Audience (Ayumi Hamasaki song)

"Audience"
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki
from the album Duty
Released November 1, 2000
Format CD single
Genre Dance-pop, rock, disco
Length 4:06 (album version)
4:08 (single version)
Label Avex Trax
Writer(s) Ayumi Hamasaki (lyrics)
DAI (music)
Producer(s) Max Matsuura
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology
"Surreal"
(2000)		 "Audience"
(2000)		 "M"
(2000)

"Audience" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki from her third studio album Duty (2001). 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.

"Audience" received positive reviews from music critics, many who highlighted it from the parent album and her music career. Critics also highlighted the track because it was the only dance song on the album. It achieved lukewarm success in Japan, with a peak position of number three on the Oricon Singles Chart and a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). The single remains Hamasaki's twenty-seventh best selling single in Japan. No music video was shot for the single.

Background

On January 1 and November 11, 1999, Ayumi Hamasaki released two studio albums A Song for ×× and Loveppears. Both albums sold over one million units in Japan and the first was certified million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ); the latter sold over two million and was certified double million.[upper-alpha 1][1][2][3] The album reviews were generally negative; A Song for xx was not well-received from most music critics, calling it "unassuming" and felt the music was "plan" and "cautious pop rock."[4] Loveppears transitioned to strong dance music and achieved better reviews.[5]

Hamasaki released three limited edition singles that year: "Appears", "Kanariya" and "Fly High", and achieved a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).[3][6][7][8] Hamasaki begun work on Duty and followed a similar musical concept like her previous work.[9] Hamasaki begun promotion with a single trilogy consisting "Vogue", "Far Away" and "Seasons". The first two were certified double and platinum by the RIAJ.[10][11] The third single "Seasons" became Hamasaki's sold over 1.3 million units in Japan and was certified Million by RIAJ.[12] Hamasaki released the fourth single "Surreal" in September 2000 and peaked at number one.[8]

Composition

Dai Nagao (left) produced and composed the song, along with other of Hamasaki's subsequent releases.

"Audience" was written by Hamasaki.[13] The song was recorded in mid-2000 in Tokyo, Japan. Max Matsuura produced both the single version and the album version, with additional production handling by Naoto Suzuki for the single version.[14] HΛL played the keyboard, Suzuki played the guitar and all other instruments were handled by Dai Nagao.[14] "Audience" is a dance song that employs elements of disco music.[15] In comparison, Duty was a rock-influenced album and "Audience" was the only dance track on the album.[16]

During the writing process off Duty, Hamasaki said that it was "unnatural" and was constantly "nervous".[17] Majority of the lyrical content featured feelings of loneliness, chaos, confusion, and the burden of her responsibilities, aimed mostly towards her public image as an recording artist.[9] In contrast to "Audience", the trilogy singles focused on hopelessness, a reflection of Hamasaki's disappointment that she had not expressed herself thoroughly in any of her previous lyrics.[9]

In the lyrical content, the song features the English word "Yes".[14] "Audience" became her third song and second song penned by her to have incorporated English-language lyrics after "Whatever" and b-side "Love: Since 1999".[upper-alpha 2] Despite this, "Whatever" only used the word "Wow" while "Love: Since 1999" was not written by Hamasaki and, like "Whatever", by only using a singular phrase, it does not count in using English-language conversation like she did in her 2002 album Rainbow.[18]

