A Song for ××

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|quote = "No matter how much you are disliked, if you have what you should have inside, when that is understood, the greater the dislike, the more the pendulum will swing the other way next time. It will swing more from 'hate' to 'like.' So, just expose your whole life, and I'm sure you'll be able to write good lyrics, so go for it."{{cite web|url=https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/37321?page=3|title=「浜崎の顔では絶対に売れない」浜崎あゆみをカリスマにしたavex22年前の"逆転戦略"とは|language=Japanese|publisher=Shūkan Bunshun|access-date=2024-10-14}}

|source =—Max Matsuura's work strategy for Hamasaki.

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In 1995, under Nippon Columbia, Hamasaki became part of a hip hop unit called Ayumi featuring Dohzi-T and DJ Bass. Magazines touted Hamasaki as "the youngest female Japanese hip-hop rapper ever." The group released a mini-album called Nothing from Nothing in December of the same year, and did not chart at all,{{cite web|url=http://natalie.mu/artist/item/artist_id/218/id/11276|title=AYUMI FEATURING DOHZI-T & DJ BASS「NOTHING FROM NOTHING」|language=Japanese|publisher=natalie|access-date=2008-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208220235/http://natalie.mu/artist/item/artist_id/218/id/11276|archive-date=February 8, 2009}} which led to Nippon Columbia ultimately dropping the group.{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/ayumi-hamasaki-regrets-dropping-out-of-school-5-things-to-know-about-the|title=Ayumi Hamasaki regrets dropping out of school: 5 things to know about the Japanese pop star|language=English|publisher=The Straits Times|access-date=2024-10-14}} After starring in a handful of poorly-reviewed films and doramas,{{cite magazine | last=Takeuchi Cullen| first=Lisa| url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/ayumi_hamasaki/cover3.html |title=Empress of Pop|magazine=Time| access-date=November 28, 2011 | page=3 | date=March 25, 2002 | url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020403135213/http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/ayumi_hamasaki/cover3.html | archive-date=April 3, 2002 }}{{cite magazine |last=Wilce |first=Matt |title=Big in Japan: Ayumi Hamasaki |url=http://metropolis.co.jp/biginjapan/379/biginjapaninc.htm |url-status=dead |magazine=Metropolis Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410103934/http://metropolis.co.jp/BigInJapan/379/biginjapaninc.htm |archive-date=April 10, 2008 |access-date=March 23, 2008 |df=mdy-all}} Hamasaki then resigned herself to shopping in Tokyo with her friends.{{cite magazine | first=Atsushi | last=Shikano | title=Interview with Ayumi Hamasaki| magazine=Rockin'on Japan| date=February 20, 2001|language=ja}} Her mother moved up to Tokyo around that time, and Hamasaki was once again living with her mother.

One of Hamasaki's friends knew the founder of the club Velfarre, Avex Trax executive Max Matsuura. Hamasaki was introduced to him at the club one night when she was in her teens. After hearing Hamasaki sing karaoke, Matsuura told her that she was not a very good singer, but has a good voice, and told her to take singing lessons.{{cite web|url=https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/37321|title=「浜崎の顔では絶対に売れない」浜崎あゆみをカリスマにしたavex22年前の"逆転戦略"とは|language=Japanese|publisher=Shūkan Bunshun|access-date=2024-10-15}} In the summer of 1997, Hamasaki was sent to New York City for vocal lessons under Mayumi Harada, a voice coach who had also trained superstars Namie Amuro, Hitomi, and Kaori Mochida before.{{Cite web |title=About Mayumi❤︎自己紹介 |url=https://mayumiharada.co/about-mayumi%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8E%E8%87%AA%E5%B7%B1%E7%B4%B9%E4%BB%8B |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Mayumi Harada website |language=ja}} Hamasaki enjoyed the freedom she experienced in New York; during her time in there, Hamasaki would write letters back to Matsuura in Japan, which convinced him to tell her to try writing songs for herself.

According to the book M Aisubeki Hito ga Ite, at the end of that year, it was decided that Hamasaki would make her CD debut the following spring, but Matsuura initially intended to form a group of three or four people and have Hamasaki as the vocalist; she refused, and ended up making her solo debut.{{cite web|url=https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/37321?page=2|title=「浜崎の顔では絶対に売れない」浜崎あゆみをカリスマにしたavex22年前の"逆転戦略"とは|language=Japanese|publisher=Shūkan Bunshun|access-date=2024-10-14}} Hamasaki herself wrote the lyrics for her debut song, and Matsuura was surprised at how well-written they were when she showed the lyrics to him. However, when she debuted, many people disliked her for her sweet way of speaking, saying that she sounded "stupid." Matsuura also suggested that she should change the way she called herself "Ayu" to "watashi"; however, he told her the strategy to "just be herself" and let her carry on as she was. Hamasaki's singles in 1998 never charted outstandingly well, but they sold well enough, and Hamasaki continued work at a furious pace, writing her own lyrics for every song on her debut. In an interview about the album's production, Hamasaki commented;

