[News] Mao Asada The Japanese Figure Skater Is A Fan Of Ayu

It is reported on the Sankei Online Entertainment website that Mao Asada, the famous Japanese Figure Skater who was recently attending the Winter Olympic in Canada, she is reported to be hearing Ayu's latest single "You were.../BALLAD" before her turn to skate on the Olympic. Ayu through her own staff who was also in Canada giving her the signed CD of "You were.../BALLAD" which saying words of encouragement to Mao, "Mao-chan, ganbatte in Vancouver!". Mao Asada was once attending Ayu's Arena Tour 2008 ~ 10th Anniversary ~ and also greeted Ayu at the backstage during 2005's a-nation event. She's a big fan of Ayu, I suppose!

Credit: truehappiness @ AHS
Original source: Sankei
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[Article] Review of「You were.../BALLAD From J-ENT! World Groove CD Single

Avex trax’s reigning pop queen from Japan, Ayumi Hamasaki, nears her 50th CD single with the release of “You were…/BALLAD”, her 47th double-A sided CD single with the first song used as the theme for Disney’s video release of “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” and “BALAD” which is used for the NHK drama series “Soukyuu no Subaru”.

“You were…(Original mix)” features a song written by Ayumi Hamasaki, music by Kazuhito Hara and arrangement by HAL. The passionate, upbeat ballad features a good balance of strings courtesy of Gen Itetsu and definitely a solid single from Hamasaki with a very passionate chorus.

But my favorite single on this latest release would have to go to “BALLAD (Original mix)” written by Ayumi, music by D-A-I and arrangement by Yuta Nakano. A slower ballad featuring strings by Yuko Kajitani. A gentle, delicate touch of the piano and strings with Ayumi’s vocals. Overall, a wonderful and even more passionate ballad.

The coupling track is “RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix)” written by Hamasaki, music by Tetsuya Yukumi and arrangement by Yuta Nakano. The song is an upbeat track and personally, I think it could have been an A-sided single itself. Catch, upbeat and pretty enjoyable track. Interesting on the insert, there are no lyrics but a one-line message which translates to: Due to the creator’s intention, the lyrics to this song have not been mentioned/noted/ listed.


I tried to do a little research of the meaning of the song and some say it deals with a friend of Ayumi’s that passed away. But the song is for her fan club “Team Ayu” (TA).

The fourth track features a music box version of “You Were…” and the remaining three tracks are the instrumental versions of the first three tracks (for a total of seven tracks overall).

The CD insert features the lyrics for “You were…” and “BALLAD”.

It’s important to note that there are three different releases of “You were…/BALLAD”. The CD only release, then two different versions of the single+DVD. The main difference is that the version I am reviewing comes with the “music box -retake version-” of “You Were…” and the other version comes with the orchestra version of “Sunset -LOVE is ALL-” instead. But both have the same DVD content.

As for the DVD, the DVD comes with the music videos for “You were…”, “BALLAD” and the making of “You were…”.

“You Were…” features Ayu wearing a white dress that has glowing parts all over (for those who saw the “Tinkbell and the Lost Treasure” film will understand the correlation of the fairy dust to this music video) and singing while snow falls. While another woman is seen, doing a robotic dance and fire flowing all around her.

In “Ballad”, the music video is a very dramatic video with an actual story. A man is seen sending letters through a mailbox in the middle of a field and then we see a flashback with the man and Ayumi riding a motorcycle and see two animated cats on the road and while they try to swerve, they crash. We then see the man surrounded by clocks, while Ayumi is wearing a dress and is in a beautiful, serene place with flowers, a tree and a lake, while the man with the clocks is searching for her in the middle of a field until we learn what happened to the Ayu and the man after their accident.

The final video is the making of “You Were…”.

Overall, for those who have stuck with Ayumi Hamasaki for the long haul throughout her musical career will find “You Were…/BALLAD” to be a single release featuring three solid tracks, while others may question what happened to her original style that they loved back in the early 2000’s. But for the most part, if you are a Hamasaki fan, this CD+DVD release is solid. I enjoyed all three songs and the DVD, especially the music video for “BALLAD” is well-done and very enjoyable.

If you enjoy her music, “You Were…/BALLAD” is a single worth having in your Ayu music collection.

