SHU-YA-san stretching~
A-STAFF Minazou
20 Monday Jun 2011
Posted AT11: LS/PoM blog, ayumi hamasaki
inSHU-YA-san stretching~
A-STAFF Minazou
20 Monday Jun 2011
Posted AT11: LS/PoM blog, ayumi hamasaki
inHey hey!!!
Power boost via pollack roeeeeeeeeee!!!!
A-STAFF Minazou
20 Monday Jun 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, lyrics
in
From You were…/BALLAD single + Rock’n’Roll Circus album.
—–
Lovers pass me on the street, brushing past my shoulders and walking on
Cold seeps throughout my body, because you’re not here
The seasons’ passings were forgotten, I didn’t need anything else
Yes, even my dreams were full of light, because I was in love
I thought you were my final one
I wanted to share my final love with you
Standing alone under this wide nightsky
Just what should I think?
Whose side are you at now, to whom are you showing your smile?
Hey, how long will it take, for this sorrow to end?
The results of those dreams we talked about
That turn of phrase which you always say
It’ll be easier if I can forget all these
But I don’t want to forget a single thing
In moments surround by silence
They come like a surge
These gentle, and almost too warm
Memories…
I thought you were my final one
I wanted to share my final love with you
Standing alone under this wide nightsky
Just what should I think?
The results of those dreams we talked about
That turn of phrase which you always say
It’ll be easier if I can forget all these
But I don’t want to forget a single thing
But I don’t want to forget a single thing
—–
19 Sunday Jun 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, Magazine Translations
inTaken from ayu’s official website, visit here.
—–
8th ALBUM 「Secret」, to be released on 29 November, has been completed! & here we present a special interview to commemorate the release.
Mister kaz: Firstly, I’d like to ask about the meaning behind the album’s title 「Secret」.
ayu: This album is just like its title, but I’m not going to reveal the secrets which I’ve always kept hidden! It may be about the person I am normally, it may be about you… Everyone surely has secrets, I’m 100% percent sure that a person who doesn’t have any secrets exists at all. Similarly, nobody can tell others everything about oneself. However, because we want to understand that (and to be understood) we work hard at preserving the part of ourselves that noone knows about. I, too, have a part that only some people know about, as well as a part that everyone knows about. I call that a secret, and that is what this album is about. I hope that everyone can find, within this album 「Secret」, a part that reflects their secret, or a song that helps them to understand another’s secret. They can listen to it and find out if their secrets are the same, or similar, to ayu’s secrets.
Mister kaz: There is definitely no one who knows 100% about a person, even if they are family or lovers… Even if we wish to know them 100%, there will always be hidden hobbies or personalities which we’ll never know about…
ayu: Yea, there will surely be something we’ll never know.
Mister kaz: I think that no matter how much we wish to know, there will be many things we’ll never know about.
ayu: Yep. A person without any secrets is just without any appeal, and is boring as a person. If we know everything about someone, we stop having interest in that person, and will not wish to continue the relationship. Humans have appeal because we are mysterious, and that makes others want to be with us.
—–
01. Not yet
words: ayumi hamasaki
music & arrangement: CMJK
Naturally, the album’s opening! A bold song which questions the secrets which I’ve scattered throughout the album, as well as someone else’s secrets… About the secret I’ve inserted into this album, in its various forms, with its various meanings.
And then, the miracles attained here. The miracle I’m talking about in this song is more of an emotion… The fact that I finished the album is a miracle = emotion. It’s not a miracle that I created. There were many other people, the staff working on it, and everyone concerned with the album helped to create the miracle. And these 2 concepts become the base for this album. After hearing about the “secret” and “miracles” in this opening song, will everyone look for them in the rest of the album? That’s the question this song asks.
—–
02. until that Day…
words: ayumi hamasaki
music & arrangement: CMJK
ayu: This used to be an instrumental track that CMJK-san used, and it was really very short. But because I really liked the guitar sound and the B-melody, I told him that I hoped he could make a full song out of it. As for the lyrics, they surfaced when I first heard the song, and what I wanted to say was all in my head already, so it was all waiting for CMJK-san to write the song. So, I waited… but when it finally came, it was so hard to fit the words in. (bitter laugh)
Mister kaz: Guess you shouldn’t have said that too early on.
ayu: Yes. It was really hard to insert lyrics in the part when the notes kept repeating very quickly. Though I knew what I wanted to say, I need to fit it to the notes, as well as cut it at appropriate places for breath-taking, so that was the hard part. I wrote words on pieces of paper and did a puzzle-piecing sort of exercise at home.
