You Were...

Last updated
"You Were..."
You were BALLAD.png
CD only artwork.
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki
from the album Rock 'n' Roll Circus
ReleasedDecember 29, 2009
Recorded2009
Genre Pop rock
Label
Songwriter(s) Hamasaki
Producer(s) Max Matsuura
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology
"Sunrise/Sunset (Love Is All)"
(2009)
"You Were..." / "Ballad"
(2009)
"Moon/Blossom"
(2010)
Official Music Video
"You Were..." on YouTube

Charts and sales

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ) [33]
Ringtone
2× Platinum500,000*
Japan (RIAJ) [34]
Digital single
Platinum250,000*
Japan (RIAJ) [35]
physical sales
Gold140,000 [16]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Hamasaki's first-week sales were the highest for that week (the first week of January). However, Oricon's year only has fifty-one "weeks"—the first two of the year are combined.
  2. Sales provided by Oricon database and are rounded to the nearest thousand copies.
  3. For the standard and East Asian G-Music charts; "You Were.../Ballad" 2009 week 52.
  4. The second DVD single goes under the title "Ballad / You Were...". [12]
  5. Music videos are released individually through iTunes Store. [31]

Related Research Articles

<i>Memorial Address</i> 2003 EP by Ayumi Hamasaki

Memorial Address is the debut mini-album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax released the album on December 17, 2003, in both physical and digital formats; it was her first album to be released in CD+DVD format in addition to the regular CD-only format, due to her increased interest in music video direction. The mini-album contains eight songs and features a number of collaborators, including Tetsuya Yukumi, Bounceback, CMJK, and Dai Nagao, among others, with Hamasaki serving as co-composer and songwriter. Memorial Address's musical influences include dance music, electronic, R&B, rock, and alternative metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surreal (song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love (Destiny)</span> 1999 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To Be (song)</span> 1999 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boys & Girls (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 1999 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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.

<i>A</i> (Ayumi Hamasaki EP) 1999 EP by Ayumi Hamasaki

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appears</span> 1999 song by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanariya</span> 1999 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly High (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vogue (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seasons (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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 Avex Trax chairman 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 from the trilogy being "Vogue" and "Far Away".

<i>A Best 2</i> 2007 greatest hits album by Ayumi Hamasaki

A Best 2 is a two-part greatest hits album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. Both albums, titled Black and White, were released on 28 February 2007 on various formats by Avex Trax. Produced by Max Matsuura, they follow Hamasaki's compilation album A Best, which was released in March 2001. A Best 2 are concept albums, with Black focusing on darker and more serious tones and White on lighter and more upbeat themes. The albums contain 31 songs, including an unreleased track titled "Part of Me" on the Black edition, that were released between the periods of her albums I Am... (2002) and (Miss)understood (2006).

<i>Guilty</i> (Ayumi Hamasaki album) 2008 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Guilty is the ninth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on New Year's Day 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.

<i>A Complete: All Singles</i> 2008 greatest hits album by Ayumi 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...".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rule/Sparkle</span> 2009 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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.

<i>Next Level</i> (Ayumi Hamasaki album) 2009 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Next Level is the tenth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released through Avex Trax on March 25, 2009 in five physical formats, and for digital consumption. The album was solely produced by Avex Trax owner Max Matsuura, whereas the album's content was written by Hamasaki herself. Additionally, it marks a return for several composers that helped construct her previous records, including Dai Nagao, CMJK, Kazuhiro Hara, HΛL, amongst others. Stylistically, Next Level is a departure from her previous albums, focusing on electronic music with elements of rock and dance.

<i>Rock n Roll Circus</i> 2010 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Rock 'n' Roll Circus is the eleventh studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on April 14, 2010, by Avex Trax. It was also released just a little over a year after her 2009 album, Next Level. Rock 'n' Roll Circus marks Hamasaki's eleventh 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, Rock 'n' Roll Circus is a rock album with numerous musical elements such as electropop, J-pop, rock, pop ballad, and dance music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel the Love (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2013 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"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.

