Sample (Sakanaction song)

Sakanaction was first formed in 2005 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The band gained exposure in Hokkaido after winning the audition to perform as a newcomer artist at the Rising Sun Rock Festival in Otaru in August 2006, and after demos of their songs "Mikazuki Sunset" and "Shiranami Top Water" performed well on College Radio Japan Sapporo.{{cite web | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/44829/full/ | title=北海道から全国区へ?新種バンド"サカナクション" | language=Japanese |publisher=Oricon |date=May 22, 2007 | accessdate=February 17, 2015}} The band were signed to major label Victor Entertainment, and released their debut album Go to the Future on May 7, 2007, through Victor's BabeStar Label. The album was primarily promoted with the song "Mikazuki Sunset",{{cite web | url=http://www.shift.jp.org/ja/archives/2008/01/sakanaction.html | title=サカナクション 音楽はアート。|author=Madoka Suzuki |publisher=Shift Japan |year=2008 | accessdate=February 19, 2015}} which was widely promoted on radio stations in Hokkaido in May.{{cite web | url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/news/070522_sakana/ | title=話題のバンド サカナクション 北海道FM局オンエア第1位！！ | publisher=Hot Express | language=Japanese | date=May 22, 2007 | accessdate=March 13, 2015 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053244/http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/news/070522_sakana/ | url-status=dead }} On Go to the Future and Night Fishing, Sakanaction based themselves in Sapporo, and recorded their albums there.{{cite web | url=http://www.babestar.net/sakanaction/ | title=サカナクション「NIGHT FISHING」2008.01.23 RELEASE | language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |date=April 26, 2007 | accessdate=February 17, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525074557/http://www.babestar.net/sakanaction/ |archivedate=May 25, 2008}}{{cite web | url=http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/kemurinokuni/49647122.html | title=ライブとレコーディング。 | language=Japanese |publisher=Ichiro Yamaguchi |date=September 30, 2007 | accessdate=February 17, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217042230/http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/kemurinokuni/49647122.html |archivedate=February 17, 2015}}

Due to the response to the band's debut album Go to the Future, Sakanaction's A&R team pushed them to quickly follow this up with a second album.{{cite magazine |url=http://ro69.jp/feat/sakanaction_201109?p=2 |title=特集 サカナクション |language=Japanese |author=Shinji Hyogo |magazine=Rockin' On Japan |year=2011 |accessdate=February 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217175110/http://ro69.jp/feat/sakanaction_201109?p=2 |archivedate=February 17, 2015 }} The majority of the songs present on the album were written specifically as an album, as opposed to the compilation-like nature of Go to the Future.{{cite web | url=http://www.sapporolife.com/entertainment/interview/sakanaction/index.asp | title=Artist Interview vol.018 サカナクション | language=Japanese |publisher=Sapporo Life |year=2008 | accessdate=February 21, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208120012/http://www.sapporolife.com/entertainment/interview/sakanaction/index.asp |archivedate=February 8, 2008 }}{{cite web | url=http://eonet.jp/music/interview/index_080307.html | title=サカナクション インタビュー | language=Japanese | publisher=K-Opticom Corporation | date=March 7, 2008 | accessdate=February 19, 2015 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220073732/http://eonet.jp/music/interview/index_080307.html | archivedate=February 20, 2015 }} The material for the album was created based on the response and criticism for their debut album, and the members realization that they should not be frightened to make bold changes.

