Gravity (Luna Sea song)

"Gravity" was released on March 29, 2000, as Luna Sea's 17th single, following their 1998 album Shine and the 1999 single "Sweetest Coma Again" (which was a re-release of a track from Shine). The song was written by bassist J and vocalist Ryuichi Kawamura, with J composing the music and Ryuichi writing the lyrics. It was produced by the band and was used as the ending theme for the anime series Ayashi no Ceres, which aired on TV Tokyo from April to September 2000.¹ The single was released in two formats: a standard CD and a limited edition with a special sleeve. It peaked at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, becoming the band's second number-one single after "I for You" (1998).

"Gravity" is a power ballad characterized by its emotional melody, prominent guitar work by Sugizo, and Ryuichi's soaring vocals. The song is in the key of E minor and features a slow, building arrangement that culminates in a powerful chorus. The lyrics deal with themes of love, loss, and the desire to hold onto a fading relationship, with imagery of gravity as a metaphor for emotional weight and connection.² The B-side, "A Time for Love," is a more upbeat rock track, also written by J and Ryuichi.

The single debuted at number one on the Oricon chart, selling over 150,000 copies in its first week. It went on to sell over 200,000 copies in total, becoming one of Luna Sea's best-selling singles. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its emotional depth and the band's musicianship. It was also featured in the band's compilation album Period (2000) and their live album Never Sold Out (2000).

"Gravity" has remained a popular song in Luna Sea's discography and is often performed at their concerts. It has been covered by several artists, including the Japanese rock band Acid Black Cherry, who released a cover version as a single in 2009. The song also appears in various anime music compilations and karaoke machines in Japan.

One lesser-known fact is that the song's music video was directed by the band's guitarist, Sugizo, and features a surreal, monochromatic aesthetic with imagery of floating objects and a woman in a flowing dress.³ Additionally, the limited edition of the single included a bonus track, "Gravity (Orchestra Version)," which was arranged by the band's keyboardist, Shinya, and features a full string orchestra. This version was later included on the band's 2001 album Lunacy. Another notable detail is that the song was performed at the band's final concert before their first hiatus, "Luna Sea 2000 Brand New Days," held at the Tokyo Dome on December 26, 2000, which was attended by over 50,000 fans.⁴

Oricon

A Japanese music industry ranking chart, similar to Billboard.

Power ballad

A slow, emotional rock song with a strong melody and often a dramatic build-up.

Anime

Japanese animated productions, often featuring theme songs by popular artists.