Clāvis (Kagi)

"Clāvis (Kagi)" (Clāvis -鍵（かぎ）-, lit. "Clāvis (A Key)") is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was released as a single by Pony Canyon on September 6, 2006. It served as the theme song to the tanpatsu dramas aired from July through September 2006 on AX's Drama Complex time slot.[1]

"Clāvis (Kagi)"
Single by Shizuka Kudo
Released	September 6, 2006 (2006-09-06)
Genre	Pop
Length	5:59
Label	Pony Canyon
Songwriter(s)	Miyuki Nakajima
Producer(s)	Miyuki Nakajima Ichizō Seo
Shizuka Kudo singles chronology
"Kokoro no Chikara" (2005) "Clāvis (Kagi)" (2006) "Amayo no Tsuki ni" (2007)
Audio sample
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Background and composition

"Clāvis (Kagi)" was written by Miyuki Nakajima and arranged by Ichizō Seo.[2] It marks Kudo's first collaboration with Nakajima in eight years, since "Setsu Getsu Ka".[3] The title "Clāvis" is latin for "key". Nakajima wrote the song with Kudo in mind. She thought a song with latin influences should be sung by someone with a strong gaze, such as Kudo.[3] Lyrically, the song deals with the theme of self-realization and explores the social nature of people. Nakajima writes about a protagonist "braving seas and people alike" in quest for the "keys of life", which she concludes is an puzzling endeavor. The song is composed in the key of C minor and set to a tempo of 100 beats per minute.[4] Kudo's vocals span one octave, from B♭₃ to B♭₄.

Critical reception

The latin-inspired track was praised for Kudo's ringing vocals and Nakajima's strong storytelling skills; their collaboration was deemed "miraculous".[5] Kudo was praised as a three-dimensional, versatile vocalist; the single's B-side was described by critics as equally as well-executed as the main track, in spite of being in a completely different thematic register from "Clāvis".[5]

Cover version

In 2006, Nakajima recorded a cover of the song for her album, Lullaby Singer.[6]

Chart performance

"Clāvis" debuted at number 67 on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 2,000 copies in its first week, and charted for three weeks.[7][8]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Arranger(s)	Length
1.	"Clāvis (Kagi)" (Clāvis -鍵-, "Clāvis (A Key)")	Miyuki Nakajima	Ichizō Seo	5:59
2.	"Powder Snow"	Aeri Jin Nakamura	Nakamura	5:02
3.	"Clāvis (Kagi)" (Less Vocal)	Nakajima	Seo	5:57
Total length:				16:58

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position	Sales
Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon)[9]	67	4,000[8]

References

1. "工藤静香「Clavis -鍵-」-『Clavis -鍵-』収録". Recochoku. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
2. "工藤静香、久々のニュー・シングルを発表！中島みゆき参加". CDJournal. August 4, 2006. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
3. "工藤静香、中島みゆきと８年ぶりコラボ…１年４か月ぶり新曲で". Sports Hochi. August 1, 2006. Archived from the original on August 27, 2006. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
4. "Clavis－鍵－ 楽譜:メロディ譜 工藤 静香". @Elise. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
5. "工藤静香 / Clavis-鍵-". CDJournal. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
6. "中島みゆき、TOKIOのヒット曲を歌う！". Oricon. September 25, 2006. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
7. "1987.08.31 工藤静香 アイドル・ポップ・データベース". Retrieved December 23, 2017.
8. "工藤静香 - アーティスト別シングル売上補完". @wiki. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
9. "Clavis-鍵- 工藤静香". Oricon. Retrieved December 23, 2017.