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Boys & Girls (Ayumi Hamasaki song)

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"Boys & Girls"
Song

"Boys & Girls" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It served as the fourth single from Hamasaki's 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 and re-released in 2003. It was Hamasaki's first single to be served with a maxi single with additional remix tracks. The track was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Musically, the song is a dance song, a genre that is heavily influenced throughout the parent album, and is written in third-person perspective.

Upon its release, "Boys & Girls" received positive reviews from music critics. Some praised the original version of the song, and also commended the different selection of remixes on the maxi release. Commercially, the single was a success in Japan. It was subjected to a controversial competition with the song "Be Together" by Japanese recording artist Ami Suzuki, who eventually won first place during the first week of charting. "Boys & Girls" managed to replace the former track at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart and TBS' Count Down TV chart. It became Hamasaki's first ever single to sell over one million copies, and was certified Double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 800,000 units.

An accompanying music video was directed by Wataru Takeishi, which featured Hamasaki in an orange-lit room circulated by mysterious light and furniture. To promote the single, it appeared on several remix and greatest hits compilation albums and live concert torus conducted by Hamasaki. It appeared as the theme song for the cosmetics company Aube, whom Hamasaki became the spokeswoman. To date, it is one of the best selling singles in Japanese music history, and is one of her highest selling singles according to Oricon Style.

Background and release

"Boys & Girls" was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. The song was composed by Dai Nagao, who used the alias D.A.I. through production credits and Aube for the maxi single notes, whilst it was arranged by Nagao and Japanese musician Naoto Suzuki. It was mixed by Dave Ford, and mastered by Shigeo Miyamoto.[1][2] Musically, "Boys & Girls" is a dance song, a genre that is heavily influenced throughout Hamasaki's second studio album Loveppears (1999).[3][4][5] The song's instrumentation consists of synthesizers and keyboards by Suzuki and electric guitar by Hidetoshi Suzuki, whilst programming was handled by Takahiro Iida.[1] According to the demo sheet music at Ultimate Guitar Archive, the song is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 130 beats per minute. During the chorus, its chord progression has a sequence of E-A-D-G-B-E.[6] Lyrically, the song was written in third person perspective, a trait that is shared with the rest of the album's tracks.[7][8]

"Boys & Girls" served as the fourth single from Loveppears. 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 and re-released in 2003.[2][9] The CD format featured a total of 10 tracks, seven of which were remixes and an instrumental, plus one remix for both of Hamasaki's previous singles "Love (Destiny)" and "To Be"; the former was a stand-alone single, whilst the latter appeared on Loveppears.[10][1] Then in early 2001, Avex USA distributed three 12" vinyls. The first two vinyls were remixes conducted by American DJ Hex Hector, whilst the third vinyl, released in on January 24, 2003, was remixed by Junior Vasquez.[11][12] The artwork of the CD and digital format was shot by Toru Kumazawa, and features several images of Hamasaki in one entire square canvas. A large photo of Hamasaki's face is in the centre, whilst 12 small thumbnails are placed around it.[2]

Reception

Hamasaki's single was beaten by Ami Suzuki's (pictured) track "Be Together" during its first week, but managed to replaced Suzuki's entry by the second.

Upon its release, "Boys & Girls" received positive reviews from music critics. A member at CD Journal was positive towards the original version of the single, but also complimented the remixes featured on the maxi single. The review stated that each remix was able to "change different moods" and labelled the release "high-tension".[3] AllMusic's Alexey Eremenko, whom contributed to writing Hamasaki's biography on the website, selected the track as some of her best work.[13] It was subjected to controversy by music publications at the time of its release, particularly due to its release date between "Boys & Girls" and "Be Together", a single released by Japanese recording artist Ami Suzuki.[14] It was then catapulted by the press in Japan as a direct competition between Suzuki's label Sony Music and Hamasaki's label Avex Trax to see who would achieve the top position of that week.[14]

As a result, Suzuki's single topped the Oricon Singles Chart with 317,610 units sold, whilst Hamasaki's song debuted at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 261,750 units in its first week of sales.[14] The following week, "Boys & Girls" replaced "Be Together" at the top spot, selling more units and became Hamasaki's second single to reach the top after "Love (Destiny)" in May 1999.[14] It lasted 17 weeks on the top 200, one of Hamasaki's longest spanning singles in that chart.[15] Similarly, it debuted at number two on the Count Down TV chart hosted by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), having been beaten by Suzuki's "Be Together".[16] The following week, it reached the top spot and stayed there for three consecutive weeks. It lasted 16 weeks in the top 100, one of her longest spanning singles on that chart as well.[17] In 2008, the single charted at number 33 on Billboard's Adult Alternative Radio chart in Japan.[18]

