Sweets | |
---|---|
Origin | Japan |
Genres | J-pop |
Years active | 2003–2006 |
Labels | Avex Trax |
Past members |
|
Website | www |
Sweets (stylized as SweetS) was a Japanese girl group formed by Avex Trax in 2003. It consists of five members: Aki, Aya, Haruna, Miori, and Mai. The group debuted in 2003 with the song "Lolita Strawberry in Summer" and released in 2004 the song "Love Like Candy Floss." While active as a group, Sweets was also part of the supergroup Girl's Box along with other Avex artists. After three years of activity, Sweets disbanded in 2006.
History
[edit]2003: Debut
[edit]During the Avex Auditions 2002, five 12-year-old girls were selected out of fifteen finalists to create a new girl group, with the project planned by TV Tokyo's variety show Platinum Ticket.[1] They first performed at A-nation '03 Avex Summer Festa on April 12, 2003.[2] Later, on August 27, they released their first single, "Lolita Strawberry in Summer", as the fourth ending theme to Monkey Typhoon.[3] The song was produced by Bounceback, who had previously written songs for BoA and Ayumi Hamasaki. On November 19, 2003, Sweets released their second single, "Love Raspberry Juice",[4] which was featured as the theme song in the commercial for the game Tokyo Friend Park II: Friend Park e Asobi ni Ikō!![3] 100 girls appeared as extras in the music video.[5] At the end of 2003, Sweets collaborated with Dream and Fruits Punch as the supergroup Girl's Box to release the single 1st X'mas.[6]
2004: "Love Like Candy Floss", Sweets
[edit]Sweets' third single, "Love Like Candy Floss", was released on February 11, 2004 as the theme song in the commercial for Circle K's bakery.[3] The song's theme was described as "falling in love with a friend."[2] The music video was filmed in Nagano, making it the first of their videos to be filmed outside of a studio, and was described as "drama-like", featuring Haruna following an older man.[2] The music video was featured on the television show Pop Jam for four weeks.[2] On March 3, 2004, Sweets released their first mini album, Sweets.[1] On June 16, 2004, they released their fourth single, a triple A-side titled "Growin' into Shinin'" / "Never Ending Story" / "Shochū Omimai Mōshiagemasu."[7] The song "Growin' into Shinin' Stars" was the official cheer song for the Yomiuri Giants beginning April 2004; "Never Ending Story" was the ending theme song to the variety show Doubutsu Kisou Tenkai from April to September 2004; and "Shochū Omimai Mōshiagemasu", a cover of the Candies song of the same name, was used as the theme song for a promotional campaign.[7] On November 3, 2004, Sweets released the song "Sky" as the ending theme to Genseishin Justirisers.[3] By the end of the year, Sweets was voted number 1[clarification needed] in the magazine CD-Data.[citation needed] Later, Sweets participated in a second Christmas collaboration single with Dream and Aiko Kayō, which released on December 1, 2004.[8]
2005: Keep On Movin', first tour, Aki and Aya's hiatus, 5 Elements
[edit]On February 2, 2005, Sweets released the double A-side single "Countdown" / "Our Song (Wakare no Toki)",[3] which was followed up with the release of their second mini album, Keep On Movin', on February 23, 2005.[9][10] "Mienai Tsubasa" was released on June 1, 2005.[3] The music video, as well as their behind-the-scenes DVD Wings of My Heart, were shot in Hawaii.[2] Several members became ill during the shooting because of the rain.[2]
On August 10, 2005, Sweets released their 8th single, "Earthship (Uchūsen Chikyūgō)",[3] which was then followed up by their first concert tour named after the song, with three shows in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo.[11] Shortly after their tour, they performed at A-nation '05 and released their first photo book, Sweets #1.[11] Afterwards, Aki and Aya went on hiatus from September 2005 to April 2006 to focus on their high school entrance exams.[12] The remaining three members continued to promote without them and released "On the Way (Yakusoku no Basho e)" as their 9th single.[3] On October 5, 2005, Sweets released their first studio album, 5 Elements.[13] On November 16, 2005, Sweets collaborated with Dream, Nao Nagasawa, Nanase Hoshii, Aiko Kayō, Paradise Go! Go!, and Michi Saito for Girl's Box's third Christmas collaboration single.[14]
2006: Disbandment
[edit]Aki and Aya returned from hiatus, and Sweets released the single "Bitter Sweets" on March 23, 2006.[3] During a promotional event at Tokyo Dome City Hall on March 26, 2006, all five members of Sweets announced that they were disbanding, citing interest in different career paths, as well as Aki and Aya retiring to focus on high school.[15] Afterwards, on June 7, 2006, they released "Color of Tears" as their final single along with Hi Ma'am, their "graduation" photo book, and Precious Memories, their final behind-the-scenes DVD.[3][2]
Members
[edit]- Aki (Akiko Kashiwagi (柏木亜季子))[16] - leader[15]
- Aya (Ayaka Yoshimura (吉村綾花))[17]
- Haruna (Haruna Takewa (竹輪春奈))[18]
- Miori (Miori Takimoto (瀧本美織))[19]
- Mai (Mai Iwasaki (岩崎舞))[20]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]Title | Year | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPN | ||||
5 Elements | 2005 |
Track listing
|
50[21] | — |
Extended plays
[edit]Title | Year | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPN | ||||
Sweets | 2004 |
Track listing
|
35[22] | — |
Keep On Movin' | 2005 |
Track listing
|
56[23] | — |
Compilation albums
[edit]Title | Year | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPN | ||||
Delicious: Complete Best | 2006 |
Track listing
|
234[24] | — |
Video albums
[edit]Title | Year | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPN | ||||
Sweets 1st Live Tour: Earthship (Uchūsen Chikyūgō) | 2005 |
Track listing
|
196[25] | — |
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPN [3] | ||||
"Lolita Strawberry in Summer" | 2003 | 23 | — | Sweets |
"Love Raspberry Juice" | 28 | — | ||
