:Seasons (Ayumi Hamasaki song)
{{Short description|2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Seasons
| cover = Seasons (Ayumi Hamasaki single - cover art).png
| alt = A picture of Ayumi Hamasaki, holding a polaroid image of her single artwork for "Far Away".
| type = single
| artist = Ayumi Hamasaki
| album = Duty
| released = June 7, 2000
| recorded = 2000
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = J-pop
| length = 4:21
| label = Avex Trax
| writer = Ayumi Hamasaki
| producer = Max Matsuura
| prev_title = Far Away
| prev_year = 2000
| next_title = Surreal
| next_year = 2000
| misc = {{External music video
| header = Official Music Video
| 1 = {{YouTube|AuZSyBa6phU|"Seasons"}}
| type = single
}}
{{External music video
| header = Trilogy
| 1 = {{YouTube|0o4_NtlNPdE|"Vogue～Far Away～Seasons"}}
| type = single
}}
}}
"Seasons" (capitalized as "SEASONS") is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Avex Trax chairman Max Matsuura. It premiered on June 7, 2000, as the third single from the album. The song is the final part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles from the trilogy being "Vogue" and "Far Away".
Musically, "Seasons" is a pop ballad. The lyrics highlights theme of the hopelessness, describing Hamasaki's future. Upon its release, the track garnered rave reviews from music critics, who praised Hamasaki's songwriting, the song's composition and selected it as an album and career stand out track. It also achieved success in Japan, peaking at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart and on the TBS Count Down TV chart. "Seasons" has sold over 1.367 million units in Japan, making it Hamasaki's second best selling single. It also won the Best Original Song and Lyrics Award at the 42nd Japan Record Awards.
The accompanying music video for "Seasons" was directed by Wataru Takeishi, and leads on from the videos of "Vogue" and "Far Away"; it features Hamasaki in a black gown in the middle of a post-apocalypse city. Both the music video and the song has appeared on several compilations by Hamasaki, including A Best (2001) and A Complete: All Singles (2008). For additional promotion, the song was featured on several concert tours by Hamasaki.
Background and release
{{Listen|pos=left|filename=Seasons (Sample).ogg|title="Seasons"|description=A 30-second sample of "Seasons". A J-pop song that was cited by her fans as one of her most lyrically heartbreaking songs to date.|format =Ogg}}
"Seasons"" was recorded in 2000 at Nowadays Studios and Prime Sound Studios in Tokyo, Japan. As part of the trilogy set with "Vogue" and "Far Away", "Seasons" highlights theme of hopelessness and predicts Hamasaki's future. With this, "Vogue" details Hamasaki's presence, whilst "Far Away" discusses her past.{{cite web|author=Morimosa|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Duty|url=http://homepage2.nifty.com/morimasa/duty.html|work=Nifty.com|date=September 27, 2000|access-date=December 23, 2015}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite journal | title="Review of Ayu's Year 2000 & M". | journal=J-Point|date=December 22, 2000|pages=75|language=ja}} Based on her song writing, she described her feelings after the writing all the tracks from Duty as "unnatural" and was constantly "nervous" for the final result.{{cite journal | title=Ayu 10th Year Career Anniversary | journal=Cawaii|date=May 2008|pages=15, 18 |author=Tsuriya, Takako|language=ja}} A staff reviewer from Amazon Japan noticed that the trilogy set had a "healing effect" that was absent on Hamasaki's two previous studio albums.{{cite web|author=Amazon Japan Staff|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Duty|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/Duty-%E6%B5%9C%E5%B4%8E%E3%81%82%E3%82%86%E3%81%BF/dp/B000059O85|work=Amazon Japan|date=September 27, 2000|access-date=December 23, 2015}}
"Seasons" was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Japanese businessman and musician Max Matsuura.{{cite AV media notes|title=Duty|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-11837 |location=Japan}} The song was composed by long-term collaborators Dai Nagao, whilst arrangement was handled by Naoto Suzuki. For the track's instrumentation, Suzuki played the keyboards, Naoki Hayashibe played the guitar, Takahiro Iida programmed and mixed the final composition, and Junko Hirotani provided background vocals.
