Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)


"Swallowtail Butterfly " is a song by Chara, released under the name Yen Town Band. It was the lead single from Montage, a concept album released for the Shunji Iwai film Swallowtail Butterfly that also starred Chara. This song was used as the theme song for the film.
The single debuted at #31 on Oricon's singles charts. Two months later, after the release of the film and album, the single managed to reach #1.
The song was written by Takeshi Kobayashi, in collaboration with Chara and film director Shunji Iwai.

Music video

The music video begins with a long panning shot over a cityscape. It then shows Chara against a farm windmill. It then switches to a junkyard, where Chara and several other people are filtering through rubbish. They eventually find a working piano, which they bring back on the back of a pickup truck. Chara plays the piano as the car drives off. This scene is interspersed with scenes from the movie.

Track listing

Chart rankings

Charts Peak
position
Oricon weekly singles1
Oricon yearly singles26
Charts Peak
position
RIAJ Digital Track Chart Top 100
  • Moumoon cover
40
RIAJ Digital Track Chart Top 100
  • Kumi Koda cover
    		• 45

    Sales

    Cover versions