Higher (2PM song)

"Higher"
Regular edition cover
Single by 2PM
from the album Galaxy of 2PM
B-side"My House (Japanese ver.)"
ReleasedOctober 21, 2015
Recorded2015
Genre
Length3:04
LabelEpic Records Japan
Composers
Lyricists
  • Jun. K
  • Morizuki Kyasu
  • Simon
2PM singles chronology
"My House"
(2015)		 "Higher"
(2015)		 "Promise (I'll Be)"
(2016)
Music video
"Higher" on YouTube

"Higher" (stylized in all caps) is the tenth Japanese single by South Korean boy band 2PM, released on October 21, 2015 in eight editions by Epic Records Japan. The single peaked at number two on both the Oricon Singles Chart and the Billboard Japan Hot 100. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for selling over 100,000 copies.

Background and release

2PM announced the release of "Higher" at their final House Party in Japan concert at Saitama Super Arena on August 23, 2015.[1] Due to the single's milestone status as the group's tenth Japanese single, the single would also be released in six solo member editions, each with a different album jacket and a solo song.[2] From August 25–30, 2015, jacket photos and tracklists for each of the six solo member editions of the single were revealed online via 2PM's official Japanese website.[3][4] Starting from September 29, 2015, each of the nine tracks from "Higher" was pre-released daily as a ringtone version.[5] "Higher" was released on October 21, 2015 in eight editions: a regular edition, a CD + DVD edition, and six solo member editions.[2]

Composition

"Higher" is a dance-pop and hip-hop track,[6][7] co-written by 2PM member Jun. K, which starts with piano instrumentation and shifts between multiple genres, such as jazz.[7][8][9] The lyrics of the songs are about the feeling of being in love and becoming a better man as a result.[8] Writer Kaori Simon for Real Sound noted that the melody of the song's chorus felt inspired by J-pop, unlike Jun. K's first composition released as a lead single by the group, "Midaretemina", which was originally written for the South Korean market.[9]

The single's B-side track is a Japanese version of "My House", the title track of the group's fifth Korean studio album, No.5 (2015), also co-written 2PM member Jun. K. The CD + DVD version includes the bonus track "Chikai no Christmas", a warm song co-written by 2PM member Junho.[6] Each solo member edition replaces "My House" (Japanese ver.) with a different solo track,[2] with solo songs ranging in genres from the hip-hop track "Everest" by Jun. K to the powerful anthem song "Never Give Up" by Taecyeon.[6]

Promotion

In conjunction with the release of the single, 2PM embarked on a successor concert series to their Six "Beautiful Days" concert series in 2012; Six "Higher" Days was held from October 7–28, 2015, with three shows each in four locations: Nippon Budokan, Osaka-jō Hall, Yokohama Arena, and Nippon Gaishi Hall.[1][10] Every track from each edition of "Higher" was performed at this concert series, with each 2PM member receiving a solo stage at two shows.[10]

The group also performed the song on Japanese television shows such as the October 18, 2015 episode of NHK's music program Music Japan.[11] The group also held a "Hi Touch" fan event on October 24, 2015 at Makuhari Messe for the release of the single.[2] Furthermore, the group appeared on the cover of the October 8, 2015 issue of the Japanese women's fashion magazine Hanako, the magazine's first issue since its revamp.[12]

Commercial performance

Following the single's release, "Higher" topped the Oricon Daily Singles Chart and the Tower Records Nationwide K-pop Single Weekly Chart.[10][13] The single peaked at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart, charting for five weeks, and on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, charting for 3 weeks.[14][15] Within one week, the single sold about 118,000 copies,[16] resulting in it becoming certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan in October 2015 for selling over 100,000 copies.[17]