"Seasons" was selected as the second single from Duty and was released on June 7, 2000, by Avex Trax.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/45168/1/|title=Seasons {{!}} 浜崎あゆみ|trans-title=Seasons {{!}} Ayumi Hamasaki|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=October 9, 2023}} The maxi CD of the single contains the original composition and its instrumental version, plus nine remixes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Seasons|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan |id=AVCD-30119|location=Japan}} As a single from the Duty trilogy, which included Hamasaki's singles "Vogue" and "Far Away", the singles were released as a DVD single and VHS. It included the three mini-music videos, alongside the making-of videos and a TV commercial.{{cite AV media notes |title=Vogue/Far Away/Seasons|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000 |first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=DVD |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan |id=AVVD-91035 |location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Vogue/Far Away/Seasons|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000 |first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=VHS |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan |id=AVVD-90082 |location=Japan}} The CD and digital cover sleeve have an image of Hamasaki holding a polaroid of the cover artwork for "Far Away". The song's title, "Seasons", is present on cover. The standalone CD cover was used as the digital EP cover for the iTunes Store and Amazon.com.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/seasons/1001887117|title=Seasons – EP – by Ayumi Hamasaki|publisher=iTunes Store (Japan)|date=2008|access-date=April 2, 2016}}
Critical response
"Seasons" received favourable reviews from music critics. Alexey Eremenko, who had written her extended biography at AllMusic, highlighted the song as an album and career stand out track.{{cite web|author=Eremenko, Alexey|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Songs, Highlights, Awards and Credits|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ayumi-hamasaki-mn0000758915/song|work=AllMusic|date=2013|access-date=December 23, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=November 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Morimosa from Nifty.com complimented Hamasaki's songwriting in the song. A staff reviewer from Yahoo! GeoCities was positive towards the song, and selected it as one of the best tracks from the album.{{cite web|author=Yahoo! Geocites Staff|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Duty|url=http://www.geocities.jp/source_of_my_music/japanese_female_singer2_review.html|work=Yahoo! GeoCities; powered by Yahoo! Music|date=September 27, 2000|access-date=December 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054720/http://www.geocities.jp/source_of_my_music/japanese_female_singer2_review.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} The song's critical success earned it the Best Original Song and Lyrics Award at the 42nd Japan Record Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.jacompa.or.jp/record/42.php|title=第42回日本レコード大賞|website=Japan Record Awards|language=ja|access-date=March 26, 2025}}
Hamasaki hosted an online voting poll for fans to choose their favourite tracks to be featured on her Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour Best Live Tour. As a result, "Seasons" was included on the list.{{cite web|author=Avex Trax Staff|title=Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour A Best Live|url=http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu/abestlive/|work=Ayumi Hamasaki's website|date=March 14, 2015|access-date=December 23, 2015}} In early 2014, in honor of Hamasaki's sixteenth-year career milestone, Japanese website Goo.ne.jp hosted a poll for fans to rank their favourite songs by Hamasaki out of thirty positions; the poll was held in only twenty-four hours, and thousands submitted their votes. As a result, "Seasons" was ranked at the top spot.{{cite web|author=Aramajapan Staff|title=What are Ayumi Hamasai's most popular songs?|url=http://aramajapan.com/ranking/what-are-ayumi-hamasakis-most-popular-singles/4305/|work=goo.ne.jp; published by Aramajapan.com|date=2014|access-date=December 27, 2015}} According to their separate review, the website commented on its win; "'Seasons' was an instant classic... Fans cite the song's heartfelt and resonating lyrics as some of her best." In 2016, the song was covered by Gackt in a more rock-arranged version.{{cite news|url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/E1483964650002/|title=GACKT 最新MVは浜崎あゆみ「SEASONS」公式カバー、公開早々"泣ける"と話題に|date=January 9, 2017|publisher=Excite Japan|language=ja|access-date=November 5, 2018}}