Release and promotion

"Audience" was released on 1 November 2000 in CD format by Avex Trax, as the fifth single for the singer's third studio effort Duty (2000).[19] The maxi single features over nine remixes, one instrumental and an acapella of "Seasons".[14] The cover sleeve features several clones of Hamasaki, representing an audience.[14] The cover shoot was photographed by Japanese photographer Toru Kumazawa with a total off seven make-up and hair assistants.[14] Shinichi Hara had directed the cover sleeve and has been Hamasaki's creative director for promotional work and began collaborating with her in 1998. His final work was directing the sleeve for Hamasaki's 2009 single "Sunrise/Sunset (Love Is All)".[20][21] A digital release of the single was released in Australia, New Zealand, North America and the United Kingdom.[22][23][24][25] A vinyl was released by Rhythm Republic Records and was distributed in Japan only.[26] "Audience" has featured on three greatest hits compilation albums by Hamasaki including the white deluxe edition of A Best 2 (2007), A Complete: All Singles (2008) and A Summer Best (2012).[27][28][29]

No music video was shot for the single.[15] Only a video commercial for the single was aired in Japan.[30] This became Hamasaki's first single to not feature a music video; her next single to not feature a music video was her 2001 single "Unite!".[upper-alpha 3]

Reception

"Audience" received favorable reviews from most music critics. Alexey Eremenko, who had written her extended biography at Allmusic, had highlighted the song as an album standout and career standout.[34] In an Amazon.com review, the editorial reviewer had commented on the tracks on Duty and praised the songs for embracing a "healing effect" that was absent on her two previous studio albums.[35] CDJournal was positive towards the track, calling it a "positive", "bouncy" and "fun" song that works well with friendships.[15] The reviewer commended the "aggressive melody" that escalates and raises the "excitement level."[15] Hamasaki hosted an online voting poll for fans to choose their favorite tracks to be featured on her Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour Best Live Tour. As a result, "Audience" were featured on the list.[36]

"Audience" debuted at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart, with total first week sales off 188,420 units.[37] The song was unable to pass Misia's single "Everything" and Southern All Stars' single "BLUE IN GREEN".[37] Hamasaki's single "Surreal" was also present on the singles chart at number fifty. In the songs second week, it fell to number eight.[38] The song then fell to sixteen in its third week, and fell at number thirty and forty-six in its fourth and fifth respectful weeks. The song fell outside the top fifty at number fifty-four and fell to seventy-nine.[39] It's two last charting weeks were also the same week her single "M" had entered and peaked at number one on the Oricon chart, the first single from I Am... (2002).[39]

"Audience" was certified gold by the RIAJ for shipment of 200,000 units.[40] "Audience" resulted in the lowest selling single off Duty, with only the lead "trilogy" singles selling over 500,000 units in Japan.[10][11][12] Despite this result, "Audience" now remains Hamasaki's second best selling limited edition single to date with sales over 293,000 units, just behind "Fly High" which sold 300,000 units.[7] "Audiene" is her twenty-seventh best selling single.[41]

Live performances

Hamasaki has performed "Audience" in all of her New Years countdown concerts up until the Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2006–2007 A, which became the songs last live performance at the countdown shows.[upper-alpha 4] Additionally, Hamasaki has performed "Audience" twice in her involvement with Avex Trax's concert A Nation, being performed in 2006 and the last performance being held in 2008.[47][48]

"Audience" has also been featured on several of Hamasaki's national and international tours that has spread throughout many Asian territories. The song had made its debut tour performance on Hamasaki's 2001 Ayumi Hamasaki Dome Tour 2001 A.[49] Ever since the songs debut performance, "Audience" has appeared on several of Hamasaki's arena tours including Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2002 A, 2002 Stadium Tour and 2005 My Story Tour. The song's last live performance was her 2014 Ayumi Hamasaki PREMIUM SHOWCASE: Feel the love, in which was supported by her 2014 studio album Colours.[upper-alpha 5]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the single's liner notes.[14]

Song credits

Cover credits

Track listing

All lyrics written by Ayumi Hamasaki.[14]

