Surreal (song): Difference between revisions

| format recorded = {{flat list|2000

| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]]

| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=2244}}

"'''Surreal'''" (stylized asin "'''SURREAL'''"[[all caps]]) is a song by Japanese recording artist [[Ayumi Hamasaki]], taken from her third studio album ''[[Duty (album)|Duty]]'' (2000). It was written by Hamasaki and produced by [[Max Matsuura]]. The song is a [[rock music|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 ana recording artist. It was released as the fourth single from the album on 27 September 2000 by [[Avex Trax]] and Avex Taiwan.

Critical reception towards "Surreal" has been positive; the majority of critics commended the songwriting and musical delivery, and highlighted it as an album and career standout. In Japan, "Surreal" became her sixth number one on the [[Oricon Singles Chart]], and also reached the top spot on the Japanese [[Count Down TV]] chart. "Surreal" was certified platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] (RIAJ) for shipments of 250500,000 units. Released as a [[DVD Single]] in December 2000, it reached number three on the [[Oricon|Oricon DVD Chart]].

"Surreal" was written by Hamasaki, composed by [[Kazuhito Kikuchi]], and produced by [[Max Matsuura]].<ref name="notes">{{cite AV media notes |title=Duty|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=[[Avex Trax]], Avex Taiwan |id=AVCD-11837 |location=Japan}}</ref> Japanese band [[Hal (groupJapanese band)|HΛL]] arranged the song, which included instrumentation of guitars, keyboards, and a drum machine.<ref name="notes"/> "Surreal" was one of three songs from the ''[[Duty (album)|Duty]]'' album composed by Kikuchi, the other two being "[[Vogue (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Vogue]]" and "[[Far Away (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Far Away]]".<ref name="notes"/><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Vogue|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=[[Avex Trax]], Avex Taiwan |id=AVCD-30108 |location=Japan}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Far Away|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan |id=AVCD-30118 |location=Japan}}</ref> "Surreal" was his last collaboration with Hamasaki until composing her songs "About You" and "Replace" from her sixth studio album, ''[[My Story (Ayumi Hamasaki album)|My Story]]'' (2004).<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=My Story|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2004 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan |id=AVCD-17610/B |location=Japan}}</ref> It was selected as the fourth single from ''Duty'' and was released in Japan on 27 September 2000 by [[Avex Trax]], the same date ''Duty'' was released.<ref name="surreal">{{cite AV media notes |title=Surreal|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000 |first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan |id=AVCD-30175 |location=Japan}}</ref> The Maxi CD features the original track, the instrumental version, seven remixes of the track "Duty", and one remix of Hamasaki's single "[[Seasons (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Seasons]]".<ref name="surreal"/> A [[DVD single]] and [[VHS]] was released on 13 December 2000 by Avex Trax in Japan, with a full-frontal body image of Hamasaki that is similar to the artwork of ''Duty''.<ref name="dvd">{{cite AV media notes |title=Surreal|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000 |first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=DVD |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan |id=AVBD-91037 |location=Japan}}</ref><ref name="vhs">{{cite AV media notes |title=Surreal|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000 |first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=VHS |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan |id=AVVD-90090 |location=Japan}}</ref> Both formats feature the music video of "Surreal" along with the [[television advertisement]] for ''Duty'' and the video making for "Surreal".<ref name="dvd"/><ref name="vhs"/> Avex released it as a digital EP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/surreal/id76112306|title=Surreal – EP by Ayumi Hamasaki|publisher=JP [[iTunes Store]]|date=2009|accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/surreal/id76112306|title=Surreal – EP by Ayumi Hamasaki|publisher=JP [[iTunes Store]]|date=2009|accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref>{{efn|group=upper-alpha|When accessing different countries on the [[iTunes Store]], replace the country acronym <small>(for example, ''NZ'')</small> with the desired country acronym.}}