Mister kaz: So it was something like writing out the words you want to say, as well as alternative words with similar meanings, and trying to piece it all together?
ayu: Yes! I wrote all the words I wished to use, as well as their synonyms, and spread the pieces of paper on the floor. Then, I lined up the pieces, changed them around abit, and pieced out the final lyric. This is the first time I’ve used this method to compose lyrics.
Mister kaz: It’s impossible to use this method with 5-syllable words…
ayu: Yes yes! For example, I have only 3 syllables to say “楽しい” (tanoshii=enjoyable, uses 4 syllables), but I don’t know how to say it with just 3 syllables. I worked really hard with the trial and error, but in the end, I couldn’t say what I really wanted to say this time… Though the most important thing is to say what I wish to say, it’s really very difficult since I need to keep to the rhythm count as well. (bitter laugh)
Mister kaz: And the tempo was really fast too!
ayu: There’s no other song that is that fast and keeps the same note for most of the melody. I wish to be really straightforward when it comes to lyrics, so when the staff heard about my troubles, there were some who felt so miserable that they cried!
—–
03. Startin’
words: ayumi hamasaki
music: Kazuhiro Hara
arrangement: CMJK
ayu: This song was recorded in New York. The studio’s acoustics were really so awesome, and it was very easy to sing. As for the image of 「Startin’」, many people hold a certain image because of the dancers’ performance during the tour and a-nation, but this was originally more of a band-only song. There have been many rock songs like 「GAME」 and 「is this LOVE?」, but this is the first time I’ve challenged this particular vocal style! While singing, I kept feeling amazed that this particular vocal style works well too. So it was the New York studio’s great acoustics and environment which coaxed this new vocal style out of me.
Mister kaz: The PV was completely CG too, so it gives a fresh new feeling?
ayu: That’s right. Director Ishii (Ishii-chan), who shot 「Startin’」’s PV, was my friend since high school. So even when I knew he’s a director, we’ve never actually worked together before. It was awkward because we won’t know what attitude to adopt. (bitter laugh) We were so close in the past, but it would be weird to keep the same attitude during work…
Mister kaz: You need to be an artist and a director!
ayu: Yea. That’s why we’ll need to be formal with each other… That’s surely going to be embarrassing, like a family member coming to watch you work.
Mister kaz: What does ayu think of Director Ishii?
ayu: He understands what I want without me saying it. So it was easy to work together, and I was sure we’ll come out with something good! Most of the scenes are CG, so I had to act mostly in front of a green screen, but Ishii-chan made it all work! I felt that it’ll all work out because I believe in him!
—–
04. 1 LOVE
words: ayumi hamasaki
music: Yoji Noi
arrangement: H/L
ayu: This is in the new vocal style too. I think I’ve never had a strong vocal style till now. It’s like shouting… I never planned to sing it that way, but the melody and lyrics drew my voice out and it became this vocal style. It was a new discovery, that I can be drawn out in this way. The lyrics are bitchy, sharp and very strong too. However, a thin veil hides the sorrow within.
Mister kaz: This song was arrranged in a rock style, a surprise from H/L-san! And the PV director was Sunaga-san… My personal image of Sunaga-san has always been like 「Greatful Days」, bright and enjoyable but with a hint of surrealism.
ayu: Probably. Were you surprised?? I knew it was alright to voice out crazy things with Sunaga-san, so I did. After it was done, it was a really cool PV! But! Pole-dancing really hurt. (cries) I was covered in bruises the next day! (laugh)
Mister kaz: Really?? But you seemed fine during the filming.
ayu: It’s the same during concerts, I’m fine during the show because I am concentrating on something! So I don’t feel the pain… But it really hurt the next day. (laugh) Getting out of bed was hard enough. I was trying to get up, but my neck and back were hurting, and my body won’t move. (laugh) I’ve never banged my head or stretched my body that way before.
Mister kaz: Where did it hurt the most? Neck or back?
ayu: No. My right palm which gripped the pole! Since filming started in the morning till the next morning, my right palm had been gripping the pole and supporting my weight… So it was all red. I now think that pole dancers are awesome!