Commercial performance
In Japan, "Seasons" was a success on the Oricon Singles Chart. The single debuted at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, with 552,730 copies sold in its first week.{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000619.html|script-title=ja:オリコン 2000.6.19|access-date=March 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131902/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000619.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019}} The single stayed at the top of the chart for two consecutive weeks, selling 204,510 copies on its second charting week.{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000626.html|script-title=ja:オリコン 2000.6.26|access-date=March 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131904/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000626.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019}} It slid to number two the following week, logging sales of 155,560 units.{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000703.html|script-title=ja:オリコン 2000.7.3|access-date=March 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131921/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000703.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019}} The single spent an additional two weeks in the top ten before dropping out in its sixth week.{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000710.html|script-title=ja:オリコン 2000.7.10|access-date=March 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131910/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000710.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000717.html|script-title=ja:オリコン 2000.7.17|access-date=March 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131910/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000717.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000724.html|script-title=ja:オリコン 2000.7.24|access-date=March 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131827/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/000724.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019}} "Seasons" lasted for 21 weeks on the chart, and sold 1.367 million units by the end of 2000; this made it the fifth best-performing single of the year and the third best-performing single of the year by a female artist behind Mai Kuraki's "Love, Day After Tomorrow" and Hikaru Utada's "Wait & See (Risk)."{{cite web | script-title=ja:浜崎あゆみ - SEASONS |trans-title=Ayumi Hamasaki - SEASONS | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/45168/1/ |language=ja | work=Oricon | access-date=August 17, 2014}}{{cite web | title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 |trans-title=Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' | url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp |language=ja | work=Oricon |url-access=subscription | access-date=May 21, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/2000.html|title=オリコン 2000年TOP100|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331132029/https://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/2000.html |accessdate=March 27, 2025|archive-date=March 31, 2019}}
"Seasons" is Hamasaki's best selling single; as of today, the song is Hamasaki's second best selling single according to Oricon Style.{{cite web |title=Ayumi Hamasaki CD Ranking Oricon Music Style |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/rank/single/|type=Bulletin |language=ja |publisher=Oricon |access-date=May 13, 2015}}{{efn|group=upper-alpha|According to Hamasaki's profile on Oricon Style, her 1999 EP A is listed as her best selling single; "Seasons" is listed at second. However, because the single includes four original tracks, with an additional eight remixes, it is generally deemed an extended play. As a result, "Seasons", which is a sole single track from the maxi CD, is Hamasaki's best selling recognized single.}} The DVD single, released under the title of Vogue/Far Away/Seasons reached number one on the Oricon DVD Chart, spending seventeen weeks in the top fifty.{{cite web |title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Vogue/Far Away/Seasons DVD – Oricon Music Style |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/cinema/410877/2/ |type=Bulletin |language=ja |publisher=Oricon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429233213/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/cinema/410877/2/ |archive-date=April 29, 2013 |access-date=May 13, 2015}} It is Hamasaki's second best selling DVD single, and her eighth best seller overall.