Funky Town (Namie Amuro song)

"Funky Town" is Namie Amuro's 32nd solo single under the Avex Trax label. It was be released in CD and CD&DVD formats on April 4, 2007, three months after the release of her previous single "Baby Don't Cry".

"Funky Town" was ranked #44 on Recochoko's Download Chart and the video was ranked #4 on the PV Download Chart.^[1]

Overview

For the release of "Funky Town", Amuro returned to work with frequent married producers Michico and T. Kura. The song is described as being a dancey new number, produced by frequent collaborators T. Kura & Michico along with the L.L. Brothers.^[2] The b-side, entitled "Darling," is said to be an adult and stylish dance tune produced by Coldfeet.^[3] Also, uncommon for Amuro, first pressing editions of the "Funky Town" single came with a disco ball keychain - the CD&DVD version came with a gold disco ball keychain, and the CD only came with a silver disco ball keychain.^[4]

Commercial endorsements

"Funky Town" will be used in a new commercial campaign for a redesigned version of the lemon tea Lipton Limone. The new commercial featured Amuro herself^[5] and will be broadcast from March 20 onwards.

Music video

The promotional video for "Funky Town" found Namie working with director Masāki Uchino (內野政明^?), instead of long-time director Muto Masashi (武藤真志^?).

The video begins with the words "Funky Town" on the screen,in the same font seen on the single's cover.The video featured scenes of Namie performing choreography with a group of dancers all wearing black in a black room in featuring a car; dancing against a large screen featuring footage of her face on it; and towards the end singing amid a pile of golden disco balls.

Track listing

Personnel

• "Funky Town"
  • Namie Amuro – vocals
  • L.L Brothers, Warner, michico - additional vocals
  • GIANTSWING PRODUCTION (T.Kura, Michico, L.L Brothers) - productions
• "Darling"
  • Namie Amuro – vocals
  • COLDFEET - productions
  • Lori Fine - keyboards
  • Watusi - programming & instruments
  • Terrassy - guitars

Production

• "Funky Town"
  • Producers – T.Kura, michico, L.L. Brothers
  • Choreographer - Hirotsugu Kurosu
  • Director - Masaaki Uchino
• "Darling"
  • Producer - Coldfeet

TV performances

• March 16, 2007 - PopJam Reprise
• April 5, 2007 - Sakigake! Ongaku Banzuke SP
• April 6, 2007 - Music Fighter
• April 7, 2007 - CDTV

Charts

Oricon Sales Chart (Japan)

RIAJ certification

"Funky Town" has been certified gold for shipments of over 100,000 by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.^[6] In 2011 as a ringtone, it has received a double platinum certification, for being downloaded more than 500,000 times.^[7]

References