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A Walk in the Park

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"A Walk in the Park"
Single by Namie Amuro
from the album Concentration 20
ReleasedNovember 27, 1996
Recorded1996
GenreElectronic rock[1]
Length5:39
LabelAvex Trax
Songwriter(s)Tetsuya Komuro
Producer(s)Tetsuya Komuro
Namie Amuro singles chronology
"Sweet 19 Blues"
(1996) 		"A Walk in the Park"
(1996) 		"Can You Celebrate?"
(1997)

"A Walk in the Park" is the eighth single by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro from her third studio album Concentration 20 (1997). The song was released as the album's lead single on November 27, 1996, by Avex Trax. It was written, composed and produced by Tetsuya Komuro. The song is an electronic rock track, which features instrumentation from guitars, synthesizers, organs, keyboards and drums. Lyrically, it explores themes of loneliness, longing, and the desire for connection.

"A Walk in the Park" received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented the song's production and composition. Commercially, the song became her fourth number one single on the Oricon Singles Chart and her fourth million-selling single in Japan. The accompanying music video was directed by Masashi Mutō. Since its release, the song has appeared on several of Amuro's concert tours and subsequent live releases, as well as her greatest hits album 181920 (1998), and was re-recorded for her final compilation album Finally (2017).

Background and composition

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"a walk in the park"
"A Walk in the Park" is musically an upbeat electric rock song.
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In summer 1996, Amuro released her sophomore album Sweet 19 Blues, which was her first release since severing ties with Super Monkey's.[2] The album was a mammoth commercial success, reaching number one on the Oricon Albums Chart,[3] receiving a triple million certification from the RIAJ,[4] spawning three number one hits,[5][6][7] and was even the best-selling Japanese album of all time for a brief moment.[8] By the end of the year, Sweet 19 Blues was named the second best-selling album in Japan of 1996, right behind Globe's eponymous debut album.[9] After this monumental success, recording for its follow-up began immediately.

"A Walk in the Park" is the first single from her third studio album Concentration 20 (1997). Japanese producer and composer Tetsuya Komuro had written, arranged and composed the song.[10] Komuro collaborated with Amuro on her second studio album Sweet 19 Blues (1996) and his final work with Amuro was her album Break the Rules (2000).[2][11][12] It was recorded in Tokyo, Japan and was mixed and mastered by Eddie Delena.[10] Musically, "A Walk In The Park" is a brisk electronic rock number with a chorus that envelops the listener in warm sunlight.[1] Lyrically, it explores themes of loneliness, longing, and the desire for connection while depicting a sense of sadness and unspoken feelings. Komuro participates by singing in the chorus.[1]

Release and promotion

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Still from the music video for "A Walk in the Park"

Avex Trax released "A Walk in the Park" in Japan on November 27, 1996.[13] It serves as the lead single for Amuro's second studio album Concentration 20 (1997). "A Walk in the Park" served as the commercial song for Maxell UD commercials.[14]

The music video for "A Walk in the Park" was directed by Masashi Mutō.[15] The video features Amuro in a white room, wearing a black tuxedo and a white coat and dress. It ended up appearing on her video album 181920 Films (1998).[15] The choreography was done by the well-known former member of Dos, Kaba-chan. Amuro performed the song at the Japan Cable Awards in December 1996 and at the Japan Gold Disc Awards in February 1997.

Reception

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Music critics gave "A Walk in the Park" positive reviews. AllMusic had previously hailed the song as a standout from Amuro's discography.[16] In his review of Concentration 20, AllMusic's Ted Mills described "A Walk in the Park" as a terrific pop song and one of the album's highlights.[17] CDJournal gave the song a positive review, calling it "refreshing," and praised its guitar riff and uplifting synths.[1]

Commercial performance

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Commercially, "A Walk in the Park" was successful in Japan. Released four months after the massive success of her first studio album Sweet 19 Blues, it became her fourth number one and million selling single.[18][19] The single spent seven weeks into the top five and eight weeks in top ten totally.[20][21][22][23][24][25][26] "A Walk in the Park" sold 1,066,580 copies by the end of 1997, making it the 13th best-selling single of the year.[27] According to Oricon Style, it ranks as her 5th best-selling single in the country.[28]

Track listing

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  1. "A Walk in the Park (Straight Run)" (Tetsuya Komuro) – 5:39
  2. "A Walk in the Park (Fabulous Freak Brothers Mix)" (Tetsuya Komuro) – 7:01
  3. "A Walk in the Park (Back Track with TK)" (Tetsuya Komuro) – 5:36

Personnel

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  • Producer, Composer, Arranger, Synthesizer Programming, Manipulating, Keyboards, Chorus - Tetsuya Komuro
  • Guitar - Michael Thompson
  • Bass - Kenji Sano
  • Mixing - Eddie DeLena
  • Additional Production (Track 2) - Gary Adante, Robert Arbittier

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[30] Million 1,066,580[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d CD Journal Staff (July 24, 1997). "Namie Amuro – Concentration 20 [CD]". CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Japanese formats for Sweet 19 Blues listed below:
  3. ^ "Sweet 19 Blues - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1996年8月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. August 1996 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 443. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 5. October 10, 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 10, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  5. ^ "Chase the Chance - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "Don't Wanna Cry - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "You're My Sunshine - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  8. ^ "歴代アルバムランキング TOP267" (in Japanese). Music TV Program. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  9. ^ "1996年 アルバム年間TOP100" (in Japanese). Oricon (via Geocities). 1996. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Amuro, Namie (1997). Concentration 20 (Liner notes). Namie Amuro. Japan: Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan. AVCD-11581.
  11. ^ Amuro, Namie (2000). Genius 2000 (Liner notes). Namie Amuro. Japan: Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan. AVCD-11756.
  12. ^ Amuro, Namie (2000). Break the Rules (Liner notes). Namie Amuro. Japan: Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan. AVCD-11876.
  13. ^ Amuro, Namie (1996). a walk in the park (liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVDD-20161.
  14. ^ "Maxell UD 　CM 安室奈美恵". YouTube (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  15. ^ a b 181920 Films (DVD liner notes). Avex Trax. 2000. AVBD-91025.
  16. ^ "Namie Amuro - Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "Concentration 20 - Namie Amuro". AllMusic. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "a walk in the park - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  19. ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1997年1月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. January 1997 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 449. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 9. March 10, 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  20. ^ Oricon Style Staff (December 9, 1996). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week December 9, 1996". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  21. ^ Oricon Style Staff (December 16, 1996). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week December 16, 1996". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  22. ^ Oricon Style Staff (December 23, 1996). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week December 23, 1996". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  23. ^ Oricon Style Staff (December 30, 1996). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week December 30, 1996". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  24. ^ Oricon Style Staff (January 13, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week January 13, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  25. ^ Oricon Style Staff (January 20, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week January 20, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  26. ^ Oricon Style Staff (January 27, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week January 27, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "オリコン 1997年TOP100". Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  28. ^ "Namie Amuro's Top 20 Single Sales" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 7, 2024. [Additional ranking information provided by corporate service Oricon Biz]
  29. ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  30. ^ "Japanese single certifications – Namie Amuro – a walk in the park" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 1997年1月 on the drop-down menu
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