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
End Of The World
浜崎あゆみ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mite wa sukoshi nagusame rare
Jibun yori mo shiawase na HITO
Mitsuketa nara Kyuu ni asetteru
Dakedo kitto Dakara tokidoki
Doushiyou mo naku Mijime na sugata ni
Kiga tsuite Genjitsu ni butsukaru
Watashi wa nani wo omoebaii
Watashi wa nante ittaraii
Konna watashi no koto
Wakarou to suru nante
Kimi ga hajimete datta
Hitori toshite Kizumo tsukezuni
Ikiteku nante Dekiru wake mo nai
Giseisha da nante omou nara
Subete nakushite mo Kamawa nai kakugo de
Saigo made enji kirebaii
Kimi ga nani wo asu he to negai
Kuraku tsuzuku donna ni nagai
Yori sae mo koete
Yukou to omoeru no ka
Itsuka kikasete hoshii
Watashi wa nani wo omoebaii
Watashi wa nante ittaraii
Mote hayasare tatte
Urayamare tatte
Wakatteru no ka sae wakaranai
Watashi wa nani wo omoebaii
Watashi wa nante ittaraii
Konna watashi no koto
Wakatte kureru no nante
Kitto kimi dake dakara
The lyrics of 浜崎あゆみ's song End of the World express feelings of confusion and uncertainty about one's own emotions and thoughts. The first two lines convey a sense of comfort in finding someone who is more unhappy than oneself. However, the following lines express the sudden realization that happiness can also be found in those who are happier than oneself. The lyrics then shift to describe the struggles of confronting one's own miserable self, which can be jarring when faced with reality.
The song seems to address feelings of worthlessness and doubt, as the singer asks themselves what they really believe and think about themselves. In the chorus, the singer wonders if they can really overcome their loneliness and despair without the help of anyone else. The next verse touches on the theme of despair, as the singer imagines pushing themselves to their limits to face their fears and doubts. The final chorus asks for help and support, stressing that the singer only trusts and depends on the person they are singing to.
Overall, the lyrics represent a deep introspection and confusion about oneself and one's place in the world. It shows the struggle to come to terms with one's own identity and emotions, and the need for support and love from others to overcome those inner feelings of despair and worthlessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Jibun yori mo fukou na HITO wo
Looking at someone who is more unhappy than myself, I feel a little solace
Mite wa sukoshi nagusame rare
That sight brings a little comfort
Jibun yori mo shiawase na HITO
If I find someone happier than me
Mitsuketa nara Kyuu ni asetteru
I feel a sudden sense of restlessness
Dakedo kitto Dakara tokidoki
But surely, that's why sometimes
Doushiyou mo naku Mijime na sugata ni
I cannot help but feel pity for the pitiful state
Kiga tsuite Genjitsu ni butsukaru
I realize the harsh reality and snap back to it
Watashi wa nani wo omoebaii
What should I think?
Watashi wa nante ittaraii
What should I say?
Konna watashi no koto
To understand how someone like me
Wakarou to suru nante
Could be understood
Kimi ga hajimete datta
You were the first one to do so
Hitori toshite Kizumo tsukezuni
Living alone, unable to even leave a scratch
Ikiteku nante Dekiru wake mo nai
I don't even have a reason to keep on living
Giseisha da nante omou nara
If you think you're a victim
Subete nakushite mo Kamawa nai kakugo de
Despite losing everything, with the determination to not care
Saigo made enji kirebaii
I will live until the very end
Kimi ga nani wo asu he to negai
What is it you wish for tomorrow?
Kuraku tsuzuku donna ni nagai
No matter how long and dark it continues on
Yori sae mo koete
We will go beyond it all
Yukou to omoeru no ka
Do you believe we can do so?
Itsuka kikasete hoshii
I hope one day you'll tell me
Watashi wa nani wo omoebaii
What should I think?
Watashi wa nante ittaraii
What should I say?
Mote hayasare tatte
Even if I am envied
Urayamare tatte
Even if I am resented
Wakatteru no ka sae wakaranai
I don't even know if I understand anything anymore
Watashi wa nani wo omoebaii
What should I think?
Watashi wa nante ittaraii
What should I say?
Konna watashi no koto
To understand how someone like me
Wakatte kureru no nante
Could be understood
Kitto kimi dake dakara
You are the only one who surely can
Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.