Yamaguchi Ichiro produces new song for SMAP!

Today, it was revealed that Sakanaction's frontman Yamaguchi Ichiro is the composer and lyricist behind the title song of the new single of longtime-popular Johnny's boyband SMAP!

The new single is called "Moment" and will be released on 1 August 2012. In addition, the song is also the theme song for Japanese television station Tokyo Broadcasting Station (TBS)'s telecast of the 2012 London Olympics. This program is co-hosted by SMAP member Nakai Masahiro. 

In short, the song will be getting a lot of publicity. You can hear a preview of it here, starting around 0:48. The video will be taken down soon so hear it while you can!

It's amazing to have Yamaguchi producing the song for SMAP. This marks the second time he has worked directly with SMAP, but this time the song will be more prominent because it is a single. Previously, he wrote and composed "Magic Time" in for SMAP's 2010 album "We are SMAP". 

Of course, not forgetting that Sakanaction was behind the theme song for the recently-concluded drama 37sai de Isha ni Natta which starred SMAP's Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, it seems that record label Victor Entertainment has decided to push Sakanaction by giving them these opportunities (the two bands are signed to Victor). Let's hope that Sakanaction will go even further!