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Union (Chara album)

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Union
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 28, 2007
Recorded2006–2007
Genreambiental music, electronica, rock, dream pop, dance
Length48:56
LabelUniversal Music
Chara chronology
Something Blue
(2005)
Union
(2007)
Sugar Hunter: The Best Love Songs of Chara
(2007)
Alternative Cover
limited CD+DVD cover
Singles from Union
  1. "Sekai"
    Released: September 13, 2006
  2. "Crazy for You"
    Released: November 15, 2006
  3. "Fantasy"
    Released: January 17, 2007

Union (ユニオン, Yunion) is the 11th studio album by Chara, which was released on February 28, 2007.[1] It debuted at #4 on the Japanese Oricon album charts, and charted in the top 300 for 8 weeks.[2]

Union was her first album with Universal Music, after releasing music with Sony since 1991. It was released in two versions: a limited edition CD+DVD version, as well as a regular CD Only version. The DVD featured the music videos for the three singles, "Sekai", Crazy for You and Fantasy.

Sekai, released 5+12 months before the album, was Chara's first release under Universal. It was used in commercials for the NTT docomo service "NEC N702is" cellphone. The second single, Crazy for You, was created in collaboration with Shibuya-kei DJ Tomoyuki Tanaka (i.e. Fantastic Plastic Machine) and The Brilliant Green guitarist Ryo Matsui. Tanaka produced the song, while Matsui wrote the music.

Fantasy, the third single preceding the album's release by a month, was a minor hit for Chara. It was used in Kanebo cosmetics commercials for their T'estimo eye-makeup range, featuring Chara as a spokesperson in the commercials. It was a collaboration between Chara and music producer Seiji Kameda, bassist for the band Tokyo Jihen. It managed to reach #13 on Oricon's single charts.

The final track of the album, Niji o Wataru Heiwa ga Kita (虹をわたる平和がきた, The Rainbow-Crossing Peace Has Come), was used as the theme song for the Japanese film Freesia (フリージア).

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Chara

CD
No.TitleLyricsMusicArranger(s)Length
1."Watashi o Mitsumete (私を見つめて, Stare at Me)"CharaTatsuki Hashimoto, CharaTatsuki Hashimoto, Chara3:50
2."Fantasy"CharaJun Sasaki, CharaSeiji Kameda5:52
3."Crazy for You"CharaRyo MatsuiTomoyuki Tanaka, Tatsuki Hashimoto3:19
4."Tear Drop"CharaShinichi Osawa, CharaShinichi Osawa4:47
5."Boy"CharaCharaChara3:12
6."Amai Amai (甘い甘い, Sweet Sweet)"CharaCharaChara4:30
7."O-ri-on"CharaCharaSeiji Kameda4:43
8."Back"CharaCharaZentarō Watanabe4:47
9."This Is My Car"CharaCharaChara2:04
10."Sekai (世界, World)"CharaCharaTatsuki Hashimoto, Chara3:11
11."Union"CharaLow Jack Three, CharaLow Jack Three, Chara4:23
12."Niji o Wataru Heiwa ga Kita (虹をわたる平和がきた, The Rainbow-Crossing Peace Has Come)"CharaCharaChara3:58
DVD: Music videos
No.TitleLength
1."Sekai (世界, World)"3:11
2."Crazy for You"3:19
3."Fantasy"5:52

Singles

[edit]
Date Title Peak position Weeks Sales
September 13, 2006 "Sekai" 24 (Oricon) 5 9,607
November 15, 2006 "Crazy for You" 46 (Oricon) 3 3,680
January 17, 2007 "Fantasy" 13 (Oricon) 5 12,710

Japan Sales Rankings

[edit]
Release Chart Peak Position First Week Sales Sales Total Chart Run
February 28, 2007 Oricon Daily Albums Chart 3
Oricon Weekly Albums Chart 4 26,485 50,963 8 weeks
Oricon Yearly Albums Chart

Various charts

[edit]
Chart Peak
position
First Week Sales
Soundscan Album Top 20[3] (CD+DVD version only) 7 23,645

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "「UNION」". Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  2. ^ "Union/Chara". Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  3. ^ 週間CDソフトTOP 20 アルバム総合 ランキングTOP20 2007年2月26日~2007年3月4日 調査分