Credit: truehappiness @ AHS
Original source: J-NET
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[Info] Oricon's Top 10 Highest Selling Singles of 2010

Ayu's「You were.../BALLAD」47th Single  Ranks no. 6 which is quite Ok, since it's in the middle of the boybands war haha :D

Oricon's Top 10 Highest Selling Singles of 2010 as of now

*1 *,255,917 255,917 BREAK OUT！ / 東方神起 10/01/27
*2 *,242,722 **5,962 はつ恋 / 福山雅治 09/12/16
*3 *,136,508 ***,487 GIFT～緑～(雪をください/One day in winter/Snow White) / 関ジャニ∞ 09/12/25
*4 *,136,003 ***,446 GIFT～白～(冬恋/君の歌をうたう) / 関ジャニ∞ 09/12/23
*5 *,133,978 ***,410 GIFT～赤～(I wish/マイナス100度の恋) / 関ジャニ∞ 09/12/24
*6 *,113,546 **1,992 You were.../BALLAD / 浜崎あゆみ 09/12/29
*7 *,*95,501 *14,751 GLORIA / YUI 10/01/20
*8 *,*80,859 *80,859 BLESS / L'Arc～en～Ciel 10/01/27
*9 *,*78,944 **9,673 PHANTOM MINDS / 水樹奈々 10/01/13
10 *,*48,159 ***,362 この愛を捧げて / THE ALFEE 09/12/16

Credit: OneTVXQ.com + DBSKnights @ Blogspot
Original source: 2ch
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[Info] RIAJ Certification For You were ... / BALLAD single: Gold

RIAJ certified You were ... / BALLAD Gold for shipment of 100,000 copies in Japan. Congratulations Ayu!!


Picture taken from RIAJ Official Site

Credit: KarenPang @ AHS
Original source: RIAJ
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[Photo]「You were.../BALLAD」47th Single Massive Promotions At Japan

It's scattered all over the places, from what I see, Cool!
wish to be there!

Credit: sakamoko @ AHS
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[Photo]「You were.../BALLAD」Promotions In Japan

Massive Promotions for Ayu's 47th Single「You were.../BALLAD」 In Japan
I hope the single will sell well! :)

OMG! The Ayupans look so adorableeee!!

Credit: as tagged + Maxker @ AHS
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[Lyric]「RED LINE ~ for TA ~」Official Lyric + Romaji + Translation

Today, Ayu posted the lyric for 「RED LINE ~ for TA ~」on her latest Ayu's Diary entry

RED LINE~for TA~

2010/01/04 19:36 | ayu

涙をたったひとつだけの　祈りに変えた僕達が
あの日のあの瞬間に見た　奇跡は幻じゃない

だけど悲しいかな　日常に流されてくね

思い出してみて　絶望を感じたら
『キミが諦めようとしてる今日って日は、
どこかの誰かが諦めたくなかった明日。』

なんだって事と　その手を
僕が強く強く握っているって事を

こうして陽がまた昇る事　尊く受けとめてたい

どうか怯えないで　踏み出したい一歩に

思い出してみて　壁にぶちあたったら
『キミが負けそうになっている今日って日は、
どこかの誰かが戦いたかった明日。』

なんだって事と　その手が
どんなに遠くても繋がっているって事を

思い出してみて　絶望を感じたら
『キミが諦めようとしてる今日って日は、
どこかの誰かが諦めたくなかった明日。』

なんだって事と　その手を
僕が強く強く握っているって事を

思い出してみて　壁にぶちあたったら
『キミが負けそうになっている今日って日は、
どこかの誰かが戦いたかった明日。』

なんだって事と　その手が
どんなに遠くても繋がっているって事を


Romaji


namida wo tatta hitotsu dake no inori ni kae ta bokura ga
ano hi no ano shunkan ni mi ta kiseki wa maboroshi ja nai

dakedo kanashii ka na nichijoo ni nagasa re te ku ne

omoidashi te mi te zetsuboo wo kanji tara
“kimi ga akirameyou to shiteru kyou tte hi wa,
doko ka no dareka ga akirame taku nakatta ashita.”

nan datte koto to sono te wo
boku ga tsuyoku tsuyoku nigite iru tte koto wo

koushite hi ga mata noboru koto tootoku uketome te tai

douka obie nai de fumidashi tai itto ni

omoidashi te mi te kabe ni buchi atattara
“kimi ga make sou ni natte iru kyou tte hi wa,
doko ka no dareka ga tatakai takatta ashita.”

nan datte koto to sono te ga
donnani touku te mo tsunagatte iru tte koto wo

omoidashi te mi te zetsuboo wo kanji tara
“kimi ga akirameyou to shiteru kyou tte hi wa,
doko ka no dareka ga akirame taku nakatta ashita.”

nan datte koto to sono te wo
boku ga tsuyoku tsuyoku nigite iru tte koto wo

omoidashi te mi te kabe ni buchi atattara
“kimi ga make sou ni natte iru kyou tte hi wa,
doko ka no dareka ga tatakai takatta ashita.”

nan datte koto to sono te ga
donnani touku te mo tsunagatte iru tte koto wo

Translation

That miracle that we, who turned our tears into just one prayer, saw
On that day in that instant is no illusion

However I wonder if it’s sad to be swept away by the ordinary

*When you’re in despair, try to remember
“This day called today on which you’ve decided to give up,
Is the tomorrow on which somewhere, someone didn’t want to give up.”

