Ayaka was first introduced to public singing in her early years and throughout high school where she would sing song covers at school concerts. Her first solo concert was held in her second year of high school; it was a small high school concert in where she sang only covers of famous musicians. After speaking with an audience member, Ayaka was referred to the voice music center in Fukuoka. Ayaka began practicing original song composition as well as learning about the various recording methods used in mass media recording.
Ayaka performed at various music venues and as the opening act to various other groups during much of 2005. Though she had not officially debuted yet, in December 2005, Ayaka was contracted to perform the ending theme "Mikazuki" for a television Japanese Drama known as @Human. Even though a music video had been produced, the actual single would not be released for almost a year.
Ayaka performed three songs, Mikazuki, I Believe, and a Japanese rendition of the popular German Christmas carol, Silent Night.
On November 10, 2005, Lyor Cohen, the North American Chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group described her in public: "After Mariah Carey, Hikaru Utada, now it's the third encounter with an amazing talent over my life". After Ayaka's performance, he stood up clapping and praised "World class to be!".
In January 2006, Ayaka recorded "I Believe" as the ending theme for the Japanese Drama, Rondo. At the time of its premiere, Rondo was one of Japan's highest rated dramas and is credited with exposing "I Believe" to wide audiences. The full single was first released as a downloadable only single and would go on to become one of the fastest downloadable song to reach 1,000,000 sales as well as becoming the 3rd highest selling downloadable debut single for a female artist.
"I Believe" was officially released on February 2, 2006 and debuted as the 3rd highest single of the week. The single would go on to stay in the top ten for six more weeks as well as selling a total of 220,000 copies in its entire chart run. An English cover of the song was used by Miki Ando in 2006 Skate America which Ando would go on to win. Ayaka would later perform the song live during the exhibition at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships.
Ayaka's second single "melody ~Sounds Real~" would go on to have only moderate success on the Oricon charts. The single was limited to 50,000 copies, of which only approximately 10,000 were sold in its first week. "Melody ~Sounds Real~" peaked at number 14 on the Oricon charts and then steadily declined in both sales and chart position. When compared to her earlier songs, melody was a much more rock oriented song, a factor that earned her praise from various Japanese critics for her versatility. To date this is Ayaka's lowest selling single, but it was gone on to stay a while in the charts, slowly gaining sales, and has gotten past the 20,000 mark.
"Real Voice" was Ayaka's third single and was used as the ending theme to the Japanese Drama, Suppli. A B-Side single from "Melody ~Sounds Real~" known as "Blue Days" was also used as an insert song for the same show. "Real Voice" was released on July 17, 2006, selling 15,387 copies within its first week and charting as the 11th highest selling single of the week. To date the single has sold over 50,000 copies.
Weeks before the scheduled release of Ayaka's first album, "First Message", the album was canceled. In its place, the single "Mikazuki" was released as a rerecorded version of the same song from 2005. "Mikazuki" has become Ayaka's highest charting single, selling 40,091 copies within its first week and taking the highest spot on the Oricon weekly charts. The single would then go on to sale over 200,000 copies, making it one of the highest selling singles of the third quarter of 2006.
On November 1, 2006, Ayaka's first album "First Message" was finally released after months of push backs. It sold 350,580 copies within its first week, making it the highest selling album of the week as well as the highest selling debut album for a female artist in 7 years. The album went on to sell 1,003,412 copies and stayed within the top two positions on the Oricon charts for four weeks straight before being listed as the 13th highest selling album of 2006.
On February 28, 2007, a new single was released. The song Winding Road was a collaboration with label mates Kobukuro and used to promote a new line of car. The single reached a peak position of #2 on the Oricon charts.
The 5th single from Ayaka was used as the ending theme to Last Love, a Japanese movie that was released one month prior to the single. Ayaka also performed Jewelry Day, among many other songs, at the Japanese leg of Live Earth in Tokyo on July 7, 2007.
Te o Tsunagō Promo
Ayaka's 6th single, 'Why", released on September 5th, was used for Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, a PSP game by Square-Enix, as the theme song to the game.
At the end of 2007 Ayaka performed "Peace Loving People (special piano version)" in the annual music show Kōuhaku Uta Gassen.
On February 29, 2008, her first starring live event, Power Of Music was held. On March 5, 2008, Ayaka's first single of 2008, Te wo Tsunagō / Ai o Utaō was released. It was a double A-side single, first track used as a theme song for the movie, Nobita and the Green Giant Legend 2008, and the second track was used for Beauté de Kosé's "Esprique Precious" commercial. Her second single of the year, Okaeri, was released in May 2008. Okaeri is used for Zettai Kareshi drama theme song.
