Best & USA is the third Japanese compilation album by South Korean recording artist BoA. A Japanese issue coinciding with the release of her American first album, BoA, it contains the American album (USA) as well as a compilation of Japanese singles (Best). It was released on March 18, 2009.[1][2]

Best & USA
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedMarch 18, 2009
Recorded2005–2009
Genre
Language
LabelAvex Trax
Producer
  • Masaaki Asada
  • ats-
  • Simon Brenting
  • Bloodshy & Avant
  • Sean Garrett
  • Kazuhiro Hara
  • h-wonder
  • Daisuke "D.I" Imai
  • Jonas Jeberg
  • Henrik Jonback
  • Brian Kennedy
  • Yōko Kuzutani
  • Yoko Kuzuya
  • Greg Lawson
  • Yoji Noi
  • Ravex
  • Damon Sharpe
BoA chronology
BoA
(2009)
Best & USA
(2009)
Identity
(2010)
Singles from Best & USA
  1. "Eien/Universe/Believe in Love"
    Released: February 18, 2009

Best & USA was better received in Japan than BoA had been in the US, reaching number two on the Oricon weekly album charts. It sold over 100,000 copies and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[3] The Japanese songs were also released separately as Best II on April 15, 2009.[4]

History

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In 2008, after successfully breaking into the Japanese market, BoA and her label SM Entertainment set out to record new material to crack the lucrative U.S. pop market. The label founded a new American branch, SM Entertainment USA, and BoA recorded a new album of English material to be promoted in the United States, ultimately titled BoA and released on March 17, 2009.[1][2][5]

Coinciding with the American release, BoA also released Best & USA in Japan, including both the new album and a compilation of her Japanese singles.[1] The album was released in several formats mixing the Japanese singles with the new material.[6] BoA promoted Best & USA with appearances in Japan amid her promotions in the United States.[7]

Reception

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Adam Greenberg of AllMusic gave the album three stars on the strength of the Japanese compilation, which he found greatly superior to the American recording. In contrast to the "basic and straightforward" American songs, he found that the Japanese singles showcased BoA's strengths as a singer and gave the album value as a compilation of her material.[1]

