| Dear Mama | |
| Cover: | Ai - Dear Mama.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Ai |
| Album: | Moriagaro |
| Recorded: | 2012 |
| Length: | 4:00 |
| Chronology: | Ai |
| Prev Title: | Voice |
| Prev Year: | 2013 |
| Next Title: | Story (English Version) |
| Next Year: | 2014 |
"Dear Mama" is a song written and recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on April 17, 2013, through EMI Records Japan as the second single from Ai's tenth studio album, Moriagaro. The song was used by the Lotte Corporation for commercial campaigns in Japan.
Upon its release, "Dear Mama" peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, becoming her sixth single to chart in the top ten of the Japan Hot 100.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Lotte Corporation's founding, the company contacted Ai to create a song to promote their anniversary as well as their Ghana milk chocolates.[1] On April 16, 2013, the song was announced at a press conference hosted by Lotte. The song was announced for release the next day, April 17.[2]
Lyrically, "Dear Mama" is a tribute song to mothers. News Post Seven described the song as Ai "writing a letter directly to her mother".[3] Ai commented that the song is very personal since her mother is a foreigner as she is from the United States.
On April 17, 2013, the cover art was revealed by news agencies within Japan. Natalie Music described the single's cover art as an "impressive childhood photo of Ai and [her mother] Barbara."
An excerpt of the music video was released to YouTube in April 2013 with a full version released shortly after.
"Dear Mama" debuted at number 19 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for the week of April 24, 2013.[4] The song fell to number 41 and then rose to number 37.[5] [6] "Dear Mama" peaked at number 6 on the Japan Hot 100 during its fourth week on the chart.[7]
Ai performed the song in front of 50 mothers across Japan who attended the Lotte conference in 2013, including her mother, Barbara.[8] Ai has also performed the song during her national tours in Japan, most recently during her Dream Tour.[9]
| Peak position | ||
| Japan Adult Contemporary Airplay (Billboard Japan)[10] | 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan) | 6 |
In February 2022, Ai released a sequel song to "Dear Mama" titled "Dear Papa". Both songs have similar lyrics and were produced by C3prod and Ai. Ai was motivated to record a version for her father after performing "Dear Mama" live on multiple occasions.[11]
Credits adapted from Tidal and Moriagaro liner notes.[12] [13]
| Date | Format(s) | Label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | April 17, 2013 | |||
| Japan | Radio airplay | Universal Japan |