First Time (Ai song)

"First Time" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released February 16, 2022, by EMI Records as a promotional single from her twelfth studio album Dream. Produced by Bernard "Harv" Harvey, lyrically the song is about Ai's struggles during the start of her music career and how she was able to eventually find success for the first time. In promotion of the song, Ai teamed up with Nestlé to promote KitKat.

"First Time"
Promotional single by Ai featuring Riehata
from the album Dream
ReleasedFebruary 16, 2022 (2022-02-16)
Recorded2019
Recording studioBlack Star Music (Studio City, California)
GenreR&B
Length3:01
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Bernard "Harv" Harvey

Background and release

In 2019, Ai traveled to her hometown, Los Angeles, California to record content for a new album. While in Los Angeles, she collaborated with various songwriters, including Felisha King and Fallon King (of girl group Cherish), who co-wrote "Expectations" on Ai's 2021 extended play, It's All Me, Vol. 2.[1] Wanting to get to know Ai more, the duo asked her about her career. Ai explained to them her struggles of her musical beginnings and how she eventually was able to find success. Inspired by the story, Felisha and Fallon co-wrote the song with Ai about personal struggles. Wanting a featured artist, Ai contacted her close friend, dancer and model Riehata.[2]

Composition and lyrics

"First Time" is an R&B song featuring a simple production. Lyrically, the song is about struggling to reach a goal and eventually overcoming obstacles to reach the goal for "the first time".[2]

Promotion

In Japan, "First Time" was featured on Nestlé commercials promoting Kit Kat.[3] The commercial was directed by Naoko Yamada, who directed A Silent Voice.[4][5][6] The commercial was also Nestlé's first anime commercial.[7]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[8]

  • Ai Uemura – vocals, songwriting
  • Fallon King – songwriting
  • Felisha "Fury" King – songwriting
  • Bernard "Harv" Harvey – production
  • Riehata – featured artist
  • Mark Parfitt – mixing
  • Randy Merill – mastering

Release history
Release history and formats for "First Time"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various February 16, 2022
EMI [9]

References
  1. Inc, Natasha. "AI「IT'S ALL ME - Vol.2」インタビュー｜今この世界で掲げる、ずっと歌い続けてきた"ラブ＆ピース" - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  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 March 1, 2022.
  3. "AI、RIEHATA参加の新曲が＜きっかけは、キットカットで。＞CMソングに". BARKS (in Japanese). Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  4. Harding, Daryl. "A Silent Voice's Director Naoko Yamada Helms KitKat's 1st Ever Anime Commercial". Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  5. "Naoko Yamada Directs Animated KitKat Commercial". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  6. "山田尚子監督が手がけた「キットカット」アニメCM放送開始". アニメハック (in Japanese). Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  7. "「キットカット」史上初のアニメCM 先行きの見えない時代に励まし・エールのブレイクを進化 ネスレ日本（食品新聞）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  8. "First Time - Credits (Tidal US)". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  9. ""きっかけは、キットカットで。"「キットカット」初のアニメCM、監督に山田尚子 | AdverTimes（アドタイ） by 宣伝会議". AdverTimes（アドタイ）宣伝会議が運営する、広告界のニュース＆情報プラットフォーム (in Japanese). Retrieved March 1, 2022.
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