Pink Champagne (E-girls song)

"Pink Champagne"
CD only artwork to commercialize "Pink Champagne"
Single by E-girls
from the album E.G. Crazy
B-side	"Bad Girls" "Cowgirl Rhapsody"
Released	August 10, 2016
Format	CD DVD digital download
Recorded	2016
Genre	Electronic dance music
Length	3:53
Label	Rhythm Zone Avex Music Creative Inc.
Writer(s)	Kotake Masato
Producer(s)	Various Dominique Rodriguez Anne Judith Stokke Wik Ronny Svendsen Nemin Harambasic Sigurd Rosnes Courtney Woolsey Stephen Stahl Rie Fujioka
E-girls singles chronology
"E.G. Summer Ride" (2016) "Pink Champagne" (2016) "Go! Go! Let's Go!" (2016)
Alternative cover CD and DVD, and digital artwork to commercialize "Pink Champagne"

"Pink Champagne" is a song recorded and performed by Japanese musical unit E-girls. It was released by Rhythm Zone and Avex Music Creative Inc. on August 10, 2016, as part of their "E.G. Summer Concept" single releases. The single was distributed in three physical formats—a standalone CD, a CD and DVD bundle, and a limited one-track CD—and for digital consumption. Additionally, each addition apart from the one-track format came with the two B-sides: "Bad Girls" and "Cowgirl Rhapsody", one remix of their single "Dance Dance Dance" and the first three instrumental tracks, respectively.

The concept for "Pink Champagne" was to emphasize a cooler, sexier and edgier image than their previous single "E.G. Summer Rider", which was described by Rhythm Zone as fun and poppier than the band's prior releases. Written by Kotake Masato, "Pink Champagne" was created by a variety of composers and producers, including Sigurd Rosnes, Courtney Woolsey and Stephen Stahl, amongst others. Musically, it is an electronic dance track that incorporates elements of 1980's disco and tropical house. Lyrically, it delves into themes of having fun and enjoyment.

Upon its release, "Pink Champagne" received positive reviews from music critics. Majority of the critics highlighted the single as one of the group's best releases, and complimented its dance nature and production. Commercially, it experienced success in Japan, peaking at number two on both the Oricon Singles Chart and Japan Hot 100, the latter hosted by Billboard. An accompanying music video was directed for the single, featuring E-girls' vocalists and performers in different locations inside a nightclub. In order to promote it, E-girls performed the track on several television shows and concerts, alongside two commercials in Japan.

Background and composition

In July 2016, E-girls released their single "E.G. Summer Rider" in both physical and digital formats in Japan.^[1][2] The single was the first of two double concept releases during Summer 2016, with "E.G. Summer Rider" being labelled "E.G Pop". That same day, with an announcement back in June, the groups label Rhythm Zone confirmed the release of "Pink Champagne" for August 10, with its concept titled "E.G. Cool". Despite its announcement, only the limited one-track edition was revealed, which featured the title track.^[3][4] Then on July 20, the same release date as "E.G. Summer Rider", the group released details of the single; it included two B-sides—"Bad Girls" and "Cowgirl Rhapsody"—and the PKCZ® remix of the girls single "Dance Dance Dance".^[5][6] "Pink Champagne" was written by Kotake Masato, whilst production and composing was handled by a variety of musical creators: Dominique Rodriguez, Anne Judith Stokke Wik, Ronny Svendsen, Nemin Harambasic, Sigurd Rosnes, Courtney Woolsey, Stephen Stahl, and Rie Fujioka.^[7]

Musically, "Pink Champagne" is an electronic dance track that incorporates elements of 1980's disco and tropical house.^[8] Conversley, an editor at CD Journal believed that whilst it contained genres of EDM, it wasn't as strong compared to its inclusion of disco and tropical house music.^[8] According to the girls website, Rhythm Zone marketed the single to showcase a "cool[er]" sound and appeal, whilst "E.G. Summer Rider" emphasized a more "pop" approach.^[5] Lyrically, it delves into themes of having fun and enjoyment, which is loosely based on their initial concept stories.^[5] "Pink Champagne" is the second single after "E.G. Summer Rider" to include vocals from all remaining vocalists from E-girls; these are members Shizuka, Aya, Ami (associating Dream members), Karen Fuiji, Ruri Kawamoto (associating Happiness members), Reina Washio (associating Flower member), and sole E-girls vocalist Yuzuna Takebe.^{[7][upper-alpha 1]} It is also the last single to campaign E-girls and Dream member Erie Abe, whom announced her retirement from both bands and the entertainment industry in October, scheduled to take action by the end of 2016.^[9]

Release and critical reception

"Pink Champagne" was first made available on E-girls' website on July 29, 2016 for streaming.^[10] Subsequently, it was released by Rhythm Zone and Avex Music Creative Inc. on August 10, 2016. The single was distributed in three physical formats—a standalone CD, a CD and DVD bundle, and a limited one-track CD—and for digital consumption.^{[7][11][12][13]} The CD, and double CD/DVD bundle came with the title track, "Bad Girls", "Cowgirl Rhapsody", the PKCZ® remix of "Dance Dance Dance", and the four instrumental versions respectively.^[5] The third format, a limited one-track CD, was titled the "One Coin" edition; this was made available through the groups fansite and specific venues for their 2016 concert tour.^[12] All first press editions of the physical formats came with a limited edition card, featuring one member out of the 20.^[14][15] On November 16, LDH confirmed that "Pink Champagne" will be included on the groups fourth studio and debut concept album, E.G. Crazy, released on January 18, 2017; the single will be listed on the "E.G. Cool" disc.^[16][17]

