"Appears" | ||||
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Single by Ayumi Hamasaki | ||||
from the album Loveppears | ||||
A-side | "Immature" | |||
Released | November 10, 1999 | |||
Recorded | 1999 | |||
Genre | Trance | |||
Length | 5:38 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | Ayumi Hamasaki | |||
Producer(s) | Max Matsuura | |||
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology | ||||
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Ayumi Hamasaki Germansingles chronology | ||||
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Official Music Video | ||||
"Appears" on YouTube |
"Appears" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released by Avex Trax on November 10,1999 as the sixth single from her second studio album Loveppears (1999),which was released on the same day. Alongside this,it has been released in several other territories with different release dates under her Western alias Ayu. It also served as Hamasaki's first limited edition single,limiting physical sales to 300,000 copies. The track was written by Hamasaki herself,while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Musically,"Appears" is a dance song written in third person perspective,and is about the third person watching what appears to be a happy and loving relationship. Upon its release,"Appears" received positive reviews from music critics. Alexey Eremenko,writing for AllMusic,selected the track as the best song from the album and her career. However,an editor from CD Journal criticized the amount of remixes on the CD single.
Commercially,the single was a success in Japan,peaking at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and TBS' Count Down TV chart. It sold just below its restricted 300,000 units,and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 200,000 units. An accompanying music video was directed by Wataru Takeishi,which displays Hamasaki walking around New York City and observing people. To promote the single,it appeared on several remix and greatest hits compilation albums conducted by Hamasaki,and has been included on some of her concert tours,including part two of her 2000 concert tour and the 2007 Secret Tour.
"Appears" was written by Hamasaki herself,while production was handled by longtime collaborator Max Matsuura. The song's instrumentation consists of guitar by musician Naoya Akimoto and keyboards by Japanese pop band HΛL. It was then composed together by Kazuhito Kikuchi and mixed by HΛL. [1] An alternative version of "Appears" was released as the single-edit,which was primarily composed and mixed by Kikuchi,but this edit did not appear on the final cut of Hamasaki's second studio album Loveppears (1999). [1] Musically,"Appears" is a dance song,a genre that is heavily influenced throughout the parent album. [2] [3]
In a special commentary for Hamasaki's compilation album A Ballads (2003),where a third version of the track is included,she stated that the lyrical content was written in third person perspective,a trait that is shared with the rest of the album's tracks. [4] She stated that the song is about the third person watching a happy and loving relationship:"It's about lovers who appear to be happy and are living each day in their usual way. But there is a sense that a third person is watching from a distance." [4] The song's title is loosely based on the album's title Loveppears,which was originally planned to be called "Lovers Appear". [4]
"Appears" was released by Avex Trax on November 10,1999 as the sixth single from the album,which was also released on the same day. [5] [1] The CD single,which was distributed in Japan and Hong Kong,included 12 tracks:six remixes of "Appears",two remixes of her previous single "Whatever",and two remixes of her previous promotional single "Immature". The last two tracks are instrumentals of the HΛL remix and Keisuke Kikuchi remix of "Appears" and "Immature" (titled '99 Greetings Mix and JT Original CM Mix). [5] [6] Two separate 12" vinyls were distributed by Japanese label Rhythm Republic,featuring remixes of both "Appears" and "Whatever". [7] [8] It was Hamasaki's first single to be distributed in North America,which was remixed by American DJ Junior Vasquez and released on May 27,2001. [9] It was furthered distributed by Drizzly Records throughout Europe in 2005–06 under Hamasaki's Western alias Ayu;it was released on 12" vinyl and CD single formats. [10] [11] The artwork for digital and Japanese formats featured a darkened skin version of Hamasaki's portrait on Loveppears;like both covers,it garnered controversy due to its provocative nature. [12]
