Not So Different

"Not So Different"
"Not So Different"
Single by Ai
from the EP It's All Me, Vol. 2
Language	Japanese; English;
Released	November 25, 2020
Genre	J-pop; pop rap;
Length	3:42
Label	EMI
Songwriters	Ai Uemura; Rachel West; Vincent Van den Ende; Scott Storch;
Producers	Avedon; Storch; Ai;
Ai singles chronology
Awich singles chronology
Music video
	"Not So Different" on YouTube; "Not So Different Remix feat. Awich" on YouTube

"Not So Different" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on November 25, 2020. The song was written by Ai and Rachel West with additional songwriting credits from producers Avedon and Scott Storch and was included on It's All Me, Vol. 2 (2021).

On December 11, 2020, a remix featuring Japanese rapper Awich was released and later included on It's All Me, Vol. 2. A J-pop and pop rap song, "Not So Different" lyrically is about equality and world peace. The song has been compared to Ai's 2006 single "I Wanna Know".

Background

When I [wrote Not So Different], I hadn't decided to put this song on "Volume two" [...] At that time, the Black Lives Matter movement expanded, and [I] decided to put [it] out now. I always want[ed] to send a message like this, but often I can't put out a song unless the timing is right.

— Ai reflecting on including "Not So Different" on It's All Me, Vol. 2^[1]

Ai originally wrote and recorded the song during her 2019 recording session in Los Angeles, California. She originally performed the song in June 2020 amidst the George Floyd protests in an interview with Salesforce.^[2]^[3] In October 2020, Ai announced she would be participating in the One Young World summit to take place in Tokyo in May 2021.^[4]^[5] "Not So Different" originally was not planned for release as a single nor planned to be included on Ai's It's All Me EP's until November 2020.^[6] In an interview with Oricon regarding the lyric "...a peace sign instead of a middle finger", Ai stated she normally does not express herself directly in her songs and that she "...wanted to express such a part in an easy-to-understand manner."^[7]

Awich remix

A remix of Not So Different featuring Awich was announced a few days after the release of the solo version.^[8] Regarding the remix, Ai stated it originally was not planned until she discussed it with her manager.^[9] It was released on December 11, 2020.^[10]

Music video

A music video for the solo version was released on November 25, 2020.^[11] A One Young World Japan version was released in December 2020.^[12]^[13]

In February 2021, a music video for the remix version featuring Awich was released.

Live performances

Ai previously performed the song before its release in June 2020.^[14] She performed the song with Awich in November 2020.^[15]

Charts

Chart performance for "Not So Different"
Chart (2020)	Peak position
Japan Top Download Songs (Billboard Japan)^[16]	79

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[17]

Solo version

Musicians

Ai Uemura – vocals, production, songwriting
Rachel West – songwriting
Vincent Van den Ende – songwriting, production
Scott Storch –songwriting, production

Technical

Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
D.O.I – mixer

Awich remix

Musicians

Ai Uemura – vocals, production, songwriting
Akiko Urasaki – vocals, songwriting
Rachel West – songwriting
Vincent Van den Ende – songwriting, production
Scott Storch –songwriting, production

Technical

Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
D.O.I – mixer
Keisuke Fujimaki – recording engineer
Keisuke Suwa – recording engineer
Shiori Maruoka – recording engineer

Track listing

Digital download

"Not So Different" – 3:42

Awich remix

"Not So Different" (remix) – 3:41

Release history

Release history and formats for "Not So Different"
Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	November 25, 2020	Digital download streaming	Original	EMI Universal	^[6]
	December 11, 2020	Digital download streaming	Awich remix	EMI Universal	^[18]

References

^ Inc, Natasha. "AI「IT'S ALL ME - Vol.2」インタビュー｜今この世界で掲げる、ずっと歌い続けてきた"ラブ＆ピース" - 音楽ナタリー特集・インタビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
^ "AI、新曲「Not So Different」＆「ハピネス」アコースティックver.をパフォーマン". Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
^ "AI、新曲「Not So Different」パフォーマンス映像公開「みんな同じHuman」". BARKS (in Japanese). July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
^ "AI、青年版ダボス会議「One Young World Japan」初のオフィシャル・アーティストに就任 - CDJournal ニュース". www.cdjournal.com (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2021.
^ "The One Young World Summit Tokyo 2022 | One Young World". www.oneyoungworld.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "AI「IT'S ALL ME - Vol.2」インタビュー｜今この世界で掲げる、ずっと歌い続けてきた"ラブ＆ピース" - 音楽ナタリー特集・インタビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie Inc. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
^ "平和を歌うアーティスト・AI 「私にできるのは音楽を通してメッセージを届けること」". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
^ "AIがAwichを迎えた新曲「Not So Different Remix」をリリース". block.fm (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
^ "【対談】AI × Awich | 私たちはそんなに違わない". FNMNL (フェノメナル). February 19, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
^ "AI announces new song "Not So Different" MV release & new mini album release". Billboard Japan. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
^ "A remix of "Not So Different" by AI and Awich to be released". Billboard Japan. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
^ "AI、「Not So Different」の新作MVで次世代を担う世界14ヵ国15名の若きリーダーたちとコラボ (2020年12月2日)". エキサイトニュース (in Japanese). December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
^ "NOT SO DIFFERENT – OYWJ Version – – One Young World Japan". Retrieved August 20, 2021.
^ "AI、新曲「Not So Different」パフォーマンス映像＆「ハピネス」アコースティックVer.公開（動画あり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie Inc. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
^ "AI、Awichとコラボ「かっこよくなりすぎました」". BARKS (in Japanese). November 24, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
^ "Billboard Japan Download Songs chart: Week of December 23, 2020". Billboard Japan. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
^ "Credits / It's All Me, Vol. 2 / Tidal". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
^ Inc, Natasha. "AIとAwichのコラボが実現、来週CDTVに出演（コメントあり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved August 20, 2021. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)

