Dear Mama

"Dear Mama" is a song written and recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on April 17, 2013, through EMI Records Japan as the second single from Ai's tenth studio album, Moriagaro. The song was used by the Lotte Corporation for commercial campaigns in Japan. Upon its release, "Dear Mama" peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, becoming her sixth single to chart in the top ten of the Japan Hot 100. Background and release In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Lotte Corporation's founding, the company contacted Ai to create a song to promote their anniversary as well as their Ghana milk chocolates. On April 16, 2013, the song was announced at a press conference hosted by Lotte. The song was announced for release the next day, April 17. Composition Lyrically, "Dear Mama" is a tribute song to mothers. News Post Seven described the song as Ai "writing a letter directly to her mother". Ai commented that the song is very personal since her mother is a foreigner as she is from the United States.