By the end of 1999, it had sold over 1,037,950 units in Japan. It was ranked at number 11 on Oricon's Annual 1999 chart; the single was ranked behind one of Hamasaki's other releases, her extended play A, and was the fourth highest selling single by a female artist.[19] Likewise, it ranked at number 12 on TBS' Annual Chart.[20] In October 1999, the single was certified Double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 800,000 units.[21] It is the 225th best selling single in Japanese music history and, as of July 2016, "Boys & Girls" is her fourth highest selling single based on Oricon Style's data base.[22][23]

Music video and promotion

An accompanying music video for the single was directed by Wataru Takeishi.[24] The music video opens with Hamasaki walking into a small orange-lit room, with a black object on a stall. She touches it, and the entire room starts to light up. After this, it has Hamasaki walking around the room and sings the song, with scenes being digitally-altered and edited during the process. After the first chorus, Hamasaki is seen in the room wearing a white outfit, with a mysterious light shining around the room. The video ends with her sitting on a small chair, looking in the distance.[24] The music video was included on several DVD compilations released by Hamasaki: A Clips (2000),[25] A Complete Box Set (2004),[26] the digital release of A Clips Complete (2014),[27] and the DVD and Blu-Ray re-release edition of her 2001 compilation album A Best (2016).[28] It was used as the theme song for the Japanese cosmetic company Aube, for the launch of their lipstick range, where Hamasaki became the spokeswoman of the company; she appeared in the campaign video.[3]

"Boys & Girls" has been heavily promoted on compilation albums conducted by Hamasaki. It has been included on 11 of Hamasaki's remix albums, including Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix and Ayu-mi-x II Version Non-Stop Mega Mix (2001).[29] The single has also been featured on three of Hamasaki's greatest hits album, that being A Best (2001), A Complete: All Singles (2007), and A Summer Best (2012).[30][31][32] It was specially remixed by Junior Vasquez and Hex Hector and added onto Hamasaki's remix extended plays, The Other Side One: Hex Hector and The Other Side Two: Junior Vasquez (2001).[33][34] The song has been included on three of Hamasaki's major concert tours, including her part one and part two of her 2000 concert tour,[35][36] her 2000–2001 Countdown live show,[37] her 2006 (Miss)Understood tour,[38] and her 2011 Hotel Love Songs concert tour.[39]

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the CD liner notes of "Boys & Girls";[2]

Recording
  • Recorded at Prime Sound Studio, Studio Sound Dali, Onkio Haus, Tokyo, Japan in 1999.
Credits
  • Ayumi Hamasaki – vocals, songwriting, background vocals
  • Max Matsuura – production
  • Dai Nagao – composing, arranging
  • Naoto Suzuki – sound producing, arranging, keyboards, synthesizers
  • Hidetoshi Suzuki – electric guitar
  • Shigeo Miyamoto – mastering
  • Takahiro Iida – programming
  • Wataru Takeishi – music video director
  • Dave Ford – mixing

