Put 'Em Up
Encyclopedia
"Put 'Em Up" is Namie Amuro
's 23rd solo single under the Avex Trax
label. Produced by Dallas Austin
, "Put 'Em Up" was meant for release in 2000 but was shelved until 2003. The song did not fare well upon release and is currently Amuro's lowest selling solo single.
of the R&B girl group, TLC
. When it was first cancelled no explanation was given.
The song was finally released on July 16, 2003. Amuro explained in an interview with Viewsic (now M-ON) that she didn't release the song at first because the lyrics were harsh and may have clashed with the image her fans had of her. Her decision to release the song in 2003 was due to her experiences with the R&B project, Suite Chic
. The song was also held back because she was not completely satisfied with the lyrics. Before releasing it, she had songwriter
Michico rewrite Japanese
lyrics for the song. She felt that the way Michico wrote the Japanese lyrics allowed her to express a side of herself that her old image prevented. She noted in the interview that had Michico not worked on the song with her that it probably would have been delayed indefinitely.
Japan
Exclusive on June 25, 2003. It was filmed in Kanagawa, Japan
and directed by UGICHIN. The video takes place in an automechanic garage. Unlike many of Amuro's videos, it played up the theme of the song including using parts of the lyrics within it. The routine Amuro and her dancers performed in the video also featured choreographed fighting.
Namie Amuro
is a Japanese R&B and pop singer, entertainer, and former actress who at the height of her popularity was referred to as the "Teen Queen" and the title "Queen of Japanese Pop Music". Born in Naha, Okinawa, Amuro debuted at the age of 14 as an idol in the girl group Super Monkey's...
's 23rd solo single under the Avex Trax
Avex Trax
, listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan...
label. Produced by Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of his most notable clients include Michael Jackson, TLC, Boyz II Men, Pink, Monica, Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Stacie Orrico, Another Bad Creation, Fishbone, Sugababes, Anastacia, Namie Amuro, Kim...
, "Put 'Em Up" was meant for release in 2000 but was shelved until 2003. The song did not fare well upon release and is currently Amuro's lowest selling solo single.
Overview
In early 2002, Amuro announced the release of her second greatest hits compilation, Love Enhanced Single Collection. It was to include a previously unreleased track, "Put 'Em Up," but upon release was left off the album. It was not the first time, however, that the song would be shelved. Penned by Dallas Austin, the song was first announced for release in 2000. It was also first recorded as a duet between her and ChilliRozonda Thomas
Rozonda Ocelean Thomas , best known by her stage name Chilli, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American R&B singer and actress who rose to fame as one third of the successful R&B/Hip-Hop/Pop girl group TLC.-Early life:...
of the R&B girl group, TLC
TLC (band)
TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...
. When it was first cancelled no explanation was given.
The song was finally released on July 16, 2003. Amuro explained in an interview with Viewsic (now M-ON) that she didn't release the song at first because the lyrics were harsh and may have clashed with the image her fans had of her. Her decision to release the song in 2003 was due to her experiences with the R&B project, Suite Chic
SUITE CHIC
Suite Chic was a collaborative project between some of Japan's top and up-and-coming R&B and Hip-Hop artists, writers, and producers, which debuted on December 18, 2002....
. The song was also held back because she was not completely satisfied with the lyrics. Before releasing it, she had songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
Michico rewrite Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
lyrics for the song. She felt that the way Michico wrote the Japanese lyrics allowed her to express a side of herself that her old image prevented. She noted in the interview that had Michico not worked on the song with her that it probably would have been delayed indefinitely.
Accolades
On February 5, 2004, "Put 'Em Up" was nominated for the "Best Your Choice" and "Best R&B Video" award at the Space Shower TV Music Video Awards. On March 16, 2004, she was also nominated for "Best R&B Video" and "Best buzzASIA from Japan" award at the MTV Japan Video Music Awards. Although she lost both Space Shower awards, she took home both awards for her nominations at the MTV awards.Music video
The promotional video for "Put 'Em Up" premiered as an MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
Exclusive on June 25, 2003. It was filmed in Kanagawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and directed by UGICHIN. The video takes place in an automechanic garage. Unlike many of Amuro's videos, it played up the theme of the song including using parts of the lyrics within it. The routine Amuro and her dancers performed in the video also featured choreographed fighting.
Track listing
- "Put 'Em Up" (Dallas Austin, Jasper Cameron, michico) – 4:03
- "Exist for You" (Debra Killings, Michiko Ai) – 4:19
- "Put 'Em Up (Instrumental)" (Dallas Austin) – 4:03
- "Exist for You (Instrumental)" (Debra Killings) – 4:17
Personnel
- Namie Amuro – vocals
- Michico – background vocals
- Moca – Dancer
- Rika – Dancer
- Ryo – Dancer
- Shige – Dancer
- Subaru – Dancer
Production
- Producers – Dallas Austin, Debra Killings
- Mixing – Keven "KD" Davis, Alvin Speights
- Vocal Direction – Daisuke Imai
- Music Video Director – Ugichin
- Choreographer – Warner
TV Performances
- July 4, 2003 – CDTV
- July 14, 2003 – Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ
- July 25, 2003 – Music Station
- July 2003 – AX Music Factory
- September 22, 2003 – Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ Awards
Charts
Oricon Sales Chart (Japan)| Release | Chart | Peak Position | First Week Sales | Sales Total | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 16, 2003 | Oricon Daily Singles Chart | 7 | |||
| Oricon Weekly Singles Chart | 7 | 21,725 | 41,149 | 6 weeks |