Track listing

Regular edition track listing[14][18]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementsLength
1."Higher"
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
3:05
2."My House" (Japanese ver.)
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
3:10
3."Higher" (instrumental) 
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
3:05
4."My House" (Japanese ver., without main vocal) 
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
3:08
Total length:12:28
CD+DVD track listing[19][18]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementsLength
1."Higher"
  • Jun. K
  • Kyasu
  • Simon
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
3:05
2."My House" (Japanese ver.)
  • Jun. K
  • Fujibayashi
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
3:10
3."Chikai no Christmas" (誓いのクリスマス)
  • Junho
  • Hong Ji-sang
  • Yu Shimoji
  • Junho
  • Hong
Hong4:05
4."Higher" (instrumental) 
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
3:05
5."My House" (Japanese ver., without main vocal) 
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
3:08
Total length:16:33
Jun. K Version track listing[20]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
2."Everest" (Jun. K solo)
  • Jun. K
  • Simon
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Boytoy
  • Lel
  • Boytoy
3:47
4."Everest" (instrumental) 
  • Jun. K
  • Lel
  • Boytoy
  • Lel
  • Boytoy
3:44
Total length:13:41
Nichkhun Version track listing[21]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
2."Maybe You Are" (Nichkhun solo)
  • Ryan IM
  • Natsumi Watanabe
  • Lauren Kaori
Ryan IM
  • Ryan IM
  • Hong Younghwan IM
3:09
4."Maybe You Are" (instrumental) Ryan IM
  • Ryan IM
  • Hong Younghwan IM
3:07
Total length:12:26
Taecyeon Version track listing[22]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
2."Never Give Up" (Taecyeon solo)
  • Taecyeon
  • Samuelle Soung
  • Taecyeon
  • Raphael
  • Taecyeon
  • Raphael
3:37
4."Never Give Up" (instrumental) 
  • Taecyeon
  • Raphael
  • Taecyeon
  • Raphael
3:35
Total length:13:22
Wooyoung Version track listing[23]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
2."Hanpa Nai" (ハンパない) (Wooyoung solo)
  • Wooyoung
  • Super Kiro
  • Yu Shimoji
  • Wooyoung
  • Super Kiro
Super Kiro3:31
4."Hanpa Nai" (instrumental) 
  • Wooyoung
  • Super Kiro
Super Kiro3:29
Total length:13:10
Junho Version track listing[24]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
2."So Many Girls" (Junho solo)
  • Junho
  • Hong Ji-sang
  • Kenn Kato
  • Junho
  • Hong
Hong3:32
4."So Many Girls" (instrumental) 
  • Junho
  • Hong
Hong3:30
Total length:13:12
Chansung Version track listing[25]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
2."Miss You" (Chansung solo)
  • Chansung
  • Super Changddai
  • Risa Horie
  • Chansung
  • Super Changddai
Super Changddai4:05
4."Miss You" (instrumental) 
  • Chansung
  • Super Changddai
Super Changddai4:03
Total length:14:18
DVD (limited edition A only)[2][19]
No.TitleLength
1."Higher" (music video) 
2."Higher" (music video – dance ver.) 
3."My House" (Japanese ver.) (music video) 

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2015) Peak

position

Japan (Oricon Singles Chart)[14] 2
Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100)[15][16] 2

Sales

Country Sales
Japan 137,238

Release history

Release history for "Higher"
Region Date Format Label
Japan[14] October 21, 2015
Epic Records Japan
South Korea August 18, 2016 Digital download JYP Entertainment