**And remember that I am tightly, tightly
Holding this concept and your hands

Thus I want to firmly face another sunrise

Please don’t be afraid of wanting to take a step forward

***When you slam into a wall, try to remember
“This day called today on which you seem to be losing
Is the tomorrow on which somewhere, someone wanted to fight.”

****And remember, no matter how far away
Your hands are connected to this concept

*repeat
**repeat
***repeat
****repeat

Credit: walking.proud + tenshi no hane @ AHS
Original source: Team Ayu
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[Scans]「BALLAD/You were...」CD + DVD Booklet HQ Full Scans

Click the pictures for larger version!

Credit: jpopcdcovers @ Wordpress
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[Video]「You were.../BALLAD」Making Off Shot Videos

Here are the making off shots videos of 「You were.../BALLAD」on Youtube

「You were...」Making off shot video



「BALLAD」Making off shot video

Credit: ayukeitajen @ Youtube + greets @ Ayu's Story
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[Download]「You were... / BALLAD 」PVs And Making Off Videos Download Links

File name: You were... [PV].avi
File size: 102.22 MB
☆ Download link: here


File name: You were... [making].avi
File size: 67.71 MB
☆ Download link: here


File name: BALLAD [PV].avi
File size: 152.92 MB
☆ Download link: here


File name: BALLAD [making].avi
File size: 85.35 MB
☆ Download link: here

Credit: LostHeaven @ AHS
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[Photo] Ayumi Hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2009-2010 Special Limited Box, Mousepad & Promotion Bus Pictures

Here are the pictures of the original 「You were... / BALLAD」 2,010 Special Limited Box.



Mousepad and Poster Pictures



「You were... / BALLAD」Single Promotion Bus

Credit: tokyoxjapanxfan & Empry @ AHS
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[Info] Limited Gifts For Purchasing Only At COUNTDOWN LIVE 2009-2010

Sorry for the lateness info of this Limited goods.
How lucky are those Japanese fans!
avex trax really lure them this year!
oh my good! I wish I was in Japan

The time of sale:

・12月30日（水）　13:00～（予定）
・12月31日（木）　17:00～（予定）

Every purchases of 「You were... / BALLAD 」 single during today's Countdown live 2009-2010,  will get these gifts:

Buying one single, will only get one gift which is A (a Poster)
Buying two singles, Will get A + B (a Poster and A4 Folder)
Buying three singles, will get A + B + C (a Poster, A4 Folder and a Mousepad)


all 3 version「You were... / BALLAD」single will be bundled in a SPECIAL LIMITED BOX which is only limited for 2,010 buyers. For the purchasing of this SPECIAL LIMITED BOX won't be able to get the Poster, A4 Folder and Mousepad as the gifts.

Original source: Ayumi Hamasaki Official Site
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[Wallpaper]「You were.../BALLAD」47th Single Alternative Cover Wallpapers

「You were.../BALLAD」47th Single Alternative Cover Wallpapers which are only available at Team Ayu Official Site

Click the pictures for larger version

800 x 600



1024 x 768



1280 x 1024

Credit: walking.proud @ AHS
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[Scans]「You were.../BALLAD」47th Single CD Only Booklet Scans

Here are the CD Only Booklet Scans



Cover's Largest size: here
Alternative Cover's Largest size: here

Credit: nanakopy87 @ AHS
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[Download] 「You were.../BALLAD」47th Single 320 Kbps Download links

「You were.../BALLAD」47th Single
320 Kbps Download links

File size in total 93.7 MB

Tracklists:

01. You were... (Original mix)
02. BALLAD (Original mix)
03. RED LINE ~ for TA ~ (Original mix)
04. You were...(Music Box mix-retake version-)
05. Sunset ～LOVE is ALL～ (Orchestra version)
06. BALLAD　(Original mix -Instrumental-)
07. You were...　(Original mix -Instrumental-)
08. RED LINE ～for TA～ (Original mix -Instrumental-)

Credit: Jpopsuki
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[Photo]「You were... / BALLAD」47th Single With Limited Team Ayu Goodies

「You were... / BALLAD」47th Single With Limited Team Ayu Goodies pictures, Team Ayu blanket and postcard, plus poster. Someone from AyuChina bought through Yahoo! Japan Auction.

Credit: goldcat @ AyuChina
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[Download+Video] 「You were... / BALLAD」47th Single HQ 320 Kbps Rip + 「You were... 」Acapella Version

File name: You were...+BALLAD CDrip 320K.rar
File size: 21.29 MB
☆ Download link: here
Password: www.ayumifans.net

------

「You were... 」Acapella Version mu-mo TV-CM

Credit: AyumiFans + Foyuki @ AHS + LosteHeaven @ Youtube
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