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"U.S.A." is a song by Japanese boy band Da Pump. It is a cover of the 1992 song by Italian singer Joe Yellow of the same name.[1] The song was released on June 6, 2018.

"U.S.A." is Da Pump's first single in three and a half years after the release of "New Position" in 2014.[2] Initially Da Pump and their management had low expectations for their comeback, as their promotion events only took place at shopping malls.[3] However, it soon became a summer hit, peaking high on various Japanese music charts.[1]

Music video

The Shoot (known as the "I like it" dance in Japan) is a prominent dance move during the chorus

The music video features the members of Da Pump dancing in a dark room lit up in colorful lights. The choreography includes dance moves such as the dab, the Milly Rock, and the Shoot (known as the "I like it" dance (いいねダンス, Ii ne dansu)[4]).[1] A video featuring the choreography was released on June 12, 2018.[5]

Release and reception

Initial public reaction ridiculed the song and music video due to Da Pump's age, dancing, and the outdated Eurobeat trend. Patrick St. Michel of The Japan Times likened the reaction to "watching your dad wax nostalgic and try to become a hypebeast at the same time".[1] However, the song soon grew in popularity and became a summer hit for drawing sentimental value to the 1990s,[1] especially among Hello! Project fans who were nostalgic for their early music style.[2][3] The song was described as "tacky but cool" by the media.[6] The music video gained 1 million views on its first week of release.[7] By July 2018, the song had been downloaded more than 22,790 times.[8]

The song inspired a trend called the "U.S.A. game", where people would sing, "C'mon, baby, America" (a line from the chorus) followed by a factual statement about the United States while keeping in rhythm.[9] The success of "U.S.A." led Okayama Prefecture to creating an advertisement featuring a parody of the song to attract tourists and volunteers.[10]

Performances

Da Pump promoted "U.S.A." on Count Down TV on June 28, 2018.[11] They made a surprise guest appearance at Hello! Project's 20th anniversary concert and performed the song.[12] Da Pump also performed "U.S.A." on December 1, 2018 before a Hisamitsu Springs volleyball match in Kobe, Japan.

Remixes

CyberJapan Dancers released an EDM remix, titled "U.S.A. (CyberJapan Dancers Gaya Remix)", on August 22, 2018, accompanied with a music video release on August 16, 2018, on iTunes.[13]

On December 25, 2019, another remix titled "2019 Heartbeat Mix" will be released on the Sonic Groove compilation album Heartbeat.[14]

Track listing

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."U.S.A."Cirella Donatella, Lombardoni, shungo.Accatino Claudio, Cirelli Donatella, Gioco Anna MariaKAZ3:58
2."All 2 You"shungo.Kotaro Odaka, Hirotaka Hayakawa, UiNAKotaro Odaka, Hirotaka Hayakawa, Belex4:30
3."Take It Easy"m.c.A.Tm.c.A.TAkio Togashi 
4."U.S.A." (Instrumental) Accatino Claudio, Cirelli Donatella, Gioco Anna MariaKAZ3:58
5."All 2 You" (Instrumental) Kotaro Odaka, Hirotaka Hayakawa, UiNAKotaro Odaka, Hirotaka Hayakawa, Belex4:30
6."Take It Easy" (Instrumental) m.c.A.TAkio Togashi 

Charts

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
2018 60th Japan Record Award Excellent Work Award Nominated[20]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Patrick St. Michel (July 18, 2018). "Da Pump scores an unexpected summer hit with 'U.S.A.'". The Japan Times. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "DA PUMP's New Song 'U.S.A.' Blows Up Online". MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON Corporation. May 22, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "「ISSAがいる限りはDA PUMPでいい」 U.S.A.に込めた誇りとルーツ". KAI-YOU (in Japanese). June 21, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  4. ^ "DA PUMP 楽しむことを忘れずに、ベストを尽くす". Nikkei Sports (in Japanese). October 9, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  5. ^ "DA PUMPと覚える「U.S.A.」ダンス映像公開". Natalie (in Japanese). June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  6. ^ "DA PUMP・ISSA "ダサかっこいい"「U.S.A.」の第一印象は「まじかよ」". Oricon (in Japanese). June 4, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  7. ^ "DA PUMP「U.S.A.」MV1000万回再生突破！リリイベ名古屋＆大阪でも開催決定". Natalie (in Japanese). June 19, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  8. ^ "【オリコン】DA PUMP「U.S.A.」が登場6週目で首位 「"ダサカッコいい"はありがたい」". Oricon (in Japanese). July 18, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.</
  9. ^ "チョコプラ考案、DA PUMP"U.S.Aゲーム"が話題「中毒性がすごい」ISSAも反応". Model Press (in Japanese). June 19, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  10. ^ Jiji (August 17, 2018). "Okayama Prefecture appeals for more tourists and volunteers to visit with dance video". The Japan Times. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  11. ^ "「CDTV上半期SP」にキンプリ、乃木坂46、Aqours、リトグリ、GENERATIONSら". Natalie (in Japanese). June 22, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  12. ^ "ハロコンにDA PUMP乱入！「U.S.A.」コラボで大盛り上がり". Natalie (in Japanese). August 5, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  13. ^ "DA PUMP「U.S.A.」がアゲアゲなEDMサウンドに、CYBERJAPANのガヤ入り". Natalie (in Japanese). August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  14. ^ "V.A.／Heartbeat(ハートビート) (CD) 2019/12/25発売 AVCD-16969" (Mailing list). Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  15. ^ "Kis-My-Ft2 Shoots to Top of Japan Hot 100, DA PUMP's Viral Comeback Holds No. 2". Billboard. July 19, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  16. ^ "KEN☆Tackey Debuts at No. 1, DA PUMP at No. 2 for Third Week on Japan Hot 100". Billboard. July 26, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  17. ^ "Hey!Say!JUMP Bows at No. 1 on Japan Hot 100; DA PUMP Leads Streaming, Video Views". Billboard. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  18. ^ "U.S.A." Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  19. ^ ""JAPAN HOT 100"15周年を記念したオールタイムTOP50発表 1位は米津玄師「Lemon」". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 31, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  20. ^ "「日本レコード大賞」候補にTWICEやDA PUMP、最優秀アルバム賞は米津玄師". Natalie (in Japanese). November 16, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.A._(Da_Pump_song)