Itoshiki Hibi yo

"Itoshiki Hibi yo" (いとしき日々よ, lit. "Oh Sweet Days") is the thirty-fourth single by Japanese recording artist Ken Hirai.[1] The song was written by Hirai, composed by Kiyoshi Matsuo and production was handled by Hirai.[1] It was released on May 4, 2011 as the fifth single from Hirai's eighth studio album Japanese Singer.[2] "Itoshiki Hibi yo" serves as theme song for the second season of the TBS drama Jin.[1] The B-side, "Run to You" is used in Nexco Central Japan commercials starring actress Aya Ueto.[1]

"Itoshiki Hibi yo"
Single by Ken Hirai
from the album Japanese Singer
A-side	"Itoshiki Hibi yo"
B-side	"Run to You"
Released	May 4, 2011
Recorded	2011
Genre	Pop
Length	16:43
Label	Defstar Records
Songwriter(s)	Ken Hirai, Kiyoshi Matsuo
Producer(s)	Ken Hirai, Reo
Ken Hirai singles chronology
"Aishiteru" (2010) "Itoshiki Hibi yo" (2011) "Kokuhaku" (2012)

The single debuted at number 9 on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart on May 3, 2011 and climbed to number 4 on May 9, 2011.[3][4] It peaked at number 7 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart with 13,766 copies sold.[5] The single ranked at number 24 on the Oricon Monthly Singles Chart for the month of May 2011 with 22,456 copies sold.[6]

The song was certified platinum for digital downloads by the RIAJ.[7]

"Itoshiki Hibi yo" was voted third most popular drama theme song of the spring season in a RecoChoku user poll.[8]

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Length
1.	"Itoshiki Hibi yo" (いとしき日々よ Oh Sweet Days)	Ken Hirai	Kiyoshi Matsuo	6:03
2.	"Run to You"	Hirai	Hirai	4:39
3.	"Itoshiki Hibi yo (Less Vocal)"		Matsuo	6:00
Total length:				16:43

Charts and sales

Chart (2011)	Peak position	Sales
Billboard Japan Hot 100[9]	6	25,328[10]
Billboard Japan Hot Top Airplay[11]	4
Billboard Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay[12]	3
Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales[13]	7
Oricon Daily Singles[4]	4
Oricon Weekly Singles[5]	7
Oricon Monthly Singles[6]	24
SoundScan Japan Weekly Singles[14]	3

References

1. "平井堅　「JIN-仁-」で約3年ぶりとなるドラマ主題歌の発売が決定" (in Japanese). Biglobe Music. Biglobe. 2011-04-18. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
2. 生まれてこのかた純国産、平井堅3年ぶりアルバム完成 (in Japanese). Natalie. 2011-05-10. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
3. "韓国の男性5人組・MBLAQの1stが首位浮上／前日首位・ぱすぽ4位に☆5/3付　シングルデイリー". Oricon (in Japanese). 2011-05-04. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
4. "Archived copy" チャン・グンソク首位返り咲き／ぱすぽ☆50位圏外へ☆5/9付　シングルデイリー. Oricon (in Japanese). 2011-05-10. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-06-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. 2011年05月第3週の邦楽シングルランキング情報 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
6. "Archived copy" シングル月間ランキング 2011年05月度. Oricon (in Japanese). 2011-06-12. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2011-06-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
7. レコード協会調べ　1月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: January Digital Music Download Certifications] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. February 28, 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
8. "春ドラマ主題歌人気ランキング、1位はSMAP「not alone～幸せになろうよ～」" (in Japanese). Barks. 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
9. "Billboard Japan Hot 100" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Billboard. 2011-05-16. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
10. "【周榜单】2011/06/20付 (单曲TOP200)". Oricon (in Chinese). 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
11. "Billboard Japan Hot Top Airplay" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Billboard. 2011-05-16. Archived from the original on 2011-05-04. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
12. "Billboard Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Billboard. 2011-05-16. Archived from the original on 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
13. "Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Billboard. 2011-05-16. Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
14. "週間 CDソフト TOP20" (in Japanese). SoundScan. Retrieved 2011-06-12.