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
Far Away
浜崎あゆみ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
いつかふたりがまだ 恋人と呼び合えた
あの頃訪れた海へ ひとり来てるよ
そしていつからか 忘れてた景色達探しながら
聞こえる波音が 何だか優しくて
泣き出しそうになっているよ
幸せは 口にすればほら 指のすき間
こぼれ落ちてゆく 形ないもの
あなたが"自分を取り戻しに行く"と
出かけた想い出の地にも海は広がり
どこかで出会ってつながって流れてる
きっと同じ景色見てる
人は皆 通過駅と この恋を呼ぶけれどね
ふたりには始発駅で 終着駅でもあった
Uh-la, la, la, lai そうだったよね
もうすぐで夏が来るよ あなたなしの
The lyrics to 浜崎あゆみ's song "Far away" express the desire of the singer to move on and become a new version of herself, while preserving the memories of a past love. She goes to the sea where they used to visit as lovers and searches for the scenery that they once shared, accompanied by the soothing sound of the waves that almost make her want to cry. It is clear from the lyrics that she is reminiscing about a relationship that has ended and cherishing the moments they shared together. She embodies the idea that no matter how much time passes, memories and emotions can still hold great power over our thoughts and actions.
The chorus of the song speaks about the idea of finding happiness through personal growth and learning to live with the pain of loss. The singer addresses the theme of acceptance and moving on from the past, with the notion that true happiness is found when we allow ourselves to be reborn and to embrace our true selves. She acknowledges the intangibility of happiness and how it can easily slip away from us. This highlights the importance of cherishing the present moment and the fleeting nature of life.
Overall, "Far away" is a powerful song that speaks to universal emotions and experiences, including love, loss, growth, and acceptance. The lyrics express a sense of nostalgia for the past while embracing the possibility of a new beginning, making it a relatable and inspiring piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
新しく 私らしく あなたらしく
Be born anew as ourselves, as each other in a new way.
いつかふたりがまだ 恋人と呼び合えた
Once upon a time, we still called each other lovers.
あの頃訪れた海へ ひとり来てるよ
I came alone to the sea we visited back then.
そしていつからか 忘れてた景色達探しながら
And somehow, while searching for forgotten landscapes.
聞こえる波音が 何だか優しくて
The sound of the waves heard appears somewhat gentle.
泣き出しそうになっているよ
It's making me want to start crying.
幸せは 口にすればほら 指のすき間
Happiness, if you speak it aloud, look, slips through your fingers.
こぼれ落ちてゆく 形ないもの
Something shapeless that spills and slips away.
あなたが"自分を取り戻しに行く"と
When you said, "I'm going to take myself back"
出かけた想い出の地にも海は広がり
Even at the place we went to make memories, the sea still stretches out.
どこかで出会ってつながって流れてる
We will all meet somewhere, connect, and flow.
きっと同じ景色見てる
I'm sure we're looking at the same scenery.
人は皆 通過駅と この恋を呼ぶけれどね
Everyone is passing through and calling this love.
ふたりには始発駅で 終着駅でもあった
For us, it was both the first and last station.
Uh-la, la, la, lai そうだったよね
Uh-la, la, la, lai, that's how it was, right?
もうすぐで夏が来るよ あなたなしの
Summer is coming soon, without you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: D.A.I, Ayumi Hamasaki, Kazuhito Kikuchi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind