Fly High (Ayumi Hamasaki song) explained

Fly High
Cover:Flyhigh.jpg
Alt:An image of Hamasaki in a clear sphere, wearing a beige-colored outfit.
Caption:CD is packaged in a red jewel case.
Type:single
Artist:Ayumi Hamasaki
Album:Loveppears
Recorded:1999
Genre:
  • Progressive Trance
Length:
  • 4:14 (radio edit)
  • 4:07 (album edit)
Producer:Max Matsuura
Prev Title:Kanariya
Prev Year:1999
Next Title:Vogue
Next Year:2000

"Fly High" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released by Avex Trax in Japan on February 9, 2000, and through Avex Entertainment Inc. worldwide in September 2008. The recording served as Hamasaki's third and final limited edition single from her second studio album, Loveppears (1999), limiting physical units to 300,000 copies. The track was written by the singer herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Two versions of "Fly High" were made available for consumption—a radio edit composed by HΛL, and the album version produced by Dai Nagao. Lyrically, the song was written in third person perspective.

Upon its release, "Fly High" received mixed reviews from music critics. Some praised the original and radio edit, while generally criticizing the amount of remixes. Commercially, the single experienced success in Japan, peaking at number three 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 copies. An accompanying music video for "Fly High" was directed by Wataru Takeishi, and portrayed Hamasaki in a nightclub, with a clone of her standing in the distance. To promote the single, it appeared on several remix and greatest hits compilation albums released by Hamasaki.

Background and release

"Fly High" was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Two versions of "Fly High" were made available for consumption—a radio edit composed by HΛL, and the album version produced by Dai Nagao.[1] [2] Both compositions are inspired by dance music, a genre that heavily influences Hamasaki's second studio album, Loveppears (1999), and also includes musical elements of house and techno.[3] [4] The song's instrumentation consists of synthesizers and keyboards managed by HΛL, while also incorporating an electric guitar provided by Naoya Akimoto. "Fly High" was eventually mastered and co-produced by Japanese musician Naoto Suzuki and Nagao.[2] The album version is used as a lead-on for the titular opening song of Lovepperars.[1] Lyrically, "Fly High" was written in third person perspective, a trait that is shared with the rest of the album's tracks.[5] [6]

It was released by Avex Trax in Japan on February 9, 2000, marking her first single in the 2000s decade, and through Avex Entertainment Inc. worldwide in September 2008. It also served as Hamasaki's third and final limited edition single from Loveppears, limiting physical units to 300,000 copies.[2] Subsequently, in mid 2000, a limited 12" vinyl was issued through Avex Trax in Japan to promote her second part of her 2000 concert tour. A picture disc that featured a shot of Hamasaki in a leather pink jacket included HΛL's 2000 remix on side one, and an orchestral version of the recording on side two.[7] The artwork was photographed by Japanese photographer Toru Kumazawa, and featured Hamasaki sitting in a beige–colored circular pod with fabric around her. The physical version of "Fly High" failed to include a booklet, which resulted in the cover sleeve being immolated as a picture disc, featuring an emphasised plastic sheet with information on the single.[2]

Reception

Upon its release, "Fly High" received mixed reviews from music critics. A reviewer from CD Journal was particularly negative towards the amount of remixes on the maxi single and the lack of recognisable disc jockeys on the tracks.[8] AllMusic's Alexey Eremenko, who contributed in writing Hamasaki's biography on the website, selected the track as one of her best works.[9] Commercially, the single experienced success in Japan. It debuted at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 260,460 units in its first week of availability. "Fly High" lasted four weeks within the top 200, marking one of the singer's lowest-spanning singles in that chart.[10] Likewise, it debuted at number three on the Count Down TV chart hosted by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), being present for six editions within the top 100 positions.[11] [12]

By the end of 2000, the recording had sold over 299,540 units in Japan, and was ranked at number 89 on Oricon's Annual 2000 chart, behind four other songs by Hamasaki.[13] Similarly, it charted at number 94 on TBS' Year-End Chart.[14] In April 2000, "Fly High" was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 200,000 copies.As of July 2016, the track is her 26th highest-selling single based on Oricon Style's database.[15]

Music video and promotion

An accompanying music video for the single was directed by Wataru Takeishi, and uses HΛL's remix version.[16] The video opens with Hamasaki signing the track in front of an audience, whilst dancing around a large black platform accompanied by her background band. Several scenes portray the video being projected on a large television screen, with the ending chorus having a clone of Hamasaki walking into the club and observing herself performing on stage.[16] The music video was included on several DVD compilations released by Hamasaki: A Clips (2000),[17] A Complete Box Set (2004),[18] the digital release of A Clips Complete (2014),[19] and the DVD and Blu-Ray re-release edition of her 2001 compilation album, A Best.[20]

"Fly High" has been heavily promoted through compilation albums conducted by Hamasaki; it has been included on 11 of the singer's remix albums, including Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix and Ayu-mi-x II Version Non-Stop Mega Mix (2000).[21] The single has also been featured on two of Hamasaki's greatest hits albums,A Best (2001) and (2008).[22] [23] Additionally, it was specially remixed by Vincent De Moor for being added to the track list of her remix extended play, (2001).[24]

