"I.V." is a song by Japanese rock band

X Japan is a Japanese Rock music, rock band from Chiba Prefecture, Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer and pianist Yoshiki (musician), Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi (musician), Toshi. Starting as a predominantly power metal, power/speed metal band with ...

, released on January 23, 2008, as a

digital download Digital download may refer to: *Downloading, the processing of copying data to a computer from an external source *Digital distribution, a method of downloading software or audio-visual media as opposed to buying it at a traditional point of sale * ...

. It was the group's first new material since " The Last Song," released almost a decade earlier in 1998. "I.V." is the main theme for the American film ''

Saw IV ''Saw IV'' is a 2007 horror film directed by Darren Lynn Bousman from a screenplay by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, and a story by Melton, Dunstan, and Thomas Fenton. A sequel to '' Saw III'' (2006) and the fourth installment in the ''Sa ...

'', which was released on October 26, 2007.

Overview

An X Japan reunion was announced in mid-2007, with

Yoshiki Yoshiki is a masculine Japanese given name. Written forms Yoshiki can be written using many different combinations of kanji characters. Here are some examples: *義樹, "justice, tree" *義基, "justice, foundation" *義機, "justice, opportuni ...

, Toshi,

Heath A heath () is a shrubland habitat found mainly on free-draining infertile, acidic soils and is characterised by open, low-growing woody vegetation. Moorland is generally related to high-ground heaths with—especially in Great Britain—a coole ...

and

Pata Pata or PATA may refer to: Places * Pata, Sulu, a Philippine municipality * Pata, Galanta District, a village in Slovakia * Pata, Central African Republic, a village * Pata village (Samoa), a village in Samoa * Pontrilas Army Training Area, a Br ...

all participating. In July, Yoshiki was approached about composing the main theme for

Lionsgate Lions Gate, Lion Gate or similar terms may refer to: Gates *Lion Gate at Mycenae in Greece *Lion Gate, one of the entrances to the ancient Hittite city of Hattusa, now in Turkey *Lion Gate, one of the entrances to the gardens of Hampton Court Pala ...

's ''

'' (he also composed Lionsgate's ''

Catacombs Catacombs are man-made underground passages primarily used for religious purposes, particularly for burial. Any chamber used as a burial place is considered a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman Empire. Etym ...

'' main theme), Yoshiki chose to perform the song with X Japan. In October Lionsgate released the production notes for the movie, and according to them, X Japan would perform the main theme. This was confirmed on the 18th with an official announcement. "I.V." (written by Yoshiki) would feature Toshi, Heath, Pata and Yoshiki, along with unreleased guitar tracks by former guitarist

hide Hide or hides may refer to: Common uses * Hide (skin), the cured skin of an animal * Bird hide, a structure for observing birds and other wildlife without causing disturbance * Gamekeeper's hide or hunting hide or hunting blind, a structure to hi ...

, who died in 1998. According to Yoshiki, the version released is a shortened version of his original work, which was too long to fit the movie. In regards to the meaning of the track's title "I.V.", Yoshiki originally used it as an acronym for

intravenous drip Intravenous therapy (abbreviated as IV therapy) is a medical technique that administers fluids, medications and nutrients directly into a person's vein. The intravenous route of administration is commonly used for rehydration or to provide nutr ...

, although he later noticed it would fit with the movie's title. Originally the song was going to be released on the '' Saw IV soundtrack'', but Yoshiki preferred to release it as an X Japan single. The song was eventually released worldwide on January 23 via the iTunes Store topping the iTunes charts in Japan and being featured under "What's hot" in America. The song was released in over 20 countries worldwide. The song was featured as one of 20 free downloadable songs released for owners of ''

Rock Band 2 ''Rock Band 2'' is a 2008 rhythm game developed by Harmonix, published by MTV Games, and distributed by Electronic Arts. It is the sequel to ''Rock Band (video game), Rock Band'' (2007) and the second installment in the Rock Band, ''Rock Band ' ...

''; notably, it was the first song from a Japanese band to make an appearance in a music video game made in and for the Western market. "I.V." has been reported to be included on X Japan's unreleased album.

Music video

The

promotional video In video production, a promotional video is marketing or advertising: Arts, media and entertainment * Promotional recording, an audio or video recording distributed to publicize a recording * Trailer (promotion), a commercial advertisement for a ...

for the song was filmed on October 22 on the rooftop of Aqua City,

Odaiba is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Japan, across the Rainbow Bridge (Tokyo), Rainbow Bridge from central Tokyo. Odaiba was initially built for defensive purposes in the 1850s. The land was dramatically expanded during the late 20th centur ...

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

. The video shows the band playing on a big stage, on the top of a Tokyo skyscraper. During the video, some shots of hide are shown from the

Shibuya is a Special wards of Tokyo, special ward in Tokyo, Japan. A major commercial center, Shibuya houses one of the busiest railway stations in the world, Shibuya Station. As of January 1, 2024, Shibuya Ward has an estimated population of 230,60 ...

monitor with 10,000 fans watching from the street. Additionally, hide's Fernandes MG-120X guitar can be seen on a stand, at the left side of the stage. At the end, the band is playing the last chorus in the rain. The production, with helicopters and fire trucks to create artificial rain, cost ¥42 million. The music video was released on January 22, 2008, inside the special features for the ''Saw IV'' home video, and later on February 29 included in the band's own ''X Japan Returns Complete Edition'' DVD box set. The group also filmed a second video for the song on January 9, 2010, on the roof of the

Kodak Theatre The Eastman Kodak Company, referred to simply as Kodak (), is an American public company that produces various products related to its historic basis in film photography. The company is headquartered in Rochester, New York, and is incorporated i ...

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

, featuring its newest band member,

Sugizo , born and better known by his stage name Sugizo, is a Japanese musician, songwriter, composer and record producer. He is best known as the lead guitarist and violinist of the Rock music, rock band Luna Sea since 1989. Sugizo started his solo ...

Personnel

* Toshi – lead vocals *

Hide Hide or hides may refer to: Common uses * Hide (skin), the cured skin of an animal * Bird hide, a structure for observing birds and other wildlife without causing disturbance * Gamekeeper's hide or hunting hide or hunting blind, a structure to hi ...

– guitars *

– guitars, backing vocals *

– bass guitar, backing vocals *

– drums, piano, producer

References

External links

* {{authority control X Japan songs Songs written by Yoshiki (musician) Saw (franchise) music Songs written for films 2008 singles 2007 songs