Ayumi Hamasaki (浜崎あゆみ, Hamasaki Ayumi, real name 浜崎歩) (born October 2, 197… Read Full Bio ↴Ayumi Hamasaki (浜崎あゆみ, Hamasaki Ayumi, real name 浜崎歩) (born October 2, 1978, Fukuoka, Japan) is an award-winning Japanese singer, and one of the most popular and influential artists to come from Asia. Apart from being a singer, Hamasaki is also a songwriter, a model, an actress, a composer, a record producer, a spokesperson and an entrepreneur. Through her entire career, she has written all her lyrical content, and has sometimes composed her music.

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

decision
浜崎あゆみ Lyrics

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多くを語りすぎてしまえば
真実はぼやけてしまう
言葉は時にとても無力で
想いを邪魔してしまうから

ねぇ正しかったのかなんて
ねぇどうか聞かないでいて

そう僕は行くこの先がたとえ
どんなにも理不尽な場所だったとしても
僕はもう僕であり続けるしかない事が
君の胸に悲しく響こうとも

幼き僕が選んだ道は
二度とは引き返せない道
あれは最初で最後の覚悟
遠くで未来が叫んでた

ねぇあの日の僕がほら
ねぇ背中で頷いてる

そう僕は行く振り返らずに
逃げ出さずに顔を上げて歩いて行くんだ
僕はもう僕であり続けるしかない事を
君はいつか解ってくれるだろう

強い向かい風が吹いている
冷たさがやけに肌に染みてくる
凍えそうにかじかむ手を今
真っ直ぐに向こう側に伸ばすんだ

そう僕は行くこの先がたとえ
どんなにも理不尽な場所だったとしても

僕はもう僕であり続けるしかない事を
僕自身が受けとめなきゃならない

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 浜崎あゆみ's song "decision" reflect the theme of perseverance and staying true to oneself despite facing obstacles and uncertainties. The opening lines suggest that speaking too much may blur the truth and that words can sometimes be powerless and hinder genuine emotions. The singer questions whether she was right in her decisions and pleads for others not to ask her that question.

The chorus emphasizes the determination to move forward, even if the path seems unreasonable or unfair. The singer declares that she has no choice but to continue being herself, even if it hurts the person she loves. The lyrics also mention a decision made in childhood, an irreversible path that was chosen with unwavering determination. The singer recalls that day and affirms that she is still committed to her choices.

The second verse hints at the presence of strong opposition and challenges, with a strong headwind blowing and a chilling cold that seeps into the skin. However, the singer resolves to push forward, reaching out with courage despite the fear of freezing. The lyrics conclude with the realization that the singer must accept and embrace the path she has chosen, without anyone else needing to understand or approve.

Overall, the lyrics of "decision" convey a message of resilience, determination, and self-acceptance in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

多くを語りすぎてしまえば
If I speak too much

真実はぼやけてしまう
The truth will become blurred

言葉は時にとても無力で
Words can sometimes be very powerless

想いを邪魔してしまうから
They can interfere with my feelings

ねぇ正しかったのかなんて
Hey, I wonder if I was right

ねぇどうか聞かないでいて
Hey, please don't ask me

そう僕は行くこの先がたとえ
So I will go, even if the future ahead

どんなにも理不尽な場所だったとしても
Is an unreasonable place

僕はもう僕であり続けるしかない事が
I have no choice but to continue being myself

君の胸に悲しく響こうとも
Even if it saddens your heart