"Want Me, Want Me" is Namie Amuro

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 28th 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. It was released in two formats CD and CD&DVD on April 6, 2005. The CD format contained a B-side track and its instrumental while the CD&DVD format had no B-side but came with the music video. It was the last retailed single to precede her sixth studio album, Queen of Hip-Pop (2005). The sitar sample from the song was also featured in the background music to the cycle 8 premiere episode of America's Next Top Model.

History

Amuro was a guest at the 2005 Kobe Collection, an important fashion event, and the song was unveiled for the first time at the latter. In an interview for the May 2005 edition of Woofin' Magazine, the singer revealed that Want Me, Want Me was a song she had already planned for her next album, but she really liked it so she decided to release it as a single.

Song information

Want Me, Want Me is best described as a fusion of bhangra and reggaeton

Reggaeton

Reggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...

 music. Its arrangement and composition is most similar to reggaeton music, but it utilizes a sitar

Sitar

The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...

 sample. The single debuted at #2 and opened with her largest sales figure for a single since her 2001 hit, "lovin' it (Namie Amuro & Verbal)."

Music video

The video for "Want Me, Want Me" was shot in an undisclosed studio by director Masashi Muto. It involves Amuro and several dancers performing in a flooded room. The room changes between two colors, blue and beige. Extras of various ethnic backgrounds were used as background dancers throughout the video.

CD only format

CD and DVD

Personnel

• Namie Amuro – vocals, background vocals
• Michico – background vocals
• Sugi-V – all instruments

Production

• Producers – Sugi-V, Michico
• Vocal Production – Michico
• Mixing – D.O.I
• Music Video Director – Masashi Muto
• Hair & Make Up – Akemi Nakano
• Stylist – Noriko Goto
• Photography – Shoji Uchida
• Design: Aratame

TV performances

• March 24, 2005 – Kobe Collection '05
• April 2, 2005 – CDTV
• April 9, 2005 – Music Fighter
• April 14, 2005 – Utaban
• April 22, 2005 – Music Station
• June 4, 2005 – MTV Video Awards Japan 2005

Cover versions

• Nisha Kothari recorded an Indian version for the Bollywood film, Darling, titled 'Aa Khushi Se Khud Khushi Kar Le' A remix of the song was also released.
• Mina recorded a Korean version, titled 'Istanbul'

Charts

Oricon Sales Chart (Japan)

Release	Chart	Peak Position	First Week Sales	Sales Total	Chart Run
April 6, 2005	Oricon Daily Singles Chart	2
	Oricon Weekly Singles Chart	2	48,106	102,733	10 weeks
Oricon Yearly Singles Chart	100

RIAJ certification

"Want Me, Want Me" has been certified gold for shipments of over 100,000 by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.