Common reasons are exceptionally high quality of a particular album track, song that truly reflects the style of the album, strong tie-up involved, or simply just a last-minute single recorded for the album (e.g. Hamasaki Ayumi's "Bold & Delicious").

Advance single usually don't sell as well as original single due to its close release date to the original album and typically has much fewer songs/tracks included. Advance single appeal more towards fans who will buy the advance single as a collectible while casual listeners would usually opt for the more value-for-money original album.

Simultaneous Single
Simultaneous single is release on the same day as the original album. Decision to release a simultaneous single is usually made together with the decision to release the original album. Simultaneous single is usually included as an album version in the album so optimal sales can be obtain for the simultaneous single. Simultaneous single usually features similar art direction and image as the album (e.g. Hamasaki Ayumi's "appears").

Usually, the A-side of simultaneous single is initially planned as the lead song of the album. Common reasons to cut the song into a simultaneous single might be an exceptionally high quality for a lead song, song that truly reflects the style of the album, strong tie-up involved or popular feedback receives through airplay and live performance.

Like advance single, simultaneous single usually don't sell as well as original single due to it being release on the same day as the original album and much fewer songs included. Simultaneous single is very much a fans collectible as casual listeners would usually opt for the more value-for-money original album.

Recut Single
Recut single is release after an original album has been released.

Usually, the A-side of recut single is the lead song (e.g. Amuro Namie's "SWEET 19 BLUES"), extremely popular song (e.g. Utada Hikaru's "First Love") or secret track (e.g. Hamasaki Ayumi's "kanariya") of the album. Common reason to cut the song into a recut single is because of exceptionally popular feedback received for the song or new tie-up involved. For a successful original album, recut single might be release to maintain popularity of the album. Sometimes, a recut single is release to shorten interval between an original album and a new original single (e.g. Hamasaki Ayumi's "Fly high").

The song is usually included as a different version or a new remix to obtain optimal sales for the recut single. The album version of the song might still be included in the recut single as an included track (e.g. Utada Hikaru's "DISTANCE" in "FINAL DISTANCE").

Remix Single
Remix single is a single that contains remix of a previously released song. The remix can be a new remix product (e.g. TRF's "Burst drive Mix") or a recut off previously released remix album (e.g. Hamasaki Ayumi's "excerpts from ayu-mi-x III"). Appealing more towards loyal fans and Dance DJ, remix single is a novelty release and is usually released in both CD and vinyl format. Produced in limited quantity, remix single is generally published under indies dance label.

Remix singles is usually double A-sides. It can be 2 different songs being remix by the same remixer or a song being remix by 2 remixers. The A-side of remix single usually features the main extended Club Mix of the remix. Other version included can be the Radio Edit, Dub Version, Alternative Version and Instrumental of the remix.

Promotional Single
Printed in very limited quantity, promotional single is a marketing tool to promote the upcoming original album and is not for sale. Promotional single is distributed free to various radio stations, music retail shops and dance clubs for airplay or as a free gift to fans through events and campaigns.

Promotional single is usually the lead song of the album and only contain 1 track. Promotional single typically comes in cupboard cases with little or no linear notes. As promotional single is very rare, it is able to fetch an incredibly high selling price in the black market.

Digital Single
Digital single refers to song that is sold through download and usually only consist of 1 songs and its instrumental. Some single are only available solely through the digital single format.

8cm mini single & 12cm maxi single
Prior to the "maxi single revolution" of 1999, singles are printed on the smaller 8cm mini disc. The 8cm mini single has a maximum play time of 21min and normally contains a maximum of 4 tracks. Singles that cannot fit into the standard 8cm mini single will be printed on 12cm maxi single, which has a greater storage volume with a maximum playtime of 80min.

In mid-1999, production cost for printing 12cm maxi single drop drastically. Furthermore, 12cm maxi single boost a significantly larger storage volume. The increase in storage volume allows the addition of more B-sides and remix tracks that leads to a much longer play time. This phenomenon is further popularized by Hamasaki Ayumi, leading to many artists and record labels opting for the more economical 12cm maxi single. By December 1999, the 12cm maxi single had effectively replaced the 8cm mini single as the main single format. This is later known as the "maxi single revolution".

Capitalising the storage of 12cm maxi single. Hamasaki Ayumi "kanariya" is the longest 12cm maxi single in J-pop history with 13 tracks and a playtime of 78min. This causes another "remix revolution" that peaked in early 2000.

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