—–
05. It was
words: ayumi hamasaki
music: Naruya Ihashi
arrangement: tasuku
ayu: This was one of the songs that was submitted during the making of (miss)understood album. Though we didn’t use it then, I realized that I really liked it, so I got tasuku to do an arrangement. As for the lyrics, I wanted to write one without a clear ending, a song that ends on a confused note. About how many things have happened, but one still doesn’t have a clear mind, and in the end, one is still lost. We often wonder if we’re forcibly prolonging something, and if it’s right to do so. We also feel regrets after. I wanted to write about the real human world. And because I’m sure everyone thinks this way too, maybe we can share these feelings.
Mister kaz: Life is somehow a series of regrets… But we still need to live on. By the way, this song has the same conclusion as 「Over」, but is somehow still different.
ayu: That song was more about “let me end this”.
Mister kaz: But there seems to be more feelings of confusion and regret in 「It was」, compared to 「Over」.
ayu: It’s not something pretty and easy to express. Life is uncool and pathetic, but we still need to live on, that’s the feeling of this song. However, 「It was」 is not just about regrets, it’s also about facing forward and moving on! In life, it’s not about whether you have regrets or not, or whether you’re cool or not. What is important is to face forward and move on!
—–
06. LABYRINTH
music & arrangement: H/L
ayu: The melody is really pretty. Though I don’t sing in this piece, it contains a meaning regardless of the presence of words, and has a message. So why is 「LABYRINTH」 inserted here (between 「It was」 and 「JEWEL」)? What does 「LABYRINTH」 mean? I hope you’ll think about it, and if you can find out why, I’ll be really glad.
—–
07. JEWEL
words: ayumi hamasaki
music: Tetsuya Yukumi
arrangement: Shingo Kobayashi
ayu: This is a song which leaves a big impression. It’s been such a long time since we had a solely piano piece, so we really tried to use the piano to tell all in this song. It’s been so long, so it feels really fresh and nostalgic. Like I’ve returned to my past self… I’ve sung this many times on TV programmes, so everyone probably already has an impression of this song, but it’s a song that is really really very important to me, and will slowly become even more important in the future. That’s this song.
Mister kaz: The PV was by Director Takeishi, right?
ayu: When we were filming the PV for 「JEWEL」, I felt that Takeishi-san is the only person who can visually project the song, so I requested for him without hesitation. So that PV was not by chance, it’s natural that it’ll turn out the way it did. I think it’s a really awesome work.
Mister kaz: Makes you feel “That’s our Director Takeishi!”, doesn’t it? We couldn’t even tell which parts were real and which were CG, it was that great!
ayu: Yep. It was all shiny and sparkly throughout, so pretty! Just how long did it take to edit all that? Makes me want to view the production process.
Mister kaz: Exactly!
ayu: Ahhh~~!!! I need to tell everyone that the making-of is so so interesting too! (laugh)
Mister kaz: That’s right! You won’t believe the things (mysterious) that can happen behind the scenes of this magical PV… (laugh)
19 Sunday Jun 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, lyrics
in—–
Today, under this square piece of grey sky
All kinds of desires are burying everything
Within that, I never lost sight of the light
But can face forward and walk on, because
You’ve always taught me that
Something pure still remains
In a corner of this city
Exhausted, you fell asleep
While I hold my breath and gaze on
I am the only person in this world who sees
This unguarded profile of the one I love
Just as usual, the sun shone down
And the gentle wind blew, that day it happened
Within me, something is subtly
Strongly, surely changing
I alone feel it
To shed tears even when I’m not sad
Because your feelings seeped painfully
To the wounds at the back of my heart
And changed them to gentleness
If you meet with some deep sorrow
I hope to share it with you
For your smile, I can do anything
My precious treasure
My precious treasure
—–
19 Sunday Jun 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, lyrics
in—–
I heard your voice, or so I thought
So I stopped and stood still
There is no reason for it, I know, but
Even so, I continued searching for you
That season when you were here was more dazzling than anything
Everything reflected in my eyes were full of bright light
Just when did we start to wish for too much?