References

  1. 1 2 "2PMたまアリで韓国公演2DAYS再現、10月には4都市×3ライブ" [2PM to recreate their 2-day Korean concert at Saitama Super Arena, with 3 live shows in 4 cities in October.]. 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). August 24, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "2PM、ニュー・シングル『HIGHER』がリリース" [2PM releases new single 'HIGHER']. Tower Records (in Japanese). August 24, 2015. Archived from the original on November 7, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  3. ↑ "2PM　記念すべき10枚目となるシングル『HIGHER』の初回生産限定盤B（Jun. K盤）ジャケット写真とトラックリスト公開！！" [2PM's landmark 10th single, 'HIGHER', has revealed the jacket photo and tracklist for the limited first edition B (Jun. K version)!!]. Sony Music Entertainment Japan (in Japanese). August 25, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  4. ↑ "2PM　記念すべき10枚目となるシングル『HIGHER』の初回生産限定盤D（Taecyeon盤）ジャケット写真とトラックリスト公開！！" [2PM's landmark 10th single, 'HIGHER', has revealed the jacket photo and tracklist for the limited first edition D (Taecyeon version)!!]. Sony Music Entertainment Japan (in Japanese). August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  5. ↑ "10月21日発売の『HIGHER』収録曲「My House-Japanese ver.-」着うた（R）、9/29（火）AM00:00～先行配信開始！" [The ringtone version of "My House -Japanese ver.-", a track from the album "HIGHER" to be released on October 21st, will be available for pre-release download from 00:00 AM on September 29th (Tuesday)!]. Sony Music Entertainment Japan (in Japanese). September 28, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 星野, 彩乃 (October 21, 2015). "2PM、メンバーの意外な癖と行動が発覚！" [2PM members' unexpected habits and behaviors revealed!]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  7. 1 2 ""日本デビュー5年目"2PMが登場！「10thシングルでは新しい2PMを感じられます」…andGIRL 11月号、本日(10日)発売" [2PM, celebrating their 5th anniversary since their Japanese debut, makes an appearance! "You can feel a new side of 2PM in their 10th single"...andGIRL November issue, on sale today (10th).]. Kstyle (in Japanese). October 10, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  8. 1 2 "2PMメンバー語る「虜になっているもの・心がけていること」" [2PM members talk about "things they are obsessed with and things they keep in mind."]. 週刊女性PRIME (in Japanese). October 21, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  9. 1 2 西門香, 央里 (March 23, 2020). "2PM、爽やかなデビュー曲から"野獣アイドル"な楽曲まで 日本リリースシングルから振り返る音楽的変遷" [2PM: A Look Back at Their Musical Evolution Through Their Japanese Releases, from Their Refreshing Debut Song to Their "Beast Idol" Tracks]. Real Sound｜リアルサウンド (in Japanese). Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 "13万人が熱狂！2PM、今年2度目のツアーが名古屋で終宴" [130,000 people were thrilled! 2PM's second tour of the year concludes in Nagoya.]. Kstyle (in Japanese). October 30, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  11. ↑ "次回「MJ」にAAA、Happiness、ドレスコーズ、DAOKOら7組登場" [The next episode of "MJ" will feature 7 acts including AAA, Happiness, The Dresscodes, and DAOKO.]. 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). October 13, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  12. ↑ "2PM、雑誌「Hanako」リニューアル号の表紙を飾る！メンバーがオリジナルバーガーを考案" [2PM graces the cover of the newly revamped issue of Hanako magazine! The members devised their own original burgers.]. Kstyle (in Japanese). October 6, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  13. ↑ "K-POP Weeklyチャート＜2015/10/19～10/25＞". Kstyle (in Japanese). October 26, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "HIGHER | 2PM". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "2PM | Artist". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  16. 1 2 "【深ヨミ】2PM『HIGHER』、前シングルより売上げを伸ばしての2位" [[In-depth Analysis] 2PM's 'HIGHER' ranks 2nd, with sales exceeding their previous single]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 1, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  17. ↑ "ゴールドディスク認定検索" [Gold Disc Certification Search]. Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  18. 1 2 "HIGHER (Shokaiseisanban B) - EP by 2PM". Apple Music. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  19. 1 2 "HIGHER(初回生産限定盤A) | 2PM". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  20. ↑ "HIGHER (Jun. K Version) - EP by 2PM". Apple Music. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  21. ↑ "HIGHER (Nichkhun Version) - EP by 2PM". Apple Music. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  22. ↑ "HIGHER (Taecyeon Version) - EP by 2PM". Apple Music. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  23. ↑ "HIGHER (Wooyoung Version) - EP by 2PM". Apple Music. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  24. ↑ "HIGHER (Junho Version) - EP by 2PM". Apple Music. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  25. ↑ "HIGHER (Chansung Version) - EP by 2PM". Apple Music. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
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