Her second album Sing to the Sky was released on June 25, 2008. It reached #2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and has thus far sold over 500,000 copies.
Anata to, the second collaboration single with Kobukuro, was released on September 24, 2008. The single was released due to fan requests after hearing the song performed live in concert.
Ayaka sang 'Okaeri' at the 59th annual Kōuhaku Uta Gassen
Ayaka announced in April her marriage to famous actor Mizushima Hiro [Asamoto Soshi from Zettai Kareshi -drama which she sang the theme song to-] They registered their marriage on February 22. It was also learned that immediately after Ayaka's debut in 2006, she became ill with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder. Ayaka tearfully reported that her symptoms have been increasing. As a result, Ayaka will continue with her music until the end of this year, after which she will put her career on hold. Mizushima promised to protect and support her.
はじまりのとき
絢香 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
別れが出会いを呼びよせる
そんなこと繰り返してくたび
大人になってゆくのかな
何を信じ どこに進むの?
自分しか知るはずのない
未来へ向かい
Life 僕を生きる
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき
辛い時 あなたの存在が
こんなに大切だと知った
悲しみも喜びも 本当は
隣り合わせにいるんだね
何を選び どこに渡すの?
自分以外の誰かを
信じることも
Life 共に生きる
手と手つないだら
生まれる力がある
Life 悔やんだ昨日
逃げ出した昨日
全て明日につながる
弱さをあなたにそっと差し出す
はじまりのとき
Life 僕を生きる
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき
The song "Hajimari no Toki" by Ayaka expresses the emotions of a person at the beginning of a new phase of life. The lyrics convey the message that every ending brings a new beginning and that even in difficult times, hope and new opportunities await. The first verse talks about how sadness gives way to kindness and how goodbyes make way for new meetings. As one grows older, one wonders what to believe and which path to take. However, if we trust our hearts and move towards the future, we can find our way.
In the second verse, the singer realizes the value of the presence of loved ones during tough times. Both joy and sorrow exist alongside each other. Sometimes we have to make difficult choices and trust someone other than ourselves. However, when we join hands with someone and walk together, an incredible energy is born. The chorus repeats the phrase "Life, I live it" and reminds us that our experiences from yesterday lead to today, and today leads to tomorrow. All we have to do is open the door in front of us and start a new journey.
Line by Line Meaning
悲しみが優しさに変わって
The sadness transforms into kindness
別れが出会いを呼びよせる
The departure brings the opportunity to encounter
そんなこと繰り返してくたび
As I keep repeating such things
大人になってゆくのかな
I wonder if I am growing up
何を信じ どこに進むの?
What should I believe in and where should I go?
自分しか知るはずのない
The only thing I should know is myself
未来へ向かい
Head towards the future
Life 僕を生きる
Life, I live it
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Even while struggling, with a heart called 'myself'
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
Life, yesterday I shed tears and stopped in my tracks
全て明日につながる
Everything leads to tomorrow
目の前にある 扉を開けば
If I open the door in front of me
はじまりのとき
It's a time of beginning
辛い時 あなたの存在が
During the tough times, your existence
こんなに大切だと知った
I realized how important it is
悲しみも喜びも 本当は
Whether it's sadness or joy, truthfully
隣り合わせにいるんだね
They are right next to each other
何を選び どこに渡すの?
What should I choose and where should I head?
自分以外の誰かを
Someone other than myself
信じることも
Believing in them, too
Life 共に生きる
Life, we live together
手と手つないだら
When we link hands
生まれる力がある
The power to be born is there
Life 悔やんだ昨日
Life, yesterday I regretted
逃げ出した昨日
Yesterday, I tried to run away
全て明日につながる
Everything leads to tomorrow
弱さをあなたにそっと差し出す
I gently offer you my weakness
はじまりのとき
It's a time of beginning
Life 僕を生きる
Life, I live it
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Even while struggling, with a heart called 'myself'
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
Life, yesterday I shed tears and stopped in my tracks
全て明日につながる
Everything leads to tomorrow
目の前にある 扉を開けば
If I open the door in front of me
はじまりのとき
It's a time of beginning
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 絢香
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1go.100
父の、癌の闘病中
病院の面会行く時に聴いてました。
もう大学病院では、手を尽くして
これ以上の治療はやめましょうと言われ
あとは、ホスピスで最期を看取るだけだった時
最後のクリスマスになるからと
仕事の休みを取ってたけど、いろいろあり
クリスマスに面会行かなくて…
その翌日、26日に亡くなって
凄く後悔しました。
『悔やんだ昨日 逃げ出した昨日』が
心に刺さる歌詞で、この曲聴くと
父を想い涙が出ます
@user-op9jg5eq1s
歌：絢香
作詞：絢香
作曲：絢香
悲しみが優しさに変わって
別れが出会いを呼びよせる
そんなこと繰り返してくたび
大人になってゆくのかな
何を信じ どこに進むの?