Upon its release,"Appears" received positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic's Alexey Eremenko,whom contributed to writing Hamasaki's biography on the website,selected the track as some of her best work. [13] A mixed review came from a staff member at CD Journal,who questioned the inclusion of remixes on the CD single. Though the editor commended the club inspired composition,he/she criticized how it took over Hamasaki's vocal performance and felt the sound was slightly "geeky". [14] Commercially,the single was a success in Japan. It debuted at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart,selling 273,760 units in its first week of sales. It lasted three weeks on the top 200,becoming one of Hamasaki's lowest spanning singles in that chart. [15] It debuted at number two on the Count Down TV chart hosted by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS),stalled from the top spot by Hikaru Utada's "Addicted to You". [16] It lasted four weeks in the top 100. [17] Part one of the "Appears"/"Whatever" 12" vinyl reached number 96 on the same chart,entering on chart date February 5,2000. [18]
By the end of 1999,it had sold over 282,000 units in Japan,making it the 81st highest selling single of that year in that country;it was also Hamasaki's fifth addition on the Oricon Yearly Chart,just behind her singles "To Be","Love (Destiny)","Boys &Girls",and her extended play A (1999). [19] That same year,it ranked at number 84 on TBS' Annual Chart. [20] In January 2000,the single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 200,000 units. [21] As of July 2016,"Appears" has sold 290,550 units in Japan,and is her 28th highest selling single based on Oricon Style's data base. [22]
An accompanying music video was directed by Wataru Takeishi. [23] The video opens with shots of New York City,and then has Hamasaki on a rooftop. Hamasaki is then singing the track with several different camera angles circulating her and the city. During the first verse,it has her in an apartment,sitting on a couch with a butterfly hair clip;this scene is used throughout the entire video. It then has three shots of her in different clothes;one with a brown leather jacket,brown wig and cowboy hat,the second with a red dress on,and the third with a black jacket and crop hair style. [23] The shot with her in the brown leather jacket,brown wig and cowboy hat then shows her on a rooftop singing the song. The final pre-chorus and chorus has her driving through New York City,and has her in a pink dress watching the snow fall;it ends with her in the red dress,holding her hands out for the snow to fall. [23] The music video was included on several DVD compilations released by Hamasaki:A Clips (2000), [24] A Complete Box Set (2004), [25] the digital release of A Clips Complete (2014), [26] and the DVD and Blu-Ray re-release edition of her 2001 compilation album A Best (2016). [27]
"Appears" has been heavily promoted on compilation albums and live performances. As of July 2016,it has been included on eight of Hamasaki's remix albums,including Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix (2000) and Ayu-mi-x II Version Non-Stop Mega Mix (2001). [28] The single has also been used on greatest hits albums conducted by Hamasaki,including A Best (2001), [29] the HΛL's remix on A Ballads (2003), [30] A Complete:All Singles (2007), [31] and most recently on her 2014 Christmas compilation Winter Ballad Selection. [32] It was specially remixed by Junior Vasquez and added onto Hamasaki's remix extended play, The Other Side Two:Junior Vasquez . [33] The single has been included on three major concert tours hosted by Hamasaki,including part two of her 2000 concert tour, [34] her 2007 Secret Tour, [35] and her 2012 Hotel Love Songs tour in Japan. [36]
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Credits adapted from the CD liner notes of Loveppears; [1]
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Weekly charts
| Yearly chart
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Japan (RIAJ) [21] | Gold | 290,550 [40] |
Region | Date | Format | Label |
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Japan [5] | November 10, 1999 | CD single |
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Hong Kong [6] | |||
Japan [7] | January 28, 2000 | 12" vinyl | Rhythm Republic |
"Appears"/"Immature" 12" vinyl [37] | |||
March 22, 2000 | 12" vinyl | ||
United States [9] | May 27, 2001 | 12" vinyl | Avex USA |
Germany [10] | April 18, 2005 | Drizzly Records | |
Europe [11] | CD single | ||
United Kingdom [38] | 2006 | ||
Japan [39] | September 2008 [upper-alpha 2] | Digital download |
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Loveppears is the second studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released in Japan, Hong Kong and China on November 10, 1999, through Avex Trax and the China Record Corporation, and distributed worldwide on April 10, 2001, by Avex Entertainment Inc. It was entirely written by Hamasaki herself, while the production was handled by Japanese musician Max Matsuura. Musically, Loveppears is a dance album and lyrically focuses on themes of love, frustration of life, loneliness, and individualism.
