Best Single Collection
『 Single Collection ～Stairway～』
2004.11.25 ON SALE!
Song tracklist 1 ~ 冷たくしないで
Eriko: This special song is the c/w song of SPEED “ALL MY TRUE LOVE”, and it marks off my solo career.Now, when I listen to it, I felt so young then!! It’s showing!! It’s showing!! Eri’s obsessed with the last phrase of this song, where it goes “Wanna be your girl!” Yes yes!! In the lyrics, it goes ” 彼女いると知ってて ~ 好きになってゴメンネ ( Sorry that I fell in love with you ~ despite learning that you are attached)”. Actually, I will not fall in love with a guy who’s already attached. (laugh) Actually, anything is better than none! A ha ha
Song tracklist 2 ~ EVERYDAY, BE WITH YOU
Eriko: It has become a must song in LIVE!! Must!! When I sing “遠い砂丘で” , there will be voices coming in that reads” ERIKO-O”. (laugh) When was it that you people decided on this?? that I like to express my heartfelt thanks. The effect was great! (Eri will not lose to the great effect produced by you guys … definitely) Anyway, this is a song that can bring us all as one very quickly.
Song tracklist 3 ~ Red Beat of My Life
Eriko: This is the debut song of my solo career!! Somehow, it was quite well done, because the recording only ends 5am in the morning… Due to some problems, I actually cried… And this actually caused much troubles and worries to the staffs. Really very sorry!! And Ijichi san is always the one who mentions that if I were able to finish the recording nice and fast, I would be given a present.(laugh) A ha ha… (So to reward myself for putting in my very best throughout the whole recording session, even till dawn arrives, I had an ice-cream that morning, and this piece of memory is still clearly in my head.
Song tracklist 4 ~ Luv is Magic
Eriko: Thoughts I had after viewing the P.V. -> Chubby, Cool, are what I felt ~~~~~~~!(laugh) Though the costumes allow me to show portion of my leg the portion shown was unseenable!! I thought so (laugh) This song allows one to become Happy after hearing. And there’s this phrase “Luv is Magic” isn’t it? Actually, it was ”トうとサル (toutosaru~bird and monkey)” at first!! (laugh) During that period, the animal horoscope was in fashion, and Ijichi san too was obsessed with it… Now that I’m thinking back, most probably, the first one was a joke, really glad that it was “Luv is Magic”.
Song tracklist 5 ~ In the Name of Love
Eriko: During this recording period, actually Eri was also feeling low, and the whole song was recorded in such a mood. Eri,one who really love singing, this was also the first time I felt, “I can’t finish singing it”. If I weren’t force myself to give in my best when attending all the music shows, I guess I would be crying and feeling regret for my actions.But, in the lyrics I think, there’s this phrase,”思いきり泣いた日もいつか想い出に変われるよね (Thinking of the days one cried about, they all may have already changed)”. I really too thought so. Isn’t it. This has been one of my fav song until now,however, now I sing this song with Smile.
Song tracklist 6 ~ identity
Eriko: “Always putting in the best effort and never gives up” “Have always wanting to prove one’s existence” This period of me was fearing for many things I think. Objecting to the adults… objecting to people around…but after expecting the more I have a liking for this song. ”Be it the child or my own life, I have clearly given thoughts to it ~ !!” thought to myself. Clearly stated ”It’s my ID”. This is just me, myself ~ (laugh) A ha ha ha.
P.S. This is my mum’s favourite Song 
Song tracklist 7 ~ Set Me Free!