Upon its release, "Pink Champagne" received positive reviews from music critics. A member of CD Journal noted that whilst the single's composition was "lighter" and "mild" than their previous concept single "E.G. Summer Rider", they labelled it "perfect for the summer". They additionally complimented its production and highlighted all three original songs—the title track, "Bad Girls", "Cowgirl Rhapsody"— amongst the groups best work.^[8] Similarly, KKBox Japan highlighted the three recordings as "hot" releases.^[18] A staff editor from Billboard Japan commended the track, labelling its production and sound as "fresh", whilst a review from Tower Records Japan called "Pink Champagne" "edge".^[19][20]

Commercial performance

Commercially, "Pink Champagne" experienced success in Japan. It debuted at number two on the daily Oricon Singles Chart, selling 33,454 units and behind an entry by Japanese girl-group Keyakizaka46.^[21] By its third day, the groups single reached atop of the chart.^[22] Based on a six-day statistic, "Pink Champagne" entered the weekly chart at number two, selling 66,028 copies; it was unable to reach the top as it was occupied by Keyakizaka46 again, whom sold 323,066 units with their single.^[23] It is the girls highest first week sales since 2014's "Diamond Only", which occupied a 72,808 sales entry at number two.^[24] The following week saw a slump in sales, sliding to number 32 and selling 2,923 copies.^[25] The single was present in the top 200 for six weeks, and by the end of August 2016, it was ranked as the seventh best selling single with 70,162 units sold.^[26] As of November 2016, "Pink Champagne" has sold 71,535 physical units in Japan.^[27]

"Pink Champagne" proved to be a success on three competent charts hosted by Billboard Japan. It debuted at number 100 on the Japan Hot 100, number 65 on the Radio Songs chart, and number two on the Top Singles Sales chart.^[28][29][30] The first two entries managed to become successful the following week, skyrocketing to number two and number five the following week, whilst the latter chart experienced a similar run with the weekly Oricon positions.^[31][32] It fell outside the top 15 in both charts, and had its final appearance inside the top 40 in both respective top 100 charts.^[33][34]

Music video

An accompanying music video was released on the E-girls' YouTube channel on July 11, 2016. Every member from the band, apart from Dream's Erie Abe, were featured in the video. The visual opens with long shots of a cityscape tinted with purple and pink colours. Additionally, it segways into all the vocalists, with the exception of performing members Nonoka Yamaguchi, Miyuu, Mio Nakajima and Shuuka Fujii, in different locations that showcases elements of nightlife, partying and clubs.^[35] In contrast to the groups previous single "E.G. Summer Rider", which emphasized a "fun, summery vibe", a member at Arama Japan noted that the visual "shows the group's more mature, sexier side."^[36] Similarly, an editor from Natalie.mu described the video's atmosphere as "room[s] that ha[ve] a 1980s disco image."^[37] Fujii commented that the choreography is a "different kind of stylish," and hoped to showcase "two sides of E-girls."^[37] Throughout the video, the E-girls members were situated in various rooms and locations that had them dance to the song, with exceptions of the vocalists which only captured shots of them singing through the verses:^[35]

• A room with a large champagne glass filled with water and bubbles (members Ami Nakashima and Shuuka Fujii)
• Several chained swings hanging from the sky, over top of a large cityscape (members Aya, Anna Ishii and Manami Shigetome)
• A long stage, lit with LED lights and wearing neon-coloured hair (members Karen Fujii and Harumi Sato)
• A multi-colored club surrounded by on-goers (member Shizuka)
• A multi-colored room filled with geometric-shaped mirrors and sequins (members Shizuka, Moi Nakajima, Miyuu, Yurino, Sayaka and Reina Washio)
• A large club, occupied with numerous disco balls, filled with audience members and a stage (members Anna Suda and Kaede)
• A car driving through the purple city scape, and in a small room (members Karen and Shuuka)
• A room covered in shadows and lights (members Aya, Ruri Kawamoto, Manami, Yuzuna Takabe, Anna Ishii, Nozomi Bando and Nonoka Yamaguchi)
• A skyscraper balcony, secured with large glass frames (members Manami and Miyuu)

Promotion

In order to promote "Pink Champagne", it was used on two commercials throughout Japan. The recording was featured as the theme song to the Japanese Lawson lottery show. Furthermore, it was included as the theme song to Samantha Thavasa handbangs; the campaign, titled "Samantha Thavasa meets E-girls", featured the girls in the aforementioned commercial.^[8] Additionally, E-girls performed the single on two Japanese television shows; the first being on July 31, 2016 at Shibuya Note, whilst the second at Music Fair on August 6.^[38][39] The single was then added to the setlist for the girls' 2016 E.G. Smile concert tour.^[40]

Track list and formats

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the CD liner notes of the single.^[7]

Members

Music credits

Charts

Sales

Release history

Notes

References

External links

• "Pink Champagne" at E-girls' website. (Japanese)