Appears Explained

Appears
Cover:Ayumiappearscover.png
Alt:An image of recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki in front of a building window with a black wig covering her breasts. Her skin is digitally altered to make it look darker.
Caption:Japanese vinyl (part 1), CD, and worldwide digital cover artwork.
Type:single
Artist:Ayumi Hamasaki
Album:Loveppears
A-Side:Immature
Recorded:1999
Genre:Trance
Length:5:38
Producer:Max Matsuura
Prev Title:A
Prev Year:1999
Next Title:Kanariya
Next Year:1999

"Appears" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released by Avex Trax on November 10, 1999 as the sixth single from her second studio album Loveppears (1999), which was released on the same day. Alongside this, it has been released in several other territories with different release dates under her Western alias Ayu. It also served as Hamasaki's first limited edition single, limiting physical sales to 300,000 copies. The track was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Musically, "Appears" is a dance song written in third person perspective, and is about the third person watching what appears to be a happy and loving relationship. Upon its release, "Appears" received positive reviews from music critics. Alexey Eremenko, writing for AllMusic, selected the track as the best song from the album and her career. However, an editor from CD Journal criticized the amount of remixes on the CD single.

Commercially, the single was a success in Japan, peaking at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and TBS' Count Down TV chart. It sold just below its restricted 300,000 units, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 200,000 units. An accompanying music video was directed by Wataru Takeishi, which displays Hamasaki walking around New York City and observing people. To promote the single, it appeared on several remix and greatest hits compilation albums conducted by Hamasaki, and has been included on some of her concert tours, including part two of her 2000 concert tour and the 2007 Secret Tour.

Background and composition

"Appears" was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by longtime collaborator Max Matsuura. The song's instrumentation consists of guitar by musician Naoya Akimoto and keyboards by Japanese pop band HΛL. It was then composed together by Kazuhito Kikuchi and mixed by HΛL.[1] An alternative version of "Appears" was released as the single-edit, which was primarily composed and mixed by Kikuchi, but this edit did not appear on the final cut of Hamasaki's second studio album Loveppears (1999).[1] Musically, "Appears" is a dance song, a genre that is heavily influenced throughout the parent album.[2] [3]

In a special commentary for Hamasaki's compilation album A Ballads (2003), where a third version of the track is included, she stated that the lyrical content was written in third person perspective, a trait that is shared with the rest of the album's tracks.[4] She stated that the song is about the third person watching a happy and loving relationship: "It's about lovers who appear to be happy and are living each day in their usual way. But there is a sense that a third person is watching from a distance."[4] The song's title is loosely based on the album's title Loveppears, which was originally planned to be called "Lovers Appear".[4]

Release

"Appears" was released by Avex Trax on November 10, 1999 as the sixth single from the album, which was also released on the same day.[1] The CD single, which was distributed in Japan and Hong Kong, included 12 tracks: six remixes of "Appears", two remixes of her previous single "Whatever", and two remixes of her previous promotional single "Immature". The last two tracks are instrumentals of the HΛL remix and Keisuke Kikuchi remix of "Appears" and "Immature" (titled '99 Greetings Mix and JT Original CM Mix).[5] [6] Two separate 12" vinyls were distributed by Japanese label Rhythm Republic, featuring remixes of both "Appears" and "Whatever".[7] [8] It was Hamasaki's first single to be distributed in North America, which was remixed by American DJ Junior Vasquez and released on May 27, 2001.[9] It was furthered distributed by Drizzly Records throughout Europe in 2005–06 under Hamasaki's Western alias Ayu; it was released on 12" vinyl and CD single formats.[10] [11] The artwork for digital and Japanese formats featured a darkened skin version of Hamasaki's portrait on Loveppears; like both covers, it garnered controversy due to its provocative nature.[12]

Reception

Upon its release, "Appears" received positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic's Alexey Eremenko, whom contributed to writing Hamasaki's biography on the website, selected the track as some of her best work.[13] A mixed review came from a staff member at CD Journal, who questioned the inclusion of remixes on the CD single. Though the editor commended the club inspired composition, he/she criticized how it took over Hamasaki's vocal performance and felt the sound was slightly "geeky".[14] Commercially, the single was a success in Japan. It debuted at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 273,760 units in its first week of sales. It lasted three weeks on the top 200, becoming one of Hamasaki's lowest spanning singles in that chart.[15] It debuted at number two on the Count Down TV chart hosted by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), stalled from the top spot by Hikaru Utada's "Addicted to You".[16] It lasted four weeks in the top 100.[17] Part one of the "Appears"/"Whatever" 12" vinyl reached number 96 on the same chart, entering on chart date February 5, 2000.[18]

