Tokyo (Owl City song) explained

Tokyo
Cover:Tokyo Owl City song.jpg
Artist:Owl City featuring Sekai no Owari
Released:October 7, 2014
Type:Single
Label:Republic
Producer:Young
Chronology:Owl City
Prev Title:Beautiful Times
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:Verge
Next Year:2015

"Tokyo" is a song by American electronica project Owl City. The song features Japanese pop band Sekai no Owari and was released on October 7, 2014.[1] "Tokyo" was also featured as an exclusive track on the Japanese release of Owl City's fifth studio album, Mobile Orchestra.[2]

Background

Owl City announced the release date for the song on September 29, 2014 along with another track, "You're Not Alone".[3] [4] Speaking about the meaning of the song, Young stated, "'Tokyo' is about the many sleepless nights I've spent in Japan due to jet lag. Something in the atmosphere there is very conducive to creativity."[5] While at a yakitori restaurant, Young asked Fukase of Sekai no Owari if he wanted to sing on the track, which he agreed.[6] The singer and the band were fans of each others music and Young called the collaboration an honor.[6] [7]

Composition

Written and produced by Young, the track runs at 128 BPM and is in the key of E major.[8] He began recording the song in Nashville and during the production of the song, he decided to reach out to Sekai no Owari.[6]

Music video

A visualizer video for "Tokyo" premiered on November 18, 2014.[9] The video contains footage of their performance during the Tokyo Fantasy event which was held and recorded on October 4, 2014 at Fuji-Q Highland in Yamanashi.[10] Young spoke about performing the song live with Sekai no Owari stating, "It felt good. I've never played on such a beautiful stage. Just standing on the stage was so inspiring."[11]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic and digital liner notes.[12] [13]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Tokyo"
Chart (2014–15)Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[14] 25
South Korea International Chart (GAON)[15] 97
UK Cross Rhythms Weekly Chart[16] 3

Year-end charts

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousOctober 7, 2014Republic[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PV for Owl City's new song, featuring Sekai no Owari, released. Tokyo Hive. November 19, 2014. March 3, 2023.
  2. Web site: Mobile Orchestra - Album by Owl City. Apple Music. March 3, 2023.
  3. Web site: Owl City - You're Not Alone & Tokyo (Announcement). YouTube. February 23, 2023. March 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160326040010/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rij3VOAPP8s. live.
  4. Web site: Owl City releases singles featuring Britt Nicole and Senkai No Owari. Cross Rhythms. October 13, 2014. March 3, 2023.
  5. Web site: Owl City: Resisting critical barbs and enjoying Tokyo's creative atmosphere. Cross Rhythms. Tony Cummings. November 15, 2015. March 3, 2023.
  6. Owl City: Yakitori restaurant turns into collaboration? New song featuring Sekai no Owari released. Billboard Japan. November 5, 2014. ja. November 2, 2024.
  7. Announcement of latest single featuring Owl City Sekai no Owari, tour to Japan in May 2015. Billboard Japan. October 6, 2014. ja. November 2, 2024.
  8. Web site: Key and BPM of Tokyo by Owl City. Musicstax.com. October 7, 2014. March 14, 2023.
  9. Web site: Owl City - Tokyo (Official Visualizer Video) ft. SEKAI NO OWARI. YouTube. March 3, 2023.
  10. Owl City releases music video capturing their first joint performance with Sekai no Owari. Billboard Japan. November 8, 2014. November 2, 2024. ja.
  11. Web site: アウル・シティー、セカオワ共演MV公開「この場所で一つに」. Oricon. November 18, 2014. March 14, 2023. Japanese.
  12. Web site: Owl City – Tokyo / Credits. AllMusic. March 9, 2023.
  13. Tokyo. Digital liner notes. Owl City. Republic Records. 2014.
  14. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot 100. Billboard Japan. March 3, 2023.
  15. Web site: Gaon Digital Chart: 2014.10.04~2015.10.11. GAON. https://web.archive.org/web/20160321023342/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=week&hitYear=2014&targetTime=42&nationGbn=E. March 21, 2016. June 19, 2024.
  16. Web site: Cross Rhythms – Year-End 2015. Cross Rhythms. March 3, 2023.
  17. Web site: Tokyo - Single by Owl City. Apple Music. March 14, 2023.