Evolution (Ayumi Hamasaki song)

"Evolution"
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki
from the album I Am...
ReleasedJanuary 31, 2001
Recorded2000
Genre
Length1:02:02
LabelAvex Trax
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Max Matsuura
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology
"M"
(2000) 		"Evolution"
(2001) 		"Never Ever"
(2001)
Official Music Video
"Evolution" on YouTube

"Evolution" is the 20th single by Japanese recording artist and lyricist Ayumi Hamasaki, released on January 31, 2001, by Avex Trax as the second single from her fourth studio album I Am... (2002).

"Evolution" is a pop rock and alternative rock song with a ballad-esque intro. The song was fully written and composed by Hamasaki herself, under her penned alias Crea. Lyrically, the song talks about happy and sad moments in life. Upon the song's release, "Evolution" received favorable reviews from most music critics who commended the song's musical production and lyrical content, while Hamasaki's vocal delivery received criticism.

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. In addition, after the release of this work, "Evolution" became Hamasaki's must-sing song in concerts.

Background

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In late 2000, Hamasaki listened to ten or so demos for her new song "M", but none of them really stood out to her.[1] To speed up the development process, she decided to compose her own song for the first time under the pseudonym Crea.[1] She wrote the song using her Mac computer's composing software Studio Vision.[1] 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 according to the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).[A][2][3]

To follow up on the success off "M", "Evolution" was selected as the follow-up single just one month later, which she also took charge in composing herself. Hamasaki said that she chose an aggressive sound for the song due to people labelling her as a "robot" or "doll" before.[1]

Composition and release

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"Evolution" was written by Hamasaki herself, like the rest off the I Am... album, and produced by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura.[4] "Evolution" was one out of twelve songs on the parent album to have been composed by her, which was first asserted on "M" after her staff failed to compose a musical composition that she had felt conformable with or suited her songs.[5] The song's arrangement was handled by HΛL, who contributed to arranging the songs "M" and "Unite!" on the parent album.[4] Musically, the song is a pop rock and alternative rock song with a ballad-esque intro, which was heavily compared towards another album track "Unite!".[6] The song's "ballad-inspired intro" was noted as "deceiving" and features Hamasaki "singing way too fast in her choruses."[6]

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.[7] The cover artwork features Hamasaki holding a microphone and features the text of the single name inprinted with the American flag inside it.[7] The CD single of "Evolution" was released on January 31, 2001, by Avex Trax and was eventually released digitally worldwide.[7] In addition towards the physical release, the single was served on a vinyl release by Rhythm Republic records in Japan, a bonus DVD release and also released a limited edition VHS tape.[8][9][10]

Reception

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Critical reception

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"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."[6] Greenberg, who had written the extended biography of Hamasaki on the same website, had listed "Evolution" as one of her career standouts.[11] 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.[12]

Commercial response

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Commercially, the song was a success. "Evolution" debuted at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, which became Hamasaki's eighth number one in Japan since her 1999 single "Love (Destiny)", which became her first number one.[13] Initial sales for "Evolution" exceeded 500,000 copies, just like the previous work, with 503,020 copies sold.[14] During the same charting week, Hamasaki's single "M" was at number eight.[15] During the single's second charting week, it fell to number three with 180,630 copies sold, being stalled by KinKi Kids' single "Boku no Senaka ni wa Hane ga Aru" and Mai Kuraki's single "Tsumetai Umi/Start in My Life" at number one and two respectively, and had stalled at number three for two consecutive weeks.[16][17] The song "Evolution" stayed inside the top forty for eleven weeks, and fell to number forty-five in its twelfth week.[18] The song had left the top fifty and the single's last charting position was at number 100 on its seventeenth week.[19] Two other of Hamasaki's singles featured on that last week, which were "Unite!" and "Endless Sorrow".

"Evolution" sold over 950,000 units in Japan and was certified Million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of one million units within the country.[20] The song was also certified gold by the RIAJ for more than 100,000 legal downloads in July 2014, which equivalently tallies the sales to over one million sales in Japan, as of July 2014.[21] "Evolution" became Hamasaki's best selling single in 2001 onwards until it was surpassed by her 2002 EP "H", which also charted at number one and was the only Japanese single in 2002 to sell over one million units.[22] As of today, "Evolution" is Hamasaki's sixth best selling single in her musical career just behind "H" at five, "Boys & Girls" at four, "M" at three, "Seasons" at two and "A" at one.[23]

In the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers' (JASRAC) ranking of domestic works for royalties, the single ranked ninth in 2001.[24] 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]

Promotion

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Still from the music video showing Hamasaki being directed on set.

