“GIVE ME FIVE!” is an awesome CD single which features AKB48 learning to play instruments for the first time and also a DVD featuring the AKB48 members taking part in the group’s longest music video. While the theater edition is without the DVD’s and is much cheaper, I still recommend the purchase of the “GIVE ME FIVE!” Type-A or Type-B, simply for content. You’re definitely getting your money’s worth. But for those who have no need for the DVD’s, then the theater version is all you need and one I can easily recommend!
GROUP: AKB48
CD SINGLE: Give Me Five! (Theater Edition)
LABEL: King Records
CATALOG #: NMAX-1123
DURATION: 27:35
RELEASE DATE: February 15, 2012
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- GIVE ME FIVE!
- スイート & ビター
- ユングやフãƒã‚¤ãƒˆã®å ´åˆ
- GIVE ME FIVE! off vocal ver.
- スイート & ビター off vocal ver.
- ユングやフãƒã‚¤ãƒˆã®å ´åˆÂ off vocal ver.
AKB48 begins 2012 with their new CD single “Give Me Five!”. Hoping to duplicate the success that their last CD single “Ue kara Mariko” had received, this time, writer/producer (and AKB48 creator) Yasushi Akimoto decided to see if the group was up to the challenge to create a new CD single in which the members would have to learn how to play instruments.
Suffice to say, the formula worked as not only did the song become their sixth consecutive #1 single but during these slow selling CD days of the Japanese music industry, AKB48 sold over 967,000 copies on the first day of their release and for the week, the group sold 1.287 million copies. Another magnificent accomplishment for the idol group.
With “Give Me Five!”, the song ties in with their special music video directed by Shigemichi Sugita. The 34-minute video revolves around four troubled high school students who are inspired by their teacher to form a band.
But first, let’s take a look at the CD single.
Like other AKB48 CD singles, there are five different versions of the single. With Type-A and Type-B, the limited edition version comes with a hand-shaking event ticket, while the regular edition comes with one random photo (there are a total of 18-photos created for the single). Both Type-A and Type-B comes with a DVD with which has the same first two music videos but the tracks afterward are different. Type-A comes with the track “New Ship”, while Type-B comes with “Hitsujikai no Tabi”. The fifth version is the theater edition which comes with no DVD but since it is sold in the theater, the buyer can use the ticket to purchase a photo from the theater and the single comes with the track “Yungu ya Furoito no Baai”.
The version I am reviewing on this review page is “GIVE ME FIVE!” (Theater Edition) (note: I will be reviewing both Type-A and Type-B Limited Edition CD singles separately).
The Theater Edition version of “GIVE ME FIVE!” features a yellow cover with Minami Takahashi on the front, Yuko Oshima, Atsuko Maeda, Jurina Matsui, Minami Minegishi, Yuki Kashiwagi and Yui Yokoyama. When opened, the lyrics are featured on one side and a gatefold cover of each member of the band Baby Blossoms are featured.
The title track “GIVE ME FIVE!” is am upbeat pop/rock track that is enhanced by brass instruments. The single is pretty much a graduation song that deals with friends preparing to say goodbye, but instead of a goodbye forever, they decide to give each other a high five. And move forward for a better tomorrow.
At first, the song took a while for me to get used to because of its musical style. But having seen the group perform this on television and seeing the music video, “Give Me Five!” has quickly become one of my favorite and most listened to AKB48 songs. Catchy and addictive!
The second track is “Sweet and Bitter” and would make a very cool Valentine’s song. The song features only six AKB48 members on vocals: Tomomi Itano, Yuko Oshima, Rino Sashinara, Mariko Shinoda, Minami Takahashi and Atsuko Maeda. What I enjoyed about the song is its laid back, smooth style in almost a French pop style with its music selection. It’s a fun song about a girl giving a person she likes chocolate and the person feeling sweet but bitter (if the person does not eat it or chooses other girl’s chocolate instead of hers).
The third track exclusive to this theater edition is “Yungu ya Furoito no Baii” (which translates to “A Case for Jung or Freud”). The track is a slow-tempo ballad about a person who dreams of the person they love who is shouting for them, but the person is unable to hear them because of the wind. So, she asks the question if when Jung or Freud fell in love, what kind of dreams did they dream?
I actually found the song quite fascinating lyrically because for one, I would never imagine a song incorporating neurologists Carl Jung or Sigmund Freud. But because the song is about observing dreams, what Freud and Jung did for a living, it was interesting but also intelligent songwriting that you just don’t see psychoanalysis mixed with an idol pop song. It never happens! So, I found that quite intriguing. But overall, “Yungu ya Furoito no Baii” was a beautiful, melodic track. And loved how everyone sung in unison for this track!
The remaining three tracks are the off-vocal (instrumental) versions of the three previous tracks.
Overall, all three “Give Me Five!” singles including this theater edition and the AKB48’s “Give Me Five!” (Type-A) (and also Type-B) are magnificent. While I recommend the Type-A and Type-B because of the awesome content on the DVD’s, for those who just want the songs, the theater edition would suffice. It’s also a lot cheaper and a single that I definitely recommend!
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