<i>Colours</i> (Ayumi Hamasaki album) 2014 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Colours is the fifteenth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on July 2, 2014, in Japan by Avex Trax, worldwide by Avex Entertainment Inc., and on July 18 in Taiwan by Avex Taiwan. The songs on the album were entirely written by Hamasaki, while production was led by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura; it also included a variety of Western producers such as Armin van Buuren, members from RedOne Productions De Paris and Rush, Darkchild, and Fedde Le Grand, among others. This became Hamasaki's first studio album to have not been fully produced by Matsuura, and her first album to incorporate a large amount of English language. Musically, Colours is an electronic dance music album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merry-Go-Round (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2013 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Merry-Go-Round" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, featuring a rap section delivered by Japanese artist Verbal, for the singer's fifteenth studio album Colours (2014). It was released worldwide in six different formats on December 25, 2013 by Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan, and Avex Entertainment Inc. It was also Hamasaki's first physical release in three years since her EP–single L (2010), and her first double A-side single, alongside the track "Feel the Love", since "Moon" and "Blossom" that same year. The track was written by Hamasaki, whilst production was handled by Japanese musician and long-time collaborator Max Matsuura with the assistance of M-Flo; this marks Hamasaki's first single to be produced with another producer outside of Matsuura. Musically, "Merry-Go-Round" is an electronic dance song that includes guitars and synthesizers in its instrumentation.

References

  1. Farrah (March 8, 2010). "New Ayumi Hamasaki Album and Live DVD". Jame World. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hamasaki, Ayumi (2010). Rock 'n' Roll Circus (Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-38103.
  3. "Max Matsuura Discography". Discogs.com . Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Hiraga, Tetsuo (December 29, 2009). "Ayumi Hamasaki – You Were.../Ballad" (in Japanese). Hot Express. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  5. 1 2 CD Journal Staff (December 29, 2009). "Ayumi Hamasaki / You Were...Ballad [CD and DVD]" (in Japanese). CD Journal. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Eremenko, Alexey (April 14, 2010). "Rock'n'Roll Circus – Ayumi Hamasaki". Allmusic . Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Random J (April 14, 2010). "Rock'n'Roll Circus – Ayumi Hamasaki". Random J Pop. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  8. Greg (April 14, 2010). "Rock'n'Roll Circus – Ayumi Hamasaki". Selective-Hearing.com. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Amazon Japan Staff (December 29, 2009). "Ayumi Hamasaki – You Were.../Ballad". Japan's Amazon . Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hamasaki, Ayumi (2009). You Were.../Ballad (Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-31801.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hamasaki, Ayumi (2009). You Were.../Ballad (Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-31799/B.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hamasaki, Ayumi (2009). You Were.../Ballad (Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-31800/B.
  13. Hamasaki, Ayumi (2009). Ballad/You Were... (Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Hong Kong: Avex Trax. AAJSG50024D.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "You Were... – Album – By Ayumi Hamasaki" (in Japanese). iTunes Store JP. December 29, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 浜崎あゆみのリリース一覧 [List of Ayumi Hamasaki's Releases]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  16. 1 2 "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  17. ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2009年12月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (August 2009)] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. January 10, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  18. 1 2 "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). January 13, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  19. 1 2 "Japan Billboard Hot Single Sales Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). January 13, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  20. "Japan Billboard Hot Single Sales Chart". Billboard (in Japanese). February 15, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  21. レコード協会調べ 10月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: October Digital Music Download Certifications] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. November 20, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  22. レコード協会調べ 1月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: January Digital Music Download Certifications] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. February 28, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  23. 1 2 "G-Music Combo Chart" (in Chinese). G-Music. Archived from the original on January 10, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  24. 1 2 "G-Music J-Pop Chart" (in Chinese). G-Music. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  25. Schedule updated - TV Performances & Magazines! - Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai
  26. Schedule updated - TV Performances & Magazines! Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai
  27. "On buses, Lorries and Promotional billboards". Archived from the original on 2007-12-29. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  28. "ayu.no - Norwegian Ayumi Hamasaki Forum". Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  29. "You Were... – Music Video – By Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store US. December 29, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  30. "Ballad – Music Video – By Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store US. December 29, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  31. "Ayumi Hamasaki on iTunes Store". iTunes Store US. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  32. Oricon Style (2010). "Oricon announces "2010 Yearly Single Ranking"!". Tokyo Hive. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  33. "Japanese ringtone certifications – Ayumi Hamasaki – You Were..." (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved February 16, 2016.Select 2012年10月 on the drop-down menu
  34. "Japanese digital single certifications – Ayumi Hamasaki – You Were..." (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved February 16, 2016.Select 2014年1月 on the drop-down menu
  35. "Japanese single certifications – Ayumi Hamasaki – You Were.../Ballad" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved February 16, 2016.