"Sample" was first written and recorded in 2002, by Yamaguchi's high school band Dutchman. It was released by the band on December 1, 2002 as an audition-exclusive double A-side, alongside the song "Inner World", and featured some of Yamaguchi's earliest experiments with synthesizer samples and four on the floor rhythm patterns.{{cite web | url=http://dutchman.jp/music/index.html | title=Discography | language=Japanese |publisher=Ichiro Yamaguchi | accessdate=February 17, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211230053/http://dutchman.jp/music/index.html |archivedate=December 11, 2004}}

The song "Sample" had many different arrangements initially. As they had not intended for the song to becoming the leading promotional track, they had decided to use an arrangement with strong synthesizer sounds, instead of a more easy to process, commercial sound.{{cite web | url=http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/news/article/802050131 | title=サカナクション 山口一郎『NIGHT FISHING』全曲解説！インタビュー「サンプル」 | language=Japanese |publisher=HMV.co.jp |author=Takehiko Hosaka |date=February 8, 2008 | accessdate=February 19, 2015}} Originally Yamaguchi had wanted to make the song faster, but after finding that speeding up the song distorted the song's melody and lyrical impression, settled on 126BPM.

"Sample" was chosen by the band's management to be the leading promotional track from Night Fishing, despite Yamaguchi's protests as he had wanted "Night Fishing Is Good" to be in its place.{{cite web | url=http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/news/article/802050140 | title=サカナクション 山口一郎『NIGHT FISHING』全曲解説！インタビュー「『NIGHT FISHING』総括」 | language=Japanese |publisher=HMV.co.jp |author=Takehiko Hosaka |date=February 8, 2008 | accessdate=February 19, 2015}} On December 5, the songs "Word" and "Sample" were released as a two-track single to iTunes.{{cite web | url=http://www.babestar.net/babestar/-/Information/A020936.html | title=News | language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment | accessdate=February 17, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119060845/http://www.babestar.net/babestar/-/Information/A020936.html |archivedate=January 19, 2008}} "Sample" began receiving major radio airplay in Hokkaido in January, peaking at number five on the Sapporo Hot 100 airplay and sales chart.{{cite web |title=SAPPORO HOT 100 vol. 754 |url=http://www.fmnorth.co.jp/CHARTFILE/hot100_vol754.pdf|language=Japanese |location=Sapporo |publisher=FM North Wave |date=January 6, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220054852/http://www.fmnorth.co.jp/CHARTFILE/hot100_vol754.pdf |archivedate=February 20, 2015 |accessdate=February 20, 2015}}{{cite web |title=SAPPORO HOT 100 vol. 759 |url=http://www.fmnorth.co.jp/CHARTFILE/hot100_vol759.pdf|language=Japanese |location=Sapporo |publisher=FM North Wave |date=February 10, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220054647/http://www.fmnorth.co.jp/CHARTFILE/hot100_vol759.pdf |archivedate=February 20, 2015 |accessdate=February 20, 2015}} Radio data compiler Plantech tracked "Sample" as being the song with the sixth highest airplay in Hokkaido between January 20 and 27, despite not having any noticeable airplay success nationally.{{cite web |title=plantech エアプレイチャート |url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/chart/index.html |language=Japanese |publisher=Plantech |date=January 27, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204204800/http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/chart/index.html |archivedate=February 4, 2008 |accessdate=March 30, 2015}}

"Sample" was used as credits music for two programs in Japan: the Chiba Television Broadcasting program Music-03 as their ending theme song, as well as by the Mainichi Broadcasting System program Music Edge + Osaka Style for their opening.{{cite web | url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/night-fishing/4107110675 | title=サカナクション / NIGHT FISHING | language=Japanese |publisher=CDJournal | accessdate=February 19, 2015}}{{cite web | url=http://sakanaction.jp/media/ | title=Media | language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |year=2008 | accessdate=February 17, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115162139/http://sakanaction.jp/media/ |archivedate=January 15, 2008}} Sakanaction performed "Sample" on Fuji Television's music program Factory on February 26, 2008.{{cite web | url=http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/FACTORY/index.html | title=Factory | language=Japanese |publisher=Fuji Television |year=2008 | accessdate=February 21, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110150702/http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/FACTORY/index.html |archivedate=January 10, 2008}}{{cite web | url=http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/FACTORY/CS0167/index.html | title=FACTORY LIVE 0119 | language=Japanese |publisher=Fuji Television |year=2008 | accessdate=February 21, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411030545/http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/FACTORY/CS0167/index.html |archivedate=April 11, 2008}}