[1] Inc, Natasha. "AI「IT'S ALL ME - Vol.2」インタビュー｜今この世界で掲げる、ずっと歌い続けてきた"ラブ＆ピース" - 音楽ナタリー特集・インタビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)

[2] "AI、新曲「Not So Different」＆「ハピネス」アコースティックver.をパフォーマン". Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 22, 2021.

[3] "AI、新曲「Not So Different」パフォーマンス映像公開「みんな同じHuman」". BARKS (in Japanese). July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

[4] "AI、青年版ダボス会議「One Young World Japan」初のオフィシャル・アーティストに就任 - CDJournal ニュース". www.cdjournal.com (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2021.

[5] "The One Young World Summit Tokyo 2022 | One Young World". www.oneyoungworld.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

[:2-6] "AI「IT'S ALL ME - Vol.2」インタビュー｜今この世界で掲げる、ずっと歌い続けてきた"ラブ＆ピース" - 音楽ナタリー特集・インタビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie Inc. Retrieved April 5, 2021.

[7] "平和を歌うアーティスト・AI 「私にできるのは音楽を通してメッセージを届けること」". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved December 22, 2021.

[8] "AIがAwichを迎えた新曲「Not So Different Remix」をリリース". block.fm (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.

[9] "【対談】AI × Awich | 私たちはそんなに違わない". FNMNL (フェノメナル). February 19, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

[10] "AI announces new song "Not So Different" MV release & new mini album release". Billboard Japan. Retrieved August 21, 2021.

[11] "A remix of "Not So Different" by AI and Awich to be released". Billboard Japan. Retrieved August 21, 2021.

[12] "AI、「Not So Different」の新作MVで次世代を担う世界14ヵ国15名の若きリーダーたちとコラボ (2020年12月2日)". エキサイトニュース (in Japanese). December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2021.

[13] "NOT SO DIFFERENT – OYWJ Version – – One Young World Japan". Retrieved August 20, 2021.

[:3-14] "AI、新曲「Not So Different」パフォーマンス映像＆「ハピネス」アコースティックVer.公開（動画あり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natalie Inc. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

[:1-15] "AI、Awichとコラボ「かっこよくなりすぎました」". BARKS (in Japanese). November 24, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

[16] "Billboard Japan Download Songs chart: Week of December 23, 2020". Billboard Japan. Retrieved April 25, 2024.

[17] "Credits / It's All Me, Vol. 2 / Tidal". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

[:0-18] Inc, Natasha. "AIとAwichのコラボが実現、来週CDTVに出演（コメントあり）". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved August 20, 2021. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)

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v t e Ai
Albums discography Singles discography
Studio albums	My Name Is Ai Original Ai 2004 Ai Mic-a-holic Ai What's Goin' On Ai Don't Stop Ai Viva Ai The Last Ai Independent Moriagaro Wa to Yo Dream Respect All
Compilation albums	Flashback to Ai Feat. Ai Best Ai The Best The Feat. Best Kansha!!!!! – Thank You for 20 Years New and Best 25th the Best – Alive
Live albums	Live Ai
Reissues	Motto Moriagaro
Extended plays	It's All Me, Vol. 1 It's All Me, Vol. 2
Singles	"Last Words" "After the Rain" "E.O." "Story" "Believe" "I Wanna Know" "I'll Remember You" "Brand New Day" "Taisetsu na Mono" "So Special" "Okuribito" "Fake" "Still..." "Nemurenai Machi" "Stronger" "Letter in the Sky" "Happiness" "Voice" "Dear Mama" "Minna ga Minna Eiyū" "Happy Christmas" / "Heiwa" / "Miracle" "Justice Will Prevail at Last" "Kira Kira" "Summer Magic" "You Never Know" "Baby You Can Cry" "I'm Coming Home" "Good as Gold" "Gift" "Not So Different" "The Moment" "In the Middle" "Aldebaran" "Start Again" "Respect All" "Life Goes On" "Rise Together" "My Wish"
Featured singles	"Broken Strings" "Wavin' Flag" "Wonder Woman" "Magnetic" "Bad Bitch Bigaku" (remix) "Nakama"
Promotional singles	"Beautiful Things" "After the Storm" "First Time" "World Dance" "Whatever"
Other songs	"All You Need Is Love" "Through the Fire" "Final Distance" "Crime and Punishment" "Yūsha Tachi" "Welcome Rain"
Concert tours	Dream Tour

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