Welcome to the Edge explained

Welcome to the Edge
Cover:Welcome To The Edge by Billie Hughes single cover artwork.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:Billie Hughes
Album:Welcome to the Edge
B-Side:Night and Day
Recorded:1991
Studio:Glass Sea Studio
Genre:Pop
Length:4:34
Label:Pony Canyon

"Welcome to the Edge" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Hughes, from his 1991 album of the same name. Written by Hughes, Roxanne Seeman, and Dominic Messinger, the single was released in Japan by Pony Canyon on May 15, 1991, under the title .[1]

Background

"Welcome to the Edge" was written by Hughes and Seeman with Messinger, music director and composer of the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara, after a previous song, "Turn it All Around", that Messinger had selected in 1988 to use in connection with a love triangle between the character Julia and Father Michael, became a popular love theme, prompting viewer requests.[2] [3] The song was connected to the character of Robert Barr. As the drama unfolded, "Welcome to the Edge" became a central love theme revolving around the Robert, Kelly Capwell, and Craig Hunt love triangle. Hughes' version was attached to the Robert and Kelly love affair while a female vocal version was attached to the Kelly and Craig Hunt love affair, with performances airing for two years.[4] [5] [6]

"Welcome to the Edge" was nominated for Outstanding Original Song at the 18th Daytime Emmy Awards in 1991.[7]

Commercial success in Japan

In 1990, the Japanese duo Wink recorded a version of "Welcome to the Edge" titled, which was the B-side of their single "Yoru ni Hagurete (Where Were You Last Night)".[8] [9] [10] Hughes and Seeman produced a new version of the song using the arrangement of the Wink recording with Chuck Wild programming the track and recording Jimmy Haun's guitar section at Wild's Hollywild Studio. Hughes' vocals' were recorded over the track mix at Glass Sea Studios.[11] The new version became the theme song of the Fuji TV drama I'll Never Love Anyone Anymore.[12] [13] The single hit No. 1 on Oricon's international singles chart and sold over 500,000 copies. Billboard journalist Kaz Fukatsu remarked: "That's an impressive figure, since most karaoke fans can't sing along in English. Five years ago, No. 1 international songs sold only about 40,000 copies."[14]

"Welcome to the Edge" was awarded No. 1 International Single of the Year at the 1992 Japan Gold Disc Awards.[15] [14] Hughes performed the song live for the telecast in Tokyo.[16]

Personnel

Chart performance

CountryPeak
position
Japan Billboard1
Japan Oricon International Singles1

Certification

Bon Chic version

Todokanu Omoi
Cover:Bon_Chic_-_Welcome_To_The_Edge_cover_art.png
Type:single
Artist:Bon Chic
Album:Bon Chic II
Language:Japanese
B-Side:Paradox
Recorded:1991
Genre:J-pop
Length:4:44
Label:Hummingbird
Lyricist:Ayuko Ishikawa
Prev Title:Paradox
Prev Year:1991
Next Title:Cool Temptation
Next Year:1991

Japanese band Bon Chic's version of "Welcome to the Edge" was released through Apollo Sounds Japan through the Hummingbird label on May 29, 1991. This version was used in the next episode announcement of episode 10 of I'll Never Love Anyone Anymore.[1] A remix of the song, known as the "Add 909 Mix", was included in the band's second album Bon Chic II.[17] [18]

Track listing

All music is arranged by Dada.

Jeniffer version

Welcome to the Edge
Cover:Jeniffer_-_Welcome_To_The_Edge_cover_art.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Jeniffer
B-Side:Welcome to the Edge (Instrumental)
Recorded:1991
Genre:Pop
Label:Toshiba EMI

Italian singer Jeniffer's version of "Welcome to the Edge" was released through Toshiba EMI on November 6, 1991.[19] [20]

Track listing

Other cover versions

Japan

Hong Kong

Germany

Santa Barbara aired on RTL under the title California Clan, with a soundtrack album released by Intercord including a cover version of "Welcome to the Edge".

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Clements, Jonathan . The Dorama Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese TV Drama Since 1953 . Stone Bridge Press . 2003 . 1-880656-81-7 . 130.
  2. Web site: The TV Songs Big Book . Alfred . 2021-06-01.
  3. Web site: Now You Know, Herman Hoglebogle Says: Several have asked about song . 1989-01-16.
  4. Web site: List of Musical Works Used on the NBC Television Series Santa Barbara in the Period 1984-1993 . Santa Barbara . December 2020.
  5. Web site: Songs From Santa Barbara - Billie Hughes . . 2021-06-01.
  6. News: Reichardt . Nancy . 21 April 1991 . SB' creators, NBC bury the hatchet . Austin American Statesman.
  7. Billie Hughes . Pesselnick . Jill . . 1998-08-21 . 2020-11-21.
  8. Versions of A soap-opera Track Cleaning Up In Japan . Lichtman . Irv . . 1991-08-24 . 29 . en.
  9. Chage & Aska Say Yes to Top Japan Nods . McClure . Steve . . 1992-08-21 . 55 . en.
  10. Web site: Omoide made Soba ni Ite (Welcome to the Edge) - Wink Song Info . . 2020-11-20.
  11. Web site: 想い出までそばにいて〜Welcome To The Edge〜 Lyrics Wink(JP) . MOJIM . 2017-06-27.
  12. Web site: ドロドロの愛憎劇「牡丹と薔薇」や吉田栄作「もう誰も愛さない」、水谷豊&伊藤蘭「事件記者チャボ」を放送 (1/2). The Television . ja . 2020-02-02.
  13. Web site: ドラマ「もう誰も愛さない」 ザテレビジョン(0000001188) . The Television . ja . 2020-02-02.
  14. TV Themes, Karaoke Push CD Singles Production Up 44% in '91 (page 42) . Kaz . Fukatsu . . 1992-06-06 . 2022-07-26.
  15. Web site: 第6回日本ゴールドディスク大賞 . Japan Gold Disc Awards . 2020-11-21.
  16. News: Billie Hughes; Recorded 'Welcome to the Edge' . . 1998-07-18. 2020-11-21. en-US.
  17. Web site: BON CHIC / とどかぬ想い [廃盤] ]. CDJournal . 2022-07-27.
  18. Web site: とどかぬ想い BON CHIC . . 2022-07-27.
  19. Web site: ジェニファー / とどかぬ想い [廃盤] ]. CDJournal . 2022-07-27.
  20. Web site: とどかぬ想い ジェニファー . . 2022-07-27.
  21. Web site: スイート・ラブ/とどかぬ想い~山本実枝ファースト~ 山本実枝 . . 2022-07-27.
  22. Web site: CD- COLORFUL NOLANS(Japan)(ノーランズ博物館) . The Nolans Museum . 2016-07-20 . 2022-07-27.