Kiseki no Hoshi

Artist: Keisuke Kuwata & Mr.Children Product Code: B00005N34L Release Date: 1995.01.23 Debut Ranking: #1 Label: Victor TAISHITA & TOY’S FACTORY

Released in early 1995, “Kiseki no Hoshi” was a joint effort between the frontman of one of Japan’s most popular band, “Southern All Stars’” Keisuke Kuwata and Mr.Children. Written and composed by Kuwata, and arranged mainly by Kazutoshi Sakurai of Mr.Children, this song was used as the theme for “Act Against AIDS”, a charity Kuwata has been participating in for more than a decade (and counting). Inside the single cover, and when the CD is removed, facts and a graph about AIDS is inscribed there. A peculiarity about this song is that it was never performed live until 2006’s “Ap Bank festival”, which Mr.Children was the main act for, and Kuwata was a guest in.

Although there was only 2 songs (and one is an instrumental) on this single, it debuted at #1 and eventually sold over 1, 700,000 copies. It was the 7th best selling single of the year (ironically, 2 other Mr.Children singles were in the top 5), and is one of the most memorable Japanese song ever, as it is one of the 50 best selling singles there.

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Kiseki no Hoshi
The main (and only original) song on this single, “Kiseki no Hoshi” consists of an extremely strong composition with flawless music which complements the unique vocals of Kuwata and Sakurai. The song starts with a solo guitar and that is joined by drums and trumpets, giving it a bluesy and jazzy feel. Sakurai starts the song and Kuwata takes over, while they both sing during the chorus. With lyrics like “I’m listening to the radio all by myself… surrounded by the stereo, no sound is felt…” and “The pictures in the video without a name… A temporary cameo, it’s all the same…” they painfully deal with the ignorance people had (and have) about AIDS, and how Kuwata feels the world isn’t doing enough to help cure AIDS.

Since Kuwata’s voice is an octave below Sakurai’s, their voices harmonize perfectly so they surround your ears and stand-out; you always know who is singing. That is unique as some songs –cough- GLAY –cough- EXILE –cough- makes it so that it is hard to distinguish who is singing. Another rarity is a rock song with a jazzy feel – something that just isn’t done (or is very popular) anymore. When performed at “Ap Bank’06”, the song utilized a new arrangement, but it still sounded as amazing as this version.

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Conclusion
This song really is amazing. It was used as the theme song of “Act Against AIDS” in 1995, and all proceeds went to charity. Something unusual about this single is that it was only available for a limited time, so unfortunately it is very difficult to find now.