Radwimps, a Japanese rock band, released a soundtrack "Your Name" in 2016 summer. That is an official soundtrack of the Japanese anime film "Your Name" which became a great hit in 2016.
Arrangement: Radwimps
All Lyrics Written by Noda Yojiro
As the anime film became a big hit, the soundtrack was also an admirable hit. Surprisingly, it became the greatest sell among all works of Radwimps. Totally, the soundtrack sold over 400,000 copies, according to Oricon.
The soundtrack includes 4 songs with singing. To say frankly, it's guessed that most of people who bought the "Your Name" desired to listen to the 4 songs. It means that there are still hundreds of thousands in Japan who don't hesitate to buy CDs as long as they include good songs.
Probably, they had hardly expected the anime could be a hit. Naturally, they had also thought the soundtrack by Radwimps became almost unpopular. So the record company, Universal Music, staffs didn't try to release the single CDs which contained the 4 songs. If they did, I believe it would be sold over 500,000 copies.
Why didn't they release the single CD? If they did, it could help most who bought the soundtrack. Most of them are considered to have longed for the 4 songs with vocals. The cheaper the CDs become, the easier it is that people buy the ones.
Why didn't they release the single CD? It is the problem. I'm sure that they tend to hesitate to do because the Japanese CD market's been in the doldrums.
However, I believe they shouldn't forget their duty. For what do record companies exist? They are there for creating good music and sending the fruits to as many people as possible. Is this wrong?
"Your Name" accidentally shows us a great gulf between record companies and usual listeners. I ask those in record companies not to let fear hold them back when they release something good as long as they truly believe that good is what they created with singers and musicians.