B'z The Best "Pleasure"

B'z The Best "Pleasure"
Studio album by B'z
Released	May 5, 1998
Genre	Hard rock
Length	1:03:26
Producer	Tak Matsumoto
B'z chronology
1st Best-of B'z The Best "Pleasure" (1998) 2nd Best-of B'z The Best "Treasure" (1998)

B'z The Best "Pleasure" is the first compilation album by B'z, released on May 5, 1998.

Upon release, B'z The Best "Pleasure" proved a landmark moment in the history of Japanese music. Not only was it the top selling album of the week of its release in which it moved 2,709,530 copies, the compilation would also be the top selling for the month of May as well. At the time, B'z The Best "Pleasure" quickly became the highest-selling musical release in Japanese history after garnering 5,136,000 in total sales. This would garner it a 5x Million certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan. It remains the second highest-selling of all time, following only pop artist Hikaru Utada's First Love released in the spring of 1999.

Track listing

All music and guitar by Tak Matsumoto. All lyrics and lead vocals by Koshi Inaba.

1. LOVE PHANTOM

   File:b01 01.ogg Collected from 18th single for the first time. A B'z song that exemplifies all the band's greatest qualities, "LOVE PHANTOM" is always in the running for, and occasionally tops, lists attempting to showcase the best B'z songs. Its live debut during B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure'95 "BUZZ!!" created enough of a fervor to ingrain the song as one of the quintessential B'z performance pieces in the mind of the public. According to Koshi, the protagonist of the lyrics was approached as a non-traditional "hero" character dealing with love somewhat in the vein of Frankenstein or Dracula. The music came to Tak as he was suspended mid-air in concert and, accordingly, its electric dynamism is characteristic of such an origin. The song begins with a string section and features guest operatic vocals to end it, but is otherwise a very up-tempo, hard-rocking number. Live performances have been suitably eclectic, featuring Koshi dressing in vampire garb and leaping from a tower to beneath the stage as well as elaborate light and laser shows to accompany such showings.

   Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

2. love me, I love you

   File:b01 02.ogg Collected from 17th single for the first time. As one of the band's most relentlessly upbeat pop singles, "love me, I love you" has remained a staple in B'z live shows. Koshi considered the song an "evolution of 'Wonderful Opportunity'" from IN THE LIFE. Although it is a pop song, it is particularly difficult to play as a drummer in a live setting; this sentiment was shared by both Kaichi Kurose and Shane Gaalaas on different occasions. As one of their top 10 most performed songs, "love me, I love you" has appeared regularly in LIVE-GYM setlists since its release in 1995. Apart from a karaoke revision, it has only been revised once, when live bass was added for the studio version found on LOOSE.

   Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

3. Easy Come, Easy Go!

   File:b01 03.ogg Collected from 6th single for the first time. As one of the nearly unparalleled early fan-favorite works by the band, "Easy Come, Easy Go!" was a first in many regards. It was here that Tak began his trademark routine of composing music and melodies with only an acoustic guitar. Ultimately, the song came about because Tak felt he needed to do "something new and soon". In fact, there was a concern shared by staff members and record store owners that the song would not be a hit due to its somber pace that was not in accordance with the upbeat music of the era. Tak wanted to take risks from that point, feeling that doing another album in the same vein as their previous ones would be too restricting, and this led to the next album to reflect this ideal with its title of RISKY. Tak claimed this was the band's "first time doing a pure, 8-beat song". This was a grand departure from their dance roots and he was openly vocal with being anxious at the prospect of it not working out. The lyrics are an encouraging chorale to youth and were written from the perspective of a male speaking to a female companion undergoing hard times. In Be With! Vol. 86 from 2010, Koshi commented that "Easy Come, Easy Go!" was an "easy B'z song to sing along to with fans". Later, in 2011's Be With! Vol. 90, Tak claimed it was a simple but fun tune that student bands could also play and later, in 2012's Vol. 94, recommended it as a good beginner choice for learning B'z songs on acoustic guitar.

   Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

4. ZERO

   File:b01 04.ogg Collected from 11th single for the first time. Undoubtedly a chief fixture of all B'z live shows, "ZERO" is by far the band's most played live song. It has been played at over 500 separate shows and performed during every era of the band's history. When released, it signaled a change in sound for the band and was amongst their hardest rocking songs to that point. Unusual for the band even now, the song contains a rap portion during the interlude which has become one of the high points of its live performances. According to Koshi, the first lyrics completed were those for the verses. He later joked that, "Maybe I had some annoying matters in mind at the time." In 2015 for -EPIC NIGHT-, after remaining roughly the same as when it was released, the song was performed in a slowed down bluesy version that featured just Tak on electric guitar and Koshi on vocals.

   Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

5. ALONE

   File:b01 05.ogg Collected from 9th single for the first time. Although it is now considered one of the band's quintessential ballads, Tak initially wanted "Mou Ichido Kiss Shitakatta" to serve as the ballad single from IN THE LIFE. He went on to say of the song: "That sort of major rock ballad had become characteristic for rock bands. That was a type of music that I, as well as Inaba, wanted to explore." The composition was something Tak worked on while on the road for B'z LIVE-GYM '90~'91 "RISKY", and ultimately took a great deal of time and effort to get right. While extremely popular, it is rarely played live, instead being reserved for special occasions. In a poll asking which songs fans would most like to see performed during the twentieth anniversary tour, "ALONE" was the fifth most requested, but was not included in the final setlist; however, it was eventually included as part of the setlist for their twenty-fifth anniversary tour. The performance of the song highlighted on "BUZZ!!" THE MOVIE is considered the quintessential version by the majority of fans. In the album version, the final English chorus is used to open the song without any instrumental support.

   Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

6. Hadashi no Megami — Barefoot Goddess, 裸足の女神

   File:b01 06.ogg Collected from 13th single for the first time. Considered by many an example of a quintessential B'z song, "Hadashi no Megami" has remained both a live and studio staple for the band since its release. While it is an upbeat song, it is guitar-driven and has all the rock elements expected of later B'z works. In fact, Koshi reflected on the song later saying it had a "very strong rock color to it" and that "the feeling it exudes during live shows is fantastic." As a result of having been performed live over 300 times, it has, naturally, appeared on several compilation albums and home videos. It is common during live performances for a breakdown to take place prior to the outro in which the band pause for the crowd to sing along to the coda.

   Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

7. Ai no Mama ni Wagamama ni Boku wa Kimi Dake wo Kizutsukenai — Even Though Love is Selfish, You're the Only One I Won't Hurt, 愛のままにわがままに

   File:b01 07.ogg Collected from 12th single for the first time. Unquestionably one of the band's signature songs, "Ai no Mama ni Wagamama ni Boku wa Kimi Dake wo Kizutsukenai" is not only the B'z song with the longest title but also one with a very distinguished history. Despite its massive sales and status as their best-selling of all time, the band were not certain it fit the live stage and did not perform it whatsoever between 1994 and 2003. In fact, through 2010, it had only been included for five tours. Koshi had long wanted to write a song with a long, distinct, and rhyming title like this, but even then, the song was originally only titled "Ai no Mama ni Wagamama ni" before being expanded later in production.

   Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

8. LADY NAVIGATION

   File:b01 08.ogg Collected from 8th single for the first time. A song written as the image song of a Kanebo cosmetics line in 1991, "LADY NAVIGATION" was designed with the concept of "fresh" in mind. As opposed to previous singles "Easy Come, Easy Go!" and "Itoshii Hito yo Good Night...", the song is a brief return to their digital roots but with guitar as a more permanent fixture than before. For the band's 25th anniversary tour, B'z revived the song in its original incarnation but with a new rock edge in accordance with their transition to rock musicians. It is also the only B'z song from which two separate English versions were sourced, on The 7th Blues in 1994 and earlier on 1991's MARS.

   Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

9. Taiyou no Komachi Angel — Town Angel from the Sun, 太陽のKomachi Angel

   File:b01 09.ogg Collected from 5th single for the first time. As the band's first number-one hit, "Taiyou no Komachi Angel" is remembered by the general public and fans alike as a signature B'z song. Its Latin-inspired rhythm makes it a unique entry in the band's wider catalogue and its kinetic live energy makes it a perennial live choice. The signature clapping rhythm and choral interactions with the audience have made it a mainstay amongst the band's shows, for which it is typically brought out for Pleasure shows at this point. While originally a non-album single, it would be collected eight years later on B'z The Best "Pleasure" and later B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013.

