But/Aishō

"But/Aishō" "But/愛証"
Single by Koda Kumi
from the album Kingdom
Released	March 14, 2007
Genre	J-pop, dance-pop, pop rock
Label	Rhythm Zone
Koda Kumi singles chronology
Cherry Girl/Unmei (2006) But / Aishō (2007) Freaky (2007)

But / Aishou (But/愛証 "But/Proof of Love") is singer-songwriter Koda Kumi's 35th single and was released on March 14, 2007. It was her first single of 2007 and first to bring her new era, Kingdom. The single was a limited purchase, only being sold from March 2007 to May 2007. It charted #2 on Oricon and stayed on the charts for fourteen weeks.^[1] The single was released the same day as her third compilation album, Best ~Bounce & Lovers~, which was also of limited release.

Information

BUT/Aishou is Kumi Koda's first single to bring in the era of Kingdom and charted #2 on Oricon. The single was of a limited release and was released the same day as her third compilation album, Best ~Bounce & Lovers~. One week later, an "analog version" was released, which contained the "Drum n' Bass" remix.^[2] This was the only edition to carry the remix.

Kumi described the song BUT to have the overall message of embracing who you are and not being afraid to show the world the real you. The music video had many homosexual overtones and, due to this, she became a gay rights activist among fans.

BUT was used as the theme song to the Japanese editions of the film Step Up.^[3] Aishou became the theme to the drama Ai no Rukeichi.^[4]

BUT is certified triple platinum as a ringtone and platinum as a digital download to cellphones by the RIAJ: 3x platinum for ringtone and platinum for cellphone.^[5][6] Aishou is certified platinum for downloads, and the single is certified gold for 100,000 copies shipped to stores.^[7][8]

Music Video

The music video for BUT consisted of Kumi being chained to the ceiling by a pulley. She attempted to break out of the chain and celebrates when she does. Once free, she becomes more provocative and descends in an elevator to a new room. Throughout the video, there are hints of homosexuality, including Kumi in close proximity to another woman. The overall theme was breaking from societal norms and being who you are.

The music video for Aishou was set in Feudal-era Japan within a shiro. The overall theme was of the passion she held with another person.^[9]

Reception

BUT/Aishou garnered mostly positive reviews among North American fans upon its release. BUT was described as being "catchy," "refreshing" and an overall nice dance track, also critiquing the "explicit" imagery in the music video. Aishou was praised for her use of vocals and fans enjoyed the imagery used in the music video.^[10]

While doing well in Japan, some fans critiqued the song for its overuse of auto-tune, claiming it made Koda Kumi sound "robotic."^[11]

Track listing

(Source^[12])

CD version

All lyrics written by Koda Kumi. 

CD
No.	Title	Music	Arranger(s)	Length
1.	"BUT"	Tommy Henriksen	Tommy Henriksen	3:38
2.	"Aishou" (愛証 / Proof of Love)	Reika Yuuki	Masaki Iehara	3:54
3.	"BUT" (The Ghettobots remix)	Ghettobots	Masaki Iehara	3:51
4.	"BUT" (Instrumental)	Tommy Henriksen	Tommy Henriksen	3:36
5.	"Aishou" (Instrumental)	Reika Yuuki	Masaki Iehara	3:52

DVD
No.	Title	Director(s)	Length
1.	"BUT" (Music video)
2.	"Aishou" (Music video)
3.	"BUT/Aishou" (Making Video)

BUT <Analog Version>

Side A

1. "BUT"
2. "BUT [Drum 'n Bass Remix]"

Side B

1. "BUT [The Ghettobots Remix]"
2. "BUT [Instrumental]"

Charts

Oricon Sales Chart (Japan)

Release	Chart	Peak Position	First Week Sales	Sales Total	Chart Run
March 14, 2007	Oricon Daily Charts	1
	Oricon Weekly Charts	2	63,692	130,890	14 weeks
	Oricon Monthly Charts	9
	Oricon Yearly Charts	59

Alternate Versions

BUT

1. BUT: Found on the single (2006) and corresponding album Kingdom (2007)
2. BUT [The Ghettobots remix]: Found on the single (2006)
3. BUT [Instrumental]: Found on the single (2006)
4. BUT [Drum n' Bass Remix]: Found on the "analog version" of the single (2006)
5. BUT [Mitomi Tokoto Big Room Remix]: Found on Koda Kumi Driving Hit's (2009)
6. BUT [KOZM® Remix]: Found on Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 4 (2012)

愛証

1. 愛証: Found on the single (2006) and corresponding album Kingdom (2007)
2. 愛証 [Instrumental]: Found on the single (2006)
3. 愛証 [Shohei Matsumoto & Junichi Matsuda Remix]: Found on Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 4 (2012)

References

1. "BUT/Aishou / KODA KUMI / ORICON STYLE". Oricon. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
2. "Koda Kumi news". Hot Express. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
3. "Koda Kumi "BUT" Composer Tommy Henriksen". Goo Oshiete. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
4. "BUT/Aisho (Normal Edition)". YesAsia. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
5. レコード協会調べ　5月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: May Digital Music Download Certifications]. RIAJ (in Japanese). June 20, 2007. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
6. レコード協会調べ　3月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: March Digital Music Download Certifications]. RIAJ (in Japanese). April 20, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
7. ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2007年3月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (March 2007)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). April 10, 2007. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
8. レコード協会調べ　1月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: January Digital Music Download Certifications]. RIAJ (in Japanese). February 28, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
9. "Koda Kumi - Aishou (Translation)". JpopAsia. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
10. "Customer Reviews - BUT/Aishou (SINGLE+DVD)(Limited Edition)". YesAsia. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
11. "This doesn't sound human - Reviews of "BUT/Aishou"". Amazon Japan. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
12. "BUT/Aisho - KODA KUMI". Rhythm Zone. Retrieved January 22, 2016.

External links

• BUT (Analog Version)