Dearest (Ayumi Hamasaki song)

"Dearest" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, released as her 24th single on September 27, 2001.

"Dearest"
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki
from the album I am...
ReleasedSeptember 27, 2001
GenreSoft rock
Length59:27
LabelAvex Trax
Songwriter(s)Ayumi Hamasaki (lyrics)
CREA + DAI (music)
Producer(s)Max Matsuura
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology
"Unite!"
(2001)		 "Dearest"
(2001)		 "A Song Is Born"
(2002)
Official Music Video
"Dearest" on YouTube
Acoustic Piano Video
"Dearest (Acoustic Piano version)" on YouTube

Background

Similar to all of her previous singles released since "M", "Dearest" was composed by Hamasaki herself under pen name "CREA", on this occasion along with Dai Nagao, and it was arranged by Naoto Suzuki, whom she first worked on her 8th single "To Be" released in 1999 and arranged many of her hit songs, the most recent being -by the time of this release- the million-selling single "Seasons." This song was the only track arranged by Suzuki to be included in Hamasaki's 4th album, I am....

The song was used in TV commercials of Japanese mobile company Tu-Ka, and also as the third ending theme of the YTV anime InuYasha. It became a massive hit in Japan, peaking at number one and being the 17th best selling single of 2001 according to Oricon. It also won the big prize at the Japan Cable Radio Awards and the Japan Record Awards.

Music video

The music video of "Dearest" first aired on September 6, 2001, located in the USA. It begins with Ayumi in a lounge. In another room, businesspeople are at a table talking about her sales. The scene goes back to Ayumi, where she reaches for her glass, but one of her servants takes it and hands it to her. The song begins while she is singing at a mirror. Then, Ayumi and her bodyguards are walking and she changes into another outfit. They walk outside to her car and it's raining. Paparazzi are waiting and Ayumi covers her face as the guards try to get rid of paparazzi. Ayumi runs away from the paparazzi and guards and changes into a pink outfit. A little girl with blonde hair gives Ayumi candy and everyone looks around and smiles at her. She is then chased by her guards into the store and she changes into a black outfit. One of the guards slip and the scene changes to one where Ayumi is standing in a field in front of windmills.

An alternative version of the video, featuring the Acoustic Piano Version of the song was also released. This time in the music video she is in the same field from the original version in front of the windmills.

Track listing
  1. "Dearest" – 5:33
  2. "Dearest" (Depth Nostalgic Windmix)
  3. "Never Ever" (Jonathan Peters Radio Mix)
  4. "Dearest" (Energized Mix)
  5. "Dearest" (Huge 20011002 mix)
  6. "Endless Sorrow" (Hex Hector Main Radio Mix)
  7. "Dearest" (Laugh & Peace Mix)
  8. "Dearest" (Fresh energy Mix)
  9. "M" (Johnny Vicious Radio Vox)
  10. "Dearest" (Instrumental) – 5:33
  11. "Dearest" (Acoustic Piano Version)

Charts

Oricon Sales Chart (Japan)

Release Chart Peak Position First Week Sales Sales Total Chart Run
27 September 2001 Oricon Daily Singles Chart 1
Oricon Weekly Singles Chart 1 363,730 750,420 16
Oricon Yearly Singles Chart 17
  • RIAJ certification: 3x Platinum

References
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