{{cquote|The songs were sorta chosen by the producers. From a group of dozens of possible songs, the producers chose some, and I would narrow it down to the ones I wanted to do. Since the producers wanted to choose the tracks based on their lyrics, they left that to me. When I was done choosing them, the music flowed in such a way that it told a story about going from the present to the future.{{cite web |last=Kazuki |first=Okabe |url=http://www.avexnet.or.jp/beatfreak/132/artists/ayumi.html |title=A Song for ×× |work=Beat Freak |publisher=Avex Trax |access-date=November 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010509201642/http://www.avexnet.or.jp/beatfreak/132/artists/ayumi.html |archive-date=May 9, 2001}}}}

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| quote = “Having him there makes it so much easier to sing. He's known Ayu for years now, and the reason Ayu wanted to sing, wanted to write lyrics, and was able to sing and write lyrics was because producer Max Matsuura encouraged her by saying, "Ayu can sing," "Ayu can write lyrics," and "You can do it," and it made her think, "Ayu can do it." It was the first time someone told me, "You can do it." Up until then (when I was in middle school and high school), I was the type of person who was told by the adults around me, "You can't do anything, so you don't need to do anything." It was thanks to the producer who encouraged me that I was able to change. If that person is there during recording, even if he's asleep or doesn't say a word, I feel like I can do it, and it's reassuring.”

| source = —Hamasaki on the album's recording process.

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A Song for ×× was produced by Japanese musician and businessman Max Matsuura.{{cite AV media notes|title=A Song for ××|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=1999|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-11691|location=Japan}} For the album, Hamasaki's record label Avex Trax hired several Japanese musicians, Yasuhiko Hoshino, Mitsuru Igarashi, Kazuhito Kikuchi, among others to work on the album. A Song for ×× is primarily a pop rock record with influences of rock ballads. The album was recorded in several recording studios across Tokyo and Los Angeles throughout 1998. The final product was mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Oasis Mastering, Studio City. A Song for ×× is based on the concept of the flow of Hamasaki's own time (from childhood to the present to the future), which is clearly expressed in the lyrics.{{Cite web |title=

A Song for ×× : 浜崎あゆみ|website=HMV |url=https://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_%E6%B5%9C%E5%B4%8E%E3%81%82%E3%82%86%E3%81%BF_000000000114881/item_A-Song-for-%C3%97%C3%97_630813 |date=1999-01-01|access-date=2024-10-10 |language=ja}}

"Prologue" is an instrumental that lasts for one minute and 25 seconds. "A Song for ××," the album's titular song, is a meaningful song that was named to avoid giving a fixed impression. The lyrics for "A Song for ××" were written by Hamasaki when she was looking back on her childhood, and the themes are the doubts, anxieties, and feelings that she had at that time; this song can be seen as a rebellion against her mother, who she says never showed her any maternal behavior.{{Cite web |title=深すぎる！浜崎あゆみの曲の歌詞を考察！ |url=https://renote.net/articles/140542 |date=2024-04-02|access-date=2024-10-10 |language=ja}} "Hana" has an idol-like melody and a glamorous, showy arrangement; the lyrics depict the change from childhood to adulthood. The songs "Friend" and "Friend II" are connected like a first and second part. "Friend" was recorded before her debut song “Poker Face,” so it was the first time for Hamasaki to do everything. "Poker Face" has the "catchy" sound of standard pop songs.

"Wishing" is a ballad tune with an acoustic guitar rhythm. "You" is a standard pop song. During the recording process for "You," Hamasaki was ill, and it was very difficult to record the vocals. "As If..." is a medium-tempo pop tune with an intro piano solo that expresses the fragile feelings of a young girl; the song is about the feelings of a girl at a delicate stage when she is trying to reach adulthood but still cannot let go of her childhood. "Powder Snow" is a mid-tempo tune with lyrics that appeal to sorrow and carries a simple AOR-style melody. Hamasaki wrote "Powder Snow" in an attempt to break her image of writing energetic and positive songs; so she wanted to convey in “Powder Snow” that she does not think being positive is a good thing and that being negative is bad or uncool, as well as conveying that it is necessary to think and worry by yourself sometimes.