{{cite web |title=Ayumi Hamasaki DVD Ranking Oricon Music Style |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/ranking/dvd/ |type=Bulletin |language=ja |publisher=Oricon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518130328/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/ranking/dvd/ |archive-date=May 18, 2013 |access-date=May 13, 2015}} "Seasons" was certified million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of one million units. In August 2014, the song was certified gold by RIAJ for digital sales of 100,000 units. The single entered at number one on Japan's TBS Count Down TV Chart;{{cite web |title=CDTV PowerWeb:! Ranking Date for Seasons by Ayumi Hamasaki |url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song4850-j.html |type=Bulletin |language=ja |work=Count Down TV |publisher=TBS |publication-date=June 17, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620080033/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song4850-j.html |archive-date=June 20, 2006 |access-date=April 2, 2016}} it stayed there for two consecutive weeks, and lasted 21 weeks in the chart. It was placed at number seven on their Annual Count Down TV chart in 2000.{{cite web|work=Count Down TV|publisher=TBS|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown2000total-j.html|title=CDTV PowerWeb:! 2000 Annual List|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060916021345/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown2000total-j.html|archive-date=September 16, 2006 }}
Music video
The accompanying music video was directed by Wataru Takeishi.{{cite web | url=https://www.wataru01japan.com/profile-1/ | title= Music Video| language=ja}} Because the music video was part of the trilogy set with "Vogue" and "Far Away", only a portion of the song was shot for the video. As a result, the video for "Seasons" lasts for two minutes and 27 seconds.{{cite web |author=Avex |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuZSyBa6phU|title=Seasons / 浜崎あゆみ |publisher=Avex Trax; published through YouTube|date=October 1, 2019}}{{cite web |author=Avex |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjAydwBcPHs|title=Vogue / 浜崎あゆみ |publisher=Avex Trax; published through YouTube|date=June 30, 2015|access-date=December 23, 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}{{cite web |author=Avex |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFIVT-tDPC4|title=Far Away / 浜崎あゆみ |publisher=Avex Trax; published through YouTube|date=June 30, 2015|access-date=December 23, 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}} Two outtake shots from the "Vogue" video were then used for the artworks of "Far Away" and "Seasons".{{cite AV media notes |title=Far Away|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-30118|location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Vogue|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-30108|location=Japan}} The music video was included on the DVD and VHS formats of "Seasons". The music video also appeared on Hamasaki's DVD compilation box sets: A Clips Vol.2 (2002),{{cite AV media notes |title=A Clips Vol.2|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2002 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax |id=AVVD-90144 |location=Japan}} Complete Clip Box (2004),{{cite AV media notes |title=Complete Clip Box Set|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2004 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax |id=AVVD-90144 |location=Japan}} A Clip Box 1998–2011 (2011),{{cite AV media notes |title=A Clip Box 1998–2011|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2011 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax |id=AVBD-91910~5 |location=Japan}} and the bonus DVD version with A Complete: All Singles.{{cite AV media notes |title=A Complete: All Singles|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2008 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax |id=AVCD-23673~5/B |location=Japan}}
=Synopsis=
The video opens with a cover of a photo album, superimposed with a scene of two children from the videos of "Vogue" and "Far Away". It then has a blurry image of Hamasaki in the post-apocalyptic city, which has now left behind a series of hills. As Hamasaki walks towards the camera, the photo album opens with the city before its destruction. Hamasaki stands in the middle of a grainy surface, with projectile flames coming from underneath the ground. As she sings, scenes from the "Vogue" and "Far Away" videos appear in the photo album. She walks through the hill surface, finding the photo album the two children left behind. She opens the book, and witnesses the "Vogue" video. The final scene has Hamasaki close the book, which its back cover is a title-less shot of the artwork to "Vogue".
