Hello New Me Explained

Hello New Me
Cover:Hello New Me.jpg
Type:promotional single
Artist:Ayumi Hamasaki
Album:Colours
Recorded:2014
Length:4:20
Label:Avex Trax
Producer:Max Matsuura
Prev Title:Feel the Love" / "Merry-Go-Round
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Terminal
Next Year:2014

"Hello New Me" (stylized as "Hello new me") is a song by Japanese musician Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on May 14, 2014 as the second digital single from her fifteenth studio album, Colours (2014). The song was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama Zoku - Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi.[1]

Although the song did not enter the Oricon Singles Chart, it did peak at number 29 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 Chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for over 100,000 downloads.[2] [3]

Background

Hamasaki had previously recorded the gold-certified song "How Beautiful You Are" as the theme song for the first season of the drama Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi in 2012.

For the second season, called Zoku - Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi, the singer was approached to provide a new theme song. The song was revealed to be titled "Hello New Me", a slow but cheery ballad.[4]

Writing and production

The song's lyrics were written by Hamasaki herself, with music by Kunio Tago. Long time collaborator Yuta Nakano served as the song's arranger.[5]

Release

The song was released digitally on May 14, 2014. It was also included on her 15th studio album Colours, released on July 2, 2014.

Promotion

Since "Hello New Me" was used as the opening theme of Zoku - Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi, it was shown on TV once a week from April 17 to June 26, 2014

The song was also promoted – alongside Colours – with an advertising truck driving around the city of Tokyo. Furthermore, it was performed during Hamasaki's Premium Showcase: Feel the Love tour, which lasted from May 30 to July 6, 2014.[6] [7]

Track listing

Digital download

Personnel

Credits adapted from Discogs.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 【リリース情報】フジテレビ系ドラマ「続・最後から二番目の恋」主題歌「Hello new me」5/14 デジタルリリース! . Ayumi Hamasaki's Official Website . Avex . 4 July 2020 . Japanese.
  2. Japan Billboard Hot 100 . . English . May 31, 2014 . July 7, 2020.
  3. Web site: ja:2019年 ミリオン以上 認定作品一覧 . Record Association Investigation: November Digital Music Download Certifications . http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w140228.html . . Japanese . November 28, 2019 . July 7, 2020.
  4. Web site: 浜崎あゆみ 私生活と重ね合わせた?新曲がドラマ主題歌に. sponichi.co.jp . Sponichi Annex . 7 July 2020 . Japanese.
  5. Web site: 新曲「Hello new me」がドラマ「続・最後から二番目の恋」主題歌に決定!. Ayumi Hamasaki's Official Website . Avex . 4 July 2020 . Japanese.
  6. Web site: "ayumi hamasaki PREMIUM SHOWCASE ~Feel the love~" デビュー16周年を迎える2014年、プレミアム・ショーケース・ライヴ開催決定!. Avex.jp . 2020-06-12.
  7. Web site: ayumi hamsaki PREMIUM SHOWCASE ~Feel the love~. Avex.jp. 2020-06-12.
  8. Web site: Ayumi Hamasaki – Hello New Me. discogs.com . 14 May 2014 . Discogs . 7 July 2020 . English.