Not So Different
2020 single by Ai
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"Not So Different" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on November 25, 2020. The song was written by Ai and Rachel West with additional songwriting credits from producers Avedon and Scott Storch and was included on It's All Me, Vol. 2 (2021).
| "Not So Different" | ||||
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| Single by Ai | ||||
| from the EP It's All Me, Vol. 2 | ||||
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| Released | November 25, 2020 | |||
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| Length | 3:42 | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
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| "Not So Different" on YouTube "Not So Different Remix feat. Awich" on YouTube | ||||
On December 11, 2020, a remix featuring Japanese rapper Awich was released and later included on It's All Me, Vol. 2. A J-pop and pop rap song, "Not So Different" lyrically is about equality and world peace. The song has been compared to Ai's 2006 single "I Wanna Know".
Background
When I [wrote Not So Different], I hadn't decided to put this song on "Volume two" [...] At that time, the Black Lives Matter movement expanded, and [I] decided to put [it] out now. I always want[ed] to send a message like this, but often I can't put out a song unless the timing is right.
— Ai reflecting on including "Not So Different" on It's All Me, Vol. 2[1]
Ai originally wrote and recorded the song during her 2019 recording session in Los Angeles, California. She originally performed the song in June 2020 amidst the George Floyd protests in an interview with Salesforce.[2][3] In October 2020, Ai announced she would be participating in the One Young World summit to take place in Tokyo in May 2021.[4][5] "Not So Different" originally was not planned for release as a single nor planned to be included on Ai's It's All Me EP's until November 2020.[6] In an interview with Oricon regarding the lyric "...a peace sign instead of a middle finger", Ai stated she normally does not express herself directly in her songs and that she "...wanted to express such a part in an easy-to-understand manner."[7]
Awich remix
A remix of Not So Different featuring Awich was announced a few days after the release of the solo version.[8] Regarding the remix, Ai stated it originally was not planned until she discussed it with her manager.[9] It was released on December 11, 2020.[10]
Music video
Live performances
Charts
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan Top Download Songs (Billboard Japan)[16] | 79 |
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[17]
Solo version
Musicians
- Ai Uemura – vocals, production, songwriting
- Rachel West – songwriting
- Vincent Van den Ende – songwriting, production
- Scott Storch –songwriting, production
Technical
- Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
- D.O.I – mixer
Awich remix
Musicians
- Ai Uemura – vocals, production, songwriting
- Akiko Urasaki – vocals, songwriting
- Rachel West – songwriting
- Vincent Van den Ende – songwriting, production
- Scott Storch –songwriting, production
Technical
- Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
- D.O.I – mixer
- Keisuke Fujimaki – recording engineer
- Keisuke Suwa – recording engineer
- Shiori Maruoka – recording engineer
Track listing
Digital download
- "Not So Different" – 3:42
Awich remix
- "Not So Different" (remix) – 3:41