Track listing

  1. "Fly High" (Hal's mix 2000) – 4:14
  2. "Fly High" (Sample Madness remix) – 5:06
  3. "Fly High" (Supreme mix) – 6:25
  4. "Fly High" (acoustic orchestra version) – 4:04
  5. "Fly High" (Sharp Boys U.K. vocal mix) – 4:14
  6. "Fly High" (Saturation remix) – 3:55
  7. "Appears" (HW club mix) – 5:26
  8. "Fly High" (Dub's F remix) – 10:43
  9. "Fly High" (non-stop mix N.S dance mega mix) – 12:52
  10. "Kanariya" (fake compilation) – 5:11
  11. "Fly High" (album version instrumental) – 4:10
  12. "Fly High" (vocal track) – 3:20
  1. "Fly High" (Hal's Mix 2000) – 4:14
  2. "Fly High" (Sample Madness remix) – 5:06
  3. "Fly High" (Supreme mix) – 6:25
  4. "Fly High" (acoustic orchestra version) – 4:04
  5. "Fly High" (Sharp Boys U.K. vocal mix) – 4:14
  6. "Fly High" (Saturation remix) – 3:55
  7. "Appears" (HW club mix) – 5:26
  8. "Fly High" (Dub's F remix) – 10:43
  9. "Fly High" (non-stop mix N.S dance mega mix) – 12:52
  10. "Kanariya" (fake compilation) – 5:11
  11. "Fly High" (vocal track) – 3:20
  1. "Fly High" (Hal's mix 2000) – 4:14
  2. "Fly High" (acoustic orchestra version) – 4:04

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of the single's physical release.[2]

Recording

Credits

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2000)Peak
position
Japan (Oricon)3
Japan (Count Down TV Chart) (TBS)3

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)Peak
position
Japan (Oricon)89
Japan Count Down TV (TBS)94

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
JapanFebruary 9, 2000CD single
Digital downloadSeptember 2008Avex Entertainment Inc.
Australia[26]
New Zealand[27]
United Kingdom[28]
Ireland[29]
Germany[30]
Spain[31]
France[32]
Italy[33]
Taiwan[34]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Loveppears. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 1999. CD Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-11740. Japan.
  2. Fly High. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. CD Single; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-30066. Japan.
  3. News: AllMusic Staff. Ayumi Hamasaki – Loveppears. AllMusic. April 10, 2001. July 14, 2016.
  4. 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 .
  5. 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.
  6. Loveppears . Beatfreak . November 1999 . 142. ja.
  7. Fly High. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. 12" vinyl picture disc; Liner notes. Avex Trax. NA. Japan.
  8. News: CD Journal Staff. Ayumi Hamasaki / Fly High (Limited) [Out of Print]]. CD Journal. February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016. ja.
  9. News: Eremenko, Alexey. Ayumi Hamasaki – Songs. AllMusic. 2016. July 27, 2016.
  10. Web site: Fly High – Ayumi Hamasaki. Oricon Style. December 8, 1999. July 27, 2016. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20120924064732/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/music/45120/1/. September 24, 2012 .
  11. Web site: CDTV PowerWeb! Ranking Singles Chart. Count Down TV
    published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)
    . February 19, 2000. July 27, 2016. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20060916115016/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown20000219-j.html. September 16, 2006.
  12. Web site: CDTV PowerWeb! Ayumi Hamasaki – Fly High. Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). February 9, 2000. July 26, 2016. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20060916115016/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song4526-j.html. September 16, 2006.
  13. News: Oricon Yearly Chart – Singles, Albums, and DVD Releases of 20000. Music TV Program Japan. December 2000. July 16, 2016. ja.
  14. Web site: CDTV PowerWeb! 1999 Annual Singles Chart. Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). 1999. July 16, 2016. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20061009100833/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown1999total-j.html. October 9, 2006 .
  15. News: Ayumi Hamasaki Single's Ranking. Oricon Style. July 16, 2016. ja.
  16. News: Takeishi, Wataru (director). Fly High / Ayumi Hamasaki (short music video). Avex Trax; published through YouTube. November 10, 2015. July 27, 2016. ja.
  17. A Clips. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2000. DVD Videos; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVVD-90069. Japan.
  18. A Complete Box Set. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2004. DVD Videos; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVBD-91181~3. Japan.
  19. Web site: A Clip Box 1998-2011, Vol. 1 – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (New Zealand). January 1, 2012. July 16, 2016.
  20. A Best: 15th Anniversary Edition. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2016. CD + DVD + Blu-Ray; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVZD-93409/B~C. Japan.
  21. The list below are the compilations that "Fly High" 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 Orchestral. 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.
    • Cyber Trance Presents Ayu Trance 2. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2002. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-17200. Japan.
    • Ayu-mi-x 4 + Selection Acoustic Orchestra Version. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2002. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-17098. Japan.
    • Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2001. Remix Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-17027. Japan.
  22. A Best. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2001. CD; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-11950. Japan.
  23. A Ballads. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2007. 3xCD Compilation Album; Liner notes. Avex Trax. AVCD-23676~8. Japan.
  24. The Other Side Four: System F, Vincent De Moor. Ayumi Hamasaki. Ayumi. Hamasaki. 2001. Remix EP; Liner notes. Rhythm Republic. RRCD-85235. Japan.
  25. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (Japan). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.
  26. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (Australia). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.
  27. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (New Zealand). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.
  28. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (United Kingdom). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.
  29. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (Ireland). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.
  30. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (Germany). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.
  31. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (Spain). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.
  32. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (France). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.
  33. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (Italy). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.
  34. Web site: Fly High – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki. iTunes Store (Taiwan). February 9, 2000. July 27, 2016.

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