Two weeks after its release, "I'm Standing Here" appeared on the single sales chart as an underground single, ranking 19th.
This ranking is certainly not high - for a mainstream singer.
However, when this single is an underground single, the ranking of nineteen is worthy of a second look.
Because of this, THE BLUE HEARTS and this underground single had the opportunity to be briefly mentioned in the music information program.
Although it was only broadcast quickly as a quick news, in today's era, television is the most important channel for the public to obtain information, and its influence is so strong that this brief mention has a deeper meaning.
Among the various differences between "underground" and "mainstream", the most obvious one is publicity and distribution. Singers who debut in the mainstream will follow up with various publicity when releasing new works, and the scope of distribution is also very wide. But underground singles
, there is often no publicity, and it can only be put on the shelves in a small range. As a result, there are fewer opportunities to be known by the public, so it relies more on word of mouth.
To the general public, an underground single that appears on the charts means that it is a song of good enough quality to make up for the disadvantage of publicity.
Because of this, as soon as the program aired, viewers immediately called TV stations and record stores to ask about this single and this band——
And these are part of Shinichi Iwahashi's plan.
When he decided to produce this underground single for THE BLUE HEARTS, Iwahashi Shinichi had already arranged for Mineshima to be his representative and quietly contact influential people in the underground music circle to promote the band.
One of the special aspects of the underground music circle is that it is a circle that relies on one's creative ability to stay and prosper.
Therefore, the flag of "creative freedom" is more easily raised and held high in the underground music circle.
The promotion of the underground music circle and the special report of "MUSICA" go hand in hand. The former is mainly to incite the emotions of music fans, while the latter also shoulders another task, which is to bring this matter to the mainstream public.
within the field of vision.
After the single was produced and shipped to the twenty-nine record stores, I reluctantly sold out a total of 12,000 copies, and I had to be mentally prepared for them to be returned——
As a result, within a week, additional orders were sent to GENZO.
The reason for this trend is that the promotion in the underground music circle had been secretly carried out long before the single was produced. But the most critical thing was the special report on "MUSICA" before and after the single was released.
In other words, the timing of the release of the underground single was chosen to coincide with the release of "MUSICA".
The content of this magazine is mostly related to singers and bands, and its readers are also very sensitive to "creative freedom." As soon as the report came out, it immediately caused an uproar among readers, and they all complained about the band.
In order to express their support for the band, mainstream music fans actively purchased this underground single. "MUSICA" had decided to stand by the band, so it actively cooperated and informed readers who called to inquire about the channels for purchasing the single.
In this way, the magazine readers' support for THE BLUE HEARTS merged with the sounds fermenting in the underground music circle, allowing the sounds that originally only surged in the non-mainstream small circles to break through the barrier between "underground" and "mainstream"
——
Two weeks after the underground single was released, the song miraculously reached No. 19 on the singles chart.
A good underground single has its own buzz. After it was mentioned on a music information program, viewers who called TV stations and record stores began to go to the record stores that sold the single to buy it.
At the same time, there were more and more requests for additional orders sent to GENZO, and the order volume was also getting larger and larger.
When the single was shipped, Shinichi Iwahashi took a gamble and placed an order for 150,000 copies with the printing plate factory. At this moment, the company had sufficient supply. After receiving the order, it was shipped immediately to ensure that the record store would not have stock.
Originally, the reason why the single was able to be placed on the charts two weeks after its release was also an important reason for the sufficient supply of goods. Otherwise, it would be difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without straw, and music fans would not be able to take action even if they wanted to support it.
As long as there is a small opening between the "underground" and the "mainstream", there is a possibility of being completely broken.
Sufficient supply ensures that everyone who goes to the record store can buy this single, and the "creative freedom" flag explains why the band would make such a song, ensuring an impactful topic.
As long as the popularity of the topic does not drop, sales will continue to rise. When sales are high, the popularity of the topic will not decrease.
In the third week after the single was released, its ranking on the charts not only did not drop, but as an underground single, it rushed from nineteen to eleventh place in one breath. It was only one step away from breaking into the top ten and setting a record.
far away.