CD single
No. Title Length
1. "Audience" (Dave Ford Mix) 4:08
2. "Surreal" (Sample Madness Remix) 5:31
3. "Audience" (Keith Litman's Radio Mix) 3:53
4. "Audience" (Feelin' U Mix) 6:29
5. "Audience" (GENIUS ROCK Big Beat Mix) 5:35
6. "Audience" (Paranoid Android Mix) 5:38
7. "Audience" (Scud Formant Mix) 5:45
8. "Audience" (HAL'S 2000 Mix) 4:16
9. "Audience" (Dub's Floor Remix Transport 004) 8:37
10. "Audience" (Dave Ford Mix (Instrumental)) 4:08
11. "Seasons" (Vocal Track) 2:59
7" Vinyl
No. Title Length
1. "Audience" (Keith Litman's Radio Mix) 3:53
2. "Surreal" (Sample Madness Remix) 5:31
3. "Audience" (Dave Ford Mix) 4:08

Charts, peaks and positions

Oricon charts

Chart (2000) Peak
position
Japan Weekly Chart (Oricon)[37] 3

Certification

Region Certification Shipments
Japan (RIAJ)[40] Platinum[upper-alpha 6] 200,000

Release history

List of release dates by region, including format details, and record label
Region Date Format Label Version
Japan November 1, 2000 Compact disc Avex Trax Album and Single Version
Vinyl
N/A Digital download[55]

Notes

  1. ↑ A Song for ×× received a 3× Platinum certification for 1,200,000 copies, however the 3× Platinum threshold was redefined as 750,000 copies in 2003.
  2. ↑ The exclamation "Yes" is commonly used in the English-language and alternative European-languages. Technically, "Yes" is spoken and written in an English format and has been listed in the 1913 Webster Dictionary, so it proves that "Audience" is her third song to use an English-language word.
  3. ↑ "Audience" was her first stand-alone single to not feature a music video and does not include her 1999 EP A. A featured "Monochrome", "Too Late", "Trauma" and "End roll" and didn't receive a music video for each track, making it her first EP to not feature music videos. This repeated on H (2002), but her third EP & did for all tracks.[31][32][33] To date, Hamasaki has four solo singles that have no music videos: "Audience", "Unite!", "Blossom" and "Terminal".
  4. ↑ All New Years concert links are listed below; 2000–2001 A,[42] 2001-2002,[43] 2002-2003,[43] 2004-2005,[44] 2005-2006,[45] and 2006-2007.[46]
  5. ↑ All arena tours appearances are listed below; Stadium Tour 2002,[50] Arena Tour 2006,[51] Tour of Secret,[52] and the final performance off Premium Showcase: Feel the Love.[53]
  6. ↑ The Recording Industry Association of Japan had changed their criteria in July 2003 for shipment and sales, meaning that "Gold" certifications are now 100,000 units and "Platinum" are 250,000 units. But since "Audience" was released before then, the sales shipments were 200,000 units.[54]