Live performances and other appearances
File:Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2008 Stage.jpg
Hamasaki has performed "Seasons" on several concert tours throughout Asia. The song was performed on Hamasaki's 2000 concert in Japan, where it was included during the first segment. It was included on the live DVD, released on September 27, 2000.{{cite AV media notes |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/322793/2/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 2|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVBD-91020|location=Japan}} Hamasaki performed "Seasons" at the 51st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on December 31, 2000.{{cite AV media notes |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/history/history_51.html|title=第51回紅白歌合戦|publisher=NHK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229160245/https://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/history/history_51.html|archive-date=December 29, 2009}} It was performed on her 2000-2001 New Years countdown concert tour, where it was included during the last segment. It was included on the live DVD, released on June 20, 2001.{{cite AV media notes |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/444032/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2000-2001|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2001|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|location=Japan}} It was performed on her Dome Tour (2001), where it was included during the last segment. It was included on the live DVD, released on December 12, 2001.{{cite AV media notes |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/465799/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Dome Tour 2001 A|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2001|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|location=Japan}} It was performed on her Stadium tour (2002), where it was included as an encore track. It was included on the live DVD, released on January 29, 2003.{{cite AV media notes |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/499924/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Stadium Tour 2002|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2003|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|location=Japan}}
It was performed on her A Museum tour (2004), where it was included as an encore track. It was included on the live DVD, released on February 25, 2004.{{cite AV media notes |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/537430/1/|title=A Museum: 30th Single Tour|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2004|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|location=Japan}} It was performed on her Tours of Secret concert tour (2007), where it was included as an encore track. It was included on the live DVD, released on March 12, 2008.{{cite AV media notes |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/754680/1/|title=Asia Tour: Tours of Secret 2007|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2008|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVBD-91536～7|location=Japan}} The song was performed on her Power of Music tour (2011) in Japan, where it was included in the trilogy segment with "Vogue" and "Far Away". It was included on the live DVD, released on March 21, 2012.{{cite AV media notes |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/958132/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Power of Music 2011 A|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2012|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVBD-91935~6|location=Japan}} The song was performed on her 15th Anniversary tour (2013) in Japan, where it was included in the trilogy segment with "Vogue" and "Far Away". It was included on the live DVD, released on October 30, 2013.{{cite AV media notes |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/1032156/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki 15th Anniversary Tour: A Best Live|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2013|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVBD-92059~60|location=Japan}} The song has been included on three of her greatest hits compilations: A Best (2002),{{cite AV media notes |title=A Best|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2002|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-11950|location=Japan}} A Complete: All Singles (2008),{{cite AV media notes |title=A Complete: All Singles|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2002|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-23676~8|location=Japan}} and A Summer Best (2012).{{cite AV media notes |title=A Summer Best|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2012|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-38560-1|location=Japan}} The 2000 vol. 2 live performance was included on Hamasaki's live DVD compilation, A 50 Singles: Live Selection (2011), and the DVD edition of A Summer Best.{{cite AV media notes |title=A 50 Singles: Live Selection|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2011|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVBD-91860~1|location=Japan}}