Charts

Certification and sales

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[21] 2× Platinum 1,037,950[41]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Japan[2] July 14, 1999 CD single
Hong Kong[9]
North America[11] January 24, 2000 Hex Hector 12" vinyl Avex USA
Junior Vazquez 12" vinyl
Japan[40] September 2008[A] Digital download
  • Avex Trax
  • Avex Entertainment Inc.
Australia[43] Avex Entertainment Inc.
New Zealand[44]
United Kingdom[45]
Ireland[46]
Germany[47]
Spain[48]
France[49]
Italy[50]
Taiwan[51]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ There is currently insufficient evidence to determine what date Hamasaki's digital releases appeared on online retails. The closest source for iTunes Store evidence is at Jame World, whom confirmed Hamasaki's work was released worldwide on iTunes in September 2008.[42]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hamasaki, Ayumi (1999). Loveppears (CD Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11740.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Hamasaki, Ayumi (1999). Boys & Girls. Avex Trax (CD Single; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan. AVCD-30049.
  3. ^ a b c CD Journal Staff (July 14, 1999). "Ayumi Hamasaki / Boys & Girls [Out of Print]". CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  4. ^ AllMusic Staff (April 10, 2001). "Ayumi Hamasaki – Loveppears". AllMusic. Retrieved July 14, 2016. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ Takeuchi Cullen, Lisa (March 25, 2002). "Empress of Pop". Time. p. 3. Archived from the original on April 3, 2002. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  6. ^ "Boys & Girls Pro Chords". Ultimate Guitar Archive. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  7. ^ Hamasaki , Ayumi (interviewee) (March 12, 2003). "Special Website to A Ballads". Ayumi Hamasaki's official website. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  8. ^ "Loveppears". Beatfreak (in Japanese). 142. November 1999.
  9. ^ a b c Hamasaki, Ayumi (1999). Boys & Girls. Avex Trax (CD Single; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Hong Kong. AVTCDS-190.
  10. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (1999). Love (Destiny). Avex Trax (CD Single; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan. AVCD-30217.
  11. ^ a b c Hamasaki, Ayumi (2001). Boys & Girls. Avex USA (12" vinyl; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. North American. AVA-1.
  12. ^ a b Hamasaki, Ayumi (2003). Boys & Girls. Avex USA (12" vinyl; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. North American. AVA 13.
  13. ^ Eremenko, Alexey (2016). "Ayumi Hamasaki – Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d Arama Japan Staff (2016). "Featured Artist: Ami Suzuki". Arama Japan. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Boys & Girls – Ayumi Hamasaki". Oricon Style (in Japanese). July 14, 1999. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  16. ^ "CDTV PowerWeb! Ranking Singles Chart". Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) (in Japanese). July 24, 1999. Archived from the original on June 28, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  17. ^ a b "CDTV PowerWeb! Ayumi Hamasaki – Boys & Girls". Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) (in Japanese). July 31, 1999. Archived from the original on June 24, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  18. ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). March 24, 2008. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  19. ^ a b "Oricon Yearly Chart – Singles, Albums, and DVD Releases of 1999". Music TV Program Japan (in Japanese). December 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  20. ^ a b "CDTV PowerWeb! 1999 Annual Singles Chart". Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) (in Japanese). 1999. Archived from the original on October 9, 2006. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  21. ^ a b "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年8月度" (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 479. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 9. October 10, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 2, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2014. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Ayumi Hamasaki Single's Ranking". Oricon Style (in Japanese). Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  23. ^ "Best Selling Singles in Japan of All Time". Music TV Program Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  24. ^ a b Takeishi, Wataru (director) (November 10, 2015). "Boys & Girls / Ayumi Hamasaki (short music video)". Avex Trax; published through YouTube (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  25. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2000). A Clips (DVD Videos; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVVD-90069.
  26. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2004). A Complete Box Set (DVD Videos; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVBD-91181~3.
  27. ^ "A Clip Box 1998-2011, Vol. 1 – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (New Zealand). January 1, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  28. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2016). A Best: 15th Anniversary Edition (CD + DVD + Blu-Ray; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVZD-93409/B~C.
  29. ^ The list below are the compilations that "Fly High" has been featured in;
    • Hamasaki, Ayumi (2000). Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix (Remix Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVTCD-95326.
    • Hamasaki, Ayumi (2000). Ayu-mi-x II Version US+EU (Remix Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11797.
    • Hamasaki, Ayumi (2000). Ayu-mi-x II Version JPN (Remix Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11798.
    • Hamasaki, Ayumi (2000). Ayu-mi-x II Version Acoustic Orchestral (Remix Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11799.
    • Hamasaki, Ayumi (2000). Ayu-mi-x II Version Non-Stop Mega Mix (Remix Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11800~1.
    • Hamasaki, Ayumi (2001). Ayu Trance (Remix Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-17028.
    • Hamasaki, Ayumi (2002). Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance 2 (Remix Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-17200.
    • Hamasaki, Ayumi (2002). Ayu-mi-x 4 + Selection Acoustic Orchestra Version (Remix Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-17098.
    • Hamasaki, Ayumi (2001). Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2 (Remix Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-17027.
  30. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2001). A Best (CD; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11950.
  31. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2007). A Ballads (3xCD Compilation Album; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-23676~8.
  32. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2012). A Summer Best (2xCD; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-38560~1.
  33. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2001). The Other Side One: Hex Hector (Remix EP; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Rhythm Republic. RRCD-85232.
  34. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2001). The Other Side Two: Junior Vasquez (Remix EP; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Rhythm Republic. RRCD-85233.
  35. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2000). Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 1 (Live DVD; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVBD-91022.
  36. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2000). Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 2 (Live DVD; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVBD-91021.
  37. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2000). Countdown Live 2000-2001 A (Live DVD; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVBD-91060.
  38. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2006). Arena Tour 2006 A: (Miss)understood (Live DVD; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVBD-91452~4.
  39. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (2012). Party Queen (2xCD + DVD; Liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-38511/B~C.
  40. ^ a b "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (Japan). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  41. ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」". Oricon. Retrieved August 26, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ "Avex Artists Available at US iTunes Store". Jame World. September 5, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  43. ^ "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (Australia). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  44. ^ "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (New Zealand). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  45. ^ "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  46. ^ "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (Ireland). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  47. ^ "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (Germany). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  48. ^ "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (Spain). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  49. ^ "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (France). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  50. ^ "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (Italy). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  51. ^ "Boys & Girls – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki". iTunes Store (Taiwan). July 14, 1999. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
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