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Oricon ratings are purely based on number of sales and downloads in Japan alone. They do not necessarily reflect the best songs of 2011 or songs judged by any music critic. Thus, to me... the yearly chart for top 100 Singles and Albums of 2011 by Oricon... was a bit disappointing. One Quarter of the songs in the chart are by AKB48 and their sister bands (not to mention sister trio and solo spin offs eg, Itano Tomomi, Atsuko Maeda, French Kiss). The statistics can be overwhelmed by a large number of fans/followers devoted to one single group. So, I decided to make my own list, which consists of Singles and Albums that took 1st position in each month of 2011. I also added a few more songs of famous artists I know of (who deserve the spotlight), that released along side in the same month. Also, as usual, there is an increasing number of Kpop Bands that have taken the top spots, which I must admit, deserve those positions.
Oricon hit singles and Albums for 2011
January –
Singles – “Why? (Keep Your Head Down)” – Tohoshinki
Albums – “Ikimonobakari ~members’ BEST selection~” – Ikimonogakari
Also came out - “It’s My Life/Your Heaven” – YUI, “Love songs” and ‘dream on’ – Hamasaki Ayumi, Toilet no Kamisama - Uemura Kana
February –
Singles – Sakura no Ki ni narou – AKB48
Albums - “MUSICMAN” – Kuwata Keisuke
Also came out - “Lotus” – Arashi, “ULTIMATE WHEELS” – KAT-TUN, dead stock – SID
March –
Singles – Eternal– Akanishi Jin
Albums - Negai no Tou – EXILE
Also came out - Greatest the Hits 2011-2011 – Maximum the Hormone, Dejavu – Koda Kumi
April –
Singles – T.Y.L / Yellow Pansy Street – Kanjani8
Albums -”Checkmate!” – Amuro Namie
Also came out - Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo – B’z, SCARLET KNIGHT/POP MASTER – Mizuki Nana, MONDO PIECE– UVERworld, guitarissimo – miwa, CLOUD NINE – T.M. Revolution, The King of Limbs – Radiohead
May–
Singles – Everyday, Kachuusha – AKB48
Albums - BORN THIS WAY (Limited Edition) – Lady Gaga
Also came out - WHITE – KAT-TUN, Laser Beam/Kasuka na Kaori – Perfume, CORE PRIDE – UVERworld, BIGBANG 2 – BIGBANG.
June–
Singles – Don’t Wanna Lie – B’z
Albums - Koko ni Itakoto – AKB48
Also came out - HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ – YUI, Replay –Kimi wa Boku no everything – SHINee, GIRLS’ GENERATION – Shoujo Jidai, LIFE 6 SENSE – UVERworld
July–
Singles – Paleo wa Emerald – SKE48
Albums – Beautiful World – Arashi
Also came out - Superstar – Tohoshinki, GOOD LUCK MY WAY – L’Arc~en~Ciel, C’mon – B’z.
August –
Singles – Flying Get – AKB48
Albums – SMAP AID – SMAP
Also came out - RUN FOR YOU – KAT-TUN, I’m your man – 2PM, Junketsu Paradox – Mizuki Nana, megaphonic – YUKI
September –
Singles – Rising Sun/Itsuka Kitto… – EXILE/EXILE ATSUSHI
Albums – FIVE – Hamasaki Ayumi
Also came out - JULIETTE – SHINee, “Pistol” – Acid Black Cherry
October –
Singles – Kaze wa Fuiteiru - AKB48
Albums – TONE – Tohoshinki
Also came out - “X X X” – L’Arc~en~Ciel, Green a.live – YUI, Joshiryoku Paradise – SUPER (star) GiRLS
November –
Singles – Meikyu Love Song– Arashi
Albums – Super Girl – KARA
Also came out – Ultra Lover– 2PM, HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE – YUI, Time - KinKi Kids, THE MUSEUM II – Mizuki Nana, UTAGE – T. M. Revolution.
December –
Singles – Chance no Junban – AKB48
Albums – SENSE– Mr.Children
Also came out - “Save The One, Save The All” - T.M. Revolution, Ranbu no Melody – SID, Last Song – Girls Dead Monster starring marina, “Ichiban no Takaramono ~Yui final ver.~” – Girls Dead Monster starring LiSA, “Love songs” – Hamasaki Ayumi, Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION Vol.2– Utada Hikaru.
So there you go! Although I have only given a few videos, I will strongly recommend that you check out all the names I have provided and decide for yourself which one's the best. All my readers are also encouraged to have a look at the Official Oricon Charts online. Oh, one more thing, many foreign artists (American, Korean) can debut their singles and enter the charts of Oricon.
Lastly, Here is a really funny Press Conference (which is a Joke) of the band Yellow Fried Chikenz (Gackt's own Band). They Released an album Named All My Love last year.