   Later also collected on B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013 and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

10. BE THERE

    File:b01 10.ogg Collected from 4th single for the first time. The intro to the song alternates between audio channels. Masayuki Nomura, the recording engineer on the song, commented on the difficulty of the feat, saying, "Nowadays, they can do that with ease thanks to computers, but it was really difficult and took some time back then." The song was premiered live during 1990's B'z LIVE-GYM "BREAK THROUGH" as part of the encore. The single would later be the earliest single to be collected on the chronological collection, B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure", coming in as the second track. It has been performed a number of times over the years, most recently with a revival during B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -C'mon-, for which it was added during the dome leg of the tour and was subsequently featured on the home video release.

    Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

11. Don't Leave Me

    File:b01 11.ogg Collected from 14th single single for the first time. A song made in the blues tradition that stands in dark contrast to their previous single, "Don't Leave Me" is a song rooted in retrospection. The lyrics are reflective and introspective from the perspective of a man looking back on a past relationship. As a result of this and the melancholia of the music itself, fans have referred to it as the "dark period song". More grounded pop songs were considered singles candidates for The 7th Blues, but Tak said at the time, "I think we need to try something different in the short-term, and go with a single that is good on its own" instead of aiming for one that would simply be a surefire sales hit.

    Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Treasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

12. Bad Communication E.Style

    File:b01 12.ogg An English version of "BAD COMMUNICATION" collected from WICKED BEAT mini album for the first time, but shortened from original 7:23 runtime to 4:18. As one of their most popular songs in its Japanese incarnation, the band no doubt would have preferred to include the original version here. However, as a result of having left their former label BMG, they were unable to include tracks from their first three albums or first mini album due to the master recordings being retained by BMG at the time. This conflict resulted in the unauthorized release Flash Back -B'z Early Special Titles- one year prior.

13. Calling

    File:b01 13.ogg Collected from 22nd single for the first time. One of the band's most popular ballads, "Calling" has carved out a space essentially all its own as it exists as a ballad and hard power ballad at different measures. When debuted during LIVE-GYM Pleasure'97 "FIREBALL", the band were still several months from locking the final arrangement and mix. After seven months of work, they were finally content with the work and answered mass fan demand that it be released as a single. In its original live incarnation, the harder rock elements were not present—certainly for the opening, which was played on piano by Tak at the time. The essential foundation of the song was actually written by Tak for the wedding of a good friend in America. Later, he introduced the tune to Koshi and asked if he could think of lyrics to match. Koshi later said, "For the first time in a while, I felt invigorated and excited to start on the lyrics." While a perennial hit amongst fans of all eras, the song is now only revived for special occasions, such as serving in highlight slots during both B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -long time no see- in North America and as the closer during B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -C'mon-.

    Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

14. Samayoeru Aoi Dangan — Wandering Sapphire Bullet, さまよえる蒼い弾丸

    File:b01 14.ogg Collected from 24th single for the first time. A hard rock number driven by guitar, the arrangement in this original version is complimented by a stirring sitar and multiple guitars. Although it was included one month after release on B'z The Best "Pleasure", the song was born out of chance and was not planned for the album. "Wandering Sapphire Bullet"—as opposed to the more common translation for "Aoi", "Blue"—has become the widely-acknowledged English translation for the song thanks to its appearance in a column to the side of the lyrics in the single packaging. As one of the band's most-performed songs, it has seen a number of differing versions over the years, including some altered guitar solo sections and new arrangements specifically prepared for the live stage.

    Later also collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008, B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 in 2013, and B'z COMPLETE SINGLE BOX in 2017.

Sales data

Main article: B'z Sales Records

No.	Cover	Compilation	Physical Copies Sold		Chart Positions			Certification
			FIRST WEEK	LIFETIME	WEEK	MONTH	YEAR
1		B'z The Best "Pleasure" 1998.05.20	2,709,530+	5,135,922+	1	1	1	5x Million