Since its release, "Sample" has been a staple of the band's live concerts, and five recordings have been released: the first two on the 'Night Fishing Is Good' Tour 2008 in Sapporo (2008) and "Fish Alive" 30min., 1 Sequence by 6 Songs Sakanaquarium 2009 @ Sapporo (2009) digital extended plays, followed by the video album recordings of Sakanaction's concerts at Shinkiba Studio Coast on May 15, 2010 and the Nippon Budokan on October 8, 2010, featured on their DVDs Sakanaquarium (B) and Sakanaquarium (C) (2011).{{cite AV media notes |title=Sakanaquarium (B)(C)(D) |others=Sakanaction |year=2011 |language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |location=Tokyo, Japan}} The song was absent from the band's set-lists for several years, until it was revived for their Sakanatribe 2014: Live at Tokyo Dome City Hall tour, released as a video album in July of the same year.{{cite AV media notes |title=Sakanatribe 2014: Live at Tokyo Dome City Hall |others=Sakanaction |year=2014 |language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |location=Tokyo, Japan}} A remix of the song entitled "Sample (Cosmic Version)" was featured on the band's remix EP Remixion (2008).{{cite web | url=http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000042466 | title=サカナクション 初のリミックス音源を配信限定でリリース！ | language=Japanese |publisher=Barks |date=October 15, 2008 | accessdate=February 17, 2015}} Remixed by Sapporo-based DJ Kuniyuki, the remix was later compiled on Kuniyuki's 2013 vinyl record Remix Collection,{{cite web | url=http://www.forcedexposure.com/Catalog/kuniyuki-remix-collection-12-/MUSIQ.168EP.html | title=KUNIYUKI Remix Collection 12 |publisher=Forced Exposure | accessdate=February 17, 2015}} and Sakanaction's compilation album Natsukashii Tsuki wa Atarashii Tsuki: Coupling & Remix Works (2015).{{cite web |url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/152770 |title=サカナクション"月"のコンセプト作にメンバーREMIX＆山口一郎初監督MV |publisher=Natalie |language=Japanese |date=July 3, 2015 |accessdate=July 4, 2015}}

The band re-arranged the song for their performance at the Taicoclub outdoor music festival, held at Kiso, Nagano on May 31 and June 1, 2014.{{cite web | title=Special Interview Vol.3 2/4 インタビュアー:小野島大 | url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/sakanaction/10thsingle_sp/interview/yamaguchi12.html |language=Japanese |author=Dai Onojima |publisher=Victor Entertainment | accessdate=February 16, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216233917/http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/sakanaction/10thsingle_sp/interview/yamaguchi12.html |archivedate=February 16, 2015 }}{{cite web |url=http://taicoclub.com/14/sakanaction/ |title=サカナクション TAICOCLUB |publisher=Koinobori |language=Japanese |accessdate=March 20, 2016}} This version was reprised at their August festival performances at Sonicmania and the Rising Sun Rock Festival, and was jokingly dubbed the "maniac version" by Yamaguchi.{{cite web | url=http://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/sakana/index.php?blogid=4&archive=2014-10-30 | title=第七回 緊急学級会 -「さよならはエモーション/蓮の花」発売! | language=Japanese |author=Ichiro Yamaguchi |publisher=Tokyo FM |date=October 30, 2014 | accessdate=March 20, 2016}} The band liked the live arrangement they had created for the song, so they decided to broadcast this version on their Ustream channel on August 5, collaborating with their live arrangement recording engineer Sachio "Sunny" Sasaki.{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%81%95%E3%82%88%E3%81%AA%E3%82%89%E3%81%AF%E3%82%A8%E3%83%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3-%E8%93%AE%E3%81%AE%E8%8A%B1-%E5%88%9D%E5%9B%9E%E9%99%90%E5%AE%9A%E7%9B%A4-%E3%82%B5%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3/dp/B00NIN9L8I | title=さよならはエモーション/蓮の花 (初回限定盤) Single, CD+DVD, Limited Edition | language=Japanese |publisher=Amazon.co.jp | accessdate=February 13, 2016}} This live recording session was included in the DVD for their single "Sayonara wa Emotion" / "Hasu no Hana", released in October 2014.