Duty is the third studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on September 27, 2000, by Avex Trax. Duty is Hamasaki's first studio album inside the 2000s decade, and her third consecutive studio album to be fully produced by Japanese musician and businessman Max Matsuura. The album's composing and arrangement was handled by several music collaborators, such as Ken Harada, Kazuhito Kikuchi, Dai Nagao, HΛL, among many others. Hamasaki contributed to the album as the primary and background vocalist, and songwriter to every song. Three different formats were released to promote the album: a standalone CD, a limited edition Playbutton, and a digital download. The cover sleeve has Hamasaki wearing a leopard-print cat suit.
A Best is the first greatest hits album by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on March 28, 2001, by Avex Trax and Avex Music Creative Inc. Hamasaki had originally planned to release the greatest hits album after her 2002 studio album I Am..., but the idea was denied by Avex head staff. Instead, Avex released the album in 2001, which caused conflict between the label and Hamasaki. The compilation was released in two different formats including a physical and a digital release. Seven different artworks were released in several editions of the album. The album includes one new track, three re-recorded tracks, and the rest of previously released singles.
"Surreal" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, taken from her third studio album Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki and produced by Max Matsuura. The song is a rock with elements of alternative rock. "Surreal" describes Hamasaki's madness and sense of confusion, while the themes of "Surreal" are based on Hamasaki's concept of loneliness, chaos, confusion, and the burden of her responsibilities, aimed mostly toward her public image as a recording artist. It was released as the fourth single from the album on 27 September 2000 by Avex Trax and Avex Taiwan.
"Whatever" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her second studio album, Loveppears (1999). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. The track is Hamasaki's sixth single with Matsuura since her debut single in April 1998, "Poker Face". "Whatever" premiered on February 10, 1999 as the lead single from the album. It was re-released on February 28, 2001 as a CD single.
"Love (Destiny)" (stylized as "LOVE ~Destiny~") is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, serving as the second single for her second studio album, Loveppears (1999). It was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Taiwan on April 14, 1999, and through Avex Entertainment Inc. worldwide in September 2008. The track was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Three versions of the recording have been made available—a ballad version arranged by Tsunku, an edited version with vocals by Tsunku, and a dance-influenced version included on Loveppears.
"To Be" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It served as the third single from Hamasaki's second studio album Loveppears (1999). The track was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Taiwan on May 12, 1999, and through Avex Entertainment Inc. worldwide in September 2008. It was Hamasaki's final single to be distributed as a Mini-CD, a format that debuted at the start of her career in April 1998. "To Be" was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Musically, it is a J-Pop that was written in third person perspective, much like the content from the parent album.
"Boys & Girls" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, serving as the fourth single for her second studio album, Loveppears (1999). It was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Hong Kong on July 14, 1999, and through Avex USA in North America in early 2001, while being re-distributed in 2003. "Boys & Girls" marks Hamasaki's first single to be made available for purchase as a maxi single with additional remixes. The track was written by the singer herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Musically, the song is a dance recording, a genre that heavily influences Loveppears. The single's lyrical content is written in third-person perspective.
A is an extended play (EP) by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Hong Kong on August 11, 1999, in 10 different editions, and through Avex Entertainment Inc. worldwide in September 2008. It additionally served as a single from her second studio album Loveppears (1999), and is her first single marketed as an EP. The 12-track EP contains four new original songs: "Monochrome", "Too Late", "Trauma", and "End Roll", and eight remixes. All songs were written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura.
"Kanariya" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her second studio album, Loveppears (1999). It was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Hong Kong on December 8, 1999, and through Avex USA in North America in early 2000. The recording also served as Hamasaki's second limited edition single, with limited physical units of 300,000 copies. The track was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Two versions of "Kanariya" were made available for consumption—a radio edit produced by American disc jockey Jonathan Peters, and the album version composed by Yasuhiko Hoshino. Lyrically, the song was written in third person perspective.
