“Hmm. Let’s do something of Ai again” I said to myself. So I got this song which I heard a lot about, but never really took the time to listen to.

Planetarium

“Planetarium” (プラネタリウム; puranetariumu) is Ai Otsuka’s tenth single, which was released on September 21, 2005. The single had great success and became Otsuka’s second #1 hit on the Oricon charts, selling 316,425 copies. In 2005, Planetarium sold 215,114 copies, making it the #41 best-selling single of the year. However, it still charted into the next year and was the #99 best-selling single in 2006, selling 100,555 copies. Planetarium is her second best-selling single after “Sakuranbo.”

CD Version

1. {Planetarium|プラネタリウム|Puranetariumu}}
2. drop.
3. Planetarium (Instrumental)
4. drop. (Instrumental)

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Planetarium

It last for 5 minutes and 11 seconds and doesn’t bore you. It starts with rather mysterious, traditional drums, soon followed by the piano and a flute instrument. And then Ai sings, beautiful lyrics if I can trust the translation and the Japanese sounds cute. I read the song sounded too much like Rikki’s Suteki Da Ne. I have to disagree, lots of songs sound alike. Around the 3.25 the guitar has a small, awesome solo. And then it can shut up again for a while. I also liked the fireworks sound. The song ends with soothing ‘Ah’s. It has a nice flow and I can’t really say something bad about it. I’m starting to get into Ai!

9/10

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Ikitaiyo kimino tokoro e chiisana te wo nigiri shimete
Nakitaiyo sorewa sorewa kirei na sora datta
Negai wo nagare boshi ni sotto tonaete mitakeredo
Nakitai yo todokanai omoi wo kono sora ni

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Drop

Okay, so, after listening to that emotional song, I was excited to know what was awaiting me now. I didn’t expect such a poppy happy song. With a nice beat and guitar chords through it. Ai’s voice bothers me a bit here. But it is still a nice song! It’s like this is a happy end to the sad song previous. But it’s not very amazing. A nice radio song. Hearing this song will make you happy and peppy again.

7/10

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Planetarium (instrumental)

Gah, how pretty. Without the lyrics and Ai’s cute voice I still can feel the emotions. What great arrangement! I really need to learn to sing this song, so I can cover it whenever I dare to.

9/10

Drop (instrumental)

Cute at its best! This song is giving me motivation to learn to play guitar again, it is basic, simple and very cute.

8/10

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Overall: 8.5/10

Worth a listen!