File:070127 tanuki-fuji.jpg close to Mount Fuji.]]

The music video for the song was directed by Kanji Sutō.{{cite web |url=http://www.spaceshowertv.com/search/detail.cgi?mu=0064976&ch=0 |title=サカナクション サンプル |publisher=Space Shower |accessdate=January 22, 2014}} It was recorded on December 20, 2007, at a lake close to Mount Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture.{{cite web | url=http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/kemurinokuni/50940916.html | title=東京と僕。その4 富士と寒冷。 | language=Japanese |publisher=Ichiro Yamaguchi |date=December 20, 2007 | accessdate=February 17, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217043119/http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/kemurinokuni/50940916.html |archivedate=February 17, 2015}} Sutō wanted to express Yamaguchi's love of fishing in the video, so themed the video around this. All of the fishing gear shown in the video were owned by Yamaguchi personally.{{cite AV media notes |title=Sakanarchive 2007—2011: Sakanaction Music Video Collection (Limited Edition) |others=Sakanaction |year=2011 |language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |location=Tokyo, Japan}} The video begins by showing an iridescent scene of Mount Fuji at dawn, reflected in a lake. Yamaguchi walks by himself along with his fishing gear to a pier next to the lake, and begins walking in circles. As he nods his head to the beat of the music, his knit cap changes color. The final section of the song shows Yamaguchi fishing at night, as well as shots of rows of lights transposed onto Yamaguchi's face as he sings the song.

"Sample" was heavily promoted on the music video channel Space Shower in January 2008.{{cite web | url=http://sakanaction.jp/news/ | title=News | language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |year=2008 | accessdate=February 17, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209130957/http://sakanaction.jp/news/ |archivedate=February 9, 2008 }}

Entertainment Media Kulture named "Sample" as one of Sakanaction's early signature songs, feeling that Yamaguchi's lyrics were both emotional and literary, and that the song gave a somehow warm feeling to the listener.{{cite web |url=http://kulture.kola.jp/articles/344 |title=「サカナクション」ブレイク前の名曲を歌詞で追う！ |language=Japanese |work=Entertainment Media Kulture |publisher=Recruit Holdings |year=2015 |accessdate=December 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226105311/http://kulture.kola.jp/articles/344 |archivedate=December 26, 2015 }}

{{track listing

| headline = "Word" / "Sample" digital download

| all_writing = Ichiro Yamaguchi

| total_length = 9:13

| title1 = Word

| note1 = {{nihongo2|ワード}} Wādo

| length1 = 4:32

| title2 = Sample

| length2 = 4:41

}}

Personnel details were sourced from Night Fishing's liner notes booklet, while music video personnel were sourced from Sakanarchive 2007—2011: Sakanaction Music Video Collection.{{cite AV media notes |title=Night Fishing |others=Sakanaction |year=2008 |language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |location=Tokyo, Japan}}

Sakanaction

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• All members – arrangement, production
• Keiichi Ejima – drums
• Motoharu Iwadera – guitar
• Ami Kusakari – bass guitar
• Emi Okazaki – keyboards
• Ichiro Yamaguchi – vocals, guitar, songwriting

{{div col end}}

Music video personnel

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Tetsu Moritera – lighting
• Isao Okudaira – cameraman
• Kanji Sutō – director
• Koji Takayama – producer
• TC.Max – production company

{{div col end}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Sakanaction}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sample Sakanaction song}}

Category:2002 songs

Category:2007 singles

Category:Songs in Japanese

Category:Sakanaction songs

Category:Songs written by Ichiro Yamaguchi

Category:Victor Entertainment singles