References

  1. ↑ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年3月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. March 1999 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese) (Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan) 474: 9. May 10, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  2. ↑ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年2月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. February 1999 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese) (Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan) 473: 9. April 10, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年11月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. November 1999 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese) (Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan) 482: 9. January 10, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  4. ↑ Walters, Barry (March 5, 2002). "Turning (Japanese) Point". The Village Voice. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  5. ↑ "LOVEppers: Ayumi Hamasaki [CD]". HMV. March 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  6. ↑ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2000年2月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. March 2000 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese) (Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan) 485: 8. April 10, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 2, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年12月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. December 1999 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese) (Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan) 483: 8. February 10, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 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.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Author, Unknown (December 22, 2000). ""Review of Ayu's Year 2000 & M".". J-Point (in Japanese): 75.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2000年5月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. May 2000 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese) (Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan) 488: 8. July 10, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2000年7月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. September 2000 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese) (Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan) 490: 8. September 10, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2000年6月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. June 2000 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese) (Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan) 489: 8. August 10, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  13. ↑ Duty (Album liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2000. AVCD-11837.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 Audience (CD single liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2000. AVCD-30184.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Unknown, Author (March 22, 2015). Éͺꤢ¤ć¤ß "Duty by Hamasaki, Ayumi". CDJournal. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  16. ↑ Tsuriya, Takako (November 2007). "Side Face Story". Cawaii (in Japanese).
  17. ↑ Tsuriya, Takako (May 2008). "Ayu 10th Year Career Anniversary". Cawaii (in Japanese): 15, 18.
  18. ↑ Takeuchi Cullen, Lisa (March 25, 2002). "Empress of Pop". Time. p. 4. Archived from the original on March 22, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
  19. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki: Audience". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  20. ↑ A Song for xx (Album liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 1998. AVCD-11691.
  21. ↑ Sunrise/Sunset (Love is All) (Album liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2009. AVCD-31719.
  22. ↑ "AUDIENCE - EP by ayumi hamasaki". AU iTunes Store. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  23. ↑ "AUDIENCE - EP by ayumi hamasaki". NZ iTunes Store. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  24. ↑ "AUDIENCE - EP by ayumi hamasaki". UK iTunes Store. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  25. ↑ "AUDIENCE - EP by ayumi hamasaki". US iTunes Store. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  26. ↑ Surreal (Vinyl). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2000. RR12-88193.
  27. ↑ A Complete: All Singles (Compilation liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2008. AVCD-23676~8.
  28. ↑ A Summer Best (Compilation liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2012. AVCD-38560~1.
  29. ↑ A Best 2 (White Edition) (Double-disc DVD liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2008. AVCD-23265/B~C.
  30. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Audience Commercial". YouTube. March 22, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  31. ↑ "浜崎あゆみ / HANABI～episode II～". YouTube. April 8, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  32. ↑ "浜崎あゆみ / greatful days". YouTube. April 8, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  33. ↑ "浜崎あゆみ / ourselves". YouTube. April 8, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  34. ↑ Eremenko, Alexey (March 22, 2015). "Ayumi Hamasaki - Songs, Highlights, Awards and Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  35. ↑ Unknown, Author (March 22, 2015). "Ayumi Hamasaki - Duty [Album] Amazon.com, MP3, Music and Albums". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  36. ↑ Hamasaki, Ayumi (14 March 2015). "ayumi hamasaki 15th Anniversary TOUR A BEST LIVE - avex". Avexnet.net. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 "CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Audience by Ayumi Hamasaki". Oricon (Bulletin) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. August 3, 2002. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  38. ↑ "CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Audience by Ayumi Hamasaki". Oricon (Bulletin) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. November 18, 2000. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Audience by Ayumi Hamasaki". Oricon (Bulletin) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. December 30, 2000. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2000年11月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. November 2000 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese) (Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan) 494: 9. January 10, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki single sales ranking" 浜崎あゆみ売上ランキング シングル売上ランキング. Oricon. April 2, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Ayumi Hamasaki Coutndown Live 2000-2001 (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "Ayumi Hamasaki - Ayumi Hamasaki Complete Live Box Set (DVD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  44. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Countdown Live 2004-2005 (DVD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  45. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Countdown Live 2005-2006 (DVD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  46. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - A Best 2 ~Black~ (CD, DVD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  47. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Audience ~a-nation'08~ (sub esp + romaji)". YouTube. March 23, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Ayumi hamasaki [Audience] live 06". YouTube. March 23, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  49. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Ayumi Hamasaki Dome Tour 2001 (CD, DVD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  50. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Ayumi Hamasaki Stadium Tour 2002 (CD, DVD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  51. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2006 (CD, DVD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  52. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Ayumi Hamasaki TOur of Secret (Live Show and Documentary Film) (CD, DVD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  53. ↑ "Ayumi Hamasaki - Ayumi Hamasaki Premium Showcase: Feel the Love (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. March 23, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  54. ↑ "The Record - August 2003 - Page 15" (PDF) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  55. ↑ "AUDIENCE - EP by ayumi hamasaki". JP iTunes Store. Retrieved March 22, 2015.

External links