"Love Like Candy Floss" | 2004 | 26 | — | |
"Grow Into Shinin' Stars" / "Never Ending Story" / "Shochū Omimai Mōshiagemasu" (暑中お見舞い申し上げます) | 19 | — | Keep On Movin' | |
"Sky" | 37 | — | ||
"Countdown" / "Our Song (Wakare no Toki)" (oursong ~別れの詩~) | 2005 | 48 | — | 5 Elements |
"Mienai Tsubasa" (ミエナイツバサ) | 39 | — | ||
"Earthship (Uchūsen Chikyūgō)" (Earthship ~宇宙船地球号~) | 42 | — | ||
"On the Way (Yakusoku no Basho e)" (on the way ~約束の場所へ~) | 62 | — | Delicious: Complete Best | |
"Bitter Sweets" | 2006 | 44 | — | |
"Color of Tears" | 60 | — | ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
As featured artist
[edit]Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPN | ||||
"1st X'mas" (feat. Dream, Fruit Punch, and Sweets) |
2003 | —[6] | — | Girl's Box: Best Hits Compilation Winter |
"2nd X'mas" (feat. Dream, Sweets, and Aiko Kayō) |
2004 | —[26] | — | |
"3rd X'mas" (feat. Dream, Nao Nagasawa, Sweets, Nanase Hoshii, Aiko Kayō, Paradise Go! Go!, and Michi Saito) |
2005 | 62[14] | — | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Video singles
[edit]Title | Year | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPN | ||||
Lolita Strawberry in Summer | 2003 |
Track listing
|
—[27] | — |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
DVDs
[edit]Title | Year | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPN | ||||
Wings of My Heart | 2005 |
Track listing
|
98[28] | — |
Precious Memories | 2006 | 150[29] | — | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Publications
[edit]Photo books
[edit]Year | Title | Publisher | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | Sweets #1 | Kindaieigasha | ISBN 9784-764820449 |
2006 | Hi Ma'am | Kindaieigasha | ISBN 978-4764820869 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "平均年齢12歳のヴォーカル・ダンス・ユニット SweetS 1stアルバム『SWEETS』インタヴュー PART1". Barks (in Japanese). March 5, 2004. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g "SweetS、ラスト・シングル「Color of tears」特集 INTERVIEW編". Barks (in Japanese). June 12, 2006. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Peak chart positions on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart:
- "Lolita Strawberry in Summer": "LolitA☆Strawberry in summer". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "Love Raspberry Juice": "Love★Raspberry Juice". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "Love Like Candy Floss": "Love like candy floss". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "Grow Into Shinin' Stars" / "Never Ending Story" / "Shochū Omimai Mōshiagemasu": "Grow into shinin' stars/Never ending story/暑中お見舞い申し上げます". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "Sky": "Sky". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "Countdown" / "Our Song (Wakare no Toki)": "countdown/oursong ~別れの詩~". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "Mienai Tsubasa": "ミエナイツバサ". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "Earthship (Uchūsen Chikyūgō)": "Earthship ~宇宙船地球号~". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "On the Way (Yakusoku no Basho e)": "on the way ~約束の場所へ~". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "Bitter Sweets": "Bitter sweets". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- "Color of Tears": "Color of tears". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "平均年齢12歳のSweetS、2ndシングル「Love★Raspberry Juice」発売! 新曲PVとビデオメッセージも到着!". Barks (in Japanese). November 19, 2003. Archived from the original on April 6, 2005. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "平均年齢12歳のヴォーカル・ダンス・ユニット SweetS 1stアルバム『SWEETS』インタヴュー PART 2". Barks (in Japanese). March 5, 2004. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ a b "1st X'mas featuring dream+フルーツポンチ+SweetS". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ a b "SweetS、トリプルA面ニュー・シングルが6月に登場!". Barks (in Japanese). May 1, 2004. Archived from the original on April 5, 2005. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "新ユニットで恒例クリスマスイベントに出演!dream、SweetS、嘉陽愛子". Oricon (in Japanese). November 16, 2004. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "新曲リリースのSweetS、PV撮影で悲鳴の理由は……". Barks (in Japanese). February 1, 2005. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "SweetS、2ndアルバムとこの1年を語るロング・インタヴュー". Barks (in Japanese). March 18, 2005. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ a b "SweetS、新曲リリース&初ツアー間近!! a-nation出演も". Barks (in Japanese). August 11, 2005. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "SweetS、AKI&AYA涙の休業宣言、初ワンマン決定!". Barks (in Japanese). June 17, 2005. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "SweetS、1stフル・アルバム『5 Elements』リリース!". Barks (in Japanese). October 14, 2005. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ a b "3rd X'mas". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ a b "SweetS、解散……". Barks (in Japanese). March 27, 2006. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "AKI Profile". Avex Trax (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ "AYA Profile". Avex Trax (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ "HARUNA Profile". Avex Trax (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ "MIORI Profile". Avex Trax (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ "MAI Profile". Avex Trax (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ "5 elementS". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "SWEETS". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "Keep on movin'". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "Delicious ~Complete Best~". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "SweetS 1st LIVE TOUR Earthship~宇宙船地球号~". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "2nd X'mas featuring dream+SweetS+嘉陽愛子". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "LolitA☆Strawberry in Summer [DVD]". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "Wings of my heart". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ "Precious Memories". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2019.