Letter in the Sky

"Letter in the Sky"
Digital single cover
Single by Ai featuring the Jacksons
from the album Independent
Language
  • English
  • Japanese
A-side"Happiness"
ReleasedDecember 14, 2011 (2011-12-14)
Recorded2011
StudioCandy House Studio (Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California)
Genre
Length4:43
LabelEMI Japan
Songwriters
  • Ai Uemura
  • Curtis Jenkins
  • Danny Lashine
  • King David "The Future"
Producers
  • King David "The Future"
  • Ai
Ai singles chronology
"Stronger"
(2010)
"Letter in the Sky" / "Happiness"
(2011)
"Beautiful Life"
(2012)
The Jacksons singles chronology
"Who's Lovin' You"
(1993)
"Letter in the Sky"
(2011)
Music video
"Letter in the Sky" on YouTube

"Letter in the Sky" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai featuring American pop band the Jacksons. Originally released digitally on October 19, 2011, by EMI Music Japan, it was released physically on December 14, 2011, alongside "Happiness" as an A-side. "Letter in the Sky" served as the lead single from Ai's ninth studio album, Independent (2012).[1]

Background and release

In April 2011, Ai presented a music documentary, Ai Miss Michael Jackson: King of Pop no Kiseki, that was recorded for Music On! TV. In the documentary, she traveled to the United States and interviewed members of the Jackson family in their home.

Completing her contract with Island Records and Universal Sigma, Ai signed a global publishing deal with EMI.[2] Signing to EMI Music Japan, she started to work on her ninth studio album.[3]

In October 2011, "Letter in the Sky" was announced as Ai's first single under EMI. Originally released digitally on October 19, 2011, a physical copy was later released.[4] "Letter in the Sky" served as the theme song for the Michael Jackson Tribute: Live in Tokyo concert that took place December 13 and 14th, 2011 at Yoyogi National Stadium.[5]

On August 14, 2026, Ai released a remix of "Letter in the Sky". The remix was produced by Uta and Ai.[6]

Music video

A music video was released on October 19, 2011. Various clips from the recording session of "Letter in the Sky" are used in the video.

Track listing

"Letter in the Sky" – Digital single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Letter in the Sky" (featuring the Jacksons)
  • Ai Uemura
  • Curtis Jenkins
  • Danny Lashine
  • King David "The Future"
  • King David "The Future"
  • Uemura
4:44
"Happiness / Letter in the Sky" – CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Happiness"Uemura
  • Uemura
  • Uta
4:15
2."Letter in the Sky" (featuring the Jacksons)
  • Uemura
  • Jenkins
  • Lashine
  • King David "The Future"
  • King David "The Future"
  • Uemura
4:43
"Happiness / Letter in the Sky" – DVD bonus
No.TitleLength
1."Happiness" (music video) 
2."Letter in the Sky" (music video) (featuring the Jacksons) 
3."Legendary Night at Nippon Budokan with Super Special Guests" (Digest trailer) 

Charts

Chart performance for "Letter in the Sky"
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan)[7] 36
Japan Singles Chart (Oricon)[1] 14
Japan Top Singles Sales (Billboard Japan)[8] 13

Credit and personnel

Original

  • Ai – vocals, songwriter, producer
  • Jackie Jackson – vocals
  • Marlon Jackson – vocals
  • Tito Jackson – vocals
  • Curtis Jenkins – songwriter
  • Danny Lashine – songwriter
  • King David "The Future" – producer, songwriter, programming
  • Jesse Josefsson – guitar
  • Dan Manzoor – bass (vocal)

Arigato remix

  • Ai – vocals, producer
  • Jackie Jackson – vocals
  • Marlon Jackson – vocals
  • Tito Jackson – voals
  • D.O.I. – mixing
  • Claudio Cueni – engineer

Release history

Release history and formats for "Letter in the Sky"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various October 19, 2011 Digital EMI Japan [4]
Japan December 14, 2011 Maxi single [9]
Various August 14, 2026
  • Digital download
  • streaming
Arigato remix EMI [6]

References

  1. 1 2 "ハピネス/Letter In The Sky feat.The Jacksons | AI". Oricon. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  2. ↑ "AIがEMIミュージック・ジャパンに移籍". Music Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  3. ↑ "AI、EMIミュージックに移籍 第1弾はMJトリビュートライヴのテーマソング". OkMusic. October 10, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "AI、移籍第1弾はジャクソンズ共演曲&伝説ライブ映像化". Music Natalie (in Japanese). October 9, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  5. ↑ "'Letter in the Sky': New Single by AI feat. The Jacksons". The Jacksons Official Website. October 11, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "AI、「Letter In The Sky feat. The Jacksons - 空に届ける手紙」リリース". CD Journal News (in Japanese). August 14, 2026. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot 100: Week of October 19, 2011". Billboard Japan.
  8. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales: Week of December 21, 2011". Billboard Japan.
  9. ↑ "Happiness / Letter In The Sky feat.The Jacksons [CD+DVD] AI CD Maxi". CDJapan. Retrieved August 15, 2026.