"Seasons" is the sixteenth single

Single (music)

In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

 by Ayumi Hamasaki

Ayumi Hamasaki

is a Japanese singer-songwriter, record producer, model, lyricist, and actress. Also called "Ayu" by her fans, Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" because of her popularity and widespread influence in Japan and throughout Asia. Born and raised in Fukuoka, she moved to Tokyo at fourteen to...

, released on June 7, 2000. One of Hamasaki's most successful singles, this became her third million-selling single with over 1.3 million copies purchased as well as her second best-selling single to date.

"Seasons" was used as the drama Tenkiyohō no Koibito's theme song. It was used as part of the soundtrack of the video game Daigasso! Band Brothers

Daigasso! Band Brothers

is a music video game published and developed by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It was released in Japan on December 2, 2004 as a launch game for the Nintendo DS. The game features multiple songs, which include classical music, television themes, and video game music. The game...

. It was also used a one of the soundtracks of a play produce by AVEX called "Kokoro no Kakera".

Track listing

1. "Seasons"
2. "Seasons" (Acoustic Orchestra Version)
3. "To Be" (Acoustic Orchestra Version)
4. "Seasons" (so happy so sad mix)
5. "Seasons" (Jonathan Peters' Radio Mix)
6. "Seasons" (Rays of Light mix)
7. "Seasons" (Neutralize : Final Attack Mix)
8. "Seasons" (D-Z BLUE SUNBEAM MIX)
9. "Seasons" (Dub's Rain of duv Remix)
10. "Seasons" (Instrumental)
11. "ever free" (HAL'S MIX 2000)

Music video

The music video for SEASONS was directed by Takeishi Wataru. It's the final part of the "vogue/Far away/SEASONS" trilogy PV. The SEASONS part shows drawings in the sketchbook of the world around them before it was destroyed, and Hamasaki is singing in black funeral garb.

Charts

Oricon Sales Chart (Japan)

Release	Chart	Peak Position	First Week Sales	Sales Total	Chart Run
June 7, 2000	Oricon Daily Singles Chart	1
	Oricon Weekly Singles Chart	1	552,730	1,367,400	20
	Oricon Yearly Singles Chart	5

• Total Sales : 1,367,400 (Japan)
• RIAJ certification: Million
• "Seasons" is Hamasaki's second highest selling single.
• "Seasons" sold over 550,000 copies in its first week,making it Hamasaki's fastest selling single in terms of first week sales.
• "Seasons" is Hamasaki's only single other than "LOVE ~ Destiny~ to spend a total of 14 weeks within the Top 30, making it the longest Ayumi single to do so.

Live performances

• June 9, 2000 - Music Station - Seasons
• June 10, 2000 - Countdown TV - Seasons
• June 12, 2000 - Hey! Hey! Hey! - Seasons
• June 16, 2000 - Music Station - Seasons
• June 28, 2000 - Super Dream Live - Seasons
• August 26, 2000 - Love Love Aishiteru - Seasons
• August 31, 2000 - Avex Summer Paradise - Seasons
• October 14, 2000 - Pop Jam - Seasons
• November 18, 2000 - All Japan Request Awards - Seasons
• December 2, 2000 - Digital Dream Live - Seasons
• December 15, 2000 - Japan Cable Awards - Seasons
• December 29, 2000 - Music Station - Seasons
• December 31, 2000 - Kohaku - Seasons
• December 31, 2000 - Japan Record Awards - Seasons
• March 14, 2001 - Japan Gold Disc Awards - Seasons
• September 27, 2004 - Hey! Hey! Hey! - Seasons
• December 3, 2008 - FNS - Seasons

H-H Remix

"Seasons (H-H Remix)" is a song from Hamasaki's 2001 single "Never Ever

Never Ever (Ayumi Hamasaki song)

"Never Ever" is the twenty-first single by Ayumi Hamasaki, released on March 7, 2001. This is her third single in a row to be composed by herself...

". This song is often used in her concerts, before the encore. It is played while the "A" (her symbol) dances on the screen.

Lyrical content

The song opens with a males voice saying "Ayu Ready" and other variations of that, like saying "Ayu Ready to Rock" and others. The lyrics are the same as the original version of Seasons, except that it starts with the first chorus. Throughout the song, a males voice comes in saying the "Ayu Ready?" lines and other things, as well.

Musical content

The song has a strong dance feel with a Happy Hardcore

Happy hardcore

Happy hardcore, also known as happycore, is a genre of music typified by a very fast tempo , often coupled with solo vocals and sentimental lyrics. Its characteristically 4/4 beat "happy" sound distinguishes it from most other forms of hardcore techno, which tend to be "darker". It is typically in...

 overtone. As Ayumi first starts singing the mix turns to a piano, and slowly back into a fast beat, following a similar pattern throughout.

External links

• "Seasons" information at Avex Network.
• "Seasons" information at Oricon
  Oricon
  , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
  
  .