I just wanted to stay by your side. That was supposed to be all I needed
I saw a profile far across the street
Which looked like you
But I didn’t stop
Faced forward and continued walking on
That season with you was shorter than anything
Everything reflected in my eyes felt so precious
Just what have we left behind, what have we lost?
And just how much more time need pass, before I can accept it?
That season when you were here was more dazzling than anything
Everything reflected in my eyes were full of bright light
Here I am alone again, wondering if it’s for the best
Or if I’m just really bad at letting go
—–
19 Sunday Jun 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, lyrics
in—–
“As long as you stay, the flowers won’t wilt but continue blooming”
Before all this unadventurous, unprovocative, safe nonsense
Lures me to sleep, I’ll go. What I want is, yes
JUST 1 LOVE
For some reason, my disposition somehow always makes me deviate from the crowd
If you wish to pierce me with sharp words, feel free to do so
I just can’t be a follower
“As long as I go, beautiful flowers will always adorn us”
Those merciless, doubtless eyes of yours look at me
But refrain from asking if what I said was a joke, and so saved me
JUST 1 LOVE
Life is often about making choices with our own hands
If you wish to share your opinion or something, feel free to do so
These small things won’t shake me
Before it lures me to sleep, do it. What I want is, yes
JUST 1 LOVE
For some reason, my disposition somehow always makes me deviate from the crowd
If you wish to pierce me with sharp words, feel free to do so
I just can’t be a follower
Life is often about making choices with our own hands
If you wish to share your opinion or something, feel free to do so
These small things won’t shake me
—–
19 Sunday Jun 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, lyrics
in
From Startin’/Born To Be… single + Secret album.
—–
What are you so shy about?
Hey, what are you seeing?
And although I really like the way you walk
So straight you’ll collide into something soon
(Dreamin’ Startin’)
We can start anytime
(Dreamin’ Startin’)
We can end if you want to
(Dreamin’ Startin’)
If you’re all prepared
(Dreamin’ Startin’)
Then it’s your call
There is no answer
Nobody will give you one either
So if it really exists
You probably already have it
If you’ve decided to stick it out
Then puff up your chest
And look straight ahead
There is no point comparing you to someone else
Everyone has different standards, anyway
(Dreamin’ Startin’)
You are unique in the world
(Dreamin’ Startin’)
No one can replace you
(Dreamin’ Startin’)
Even so, if you continue to hesitate
(Dreamin’ Startin’)
Then that’s your call
There is no answer
It doesn’t exist anywhere
But we can never return again
To this moment right now
If you’ve decided to believe
Then open up and accept answers
Different from your expectations
There is no answer
Nobody will give you one either
So if it really exists
You probably already have it
If you’ve decided to stick it out
Then puff up your chest
And look straight ahead
There is no answer
It doesn’t exist anywhere
But we can never return again
To this moment right now
If you’ve decided to believe
Then open up and accept answers
Different from your expectations
—–
19 Sunday Jun 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, lyrics
in—–
Things haven’t ended yet
We can’t stop now
Haven’t we always been
Overcoming obstacles in just this way?
Uh La la la…
Uh uh
If we throw it away
If we turn our backs on it
Then isn’t that rude
To the tears we shed then?
Uh La la la…
Uh uh
Hey, I don’t care if at any time, in any way
This body is cut up and sold by the piece
But I will never surrender my heart to anyone
Hey, there are some days
When I wonder, just how long more and for what purpose
Should I continue to keep moving forward
But you are always watching me
It’s not so simple
And it may sound ridiculous
But it’s boring to live just for myself
Uh La la la…
Uh uh
Hey, to all those who think that a mere smile
And exchange of words lets you understand someone completely
You are totally mistaken
Hey, the meaning of my smile, the idea behind my words
I have no reason to tell anyone about those
Because I never think of conveying it
Yes, because you are the only one who knows
The unknown
Real
Me
Hey, if I leave this place someday
I know that you will look at me in a satisfied way
And wave at me heartily
Hey, if I leave this place someday
I know that you will look at me in a satisfied way
Keep silent, and give me a nod of approval
So please watch over me
Until
That Day…
——
19 Sunday Jun 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, lyrics
in—–
Let me tell you a secret
You’ve never known about
Will you find
The secret that is here?
Will you believe in
The miracle that is here?
The secret
The miracle
The secret
The miracle
Will you find
The secret that is here?
Will you believe in
The miracle that is here?
—–