At the same time, music magazines, which had taken notice after the band's good performance last week, also took the initiative to report on this single and even this incident.
As the first igniter, "MUSICA" did not stop there. Instead, it tracked the matter in a new issue of the magazine and wrote in detail the follow-up after the report in the first issue.
With the combined efforts of all parties, THE BLUE HEARTS finally became the focus of the second half of September.
Throughout September, the focus band in the first half of the month is DREAMS COME TRUE, and the focus band in the second half of the month is THE BLUE HEARTS.
What the two have in common is that they have the same producer behind them.
Among the people behind the scenes, Shinichi Iwahashi's name cannot be covered up even if they want to, and they all know that he is behind the scenes. However, he has no intention of hiding behind the scenes and keeping silent——
This time, he not only took action regarding THE BLUE HEARTS, he also took action in a big way.
…
"Of the 150,000 singles, 100,000 have already been distributed. Depending on the situation, it will be a matter of time before the 50,000 are released." Shinichi Iwahashi said, "Even if we have to print more copies, it will still be in time."
"Joan Jett has made preparations to invite the band to perform, and the publicity team we contacted has also received her help. Here, the passports of the four members of the band and other related things are also ready.
Yes, we’ll leave in two days.”
Having said this, Iwahashi Shinichi paused, "The TV Asahi shooting team will also follow, and Joan Jett will be interviewed."
"It's all in your plan." Watanabe Wanyumi listened silently and said.
"Thank you for supporting me." Iwahashi Shinichi replied.
It's about Watanabe Manyumi agreeing to him taking over the band, tacitly allowing him to suppress the band's record deal, and first release underground singles in the name of a production company.
It is said that it is "all in the plan", but without the support of Watanabe Manyumi, it would be very difficult to do it.
But in a sense, Watanabe Mayumi's phrase "It's all in the plan" may not be a pun -
She will support Shinichi Iwahashi and is also part of his plan.
Watanabe Manyumi was noncommittal, "I didn't support you for the order of 150,000 pieces."
"Fortunately, I have good business fortune, so I didn't lose those 150,000 orders." Shinichi Iwahashi joked.
At this moment, the two of them were at the celebration party after the DREAMS COME TRUE tour.
The manager of the office was in charge of reception at the entrance, and record companies, sponsors and other related parties, as well as the band's performance team, were all present. Sony and GENZO took the opportunity to send out newcomers to the venue.
Act as a waiter, or go on stage to entertain.
On this occasion, not only do the people behind the scenes take the opportunity to communicate, but it is also an opportunity for newcomers to show their faces in front of big shots.
After the two of them went to greet the people present, they got together again. After chatting for a few words, they naturally brought up the subject of THE BLUE HEARTS.
Just like DREAMS COME TRUE, this time THE BLUE HEARTS was also completed by the two of them.
"One hundred and fifty thousand copies, if the sales are not too scattered, is enough to put the band in the top three of the singles chart."
Watanabe Manyumi said, "This kind of thing can't be drawn out for too long. If the heat is concentrated, it won't slowly move forward on the charts. In my opinion, this week's charts, that single said
Maybe we can directly enter the top five, or even the top three."
...Then, the heat has reached its current peak. If there is no new stimulation, it will slowly fade away as it goes down.
Iwahashi Shinichi supplemented Watanabe Manyumi's words in his mind and told her, "So, it's time for TV Asahi's documentary program to appear."
"Over at TV Asahi," Shinichi Iwahashi mentioned, a little amused, "Manyumi-san, their production team operates in the underground music circle and wants to organize radical music fans to hold a sit-in protest."
"Ah." Watanabe Wan Yumi heard this, unexpectedly, "I'm really afraid that the topic is not enough." Looking at Iwahashi Shinichi's expression, "Why are you laughing?"
"Laughing over there, 'I'm afraid it won't be enough of a topic.'" Shinichi Iwahashi imitated.
Seeing that Watanabe Wan Yumi was a little unhappy, he explained to her, "Don't you remember Wan Yumi-san? TV Asahi has a history of making news."
"You are really sarcastic." Watanabe Manyumi smiled.