"Surreal" is a [[rock music|rock]] song that borrows influences from numerous genres including [[alternative rock]].<ref name="journal">{{cite web|author=CD Journal Staff|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Duty [CD]|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/duty/3200071069|work=CD Journal|date=27 September 2000|accessdate=23 December 2015}}</ref> The song was noted for its musical similarities to other tracks from ''Duty''.<ref name="profilestory">{{cite journal | title=Side Face Story | journal=Cawaii |date=November 2007|author=Tsuriya, Takako|language=ja}}</ref> "Surreal" describes Hamasaki's [[Insanity|madness]] and sense of confusion,<ref name="geo">{{cite web|author=Yahoo! Geocites Staff|title=Music review site Source of the Music – Ayumi Hamasaki (''Duty'')|url=http://www.geocities.jp/source_of_my_music/japanese_female_singer2_review.html|work=[[Yahoo! GeoCities]]; powered by [[Yahoo! Music]]|date=2012|accessdate=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054720/http://www.geocities.jp/source_of_my_music/japanese_female_singer2_review.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> while the themes of "Surreal" and other tracks from ''Duty'' are based on Hamasaki's concept of loneliness, chaos, confusion, and the burden of her responsibilities, aimed mostly towards her public image as ana recording artist.<ref name="ayu">{{cite journal | title="Review of Ayu's Year 2000 & M". | journal=''J-Point''|date=December 22, 2000|pages=75 |author=Author, Unknown|language=ja}}</ref> Based on her songwriting, she described her feelings after the writing all the tracks from ''Duty'' as "unnatural" and was constantly "nervous" for the final result.<ref name="cawaii10th">{{cite journal | title=Ayu 10th Year Career Anniversary | journal=Cawaii|date=May 2008|pages=15, 18 |author=Tsuriya, Takako|language=ja}}</ref> A reviewer from [[Amazon.com|Amazon.co.jp]] commented on all the tracks on ''Duty'' and praised the songs for embracing a "healing effect" that was absent on Hamasaki's two previous studio albums.<ref>{{cite web|author=Amazon Staff|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – ''Duty''|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/Duty-%E6%B5%9C%E5%B4%8E%E3%81%82%E3%82%86%E3%81%BF/dp/B000059O85|work=[[Amazon.com|Amazon.co.jp]]|date=27 September 2000|accessdate=23 December 2015}}</ref>

"Surreal" received favorable reception from contemporary music critics. Alexey Eremenko, who wrote her extended biography at [[AllMusic]], highlighted the song as an album and career standout.<ref>{{cite web|first=Alexey|last=Eremenko|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Songs, Highlights, Awards and Credits|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ayumi-hamasaki-mn0000758915/song|work=[[AllMusic]]|date=2013|accessdate=23 December 2015}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A reviewer from [[Yahoo! GeoCities]] singled out "Surreal" and album tracks "End of the World", and "Seasons" as highlights.<ref name="geo"/> Morimasa from Nifty.com was positive towards the tracks "Surreal" and "Audience". He liked how the tracks were placed in the middle of the album, which he believed highlighted the musical and lyrical delivery.<ref>{{cite web|author=Morimosa|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – ''Duty''|url=http://homepage2.nifty.com/morimasa/duty.html|work=Nifty.com|date=27 September 2000|accessdate=23 December 2015}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Hamasaki hosted an online voting poll for fans to choose their favourite tracks to be featured on her [[Ayumi Hamasaki|Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour]] Best Live Tour, and "Surreal" was featured on the list.<ref>{{cite web|author=Avex Trax Staff|title=Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour A Best Live|url=http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu/abestlive/|work=Ayumi Hamasaki's website|date=14 March 2015|accessdate=23 December 2015}}</ref> The song was remixed as an orchestral song for her [[remix album]] ''[[ayu-mi-x III Acoustic Orchestra Version]]'' (2003), and was commended alongside other tracks for its "rich melody".<ref name="geo"/>

