Evolution (Ayumi Hamasaki song)
"Evolution" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki | ||||
from the album I Am... | ||||
Released | January 31, 2001 | |||
Recorded | 2000 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 1:02:02 | |||
Label | Avex Trax | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Max Matsuura | |||
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Official Music Video | ||||
"Evolution" on YouTube |
"Evolution" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist and lyricist Ayumi Hamasaki, released on January 31, 2001, as the second single from her fourth studio album I Am... (2002).
"Evolution" is a
Commercially, the song was a commercial success. The song peaked at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, making it her eighth number one single. After selling over 950,000 units in Japan, the song was certified million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of one million units. The song has sold over one million units worldwide. An accompanying music video was shot by Wataru Takeishi for the single version, which featured Hamasaki inside a televised studio, singing and dancing in front of a live band.
Background
On New Year's Day 2002, Hamasaki had released her fourth studio album I am.... During the album process, Hamasaki had learned about the breaking news of the September 11 attacks in 2001, that had hit New York City and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The attack itself had killed over 2,996 people and caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage.[1] Because of this, Hamasaki had sought a new inspiration for her then-forthcoming album; instead of writing songs about confusion, loneliness and love like her previous efforts, she was encouraged to engage in more peaceful and worldly themes.[2][3][4] The response was positively received from the Japanese audience and became successful in her native Japan; over 2.3 million units in Japan were sold, and the track was certified triple million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of three million copies.[5]
To promote the album, Hamasaki had released the album's lead single "M". Her first single to have been composed and written together by her, the single received favorable reception from most music critics and achieved huge success in Japan; the song peaked at number one and sold over one million units in Japan by RIAJ.[A][6][7] To follow up on the success off the single, "Evolution" was selected as the album's second official single in Japan.
Composition and release
"Evolution" was written by Hamasaki herself, like the rest off the I Am... album and produced by long-time collaborator
For the cover artwork, the sleeve was shot by Shinichi Hara, art design was handled by Shigeru Kasai and was officially directed by Yasuyuki Tomita.
Reception
Critical reception
"Evolution" received favorable reviews from most music critics. Jeff from Random.Access.Reviews had compared both "Evolution" and "Unite!" for sharing similar music structures. He commented "["UNITE!"] brings more J-Rock to the forefront, as does ["Evolution"], eventually sounding just like each other [...]" Jeff commented that while the choruses were too fast and powerful, he did conclude "evolution" is a bit more catchy and poppy though, so I'll recommend that one."[10] Greenberg, who had written the extended biography of Hamasaki on the same website, had listed "Evolution" as one of her career standouts.[15] Hamasaki had hosted an online voting poll for fans to choose their favorite tracks to be featured on her Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour ~Best Live Tour~. As a result, all three songs from H were featured on the list.[16]
Commercial response
Commercially, the song was a success. "Evolution" debuted at number one on the
"Evolution" sold over 950,000 units in Japan and was certified Million by the
In 2014, "Evolution" had charted on the Japan Billboard Adult Alternative chart at number 70, thirteen years later after the single's release.[25][26]
Music video
The music video starts with Ayu being driven to the video shoot for "Evolution". Upon arrival, she is helped out of the limo by her bodyguard. Throughout the video, both filming and music production equipment can be seen. At various points, Ayu can be seen dancing while singing into a wireless microphone; there are also points in the video where she is seen as a hologram, and places in the video where she is seen being directed by the on-set director and given touch-ups throughout filming. There are also parts in the video where various staff members, such as film crew, other staff members—including a band used for the video.
Promotion
Evolution was used in a TV ad for a Kose Visee mascara featuring Ayumi herself.[27]
Track listing
Single
- Evolution "Original Mix" - 4:42
- Evolution "Dub's Floor Remix Transport 004" - 7:38
- Evolution "DJ Remo-Con Remix" - 8:44
- End of the World "Laugh & Peace Mix" - 6:54
- Evolution "Boom Bass Ayumix" - 4:06
- Evolution "Oriental Hot Spa" - 7:18
- Surreal "Nicely Nice Electron '00 remix" - 5:02
- Evolution "Huge Terrestrial Birth Mix" - 5:22
- Evolution "Law Is Q mix" - 7:33
- Evolution "Original Mix: Instrumental" - 4:41
Video single
- "Evolution" PV
- "TV-CM SPOT"
- "~Making of - Off shot flash~"
Live performances
- February 2, 2001 - Music Station
- February 3, 2001 - Count Down TV
- February 5, 2001 - Hey! Hey! Hey!
- October 6, 2001 - Pop Jam
- November 17, 2001 - All Japan Request Awards
- December 2, 2001 - Digital Dream Live
- December 23, 2008 - Happy Xmas Show!! (with Days)
Charts
Oricon Sales Chart (Japan)
Release | Chart | Peak Position | First Week Sales | Sales Total | Chart Run |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
31 January 2001 | Oricon Daily Singles Chart | 1 | |||
Oricon Weekly Singles Chart | 1 | 503,020 | 955,250 | 17 | |
Oricon Yearly Singles Chart | 7 |
- RIAJcertification: 3× Platinum (sold), Million (shipped)
Notes
- ^ "M" received a 3× Platinum certification for 1,200,000 copies, however the 3× Platinum threshold was redefined as 750,000 copies in 2003.
References
- ^ "How much did the September 11 terrorist attack cost America?". 2004. Institute for the Analysis of Global Security. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
- ^ Tsuriya, Takako (May 2008). "Ayu 10th Year Career Anniversary". Cawaii (in Japanese): 15, 18.
- ^ "A Song for XX". Beatfreak (in Japanese) 132. January 1999.
- Time. p. 1. Archived from the originalon February 14, 2008. Retrieved February 16, 2008.
- ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2002年1月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. January 2002 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 508. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 12. March 10, 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
- ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2000年12月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. December 2000 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 495. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 8. February 10, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2001年1月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. January 2001 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 496. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 8. March 10, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 2, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
- ^ a b I am... (Album liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2002. AVCD-17037.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Rockin'on Japan. No. 165.)
{{cite magazine}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help - ^ a b c "Ayumi Hamasaki - "i am" review". Random Access Reviews. 2002. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
- ^ a b c Evolution (CD singles liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2001. AVCD-30203.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Evolution (Vinyl). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2001. RR12-88220.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Evolution (DVD). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2001. AVBD-91056.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Evolution (Limited VHS, NTSC region). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2001. AVVD-90111.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Allmusic. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
- ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (14 March 2015). "ayumi hamasaki 15th Anniversary TOUR A BEST LIVE - avex". Avexnet.net. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ^ a b "CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Ayumi Hamasaki". Oricon (Bulletin) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. February 1, 2001. Archived from the original on January 21, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ^ "CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Evolution". Oricon (Bulletin) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. February 1, 2001. Archived from the original on January 4, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ^ "CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Evolution". Oricon (Bulletin) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. April 28, 2001. Archived from the original on January 4, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ^ "CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Evolution". Oricon (Bulletin) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. July 28, 2001. Archived from the original on January 3, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2001年2月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. February 2001 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 497. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 8. April 10, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ^ レコード協会調べ 7月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: July Digital Music Download Certifications] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. August 20, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "Ayumi Hamasaki single sales ranking" 浜崎あゆみ売上ランキング シングル売上ランキング. Oricon. April 2, 2015.
- ^ "Hot 100|JAPAN Charts|Billboard JAPAN". Billboard (in Japanese).
- ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). June 18, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
- ^ ayumi-KOSE cm 台灣未上市 - Yahoo! Video[permanent dead link]
External links
- Evolution information at Avex Network.
- Evolution information at Oricon.