Iwahashi Shinichi also smiled, "However, this time it is not considered to be making news, it is just adding fuel to the fire."
Such a hot topic was voluntarily delivered to TV Asahi, which made the TV station very enthusiastic about Iwahashi Shinichi. The two parties had cooperated closely before, and now they have gone one step further. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is regarded as an "Asahi faction".
However, at the beginning, when the matter had not become so popular, Shinichi Iwahashi contacted TV Asahi. On the one hand, the other party saw the potential of this topic. On the other hand, he also watched Shinichi Iwahashi and the TV station.
The face of a good relationship.
When "I'm Standing Here" entered the singles chart, the topic became more and more popular. TV Asahi, which had made preparations in advance, got a super good card in its hand.
If a program is broadcast when it is most popular, the ratings can be expected to be high. If the ratings are high, the popularity can be even higher.
Everything is achieved by each other. The ratings are like this, the sales are like this, and the fame and influence are like this.
TV Asahi's program is scheduled to be broadcast during prime time on the evening of October 8th, and relevant program previews will be broadcast on TV one week in advance.
Before the program was officially broadcast, Shinichi Iwahashi prepared something else.
The long-planned album officially released its promotional advertisement on the last day of September——
In the advertisement screen, the enka beauty in kimono and the tough rock band are framed together. The enka beauty picks up a guitar pick, bends down to stare at the sound hole of the acoustic guitar, and gently plucks the strings.
The singing beauty is pretty enough, even though I don’t know who she is. The lead singer of the rock band is also handsome enough, even though she also has a strange face.
But this scene only lasted for a short while.
The scene changes, and three girls are doing a big idol dance. Standing in the middle is Sakamoto Fuyumi, a rising star of enka. She is wearing a gorgeous idol dress, and the other two girls - popular idols Asaka Yui and Minamino Yoko, one on the left and one on the right
, covered her eyes respectively. Fuyumi Sakamoto, who had her eyes covered, put her hand into the wooden box of the guessing game.
It's really incredible for three people to stand together like this.
Even though the audience watching the advertisement had no idea what kind of advertisement it was or what it was trying to advertise, their curiosity was aroused and they wanted to see it to the end.
In the variety shows that idols participate in, there is often a game where you blindfold yourself and guess objects from boxes——
Fuyumi Sakamoto put her hand in, but what she encountered was the Giraffe router.
The scene switched instantly, with Giraffe Man and Brother Nakamura playing accompaniment, and the crazy Miwa-chan dancing with Yashiro Aki. The three members of the band were all wearing gorgeous sequined costumes, but the more gorgeous thing was the sequined long skirt worn by Yashiro Aki.
skirt.
When Yashiro Aki performs on stage, her signature costume is a gorgeous dress with huge hem and sequins.
DREAMS COME TRUE is the most popular band right now, and Yashiro Aki is a strong female solo singer. Why do these two singers appear in the same scene?
I was in a trance amidst the shining sequins, and the scene switched again. This time, Teresa Deng appeared with a young man holding a shamisen and wearing Okinawa-style clothes.
Theresa Deng sang two lines of "Suzhou Nocturne" with the accompaniment of shamisen and Okinawan folk singing -
Li Xianglan's famous song.
Although I don’t know the person who plays the shamisen, I do recognize Theresa Deng. Why is she standing with such an Okinawan band after not appearing in the public eye for a long time?
Another new question.
People sitting in front of the TV can't guess what kind of advertisement this is. The only thing they can tell is that these people are all singers.
The camera turned again, and the people appearing in the picture changed again.
It’s super idol Hideki Saijo!
And the person who appeared at the same time as him was sitting in front of the piano and playing - Nahoko Kawai!!
Hideki Saijo and his "sister".
The appearance of these two people together brought back the memories of many people in front of the TV. When Nahoko Kawai debuted, she debuted under the name of "Sister Hideki Saijo". At that time, Hideki Saijo's agency arranged a "show"
In the audition of "The Brothers and Sisters of the Trees", Nahoko Kawai stood out in the audition and became Hideki Nishiro's junior and Hideki's sister.
Seeing these two former super idols is eye-catching.
At the same time, curiosity became more and more intense.