In Japan, "Surreal" entered at number one on the [[Oricon Singles Chart]] in Japan, her fifth number one.<ref name="oriconchart1">{{cite web |title=Surreal – Ayumi Hamasaki – Oricon Music Style |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/music/45208/1/ |type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Oricon]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513091107/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/music/45208/1/ |archivedate=13 May 2013 |accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> It lasted for seven weeks on the chart, selling 417,210 units,<ref name="sales">{{cite web | title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 |trans-title=Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' | url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp |language=Japanese | work=[[Oricon]] |subscriptionurl-access=yessubscription | accessdate=May 21, 2014}}</ref> and is her seventeenth best selling single according to [[Oricon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ayumi Hamasaki CD Ranking Oricon Music Style |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/ranking/cd_single |type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Oricon]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503125627/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/ranking/cd_single |archivedate=3 May 2013 |accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> The DVD release of "Surreal" reached number three on the [[Oricon|Oricon DVD Chart]] and spent ten weeks in the top fifty.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Surreal DVD – Oricon Music Style |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/cinema/410877/2/ |type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Oricon]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429233213/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/cinema/410877/2/ |archivedate=29 April 2013 |accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> It is her ninth best selling DVD and her third best selling single in DVD format; the other two are "[[Vogue (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Vogue]]/[[Far Away (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Far Away]]/[[Seasons (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Seasons]]" and "[[Voyage (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Voyage]]".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ayumi Hamasaki DVD Ranking Oricon Music Style |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/ranking/dvd/ |type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Oricon]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518130328/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/ranking/dvd/ |archivedate=18 May 2013 |accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> "Surreal" was certified platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] (RIAJ) for shipments of 500,000 units.<ref name="cert">{{cite journal |title=GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2000年9月度 |trans-title=Gold Albums, and other certified works. September 2000 Edition |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200011.pdf |format=PDF | journal=The Record |type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |location=[[Chūō, Tokyo]] |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |publication-date=10 November 2000 |volume=492 |page=8 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122032342/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200011.pdf |archivedate=22 January 2014 |accessdate=22 January 2014}}</ref> "Surreal" entered at number one on the Japanese [[Count Down TV]] Chart.<ref name="tbs">{{cite web |title=CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Surreal by Ayumi Hamasaki |url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song5174-j.html |type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |work=[[Count Down TV]] |publisher=[[TBS (Japan)|TBS]] |publication-date=7 October 2000 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060621125020/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song5174-j.html |archivedate=21 June 2006 |accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> This became her fifth number one on that chart.<ref>{{cite web |title=CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date - Ayumi Hamasaki |url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/artistdb/artist1079-j.html |type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |work=[[Count Down TV]] |publisher=[[TBS (Japan)|TBS]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619221219/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/artistdb/artist1079-j.html |archivedate=19 June 2006 |accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> The song slipped to eight in its second week, and lasted seven weeks in the chart, her lowest spanning since "[[Fly High (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Fly High]]" which lasted six.<ref name="tbs"/><ref>{{cite web |title=CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Fly High by Ayumi Hamasaki |url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song4526-j.html |type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |work=[[Count Down TV]] |publisher=[[TBS (Japan)|TBS]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619221219/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song4526-j.html |archivedate=19 June 2006 |accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> In the annual 2000 Count Down TV chart, "Surreal" was placed at number sixty-three.<ref name="annual">{{cite web|work=[[Count Down TV]]|publisher=[[TBS (Japan)|TBS]]|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown2000total-j.html|title=CDTV PowerWeb:! 2000 Annual List|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060916021345/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown2000total-j.html|archivedate=16 September 2006}}</ref>