"Trust" is a light pop song with a "gentle" and "calming" melody. "Trust," which is alleged to have been dedicated to producer Matsuura, at first glance seems like a song for a lover, however, Hamasaki mentions the red thread of fate in the song for Matsuura.{{Cite web |title=深すぎる！浜崎あゆみの曲の歌詞を考察！ |url=https://renote.net/articles/140542/page/2|date=2024-04-02|access-date=2024-10-10 |language=ja}} "Depend on You" blends Naoki Hayashibe's guitar and Akihiko Homma's keyboards. "Signal" is a dance pop tune that makes use of a sense of urgency and speed through a surging arrangement; the song is filled with Hamasaki's strong desire to keep moving forward. "From Your Letter" is an R&B-influenced slow-jam. "For My Dear..." is a power ballad that has lyrics and a melody expressing her fleeting feelings of being torn between her beliefs and loneliness. The album's closing track, "Present," is a way of expressing her gratitude to her fans. During the developmental process for A Song for ×× there was talk of making “Present” a secret track.

A Song for ×× was released in Japan and Greater China on January 1, 1999, through Avex Trax and the China Record Corporation.{{cite AV media notes|title=A Song for ××|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=1999|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVTCD-95224|location=Hong Kong}}{{cite AV media notes|title=給XX之歌|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=1999|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVJCD10008|location=Taiwan}}{{cite AV media notes|title=给XX之歌|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=1999|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, China Record Corporation|id=AVTCD-95224CB|location=China}} It was originally scheduled to be released on December 26, 1998, but was postponed and released on January 1 of the following year; however, it was actually in stores from December 26, 1998. The album included the sixteen tracks and was issued in a slightly oversized jewel case to accommodate the thickness of the booklet. The album artwork, which was photographed by Toru Kumazawa, is a monochromatic close up of Hamasaki's face while wearing a white winter coat. During an interview with Japanese magazine Beatfreak in January 1999, Hamasaki explained the album title in full detail;

{{cquote|The "A" in "A Song for XX" is both the "A" in Album, and the "A" in Ayu. As for the "XX," listeners can insert their favorite thing, the name of a person they care about, something like that. All that matters is that listeners imagine something there. Inside Ayu, there is only one meaning applied to the "XX." But, since everyone who listens will have different ideas as to who that song is about, I didn't want to limit the definition of "××" by specifying its meaning to me, so listeners can themselves attach a meaning to it easily.}}

Hamasaki released her major-label debut single "Poker Face" on April 8, 1998.{{cite AV media notes |title=Poker Face|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1998|type=Mini CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVDD-20228|location=Japan}} It became Hamasaki's first single to chart, just peaking at number twenty on the Oricon Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/46103/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Poker Face|publisher=Oricon Style|access-date=July 14, 2016|language=Japanese}} The following single, "You," was released on June 10, 1998.{{cite AV media notes |title=You|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1998|type=Mini CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVDD-20239|location=Japan}} It also peaked at number twenty on the weekly singles chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/46113/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki You|publisher=Oricon Style|access-date=July 14, 2016|language=Japanese}} "Trust" was released as the album's third single on August 5, 1998.{{cite AV media notes |title=Trust|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1998|type=Mini CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVDD-20248|location=Japan}} It peaked at number nine in Japan, becoming Hamasaki's first single to crack the top ten.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/46121/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Trust|publisher=Oricon Style|access-date=July 14, 2016|language=Japanese}} "Trust" also became her first single to receive a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for selling over 100,000 copies in the region.{{cite journal |title=GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1998年9月度 |trans-title=Gold Albums, and other certified works. September 1998 Edition |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1998/199811.pdf | journal=The Record |type=Bulletin |language=ja |location=Chūō, Tokyo |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |publication-date=November 10, 1998 |volume=468 |page=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124032014/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1998/199811.pdf |archive-date=January 24, 2014 |access-date=January 24, 2014}}

The album's fourth single, "For My Dear...," was released on October 7, 1998.{{cite AV media notes |title=For My Dear...|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1998|type=Mini CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVDD-20267|location=Japan}} It became her second consecutive single to peak at number nine in Japan.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/46139/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki For My Dear...|publisher=Oricon Style|access-date=July 14, 2016|language=Japanese}} The final single to be released from A Song for ×× was "Depend on You" on December 9, 1998.{{cite AV media notes |title=Depend on You|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1998|type=Mini CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVDD-20278|location=Japan}} It became her highest-charting single to that point, peaking at number six, and received a Gold certification from the RIAJ.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/46150/1/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Depend on You|publisher=Oricon Style|access-date=July 14, 2016|language=Japanese}}{{cite journal |title=GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年1月度 |trans-title=Gold Albums, and other certified works. January 1999 Edition |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1999/199903.pdf | journal=The Record |type=Bulletin |language=ja |location=Chūō, Tokyo |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |publication-date=March 10, 1999 |volume=472 |page=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928160008/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1999/199903.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |access-date=January 23, 2014}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/song-for-xx-mw0000363928|title=Song for XX – Ayumi Hamasaki|website=AllMusic|last=Yeung|first=Neil Z.|access-date=May 29, 2023}}

