Ai wa Katsu

is a pop song written and recorded by Japanese singer-songwriter Kan, released as his eighth single in September 1990. It was initially featured on his album Yakyū Senshu ga Yume datta. The song became his first charting hit and the most successful single, selling over two million copies. It has been considered his signature song.

Release

"Ai wa Katsu" is the first track of Yakyu Senshu ga Yume datta, Kan's fifth studio album released on July 25, 1990. Inspired by one of his most respected American singer Billy Joel, he wished to write a song as upbeat as Joel's Uptown Girl. "Ai wa Katsu" was the opening theme of a quiz show of TV Asahi in summer 1990, and released as the second single from the album.

For promotion, "Ai wa Katsu" first got intensive airplay on Kansai district's radio stations. The song had more attention in other Japanese regions, giving him the first chart entry. It was featured on the popular variety show Yamada Katsutenai TV of Fuji Television, lifting the single to the summit of the Oricon Albums Chart by December 1990.

Cover versions

 On August 28, 1991, Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung covered it under 壯志驕陽 ("An Aspiring Sun") for his album 一顆不變心 ("An Unwavering Heart") 
 On October 6, 2010, voice actor Shintarō Asanuma covered it for "Ōkami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi – Character Song Album – Otogi Songs Best 10".
 On May 25, 2011, voice actor Jun Fukuyama covered it for his third album "Fukuyama Jun, Ai wo Utau!". 

Other media

 The song was performed by the main character Jiro Suzuki in episode 6 of the anime カラオケ戦士マイク次郎 ("Karaoke Senshi Mike Jirou").
 On May 6, 2020, staff of the Shizuoka Gakuen Junior and Senior High School performed the song to encourage students during COVID-19. The video has been uploaded to its official YouTube channel.

Track listing

All songs written by Kan:

Personnel

Credits adapted from Yakyū Senshu ga Yume datta album sleeve notes.

 Kan: lead vocals
 Shingo Kobayashi: Piano, synthesizer
 Eiji Shimamura: Drums
 Tsuyoshi Kon: guitar
 Kenji Takamizu: bass
 Wornell Jones: chorus
 J.T. Jamm: chorus

Awards

Japan Record Awards

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|  style="width:35px; text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| 1991 ||rowspan="2"|  "Ai wa Katsu" || Japan Record Award – Pop/Rock  || 
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|Gold Disc Prize – Pop/Rock || 
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Japan Gold Disc Awards

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| width="35" align="center"|1991|| "Ai wa Katsu" || The Best 5 Singles of Year || 
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Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1990–91)PositionJapanese Oricon Chart1

Year-end charts

Chart (1991)PositionJapanese Oricon Singles Chart3

All-time charts

Chart (1968–2010)PositionJapanese Oricon Singles Chart23

Certifications

CountryProviderTitleCertification(sales thresholds)FormatDateJapanRIAJ"Ai wa Katsu"2× MillionCD Single1991

Related pages

 Hikaru Utada
 Akina Nakamori
 Hideaki Tokunaga

Footnotes

References

Category:J-pop
Category:1990s in Japan