"Seasons" has been remixed by several professional disc jockeys and producers, and has appeared on several remix albums by Hamasaki: the Hex Hector and Bump and Flex remix on ayu-mi-x III Non-Stop Mega Mix Version (2001) and Ayu-mi-x 4 + Selection Non-Stop Mega Mix Version (2002),{{cite AV media notes |title=ayu-mi-x III Non-Stop Mega Mix Version|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2001|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11930|location=Japan}} the A Eurobeat remix on Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2 (2001),{{cite AV media notes |title=Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2001|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-17027|location=Japan}} and the John O'Callaghan (musician) remix on Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu Trance 4 (2011).{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu-ro Mix 4|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2011|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVJCD10477|location=Japan}} The orchestral acoustic remix, and its instrumental version, was included on her third orchestral remix album, ayu-mi-x III Acoustic Orchestra Version (2001).{{cite AV media notes |title=ayu-mi-x III Acoustic Orchestra Version|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2001|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11928|location=Japan}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the singles liner notes:
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- Ayumi Hamasaki – song writing, vocals, background vocals
- Max Matsuura – producing
- Naoto Suzuki – arranging, keyboards
- Dai "D.A.I." Nagao – composing
- HΛL – arranging, keyboards, programming, mixing
- Naoki Hayashibe – guitar
- Junko Hirotani – background vocals
- Takahiro Iida – programming
{{col-2}}
- Atsushi Hattori – mixing
- Shinichi Hara – art direction
- Shigeru Kasai – design
- Toru Kumazawa – photographer
- Koji Matsumoto – fashion director
- Koji Matsumoto and Takako Mishima – stylist
- CHIKA – hair assistant and make-up stylist
- Kanako Miura – nail artist
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Track listings and formats
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- "Seasons" – 4:21
- "Seasons" (Acoustic Orchestral remix) – 3:36
- "To Be" (Acoustic Orchestral remix) – 5:25
- "Seasons" (So Happy So Sad remix) – 6:58
- "Seasons" (Jonathan Peters Radio mix) – 3:55
- "Seasons" (Ray of Light remix) – 6:35
- "Seasons" (Neutralized: Final Attack remix) – 4:45
- "Seasons" (B-Z Blue Sunbeam remix) – 6:19
- "Seasons" (Dub's Rain of Duv remix) – 4:35
- "Seasons" (Instrumental) – 4:21
- "Ever Free" (HAL's Mix 2000) – 4:18
- Vogue/Far Away/Seasons DVD single{{cite AV media notes |title=Vogue Far Away Seasons|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2000 |first= Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes |publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan |id=AVBD-91035 |location=Japan}}
- "Vogue" (music video)
- "Far Away" (music video)
- "Seasons" (music video)
- TV commercial for DVD single
- "Vogue" (making of the music video)
- "Far Away" (making of the music video)
- "Seasons" (making of the music video)
- Credits roll
{{col-2}}
- "Seasons" (Jonathan Peters Radio mix) – 3:55
- "Seasons" (B-Z Blue Sunbeam remix) – 6:19
- "Seasons" – 4:21
- "Seasons" – 4:21
- "Seasons" (Acoustic Orchestral remix) – 3:36
- "To Be" (Acoustic Orchestral remix) – 5:25
- "Seasons" (So Happy So Sad remix) – 6:58
- "Seasons" (Jonathan Peters Radio mix) – 3:55
- "Seasons" (Ray of Light remix) – 6:35
- "Seasons" (Neutralized: Final Attack remix) – 4:45
- "Seasons" (B-Z Blue Sunbeam remix) – 6:19
- "Seasons" (Dub's Rain of Duv remix) – 4:35
- "Seasons" (Instrumental) – 4:21
- "Ever Free" (HAL's Mix 2000) – 4:18
{{col-end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (2000) !Peak |
| scope="row"|Japan Singles Chart (Oricon)
|align="center"|1 |
|---|
| scope="row"|Japan Count Down TV Singles Chart (TBS)
|align="center"|1 |
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (2000) !Peak |
| scope="row" | Japan Singles Chart (Oricon){{cite web|title=オリコン(oricon)「2000年06月」の月間シングルCDランキング|url=https://cd100.net/oricon/20000601.html|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1 |
|---|
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (2000) !Peak |
| scope="row"|Japan Singles Chart (Oricon)
| style="text-align:center;"|5 |
|---|
| scope="row"|Japan Count Down TV Annual Chart (TBS)
|align="center"|7 |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"|Chart (2001)
!scope="col"|Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| Taiwan (Hito Radio){{cite web|url=http://www.hitoradio.com/newweb/chart_2.php?ch_year=2001&pageNum_rsList=1|title=年度百首單曲: 2001|publisher=Hit FM. Voice of Taipei Broadcasting|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009192547/http://www.hitoradio.com/newweb/chart_2.php?ch_year=2001&pageNum_rsList=1|language=zh|access-date=March 25, 2025|archive-date=October 9, 2016}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 51 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan |artist=Ayumi Hamasaki |title=Seasons |type=single |award=Platinum|number=3 |domestic=true|refname="cert"|relyear=2000|certyear=2000|certmonth=6 |salesamount=1,367,000| salesref=|note=Physical single|access-date=September 14, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan |artist=Ayumi Hamasaki |title=Seasons |type=single |award=Gold |relyear=2004|certyear=2014|certmonth=7|digital=true|note=Digital single|refname="cert2"|access-date=September 14, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|title=Seasons|artist=Ayumi Hamasaki|award=Gold|streamsonly=true|relyear=2011|certyear=2023|certmonth=12|access-date=January 29, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streamsonly=true}}
Release history
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060211211914/http://avexnet.jp/item/hamas/disc/product/AVCD-30119.html "Seasons"] – Information at Avex Network.
{{Ayumi Hamasaki singles}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Good article}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Seasons (Ayumi Hamasaki Song)}}
Category:Oricon Weekly number-one singles
Category:Songs written by Ayumi Hamasaki
Category:Songs written by Dai Nagao