"Songs For Japan" Hits $10m Milestone

TOKYO, November 9, 2011 -

- STAR-STUDDED BENEFIT ALBUM RAISES MILLIONS FOR RED CROSS DISASTER RELIEF

Songs For Japan, the unique, star-studded album collection created to help raise money for victims of Japan’s 2011 earthquake and tsunami disasters, continues to benefit the survivors through Japanese Red Cross Society.

Yesterday in Tokyo, senior executives from four major music companies - EMI, Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music Group - met with Japanese Red Cross Society Vice President, Yoshiharu Otsuka, to recognise the milestone of $10 million raised and donated from the global sales of Songs For Japan. The occasion was a reception hosted by Frances Moore, chief executive of worldwide recording industry organisation IFPI.

A music industry-wide initiative, Songs For Japan is an unprecedented compilation of 38 major hits and classic tracks, including 21 Billboard Hot 100 hits and five #1s from more than 30 of the biggest names in contemporary music. The collection was rush-released worldwide on March 25 - only 14 days after the earthquake struck Japan - as a digital album via iTunes, followed by the release of a physical two-CD set.

Tadateru Konoe, President of Japanese Red Cross Society, said, “The kind thoughts of the people who made and bought this album have given great encouragement to the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami. One hundred percent of the money raised goes directly to those most in need. On behalf of the Japanese Red Cross and the people affected by the disaster, I want to sincerely thank the artists and music companies for this generous support. It is much needed and greatly appreciated.”

All the participating artists, songwriters, music labels, music publishers and iTunes waived their royalties and proceeds to maximise the amount of money donated for survivors. In addition, manufacturers, distributors and marketing partners donated materials, services and advertising time or space.

The first payment of $5 million was made to Japanese Red Cross Society earlier this year, after the initial release and sales of Songs For Japan. The latest, further payment of $5 million was made more recently, bringing the total to $10 million.

Worldwide, music fans have to date purchased more than 1 million digital and physical copies of Songs For Japan. The album rocketed to #1 on iTunes in 18 countries immediately after release.

Songs for Japan features an all-star lineup:

1. John Lennon “Imagine”
2. U2 “Walk On”
3. Bob Dylan “Shelter From The Storm”
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Around The World”
5. Lady Gaga “Born This Way”
6. Beyonce “Irreplaceable”
7. Bruno Mars “Talking To The Moon”
8. Katy Perry “Firework”
9. Rihanna “Only Girl (In The World)”
10. Justin Timberlake “Like I Love You”
11. Madonna “Miles Away”
12. David Guetta “When Love Takes Over”
13. Eminem “Love The Way You Lie”
14. Bruce Springsteen “Human Touch”
15. Josh Groban “Awake”
16. Keith Urban “Better Life”
17. Black Eyed Peas “One Tribe“
18. Pink “Sober”
19. Cee Lo Green “It’s Ok”
20. Lady Antebellum “I Run To You”
21. Bon Jovi “What Do You Got?”
22. Foo Fighters “My Hero“
23. R.E.M. “Man On The Moon”
24. Nicki Minaj “Save Me”
25. Sade “By Your Side”
26. Michael Buble “Hold On”
27. Justin Bieber “Pray”
28. Adele “Make You Feel My Love”
29. Enya “If I Could Be Where You Are”
30. Elton John “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”
31. John Mayer “Waiting On The World To Change”
32. Queen “Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)”
33. Kings Of Leon “Use Somebody”
34. Sting “Fragile”
35. Leona Lewis “Better In Time”
36. Ne-Yo “One In A Million”
37. Shakira “Whenever, Wherever”
38. Norah Jones “Sunrise”

Tom Cording of Sony Music, +1-212-833-4448, tom.cording at sonymusic.com; or Adam White of Universal Music Group, +44(0)207-471-5665, or Grant Pavolka of Universal Music Group, +1-212-331-2562, grant.pavolka at umusic.com; or Amanda Collins of Warner Music Group, +1-212-275-2213, Amanda.Collins at wmg.com