The Secret behind the Endless Story

Rarely does a song as heartfelt and moving as Yuna Ito’s Endless Story hit the airwaves. Endless Story served as one of the top five most popular singles for five consecutive weeks on the Oricon Charts a feat no debut artist accomplished in well over a decade. While Yuna Ito got to take home a Best New Artist award from the Best Hit Kayousai Awards Ceremony held in November 2005 few people know the story behind the Endless Story.

The record breaking debut of Yuna Ito may ultimately usher in an age of Idols with scorching hot looks and talent to spare. This young upstart and her Endless Story was named as the number one love song of 2005, beating out the likes of Hikaru Utada, Ai Otsuka, and Ayumi Hamasaki. Be careful not to give all the credit to Yuna or the talented staff she had including all-star music alum like ats- and H/\L.

The credit this time around, is going to an American.

Dawn Ann Thomas who was named in the Endless Story single booklet is credited with writing and composing the original piece. That’s right it may surprise you to know that the romantic ballad that moved the hearts of Japan in 2005 actually made its debut in the United States over 10 years ago in a movie called Indecent Proposal. Sure the lyrics weren’t in Japanese, but it was there, and we had missed it.

For those of us in the loop with J-pop the news isn’t so much irritating as it is surprising. Many of us fell in love with what we thought was an original song written specially for the summer smash hit Nana starring Mika Nakashima. In our daze we had not only overlooked the original song ‘If I’m not in Love’ by Dawn Ann Thomas not just once, but six times.

That’s right. The original was covered no less than five times over the span of 12 years.

Don’t believe me?

Here’s a short run down of the secret history of Endless Story.

If I’m Not In Love With You by Dawn Ann Thomas (1993)
- The song makes it’s Hollywood debut in the movie Indecent Proposal.

If I’m Not In Love With You by Kathy Troccoli (1994)
- The Christians are taking over, the song gets covered in Kathy Troccoli’s debut album.

If I’m Not In Love With You by David Hamilton (1997)
- Another Christian artist covers the song, thankfully he doesn’t sing it, only provides an updated piano instrumental.

If I’m Not In Love by Jody Watley (1998)
- Christians finally take a break from the song and allow a popular 80’s singer to cover it. This cover is the closest to Yuna Ito’s version of the song.

If I’m Not In Love by Faith Hill (1999)
- Released on her album Breathe it was also featured in the 2004 movie Chasing Liberty.

If I’m Not In Love by Jennylyn Mercado ft. Janno (2004)
- A singer and actress in the Philippines which was discovered in the show Star Struck, a show similar to American Idol, she teamed up Janno Gibbs to cover this song for the 5th time.

Endless Story by Yuna Ito (2005)
- The song we all know and love, argueably the best out of all the covers available.

Missing Your Song by Saya Chang (2005)
- For the Nana movie release in China, the song gets covered but can’t hold a candle to Yuna’s version.

The secret history of Endless Story revealed. Oddly enough it turns out this Endless Story is truly standing the test of time, proving that music is truly a world language.

But all this talk and nothing to back it up?

Where in the world would this article be without some downloads right?

Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten you, check out just a few of the covers as well as the original right here and check it out for yourself!

Right Click on the following songs and choose SAVE AS...

1) If I'm not in Love with You by Dawn Ann Thomas - 1993 (Removed)
2) If I'm not in Love by Jody Watley - 1998 (Removed)
3) If I'm not in Love by Faith Hill - 1999 (Removed)
4) Missing Your Song by Saya Chang - 2005 (Working)