Hamasaki started her musical career in 1994 and released her first album "NOTHING FROM NOTHING" in 1995; the album was not successful, and she was subsequently dropped by her record label. In 1998, Hamasaki released her first single, poker face, via the Avex Trax label, after being discovered by label head Masato "Max" Matsuura partying at the Avex-owned club, Velfarre. Hamasaki's debut album, "A Song for ××", was released in 1999, and won her a Gold Disk Award. She has since sold more than 50 million records in Japan alone with the releases of her 9 full-length studio albums, 1 mini-album, 4 compilation albums, 45 singles, and 17 remix albums, becoming the top selling solo and female artist and the 4th top selling Japanese artist in history. With the release of her 40th single "BLUE BIRD", Hamasaki's single sales passed the 20 million mark, making her the first solo and female singer to reach that milestone.
With the release of her 45th single "Rule/Sparkle", Hamasaki currently has 20 consecutive #1 singles (starting from "Free & Easy") and 32 #1 singles in the Japanese ORICON charts. In addition, she is the first Japanese artist to have her first original 8 studio albums top the charts.
Hamasaki released her ninth studio album, GUILTY on January 1, 2008. Shortly after the release, Ayumi revealed that she had become completely deaf in her left ear, and that it is inoperable. It is believed that she suffers from tinnitus, and Ayumi has known about the condition of her left ear since 2007 after an examination. She also stated that she would continue on with her career for her fans, explaining that "nevertheless, I would like to continue as a singer. That's why I would like to continue singing until I reach the limit with my remaining right ear".
In addition to serving as background music for television advertisements, some of Hamasaki's songs have been used as themes for video games and film productions such as television shows and motion pictures. "Depend on you" and its b-side "Two of us" were used as the opening and ending theme, respectively, of the video game Thousand Arms, while the video game Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams used "Startin'" and "rainy day" as its opening and ending theme, respectively. The dorama My Little Chef featured "Voyage" as its theme, while the anime InuYasha featured "Dearest." Finally, Hamasaki's songs "HEAVEN", "Secret", "fated", and "Rule" have been used as the themes for the movies Shinobi: Heart Under Blade, Confession of Pain, Kaidan, and DragonBall Evolution, respectively.
In January 2008, Hamasaki announced on her blog that an inoperable condition, possibly tinnitus or Ménière's disease, had caused complete deafness in her left ear. She had been diagnosed with the condition in 2006 and that the problem dated to 2000, when she developed an ear infection but continued to perform against the advice of doctors. Despite the setback, Hamasaki stated that she wished to continue singing, and that "as a professional", she wanted to "deliver the best performance for everyone". On May 20, 2017, she wrote that she is also losing hearing in her right ear, and had experienced dizziness and nausea. She vowed to continue performing, writing: "The stage is where I belong. It's the only place I really, truly exist. I don't know anything else."
Official site: http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu
Ballad
浜崎あゆみ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
睫毛が濡れていた
覚えてた言葉は『お願い行かないで』
決して変わらないのは
募ってゆくこの想い
いつも揺るがないのは
敬い慕う気持ち
今日の夕焼け空は
あなたのように優しくて
今度は夢じゃないと叫びました『行かないで』
思い出は消えぬども
増え行く事もなく
許されぬ言葉は『お願い側にいて』
きっと強がりだけでは
もうこれ以上もたない
押さえ込まれるだけでは
愛を失くせやしない
今宵の月の明かりは
あなたのくれた道しるべ
遠すぎてその背がもう見えないの『側にいて』
今日の夕焼け空は
あなたのように優しくて
今度は夢じゃないと叫びました『行かないで』
今宵の月の明かりは
あなたのくれた道しるべ
遠すぎてその背がもう見えないの『側にいて』
今だけは ねぇ 許して
The lyrics to 浜崎あゆみ's song BALLAD speak of a dream that was both melodic and melancholic. The song starts with the singer waking up from a dream, their eyelashes still wet from tears that were shed during the dream. They remember a phrase that was spoken during the dream: "Please don't go." This phrase sets the tone for the song, as it becomes clear that the singer is missing someone who has left them.
Throughout the song, the singer talks about the emotions they feel in relation to the person they miss. They have feelings that don't change, feelings of adoration and respect. They express how they can't bear for the person to leave again, how they want them to remain by their side. They also express how they can't forget the person, how they constantly think of them, and how they wish they were with them.
The song ends with the singer asking for forgiveness, for what isn't clear. However, it is evident that they are saddened by the distance between them and the person they are missing. The lyrics to this song speak of a love that is both unchanging and unrequited. The singer feels helpless and desperate, as if they can't survive without the person they love.
Line by Line Meaning
夢の途中で目覚めた
I woke up in the middle of a dream
睫毛が濡れていた
My eyelashes were wet with tears
覚えてた言葉は『お願い行かないで』
The words I remembered were 'please don't go'
決して変わらないのは
What never changes
募ってゆくこの想い
Are these growing feelings inside me
いつも揺るがないのは
What always remains unshaken is
敬い慕う気持ち
My respect and adoration for you
今日の夕焼け空は
Today's sunset sky
あなたのように優しくて
Is as gentle as you are
今度は夢じゃないと叫びました『行かないで』
This time I screamed, 'Don't go,' knowing it's not a dream
思い出は消えぬども
Memories won't vanish
増え行く事もなく
But they won't increase either
許されぬ言葉は『お願い側にいて』
The unforgivable words are, 'Please be by my side'
きっと強がりだけでは
Surely, pretending to be strong won't be enough
もうこれ以上もたない
I can no longer bear it
押さえ込まれるだけでは
Just holding it back won't do
愛を失くせやしない
I won't let my love fade away
今宵の月の明かりは
Tonight's moonlight
あなたのくれた道しるべ
Is the path you showed me
遠すぎてその背がもう見えないの『側にいて』
It's too far away; I can't even see your silhouette. 'Be by my side'
今だけは ねぇ 許して
Just for now, please forgive me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: D.A.I, Ayumi Hamasaki
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind