Lost in Japan

"Lost in Japan"
The cover consists of a floral design in the lower left corner with the title spelled out vertically in the centre
Single by Shawn Mendes
from the album Shawn Mendes
ReleasedMarch 23, 2018 (2018-03-23)
Genre
Length3:20
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Teddy Geiger
  • Shawn Mendes
  • Nate Mercereau (add.)
  • Louis Bell (add.)
Shawn Mendes singles chronology
"In My Blood"
(2018) 		"Lost in Japan"
(2018) 		"Youth"
(2018)

"Lost in Japan" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Shawn Mendes. It was written by Mendes, Scott Harris, Nate Mercereau and Teddy Geiger, with production handled by Mendes, Mercereau, Geiger and Louis Bell. The song was released by Island Records on March 23, 2018, as a second single for Mendes' self-titled third studio album. An official remix by German music producer Zedd was released on September 27, 2018.

Release

The song's title was first spotted in the background of Mendes' Instagram posts from when he was recording the album in Jamaica, leading to speculation on the possibility of Mendes releasing two singles,[1] hence the two dates in an earlier teaser.[2][3][4] He announced the song mere hours after the release of "In My Blood", writing on Twitter: "Wanted to give you another song".[5]

Composition

"Lost in Japan" is a funk, pop and R&B song,[6][7] with "funky strings and driving bass" that bears resemblances to the work of Justin Timberlake.[8] During interviews, Mendes stated that he was inspired by all of the Timberlake songs he was listening to at the time, especially Justified–and a dream. "I had this dream that I was lost in this country and I woke up the next day and we had this cool piano part and the song was birthed."[9][10]

Lars Brandle of Billboard wrote that the song "opens with a subtle spell of piano then changes gears with a fat bass sound and groove".[11] It transformed from "a slow, piano-driven number" into "a passionate, hook-laden love song", according to CBS Radio's Robyn Collins.[12] Lyrically, Mendes offers to travel the globe in order to be closer to his love interest.[13] Sheet music for the song "Lost In Japan" is in the key of B♭ Major and a tempo range of 104-108 beats per minute, while Mendes's vocals span from G3 to C6.[14]

Critical reception

Mike Nied of Idolator regarded the "atmospheric" song as "another solid gold bop", complimenting its ability "to present a new, more mature version of the superstar".[15] Sam Damshenas of Gay Times opined that the song "displays a saucier, funkier side" to Mendes.[16] Jordan Sargent of Spin praised the track, deeming it "notably well-made pop music" and "refreshingly spacious", despite being ambivalent towards his previous single "In My Blood".[17] Billboard named it the 22nd best song of the first half of 2018,[18] Elle considered it the 2nd,[19] while Uproxx listed it at No. 8 for the best pop songs of 2018.[20]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[21]

  • Shawn Mendes – vocals, background vocals, songwriting, production, guitar
  • Scott Harris – songwriting, guitar
  • Nate Mercereau – songwriting, additional production, keyboard, bass, guitar, percussion, piano
  • Teddy Geiger – background vocals, songwriting, production, drums, guitar, percussion, programming
  • Louis Bell – additional production
  • Harry Burr – mixing assistance, studio personnel
  • Andrew Maury – mixing, studio personnel
  • George Seara – vocal engineering, studio personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2018–19) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[22] 27
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[23] 26
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[24] 15
Brazil International Pop Songs (Crowley Charts)[25] 9
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[26] 39
CIS Airplay (TopHit)[27] 24
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[28] 23
Denmark (Tracklisten)[29] 20
Germany (GfK)[30] 69
Hungary (Single Top 40)[31] 2
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[32] 9
Ireland (IRMA)[33] 35
Italy (FIMI)[34] 67
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[35] 45
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[36] 32
Portugal (AFP)[37] 26
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[38] 18
Scotland (OCC)[39] 21
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[40] 44
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[41] 11
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 55
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 23
UK Singles (OCC)[44] 30
US Billboard Hot 100[45] 64
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[46] 15

Year-end charts

Chart (2018) Position
Portugal (AFP)[47] 161
Chart (2019) Position
Portugal (AFP)[48] 141

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[49] 4× Platinum 280,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[50] Gold 15,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[51] 4× Platinum 320,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[52] Platinum 90,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[53] Platinum 50,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[54] Platinum 60,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[55] Gold 15,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[56] 2× Platinum 100,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[57] Platinum 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[58] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[59] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[60] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various March 23, 2018
Island [61]
Italy September 28, 2018 Contemporary hit radio Universal [62]

Zedd remix

"Lost in Japan" (remix)
Single by Shawn Mendes and Zedd
ReleasedSeptember 27, 2018 (2018-09-27)
Length3:21
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Shawn Mendes singles chronology
"Nervous"
(2018) 		"Lost in Japan" (remix)
(2018) 		"If I Can't Have You"
(2019)
Zedd singles chronology
"Happy Now"
(2018) 		"Lost in Japan" (remix)
(2018) 		"365"
(2019)
Music video
"Lost in Japan" on YouTube

A remix of "Lost in Japan" by Zedd was released on September 27, 2018,[64] and was sent to the US contemporary hit radio on October 2, 2018.[65]

Music video

A music video for the song was released on October 25, 2018. The video features both the original and remix versions of the song. The music video reenacts scenes from the 2003 film Lost in Translation, where Mendes plays the role of Bob (originally portrayed by Bill Murray). It features guest appearances from Norwegian actress Alisha Boe (who plays Scarlett Johansson's character Charlotte) and remixer Zedd. The music video was directed by Jay Martin and shot by Kai Saul.[66]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[67]

  • Shawn Mendes – vocals, background vocals, songwriting, production, guitar
  • Scott Harris – songwriting, guitar
  • Nate Mercereau – songwriting, additional production, keyboard, bass, guitar, percussion, piano
  • Teddy Geiger – background vocals, songwriting, production, drums, guitar, percussion, programming
  • Louis Bell – additional production
  • Harry Burr – mixing assistance, studio personnel
  • Andrew Maury – mixing, studio personnel
  • George Seara – vocal engineering, studio personnel
  • Zedd – additional production, remixing, studio personnel

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[68] 25
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[69] 10
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[70] 22
Canada AC (Billboard)[71] 18
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[72] 15
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[73] 12
Colombia (National-Report)[74] 64
Croatia (HRT)[75] 65
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[76] 15
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[77] 19
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[78] 42
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[79] 4
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[80] 9
Romania (Airplay 100)[81] 64
Slovenia (SloTop50)[82] 48
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[83] 94
US Billboard Hot 100[84] 48
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[85] 30
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[86] 16
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[87] 15
Venezuela (National-Report)[88] 19

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 27, 2018
Island [63]
Italy September 28, 2018 Contemporary hit radio Universal [89]
United Kingdom September 29, 2018 Island [90]
United States October 2, 2018 [65]

References

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