:Connect (song)
{{About|the ClariS song|other uses|Connect (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Connect
| cover = Connect (ClariS) cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = ClariS
| album = Birthday
| released = February 2, 2011
| recorded = 2011
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = J-pop
| length = 4:27
| label = SME
| writer = Shō Watanabe
| producer =
| prev_title = Irony
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = Nexus
| next_year = 2011
| misc = {{Audio sample
| type = single
| file = ClariS - Connect clip.ogg
| description = A 23-second sample from "Connect", featuring ClariS singing the first verse as it transitions from C minor to G-flat major at 0:11.
}}
}}
{{Nihongo|"Connect"|コネクト|Konekuto}} is a pop song by the Japanese duo and idol unit ClariS, written by Shō Watanabe. It was released as the unit's second single on February 2, 2011, by SME Records. The song was used as the opening theme to the 2011 anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-12-09/noragaki-puella-magi-madoka-magica-promos-streamed|title=Noragaki, Puella Magi Madoka Magica Promos Streamed|publisher=Anime News Network|date=December 9, 2010|accessdate=May 28, 2014}} A music video was produced for "Connect", directed by Takumi Shiga. The single peaked at No. 5 on Japan's weekly Oricon singles chart, and was later awarded a Gold Disc by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for having exceeded 100,000 copies shipped in a single year.
Composition
"Connect" is a J-pop song with instrumentation from piano, violin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums, and a synthesizer. According to a book of sheet music published by Shinko Music Entertainment, it is set in common time and moves at a tempo of 175 beats per minute.{{cite book|title=Band Score ClariS Single Collection|publisher=Shinko Music Entertainment|date=March 20, 2012|isbn=978-4-401-35665-2|language=Japanese}} Beginning in the D minor key, the introduction starts with only piano accompanying ClariS' vocals in the chorus melody. A bridge is used in G-flat major with added drums and violin to transition into the first verse in C minor, which shifts back to G-flat major with the chorus. After another bridge, still in G-flat major, this pattern is repeated for the second verse and chorus featuring the same music with different lyrics. The second key shift from C minor to G-flat major is the final key change of the song. A break is used to transition into a short third verse, followed by the chorus as the outro. A coda is used to close the song.
When Shō Watanabe was writing the song, Aniplex producer Atsuhiro Iwakami intervened to change it from its original composition to what it eventually became.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2011-09-07/interview-atsuhiro-iwakami|title=Interview: Atushio Iwakami|publisher=Anime News Network|first=Gia|last=Manry|date=September 7, 2011|accessdate=May 28, 2014}} Clara initially found it difficult to express her emotion in the first half of the song, so she carefully sang without putting in too much strain on herself.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/110202_claris/index.html|title=ClariS 『コネクト』インタビュー|trans-title=ClariS "Connect" Interview|page=1|work=Hotexpress Music Magazine|publisher=Plantech|accessdate=May 28, 2014|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717181239/http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/110202_claris/index.html|archive-date=July 17, 2011|url-status=dead}} Clara and Alice were able to easily empathize with the lyrics.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/110202_claris/page2.html|title=ClariS 『コネクト』インタビュー|trans-title=ClariS "Connect" Interview|page=2|work=Hotexpress Music Magazine|publisher=Plantech|accessdate=May 28, 2014|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717181202/http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/110202_claris/page2.html|archive-date=July 17, 2011|url-status=dead}} The cover artwork features multicolored candy balls formed into "ClariS", and the art direction and design was handled by Motohiro Yamazaki.
