Blue Velvet

"Blue Velvet" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo for her thirteenth studio album, I'm Not. It was released by Pony Canyon as the album's leading single on May 28, 1997. It served as the third ending theme song to the Fuji Television anime series Dragon Ball GT, from episode 42 to episode 50. Out of all the artists that have contributed to the series' soundtracks, Kudo is the only one who is unaffiliated with a Being Inc. label. Kudo, who is a self-proclaimed Dragon Ball fan, received an autographed hand-drawn illustration of Goku from series creator Akira Toriyama for her 28th birthday. "Blue Velvet" is the second in a trilogy of singles with "Blue" in the title: "Blue Velvet" is preceded by "Blue Rose", and followed by "Blue Zone". Background and composition "Blue Velvet" is described as a scampering, pop-rock song. The song was written by Shizuka Kudo, under the pseudonym Aeri, and Sharam Q guitarist and leader Hatake. It is composed in the key of E-flat minor and set to a tempo of 108 beats per minute. Kudo's vocals span from C4 to C5 in modal voice, and up to E5 in head voice. Her vocal performance was praised for its versatility, ranging from powerful belts to soft whispers. Lyrically, the song describes a narrator falling madly in love and her efforts to pin down her lover. Live performances When performing "Blue Velvet", Kudo sings the song while enthusiastically tapping the tambourine. In 2007, during her concert celebrating her 20th anniversary, she played the tambourine given by her friend, actress Naoko Iijima, who was in attendance that day.