By the end of 1999, it had sold over 282,000 units in Japan, making it the 81st highest selling single of that year in that country; it was also Hamasaki's fifth addition on the Oricon Yearly Chart, just behind her singles "To Be", "Love (Destiny)", "Boys & Girls", and her extended play A (1999).[19] That same year, it ranked at number 84 on TBS' Annual Chart.[20] In January 2000, the single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 200,000 units.[21] As of July 2016, "Appears" has sold 290,550 units in Japan, and is her 28th highest selling single based on Oricon Style's data base.[22]

Music video and promotion

An accompanying music video was directed by Wataru Takeishi.[23] The video opens with shots of New York City, and then has Hamasaki on a rooftop. Hamasaki is then singing the track with several different camera angles circulating her and the city. During the first verse, it has her in an apartment, sitting on a couch with a butterfly hair clip; this scene is used throughout the entire video. It then has three shots of her in different clothes; one with a brown leather jacket, brown wig and cowboy hat, the second with a red dress on, and the third with a black jacket and crop hair style.[23] The shot with her in the brown leather jacket, brown wig and cowboy hat then shows her on a rooftop singing the song. The final pre-chorus and chorus has her driving through New York City, and has her in a pink dress watching the snow fall; it ends with her in the red dress, holding her hands out for the snow to fall.[23] The music video was included on several DVD compilations released by Hamasaki: A Clips (2000),[24] A Complete Box Set (2004),[25] the digital release of A Clips Complete (2014),[26] and the DVD and Blu-Ray re-release edition of her 2001 compilation album A Best (2016).[27]

"Appears" has been heavily promoted on compilation albums and live performances. As of July 2016, it has been included on eight of Hamasaki's remix albums, including Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix (2000) and Ayu-mi-x II Version Non-Stop Mega Mix (2001).[28] The single has also been used on greatest hits albums conducted by Hamasaki, including A Best (2001),[29] the HΛL's remix on A Ballads (2003),[30] (2007),[31] and most recently on her 2014 Christmas compilation Winter Ballad Selection.[32] It was specially remixed by Junior Vasquez and added onto Hamasaki's remix extended play, .[33] The single has been included on three major concert tours hosted by Hamasaki, including part two of her 2000 concert tour,[34] her 2007 Secret Tour,[35] and her 2012 Hotel Love Songs tour in Japan.[36]