Track listing

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Best & USA track listing (CD only version)
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Universe featuring Crystal Kay & Verbal from M-Flo" (from Eien/Universe/Believe in Love)Kumo, VerbalChristian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback, So Shy, Magnus Wallbert, Balewa Mohammad,4:15
2."Do the Motion" (from Outgrow)Natsumi WatanabeYōko Kuzutani4:14
3."Eien" (from Eien/Universe/Believe in Love)Narumi YamamotoDaisuke "D.I" Imai4:30
4."Nanairo no Ashita: Brand New Beat" (from Made in Twenty (20))BoA, MizueYoji Noi4:33
5."Winter Love" (from Made in Twenty (20))Natsumi Watanabeats-5:44
6."Meri Kuri: Best & USA Version"Chinka YasushiKazuhiro Hara 
7."Sweet Impact" (from The Face)Ryoji SonodaHara5:02
8."Dakishimeru" (from Outgrow)Natsumi WatanabeHara3:48
9."Love Letter" (from The Face)BoA, Natsumi WatanabeYoko Kuzuya5:05
10."Make a Secret" (from Outgrow)Narumi YamamotoMasaaki Asada4:48
11."Everlasting" (from Outgrow)BoA, Natsumi WatanabeHara5:25
12."Lose Your Mind featuring Yutaka Furukawa from Doping Panda" (from The Face)Jonas Jeberg, Simon Brenting, Damon Sharpe, Greg Lawson, Shoko FujibayashiJeberg, Brenting, Sharpe, Lawson3:21
13."Believe in Love feat. BoA (Acoustic Version)" (from Eien/Universe/Believe in Love)Emi K. LynnRavex4:28
14."Valenti: Best & USA version"Chinka YasushiHara 
15."I Did It for Love featuring Sean Garrett"Sean Garrett, Melvin K. Watson Jr., Matthew I. IrbySean Garrett3:01
16."Eat You Up"Mikkel Johan Sigvardt, Thomas TroelsenHenrik Jonback3:11
Best & USA (2CD and 2CD+2DVD version) – CD 1 ("Best")
(Tracks 1–9, same as above)
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
10."Sparkling" (from Vivid: Kissing You, Sparkling, Joyful Smile)MizueHara3:55
11."Key of Heart" (from Made in Twenty (20))Kenn Katoh-wonder5:02
12."Make a Secret" (from Outgrow)Narumi YamamotoMasaaki Asada4:48
13."Everlasting" (from Outgrow)BoA, Natsumi WatanabeHara5:25
14."Lose Your Mind featuring Yutaka Furukawa from Doping Panda" (from The Face)Jonas Jeberg, Simon Brenting, Damon Sharpe, Greg Lawson, Shoko FujibayashiJeberg, Brenting, Sharpe, Lawson3:21
15."Believe in Love feat. BoA (Acoustic Version)" (from Eien/Universe/Believe in Love)Emi K. LynnRavex4:28
16."Valenti: Best & USA version"Chinka YasushiHara 
Best & USA (2CD and 2CD+2DVD version) – CD 2 ("USA")
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
1."I Did It for Love featuring Sean Garrett"Sean Garrett, Melvin K. Watson Jr., Matthew I. IrbySean Garrett3:01
2."Energetic"Sean Garrett, Yirayah GarciaSean Garrett3:41
3."Did Ya"Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback, Negin DjafariBloodshy & Avant2:59
4."Look Who's Talking"Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback, Michelle Lynn Bell, Britney SpearsHenrik Jonback3:08
5."Eat You Up"Mikkel Johan Sigvardt, Thomas TroelsenHenrik Jonback3:11
6."Obsessed"Troy Verges, Brian Glenn Kennedy, Hillary Lee LindseyBrian Kennedy3:46
7."Touched"Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Magnus Wallbert, Toby Gad, Arama BrownBloodshy & Avant3:06
8."Scream"Charlie Mason, Kay J, The ProviderAdrian Newman3:16
9."Girls On Top"Young-Hu Kim, Lola Fair (Xperimental Music) (English lyrics)Young Jin Yoo3:37
10."Dress Off"Adrian NewmanAdrian Newman3:41
11."Hypnotic Dance Floor"Paolo Galgani, Lisa Rachelle GreeneHenrik Jonback3:43
Total length:38:47
DVD 1 (Best & USA 2CD+2DVD)
No.TitleLength
1."Do the Motion" 
2."Make a Secret" 
3."Dakishimeru" 
4."Everlasting" 
5."Nanairo no Ashita: Brand New Beat" 
6."Key of Heart" 
7."Winter Love" 
8."Sweet Impact" 
9."Love Letter" 
10."Lose Your Mind" (featuring Yutaka Furukawa from Doping Panda) 
11."Be with You." 
12."Kissing You" 
13."Sparkling" 
14."Eien" 
15."Eien (Dance Version)" 
DVD 2 (Best & USA 2CD+2DVD)
No.TitleLength
1."Eat You Up" 
2."Best & USA Document Film" 

Charts

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Sales and certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[12] Gold 133,000[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Greenberg, Adam. Best & USA at AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Sullivan, Patrick. BoA at AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  3. ^ ゴールドディスク認定作品一覧 2009年3月. www.riaj.or.jp (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  4. ^ Yes Asia: Hottracks "한국에서는 4월 15일 일본BEST음원과 영상으로만 구성된 2번째 일본베스트"
  5. ^ Garcia, Kathy Rose A. (September 2, 2008). "BoA Plans Debut in US". The Korea Times. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  6. ^ "BoA's Best & USA Compilation Album". Allkpop. January 31, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  7. ^ Poole, Robert Michael (March 20, 2009). "No constrictions on BoA's ambitions". The Japan Times. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  8. ^ "BoAのリリース一覧" [List of BoA's Releases]. Oricon. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  9. ^ "G-Music Combo Chart – Week 14 of 2009" (in Chinese). G-Music. April 9, 2009. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "G-Music J-pop Chart – Week 14 of 2009" (in Chinese). G-Music. April 9, 2009. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  12. ^ "Japanese album certifications – BoA – Best & USA" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2009年03月 on the drop-down menu