The music video for "Evolution" was directed by Wataru Takeishi.[27] The video starts with Hamasaki being driven to the video shoot for "Evolution". Upon arrival, she is helped out of the limousine by her bodyguard. Throughout the video, both filming and music production equipment can be seen. At various points, Hamasaki can be seen dancing while singing into a wireless microphone; there are also points in the video where she is seen performing as a hologram in front of a band, 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 showing various staff members, such as film crew. For the shoot, she cut her long hair into a short pixie cut and wore a fox tail on her outfit, which became a hot topic.[28]

"Evolution" was used in a TV commercial for a Kosé Visee mascara featuring Hamasaki herself.[29] In 2012, it was used as the theme song for the Japanese film Helter Skelter that starred Erika Sawajiri.[30]

Track listing

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Single

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  1. Evolution "Original Mix" - 4:42
  2. Evolution "Dub's Floor Remix Transport 004" - 7:38
  3. Evolution "DJ Remo-Con Remix" - 8:44
  4. End of the World "Laugh & Peace Mix" - 6:54
  5. Evolution "Boom Bass Ayumix" - 4:06
  6. Evolution "Oriental Hot Spa" - 7:18
  7. Surreal "Nicely Nice Electron '00 remix" - 5:02
  8. Evolution "Huge Terrestrial Birth Mix" - 5:22
  9. Evolution "Law Is Q mix" - 7:33
  10. Evolution "Original Mix: Instrumental" - 4:41

Video single

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  1. "Evolution" PV
  2. "TV-CM SPOT"
  3. "~Making of - Off shot flash~"

Live performances

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  • 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

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[35]
Physical single 		3× Platinum 955,250[34]
Japan (RIAJ)[36]
Digital single 		Gold 100,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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  1. ^ "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

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  1. ^ a b c d The Music Creator 2001年4-5月号 Vol.5
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ 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)
  5. ^ Atsushi, Shikano (February 2001). Rockin'on Japan. No. 165. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ a b c "Ayumi Hamasaki - "i am" review". Random Access Reviews. 2002. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  7. ^ 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)
  8. ^ Evolution (Vinyl). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2001. RR12-88220.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Evolution (DVD). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2001. AVBD-91056.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ 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)
  11. ^ Greenberg, Adam (March 19, 2015). "AllMusic - Ayumi Hamasaki, Songs, Highlights, Credits and Awards". Rovi. Allmusic. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  12. ^ Hamasaki, Ayumi (14 March 2015). "ayumi hamasaki 15th Anniversary TOUR A BEST LIVE - avex". Avexnet.net. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ Oricon Style Staff (February 12, 2001). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week February 12, 2001". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ Oricon Style Staff (February 19, 2001). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week February 19, 2001". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  17. ^ Oricon Style Staff (February 26, 2001). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week February 26, 2001". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ 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. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  22. ^ McClure, Steve (28 December 2002). "Japan's Music Business to Fight Back in 2003". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 14. p. 53. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ 2002年 国内作品分配額ベスト10(金・銀・銅賞関連). JASRAC. 2001. Archived from the original on August 4, 2003.
  25. ^ a b "Hot 100｜JAPAN Charts｜Billboard JAPAN". Billboard (in Japanese).
  26. ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). June 18, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  27. ^ "Music Video" (in Japanese).
  28. ^ "ayuがつけてた「しっぽ」を付けたい そんな風に思っていた時期が俺にもありました" (in Japanese). Excite. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  29. ^ ayumi-KOSE cm 台灣未上市 - Yahoo! Video[permanent dead link]
  30. ^ 浜崎あゆみ「ヘルタースケルター」にあの大ヒット曲を提供. Natalie (in Japanese). April 26, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  31. ^ "evolution | 浜崎あゆみ" [evolution | Ayumi Hamasaki] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  32. ^ "2001年 シングル年間TOP100" (in Japanese). Oricon (published via GeoCities). Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  33. ^ "2000年代シングル売上ランキング" (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  34. ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  35. ^ "Japanese single certifications – Ayumi Hamasaki – evolution" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 14, 2021. Select 2001年2月 on the drop-down menu
  36. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – Ayumi Hamasaki – evolution" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 14, 2021. Select 2014年7月 on the drop-down menu
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