Track listing and formats

  1. "Appears" ('99 Greeting Mix) – 5:38
  2. "Appears" (Scud Filter Mix) – 6:03
  3. "Appears" (Dub's Eurotech Remix) – 8:03
  4. "Whatever" (Ferry 'System F' Corsten Dub Mix) – 7:38
  5. "Appears" (JP's SoundFactory Mix) – 7:58
  6. "Appears" (HAL's Mix) – 4:41
  7. "Immature" (D-Z Dual Lucifer Mix) – 4:35
  8. "Whatever" (Ferry 'System F' Corsten Vocal Extended Mix) – 6:29
  9. "Appears" (Keith Litman's Mix Of Truth) – 8:25
  10. "Immature" (JT Original CM Version) – 4:45
  11. "Appears" (Scud Filter Mix) [Instrumental] – 6:03
  12. "Immature" (JT Original CM Version) [Instrumental] – 4:45
  1. "Appears" (Dub's Eurotech Remix) – 8:03
  2. "Appears" (HAL's Mix) – 4:41
  3. "Appears" (Scud Filter Mix) – 6:03
  4. "Appears" ('99 Greeting Mix) – 5:38
  1. "Appears" (JP's SoundFactory Mix) – 7:58
  2. "Appears" (Keith Litman's Mix Of Truth) – 8:25
  3. "Whatever" (Ferry 'System F' Corsten Vocal Extended Mix) – 6:29
  1. "Appears" (Junior's Club Mix) – 9:41
  2. "Appears" (Junior's Instrumental) – 9:45
  3. "Appears" (Junior's Padapella) – 8:02
  1. Appears" ('99 Greeting Mix) – 5:38
  2. "Immature" (JT Original CM Version) – 4:45
  1. "Appears" (Armin van Buuren's Rising Star 12" Instr. Mix) – 9:11
  2. "Appears" (Armin van Buuren's Sunset Dub Mix) – 9:23
  3. "Appears" (Kyau vs. Albert Remix) – 8:15
  4. "Appears" (Kyau vs. Albert Dub) – 7:58
  5. "Appears" (Vince The Saint vs. Villa Remix) – 6:08
  1. "Appears" (Armin van Buuren's Rising Star Radio Edit) – 4:08
  2. "Appears" (Kyau vs. Albert Radio Edit) – 3:38
  3. "Appears" (Armin van Buuren's Rising Star 12" Mix) – 9:11
  4. "Appears" (Kyau vs. Albert Dub) – 7:58
  5. "Appears" (Vince The Saint vs. Villa Remix) – 6:08
  1. "Appears" (Armin van Buuren's Rising Star 12" Mix) – 9:11
  2. "Appears" (Kyau vs. Albert Remix) – 8:15
  3. "Appears" (Vince The Saint vs. Villa Remix) – 6:08
  4. "Appears" (Armin van Buuren's Rising Dub Mix) – 9:20
  5. "Appears" (Kyau vs. Albert Dub) – 7:58
  6. "Appears" – 9:14
  1. "Appears" ('99 Greeting Mix) – 5:38
  2. "Appears" (Scud Filter Mix) – 6:03
  3. "Appears" (Dub's Eurotech Remix) – 8:03
  4. "Whatever" (Ferry 'System F' Corsten Dub Mix) – 7:38
  5. "Appears" (JP's SoundFactory Mix) – 7:58
  6. "Appears" (HAL's Mix) – 4:41
  7. "Immature" (D-Z Dual Lucifer Mix) – 4:35
  8. "Whatever" (Ferry 'System F' Corsten Vocal Extended Mix) – 6:29
  9. "Appears" (Keith Litman's Mix Of Truth) – 8:25
  10. "Immature" (JT Original CM Version) – 4:45
  11. "Appears" ('99 Greeting Mix) – 5:38
  12. "Appears" (Scud Filter Mix) [Instrumental] – 6:03
  13. "Immature" (JT Original CM Version) [Instrumental] – 4:45

Personnel

Credits adapted from the CD liner notes of Loveppears;[1]

Recording
Credits

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1999)Peak
position
Japan Weekly Chart (Oricon)2
Japan Weekly Count Down TV Chart (TBS)2

Yearly chart

Chart (1999)Peak
position
Japan (Oricon)81
Japan Count Down TV (TBS)84

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
JapanNovember 10, 1999CD single
Hong Kong
JapanJanuary 28, 200012" vinylRhythm Republic
"Appears"/"Immature" 12" vinyl
March 22, 200012" vinyl
United StatesMay 27, 200112" vinylAvex USA
GermanyApril 18, 2005Drizzly Records
EuropeCD single
United Kingdom2006
JapanSeptember 2008Digital download

