"Welcome Rain"
The First Take cover
Song by Ai
from the album Dream
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
ReleasedFebruary 23, 2022 (2022-02-23)
Recorded2021
GenreR&B
Length4:31
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)Naoki Yamata
Producer(s)Nao'ymt
Live performance video
"Welcome Rain" on YouTube

"Welcome Rain" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai from her twelfth studio album, Dream. Written and produced by Nao'ymt, the song has been used in web commercials for Asahi Breweries. Lyrically, the song is about communication through a difficult situation. Critics have compared the song to "Aldebaran".[1]

Background

"Welcome Rain" was included on Ai's twelfth studio album Dream as its fourth track. Although not released as a single, Ai teamed up with Asahi Breweries to promote the song.[2] In March 2022, The First Take revealed they would be releasing a live recording of Ai performing the song on their official YouTube channel.[3][4] The performance would serve as her second appearance on the channel, her first previous appearance was a week prior performing "Aldebaran".[5] The performance premiered on March 2.[6] On March 6, EMI Records announced Ai's First Take version of "Welcome Rain" would impact digital stores on March 25.[7][8] In promotion of the live performance, Asahi Breweries released a limited version of their beer with the design of The First Take logo on the can, along with a QR code to watch the performance on YouTube.[9][10]

Music and lyrics

Barks has described "Welcome Rain" as a song with a "delicate" melody with a "deep message", comparing it to Ai's 2021 single, "Aldebaran".[1] Natalie Music has described the lyrics having the theme of spring.[10]

Live performances

Ai performed "Welcome Rain" live for The First Take. Ai additionally performed the song at her Dream Tour.[11]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Dream liner notes and Tidal.[12][13][14]

Original version

  • Ai Uemura – lead vocals
  • Naoaki Yamata – production, songwriting
  • D.O.I – mixing
  • Randy Merrill – mastering

The First Take version

  • Ai Uemura – lead vocals
  • Naoaki Yamata – production, songwriting
  • Taji Okuda – vocal engineering, mastering

Release history

Release history and formats for "Welcome Rain"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various February 23, 2022 Original [15]
March 25, 2022 First Take [3]

References

  1. 1 2 "【コラム】AI、アルバム『DREAM』に込めた願いとメッセージとは？". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  2. ↑ "AI「アルデバラン」の「THE FIRST TAKE」バージョンを配信リリース（動画あり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie Music. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "AI、「THE FIRST TAKE」で新曲「Welcome Rain」初披露". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  4. ↑ "AI、新曲「Welcome Rain」を『THE FIRST TAKE』にて初披露". THE FIRST TIMES (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  5. ↑ "AIが今夜「THE FIRST TAKE」初登場、朝ドラ主題歌「アルデバラン」披露｜ウーマンエキサイト". ウーマンエキサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ "AI、アルバムより新曲「Welcome Rain」を 『THE FIRST TAKE』にて初披露". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  7. ↑ "AI、「アルデバラン」「Welcome Rain」の「THE FIRST TAKE」バージョンをリリース". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  8. ↑ "AI、THE FIRST TAKEバージョン「アルデバラン」「Welcome Rain」配信リリース". Billboard Japan. March 5, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  9. ↑ "AI、「アルデバラン」「Welcome Rain」の『THE FIRST TAKE』バージョン配信リリース". Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "AI「アルデバラン」の「THE FIRST TAKE」バージョンを配信リリース（動画あり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie Music. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  11. ↑ "AIとまやりんがコラボ、"大切な人"を描く「アルデバラン」動画公開". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  12. ↑ Dream (CD). Ai. EMI Records/Universal/Def Jam Recordings. 2022. UPCH-20614.
  13. ↑ "AI / Dream (Credits TIDAL US)". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  14. ↑ "AI / Welcome Rain (From the First Take) (Credits TIDAL US)". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  15. ↑ "AIがオリジナルフルアルバム「DREAM」リリース、5月から全国ツアー開催". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie Music. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
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