"Fly High" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released by Avex Trax in Japan on February 9, 2000, and through Avex Entertainment Inc. worldwide in September 2008. The recording served as Hamasaki's third and final limited edition single from her second studio album, Loveppears (1999), limiting physical units to 300,000 copies. The track was written by the singer herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Two versions of "Fly High" were made available for consumption—a radio edit composed by HΛL, and the album version produced by Dai Nagao. Lyrically, the song was written in third person perspective.
"Vogue" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. It premiered on April 26, 2000 as the lead single from the album. Her third consecutive lead single to be produced by Matsuura, the song is part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles being "Far Away" and "Seasons".
"Far Away" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. It premiered on May 17, 2000, as the second single from the album. The song is part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles being "Vogue" and "Seasons".
"Seasons" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. It premiered on June 7, 2000, as the third single from the album. The song is the final part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles being "Vogue" and "Far Away".
"Audience" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki from her third studio album Duty (2000). It was released as the album's fifth and final single on 1 November 2000 by Avex Trax. Hamasaki wrote the track and Max Matsuura Lewis produced it. Dai Nagao and HΛL composed both the single and album version. The single artwork was shot by Japanese photographer Toru Kumazawa and features duplicate clones of Hamasaki, resembling an audience. Musically, "Audience" is a dance–pop and disco song.
Guilty is the ninth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on January 1, 2008 by Avex Trax. Guilty marks Hamasaki's ninth consecutive album to be fully produced by Japanese producer and manager Max Matsuura, while she contributes to the album as the lead vocalist, background vocalist, and songwriter to all songs. Recorded in Japanese with minor phrases in English, Guilty is a rock album with numerous musical elements such as pop rock, heavy metal, synthrock, and power ballad melodies.
"Who..." is a Japanese-language song recorded by singer Ayumi Hamasaki. It served as a standard track to her second studio album Loveppears (1999), and was re-recorded and released as a promotional single by Avex Trax in Japan as part of the promotion towards her fifth greatest hits compilation album A Complete: All Singles on September 10, 2008. The track was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Musically, it is a J-Pop ballad that was written in third-person perspective, like the rest of the content from Loveppears. The lyrics details the encapsulation of Hamasaki, and explaining her message of her own philosophy. During its promotional release in 2008, it reached number 49 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart in Japan, and number 19 on the RIAJ Monthly Ringtones chart. It was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for digital sales of 250,000 units. To promote the single, it appeared on remix and greatest hits compilation albums conducted by Hamasaki.
A Complete: All Singles is a greatest hits album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax released it on September 10, 2008 in a variety of formats, and was created to commemorate the singer's tenth anniversary since the release of her 1998 single "Poker Face". The album is divided into three sections, each highlighting a single released by Hamasaki from her debut in 1998 to her most recent single, "Talkin' 2 Myself" in 2007. Additionally, the compilation includes two new songs: the stand-alone single "Mirrorcle World" and a re-recorded version of "Who...".
"Rule"/"Sparkle" is a double A-side single by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki from her tenth studio album, Next Level (2009). The song was released on a CD and DVD format on February 25, 2009 as the second single from the album. With "Rule" composed by Miki Wantanabe and "Sparkle" composed by Kazuhiro Hara, both songs were written by Hamasaki and produced by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. "Rule" was used as the international theme song for the 2009 film Dragonball Evolution.
"Feel the Love" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released in six different formats on December 25, 2013 by Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan, and Avex Entertainment Inc. worldwide. It was also her first physical release in three years since her EP–single L (2010), and her first double A-side single, alongside the track "Merry-Go-Round", since "Moon" and "Blossom" that same year. The track was written by the singer, whilst production was handled by Japanese musician and long-time collaborator Max Matsuura with the assistance of DJ Hello Kitty; this marks the singer's first single to be produced with another producer outside of Matsuura. Musically, "Feel the Love" is an electronic dance song that lyrically focuses on love and having a good time.
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