In the Middle (Ai song) explained

"In the Middle" (stylized in caps) is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai featuring Daichi Miura. It was released on August 13, 2021, through EMI Records and Universal Music Group.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Background

In early August 2021, Ai shared an image on social media teasing her next single.^[4] A longtime friend with Miura, "In the Middle" will serve as their first collaboration.^[5] About the song, Ai commented, "There is no right, left, top, or bottom. I want to always be in the middle with the compassion that many people want to be equal, not which is worse or which is better."^[6]

Music video

A music video directed by Yoshiharu Seri was released on August 13, 2021.

In a behind the scenes video, Ai commented, "This is the first music video that made me cry so much."^{[7] [8]}

Live performances

Ai and Miura performed the song during CDTV's live summer festival on August 16, 2021.^{[9] [10]}

Charts

Chart performance for "In the Middle"!Chart (2021)!Peakposition

Japan Digital Singles Chart (Oricon)[11]	41
Japan Download Songs (Billboard Japan)[12]	42

Notes and References

1. Web site: AI、三浦大知との初コラボ曲配信リリース（動画あり） . 2021-08-09 . Music Natalie . ja.
2. Web site: AI、三浦大知との初コラボ曲配信リリース. 2021-08-09. ニコニコニュース. ja.
3. Web site: AI、"長年の友人"三浦大知と初コラボ 「IN THE MIDDLE」MVティザー映像公開 ORICON NEWS. 2021-08-09. 沖縄タイムス＋プラス. ja.
4. Web site: ＡＩ＆三浦大知 初コラボ曲 旧知の友人/デイリースポーツ online. 2021-08-09. デイリースポーツ online. ja.
5. Web site: ＡＩが長年の友人・三浦大知と初コラボ 新曲13日から配信 - 芸能 : 日刊スポーツ. 2021-08-09. nikkansports.com. ja.
6. Web site: AI、三浦大知と初コラボレーション. 2021-08-09. BARKS. August 9, 2021 . ja.
7. Web site: AIと三浦大知のコラボ曲MV撮影舞台裏を公開「泣きそうになった」「最高でした」（動画あり） . 2021-08-13 . Music Natalie . ja.
8. Web site: AI、「IN THE MIDDLE feat.三浦大知」MV撮影の裏側を収めた映像公開. 2021-08-13. Billboard Japan.
9. Web site: 2021-08-09. 『CDTVライブ！ライブ！』夏フェス 第1夜、キスマイ SixTONESら11組の出演者発表au Webポータル. 2021-08-09. au Webポータル最新のニュースをお届け！. ja.
10. Web site: AI × 三浦大知「CDTVライブ」、寺島拓篤ら「オダイバ!!超次元音楽祭」、「大友良英presents 武満徹の"うた"」ほか8月12～16日のおすすめテレビ番組. 2021-08-13. Mikiki. ja.
11. Web site: AIのデジタルシングル売上TOP4作品 . 2022-11-17 . ORICON NEWS.
12. News: Billboard Japan Download Songs chart: Week of August 18, 2021 . . May 6, 2023.