Release and reception
"Connect" was released in a regular edition and two limited editions on February 2, 2011, as a CD by SME Records in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/m/item/itemShw.php?site=S&ima=3707&cd=SECL000000948|script-title=ja:コネクト （通常盤）|trans-title=Connect (regular edition)|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment Japan|accessdate=May 28, 2014|language=Japanese|title=SonyMusicShop }}{{cite web|url=http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/m/item/itemShw.php?site=S&ima=3707&cd=SECL000000946|script-title=ja:コネクト【初回生産限定盤】|trans-title=Connect (limited edition)|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment Japan|accessdate=May 28, 2014|language=Japanese|title=SonyMusicShop }}{{cite web|url=http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/m/item/itemShw.php?site=S&ima=3707&cd=SECL000000949|script-title=ja:コネクト【まどか☆マギカ盤/期間限定】|trans-title=Connect (Madoka Magica disc / limited production edition)|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment Japan|accessdate=May 28, 2014|language=Japanese|title=SonyMusicShop }} One of the limited edition versions was packaged with Puella Magi Madoka Magica artwork and also contained a short version of "Connect" instead of its instrumental version. The other limited edition version came bundled with a DVD containing the music video for "Connect". The song peaked at No. 5 on Japan's weekly Oricon singles chart and charted for 53 weeks. "Connect" debuted and peaked on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 at No. 17. In January 2012, "Connect" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for having exceeded 100,000 copies shipped in a single year.{{cite web|url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/201201.html|script-title=ja:ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2012年1月|trans-title=Gold etc. Certified Works Summary January 2012|publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan|accessdate=May 28, 2014|language=Japanese}}
Music video
The music video is entirely computer-generated and is directed by Takumi Shiga.{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceshowertv.com/search/detail.cgi?mu=0097436&ch=0|script-title=ja:コネクト|trans-title=Connect|publisher=Space Shower Networks|accessdate=May 28, 2014|language=Japanese}} It begins with the image of a revolving carousel orbited by two small balls, one pink and the other blue. Throughout the video, various objects are primarily shown revolving while surrounded by numerous multicolored balls, though most of the images consist of fruits and desserts. Other objects shown less prominently include such things as scissors, high heels, a clock, a set of doors and an eyeball. The video concludes with the two pink and blue balls orbiting continuously closer to each other until they overlap.
Track listing
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Arrangement
| headline =
| total_length = 17:48
| title1 = Connect
| note1 = {{Nihongo2|コネクト}} Konekuto
| lyrics1 = Shō Watanabe
| music1 = Shō Watanabe
| extra1 = Atsushi Yuasa
| length1 = 4:27
| title2 = Dreamin'
| note2 =
| lyrics2 = Toshikazu Kadono
| music2 = Toshikazu Kadono
| extra2 = Takuya Harada, Toshikazu Kadono
| length2 = 4:33
| title3 = Kimi to Futari
| note3 = {{Nihongo2|キミとふたり}} Paired with You
| lyrics3 = Carlos K.
| music3 = Carlos K.
| extra3 = Carlos K.
| length3 = 4:09
| title4 = Connect (Instrumental)
| note4 = {{Nihongo2|コネクト}} Konekuto
| lyrics4 =
| music4 = Shō Watanabe
| extra4 = Atsushi Yuasa
| length4 = 4:27
}}
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Arrangement
| headline = Madoka Magica limited edition
| total_length = 14:55
| title1 = Connect
| note1 = {{Nihongo2|コネクト}} Konekuto
| lyrics1 = Shō Watanabe
| music1 = Shō Watanabe
| extra1 = Atsushi Yuasa
| length1 = 4:27
| title2 = Dreamin'
| note2 =
| lyrics2 = Toshikazu Kadono
| music2 = Toshikazu Kadono
| extra2 = Takuya Harada, Toshikazu Kadono
| length2 = 4:33
| title3 = Kimi to Futari
| note3 = {{Nihongo2|キミとふたり}} Paired with You
| lyrics3 = Carlos K.
| music3 = Carlos K.
| extra3 = Carlos K.
| length3 = 4:09
| title4 = Connect (TV Mix)
| note4 =
| lyrics4 = Shō Watanabe
| music4 = Shō Watanabe
| extra4 = Atsushi Yuasa
| length4 = 1:33
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = DVD
| title1 = Connect
| note1 = Music Video
| length1 = 4:27
}}
Personnel
Charts
References
{{reflist}}
{{ClariS|state=expanded}}
{{Puella Magi Madoka Magica}}
{{authority control}}