External links

Notes and References

  1. Loveppears. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 1999. CD Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-11740. Japan.
  2. News: AllMusic Staff. Ayumi Hamasaki – Loveppears. AllMusic. April 10, 2001. July 14, 2016.
  3. News: Takeuchi Cullen. Lisa. Empress of Pop. Time. November 28, 2011 . 3 . March 25, 2002 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20020403135213/http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/ayumi_hamasaki/cover3.html . April 3, 2002 .
  4. News: Hamasaki, Ayumi (interviewee). Special Website to A Ballads. Ayumi Hamasaki's official website. March 12, 2003. July 16, 2016. February 9, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090209190143/http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu/en/special/aballads/index2.html. dead.
  5. Appears. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 1999. CD Single; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-30064. Japan.
  6. Appears. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 1999. CD Single; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVTCDS-209. Hong Kong.
  7. Appears / Whatever. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. 12" Vinyl; Liner notes. Rhythm Republic. RR12-88149. Japan.
  8. Appears / Whatever. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. 12" Viny;; Liner notes. Rhythm Republic. RR12-88152. Japan.
  9. Appears. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2001. 12" Vinyl; Liner notes. Avex USA. AVA 12. North America.
  10. Appears. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2005. 12" Vinyl; Liner notes. Drizzly Records. DRIZ3005-1. Europe.
  11. Appears. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2005. CD Single; Liner notes. Drizzly Records. DRIZ3006-CD. Europe.
  12. News: Keep Away Unless You've Got a Stuffy Nose!. Singapore Press Holdings. The New Paper. February 25, 2003. Miharu. Chang.
  13. News: Eremenko, Alexey. Ayumi Hamasaki – Songs. AllMusic. 2016. July 14, 2016.
  14. News: CD Journal Staff. Appears – Ayumi Hamasaki. CD Journal. November 10, 1999. July 16, 2016. Japanese.
  15. Web site: Appears – Ayumi Hamasaki. Oricon Style. November 10, 1999. July 16, 2016. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20120924064542/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/music/45118/1/. September 24, 2012.
  16. Web site: CDTV PowerWeb! Ranking Singles Chart. Count Down TV
    published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)
    . November 20, 1999. July 16, 2016. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20060616093749/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown19991120-j.html. June 16, 2006.
  17. Web site: CDTV PowerWeb! Ayumi Hamasaki – Appears. Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). November 20, 1999. July 16, 2016. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20060628073647/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song4299-j.html. June 28, 2006 .
  18. Web site: CDTV PowerWeb! Ayumi Hamasaki – Appears / Whatever. Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). February 5, 2000. July 16, 2016. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20060918052006/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song4497-j.html. September 18, 2006.
  19. News: Oricon Yearly Chart – Singles, Albums, and DVD Releases of 1999. Music TV Program Japan. December 1999. July 16, 2016. Japanese. December 25, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101225010223/http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-1999.html. dead.
  20. Web site: CDTV PowerWeb! 1999 Annual Singles Chart. Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). 1999. July 16, 2016. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20061009100833/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown1999total-j.html. October 9, 2006 .
  21. GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年11月度 . Gold Albums, and other certified works. November 1999 Edition . The Record . Bulletin . Japanese . . . January 10, 2000 . 482 . 9 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140117114148/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200001.pdf . January 17, 2014 . January 17, 2014.
  22. News: Ayumi Hamasaki Single's Ranking. Oricon Style. July 16, 2016. Japanese.
  23. News: Takeishi, Wataru (director). Appears / Ayumi Hamasaki (music video). https://web.archive.org/web/20180410051925/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur23PjNxYUQ. 2018-04-10 . dead. Avex Trax; published through YouTube. November 10, 2015. July 16, 2016. Japanese.
  24. A Clips. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. DVD Videos; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVVD-90069. Japan.
  25. A Complete Box Set. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2004. DVD Videos; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVBD-91181~3. Japan.
  26. Web site: A Clip Box 1998-2011, Vol. 1 – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (New Zealand). January 1, 2012. July 16, 2016.
  27. A Best: 15th Anniversary Edition. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2016. CD + DVD + Blu-Ray; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVZD-93409/B~C. Japan.
  28. The list below are the compilations that "Appears" has been featured in;
    • Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVTCD-95326. Japan.
    • Ayu-mi-x II Version US+EU. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-11797. Japan.
    • Ayu-mi-x II Version JPN. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-11798. Japan.
    • Ayu-mi-x II Version Acoustic Orchestra. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-11799. Japan.
    • Ayu-mi-x II Version Non-Stop Mega Mix. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-11800~1. Japan.
    • Ayu Trance. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2001. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-17028. Japan.
    • Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2001. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-17027. Japan.
    • RMX Works From Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 3. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2003. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-17381. Japan.
  29. A Best. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2001. Compilation Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-11950. Japan.
  30. A Ballads. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2003. Compilation Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-17278. Japan.
  31. A Ballads. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2007. 3xCD Compilation Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-23676~8. Japan.
  32. Web site: Winter Ballad Selection – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (Japan). November 26, 2014. July 16, 2016.
  33. The Other Side Two: Junior Vasquez. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2001. Remix EP; Liner notes. Rhythm Republic. RRCD-85233. Japan.
  34. Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 2. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. Live DVD; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVBD-91021. Japan.
  35. Tour of Secret. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2007. Live DVD; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVBD-91536～7. Japan.
  36. Hotel Love Songs Tour. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2012. Live DVD; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVBD-92029~30. Japan.
  37. Appears / Immature. Ayumi. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. 12" Vinyl; Liner notes. Avex Trax. NA. Japan.
  38. Appears. Ayu. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 206. CD Single; Liner notes. Drizzly Records. DRIZ3006CD006. United Kingdom.
  39. Web site: Appears – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (Japan). November 10, 1999. July 14, 2016.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Appears".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.