The accompanying music video was directed by [[Wataru Takeishi]].<ref name="video">{{cite web |author=Avex |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXX9nPxTr3U|title=SURREAL / 浜崎あゆみ |publisher=[[Avex Trax]]; published through [[YouTube]]|date=26 November 2015|accessdate=23 December 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> The video opens with Hamasaki asleep, dreaming about herself waking up on a rocky surface on a beach front. Takeishi required a [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]] to shoot scenes of the video in higher places, including the scenes of cliffs and an abandoned ship in the sea. After failing to achieve this with the drone, Avex hired a pilot to fly a [[helicopter]].<ref name="dvd"/> Throughout the video, it features intercut scenes with Hamasaki on the top of a rocky hill singing the song.<ref name="video"/> Due to technical difficulties and interruptions of Hamasaki during the helicopter scenes, Hamasaki and Takeishi had to re-shoot the scenes several times to make it look right.<ref name="dvd"/>

The overall appearance of "Surreal" was primarily based on Hamasaki's photo shoot for ''Duty'' and "Surreal".<ref name="notes"/><ref name="dvd"/><ref name="jame"/> The CD artwork for "Surreal" featured Hamasaki with the exact look from the video, but coloured black and white with a red heart on her upper cheek.<ref name="notes"/> A coloured body shot of the CD artwork was released for the DVD and VHS.<ref name="dvd"/><ref name="vhs"/> The music video was included on the DVD and VHS formats of "Surreal".<ref name="dvd"/><ref name="vhs"/> KrzysztofSeth Figlerowicz from Jame-World.com reviewed the music video, and stated positively about the "wonder landscapes" and storyline; "The entire PV really fits the atmosphere of the song."<ref name="jame"/> The music video also appeared on Hamasaki's DVD compilation box sets: ''A Clips Vol.2'' (2002),<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Clips Vol.2|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2002 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax |id=AVVD-90144 |location=Japan}}</ref> ''Complete Clip Box'' (2004),<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Complete Clip Box Set|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2004 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax |id=AVVD-90144 |location=Japan}}</ref> ''A Clip Box 1998–2011'' (2011),<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Clip Box 1998–2011|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2011 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax |id=AVBD-91910~5 |location=Japan}}</ref> and the bonus DVD version with ''A Complete: All Singles''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Complete: All Singles|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2008 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax |id=AVCD-23673~5/B |location=Japan}}</ref>

"Surreal" has been remixed by several professional [[disc jockey]]s and producers, and has appeared on several remix albums by Hamasaki. This list is: the [[Thunderpuss]] and [[Peter Rauhofer]] remix on ''[[ayu-mi-x III Non-Stop Mega Mix Version]]'' (2001) and ''[[Ayu-mi-x 4 + Selection Non-Stop Mega Mix Version]]'' (2002),<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=ayu-mi-x III Non-Stop Mega Mix Version|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2001|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11930|location=Japan}}</ref> the Time a Go-Go remix on ''[[Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2]]'' (2001),<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2001|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-17027|location=Japan}}</ref> the Marc et Claude remix on ''[[Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance]]'' (2002),<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2002|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-17028|location=Japan}}</ref> the A Sentimental remix on ''[[Rmx Works from Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 3]]'' (2003),<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Rmx Works from Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 3|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2003|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-17381|location=Japan}}</ref> and the Dima Euro remix on ''[[Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu-ro Mix 4]]'' (2011).<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu-ro Mix 4|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2011|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-38299|location=Japan}}</ref> The orchestral acoustic remix was included on her third orchestral remix album, ''[[ayu-mi-x III Acoustic Orchestra Version]]'' (2001).<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=ayu-mi-x III Acoustic Orchestra Version|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2001|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11928|location=Japan}}</ref>

*[[Hal (groupJapanese band)|HΛL]] – keyboards

{{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan |artist=Ayumi Hamasaki |title=Surreal |type=single |award=Platinum |certref=<ref name="cert"/> |relyear=2000 |autocat=yes |salesamount=417,210| salesref=<ref name="sales"/>|note={{efn|group=upper-alpha|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 "Surreal" was released before then, the sales shipments were 200,000 units.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2003/200308.pdf|title= The Record - August 2003 - Page 15|publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan|accessdate=23 December 2010|language=Japanese}}</ref>}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottomend}}

{{notelist-ua|2}}

{{reflist|3Reflist}}