Eriko: Why is it that the “ごっフい“ ring was worn on almost every single finger of both hands … Set Me Free! Because it actually hurts so … Set Me Free! (laugh) And during the fliming of the P.V. we actually lost one of the ring that costs the most, the staffs and everyone then started searching for it… So the ring was just trying to convey Set Me Free! The c/w ”唇” was the first time I tried completing a piece of lyrics. Talking about “唇” … somehow don’t really like it yea… U fu fu
Song tracklist 8 ～ Don’t stop the music
Eriko: The collaboration with Oromo during the 2003 Fan Club event was wonderful!! Was very happy about it. I used to see their performance in the Club, and I always thought to myself, “it was awesome ” “If I were to have a chance to work with him, it would be wonderful”,been always thinking about it… My dream performance came true. Really thanks alot
If there’s another chance, I love to work with them again!! However before it happens again,think it’s better that I visit the club often and dance to their music. 大(オロモ)蛇 … they are hosting as MC in the biggest Mansuri Event ”INSPIRE” at the heart of Tokyo area!!
Song tracklist 9 ～ Our Relation
Eriko: Start of shaping my body!! Start of facials and self spa!! What is it that I want to say?? This is how I keep my stamina and body shape … (laugh) There’s this c/w by the title ”Only for you” in this single,a very heart relaxing single to me, and I love it lots. For those who have not heard of this song, do give it a try
Song tracklist 10 ～ Butterfly
Eriko: Single A side?? (are my words a little old fashioned?) and this is also my first time producing a piece of lyrics all by myself How should I put it, from the first day of my solo till now, I’ve been through 3 years of months and days, things that I weren’t able to feel or see during the SPEED days, I’ve managed to learn and see them during my solo days. And, don’t know how many times that my heart started raining sadly.However,till now, throughout this journey, I do not feel that I have taken any wrong steps. No matter of the time and place, I trust my ability and I will believe in my self that I can do it. It’s all these thoughts that I have in mind when writing this piece of lyrics. It’s these that I told myself before I put my heart into singing this song. Often, there had been times when I was worried if I had chose the wrong road right? Often, things just don’t turn out to be what I want right? However, it’s a one turn’s life that we are talking about therefore we should never stop, instead stretch out your wings and start moving!! ～Butterfly～
Song Tracklist 11 ~ Can U feel me?
Eriko: The people who are involved in producing this song inculdes one of Eri’s friend, FUJI san. In private, Eri made such a request, “Hey, will you provide me with a song?” . And it was true that he provides me with a piece of song!! When the song was first out, when I first hear the music, I almost break into tears, I was really happy about it.
Using all the strength I have to sing it, very happily singing it, this is one such song. Till later, a song that I would like to sing it with the name of 今井 絵理子(Imai Eriko), this is what I wish it would be in future.
FUJI san, bigThank You!! Really hope that we will have a chance to work again
Song Tracklist 12 ~ Stairway
Eriko: Ja ja ~ this is it’s first debut!! A song that has never been introduced. This song has been sung once in “elly Acoustic Live”. At that time, in the guest namelist, Ijichi san arrived, and I sang along with the piano played by Ijichi san. After reading the messages at “elly Acoustic Live” and visited many websites, mostly were good comments, therefore we decided to enclosed this song in this album. How exactly is it?? If there’s a chance, please tell me all your feelings and thoughts!!
Message from Imai Eriko
And last of the last …
I would really like to thank those who have showed me their support continuously and I really appreciate those who have bought my “Single Collections ~ Stairway ~”. Till the day I return, I would like to convey my heart felt thanks to all of you, in releasing this album. Looking back on the routes I took, one song by one song I listen to them again, indeed, the memories were beautiful and unforgettable. Not only so, the memories I had in mind were too much for me alone to take it. Anyway, I have a conclusion, and that is, I was really young then!! (laugh)
I think this is an album that will witness my next stage of life that I will be going through. It’s really a Stairway.
Always look straight and move on in life!! And spreading love messages!! (laugh) If there were to be alot of people listening to my music in a very warmth way, I would be very happy too.
And to have such a wonderful and perfect album, all the credits goes to all the staffs who have been showing me their care and concern, and lastly to all of you whom I love, and that’s why I am here.
Really thank you!! Thank you
Till then, I would be waiting patiently till the day where I could once again see all of your smiling faces!!
Imai Eriko