自分しか知るはずのない
未来へ向かい
Life 僕を生きる
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき
辛い時 あなたの存在が
こんなに大切だと知った
悲しみも喜びも 本当は
隣り合わせにいるんだね
何を選び どこに渡すの?
自分以外の誰かを
信じることも
Life 共に生きる
手と手つないだら 生まれる力がある
Life 悔やんだ昨日 逃げ出した昨日
全て明日につながる
弱さをあなたにそっと差し出す
はじまりのとき
Life 僕を生きる
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき
@user-hf3qp8uo4t
はじまりのとき
絢香
作曲︰絢香
作詞︰絢香
歌詞
悲しみが優しさに変わって
別れが出会いを呼びよせる
そんなこと繰り返してくたび
大人になってゆくのかな
何を信じ どこに進むの?
自分しか知るはずのない
未来へ向かい
Life 僕を生きる
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき
辛い時 あなたの存在が
こんなに大切だと知った
悲しみも喜びも 本当は
隣り合わせにいるんだね
何を選び どこに渡すの?
自分以外の誰かを
信じることも
Life 共に生きる
手と手つないだら 生まれる力がある
Life 悔やんだ昨日 逃げ出した昨日
全て明日につながる
弱さをあなたにそっと差し出す
はじまりのとき
Life 僕を生きる
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき
@user-vw6rk3vf7s
私も、今大腸癌の抗がん剤治療中です、痺れが辛く、この歌を聴くと涙が溢れます！
@1go.100
父の、癌の闘病中
病院の面会行く時に聴いてました。
もう大学病院では、手を尽くして
これ以上の治療はやめましょうと言われ
あとは、ホスピスで最期を看取るだけだった時
最後のクリスマスになるからと
仕事の休みを取ってたけど、いろいろあり
クリスマスに面会行かなくて…
その翌日、26日に亡くなって
凄く後悔しました。
『悔やんだ昨日 逃げ出した昨日』が
心に刺さる歌詞で、この曲聴くと
父を想い涙が出ます
@user-op9jg5eq1s
歌：絢香
作詞：絢香
作曲：絢香
悲しみが優しさに変わって
別れが出会いを呼びよせる
そんなこと繰り返してくたび
大人になってゆくのかな
何を信じ どこに進むの?
自分しか知るはずのない
未来へ向かい
Life 僕を生きる
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき
辛い時 あなたの存在が
こんなに大切だと知った
悲しみも喜びも 本当は
隣り合わせにいるんだね
何を選び どこに渡すの?
自分以外の誰かを
信じることも
Life 共に生きる
手と手つないだら 生まれる力がある
Life 悔やんだ昨日 逃げ出した昨日
全て明日につながる
弱さをあなたにそっと差し出す
はじまりのとき
Life 僕を生きる
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき
@user-lv3vo9vo6s
ありがとうございます
@user-ld2ew5oj1l
夢に向かって、追いかけてる自分が大好き。❤️
@user-ld2ew5oj1l
ありがとうございます。🌺
@tiarawardhani483
何でかなこの歌を聞くといつも涙が出ます
@user-si6uu8gs3h
再出発を誓った祈りが込められているから。
@user-bl6bl9yl1t
この曲
一番飛びぬけて好き
@user-hf3qp8uo4t
はじまりのとき
絢香
作曲︰絢香
作詞︰絢香
歌詞
悲しみが優しさに変わって
別れが出会いを呼びよせる
そんなこと繰り返してくたび
大人になってゆくのかな
何を信じ どこに進むの?
自分しか知るはずのない
未来へ向かい
Life 僕を生きる
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき
辛い時 あなたの存在が
こんなに大切だと知った
悲しみも喜びも 本当は
隣り合わせにいるんだね
何を選び どこに渡すの?
自分以外の誰かを
信じることも
Life 共に生きる
手と手つないだら 生まれる力がある
Life 悔やんだ昨日 逃げ出した昨日
全て明日につながる
弱さをあなたにそっと差し出す
はじまりのとき
Life 僕を生きる
もがきながらでも 自分という心で
Life 泣いた昨日 立ち止まった昨日
全て明日につながる
目の前にある 扉を開けば
はじまりのとき