| rev2 = MTV Asia

| rev2score = 8/10{{cite web|url=http://mtvasia.com/Review/CD/C1999000010.html|title=Ayumi Hamasaki: A Song For XX (Avex Trax)|website=MTV Asia|last=Yng|first=Wang|access-date=August 31, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829231434/http://mtvasia.com/Review/CD/C1999000010.html|archive-date=August 29, 2006}}

| rev3 = CDJournal

| rev3score = (negative){{cite web|url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/a-song-for-xx/3198102253|title=Ayumi Hamasaki: A Song For XX (Avex Trax)|website=CDJournal|access-date=September 14, 2024}}

| noprose = yes

}}

A Song for ×× received mixed-to-positive reviews from music critics. Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic gave the album three and a half stars out of five, praising the compositions and Hamasaki's potential in the tracks. At the end of the review he stated: "The innocence and tentative confidence of a budding artist are still present on these tracks -- something that would give way months later on her bold breakthrough Loveppears -- making A Song for XX a crucial entry point that hinted at exciting things to come." Wang Yng of MTV Asia awarded the album a score of eight out of ten, stating: "Great songs and Hamasaki's capable singing make this album a good buy. And it's no wonder that she is being touted by music critics as one of the more prominent J-pop singers to watch out for in the near future."

The Village Voice member Barry Walters scathingly described the pop rock sound in A Song for ×× as "cautious" and "unassuming."{{cite news | last= Walters| first =Barry | title =Turning (Japanese) Point | publisher =The Village Voice | date =March 5, 2002 | url = http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0209,168697,32804,22.html| access-date=April 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805144109/http://www.villagevoice.com/2002-03-05/music/turning-japanese-point/|archive-date=August 5, 2008}} A reviewer from CDJournal commented: "Her appeal can be summed up in one word: the transience that comes through in her songs, even if they feel a little childish. Her first album, packed with hits, is sure to sell like hot cakes, but whether listeners find her transience endearing or annoying is up to them."

Commercially, A Song for ×× became a success. Despite previous single sales of around 100,000 copies, Hamasaki's debut album achieved first week sales of 548,210 copies and debuted at number one.{{cite web|author=Oricon Style Staff|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/990111a.html|title=Oricon Albums Chart – Chart Week January 11, 1999|work=Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities|date=January 11, 1999|access-date=April 3, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328012802/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/990111a.html|archive-date=March 28, 2019|url-status=dead}} It topped the Oricon Albums Chart for five noncensecutive weeks, a remarkable feat for a debut album.{{cite news|title=歴代アルバム１位 601～700 |url=http://www1.odn.ne.jp/~cfz74700/album601-700.htm |access-date=30 May 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617163953/http://www1.odn.ne.jp/~cfz74700/album601-700.htm |archive-date=17 June 2019}} Its high first week sales were partly due to its debut sales being the first and second week sales combined (Oricon only has 51 weeks instead of 52). By the end of 1999, the album was ranked at number 16 on the Oricon Yearly Albums Chart with 1,408,930 copies sold.{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/1999a.html|title=Oricon Albums Chart – Annual 1999 Chart|publisher=Oricon Style|access-date=July 14, 2016|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305213753/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/1999a.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016}} The album stayed in the top ten for eight consecutive weeks, and in the Oricon Top 300 chart for 62 weeks.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/44915/1/|title=Oricon Albums Chart – A Song for ××|publisher=Oricon Style|date=January 1, 1999|access-date=July 14, 2016|language=Japanese}} The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified the album Million for selling over one million copies in Japan.{{efn|name=3xPlat|Initially received a 3× Platinum certification for 1,200,000 copies, however the 3× Platinum threshold was redefined as 750,000 copies in 2003.}}{{cite journal |title=GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年3月度 |trans-title=Gold Albums, and other certified works. March 1999 Edition |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1999/199905.pdf | journal=The Record |type=Bulletin |language=ja |location=Chūō, Tokyo |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |publication-date=May 10, 1999 |volume=474 |page=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122064612/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1999/199905.pdf |archive-date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=January 22, 2014}}{{cite journal |title=GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1999年2月度 |trans-title=Gold Albums, and other certified works. February 1999 Edition |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1999/199904.pdf | journal=The Record |type=Bulletin |language=ja |location=Chūō, Tokyo |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |publication-date=April 10, 1999 |volume=473 |page=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123043927/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/1999/199904.pdf |archive-date=January 23, 2014 |access-date=January 22, 2014}} A Song for ×× is Hamasaki's sixth best-selling album based on Oricon Style's database.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/rank/album/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Albums Ranking|publisher=Oricon Style|access-date=July 14, 2016|language=Japanese}} To date, it has sold over 1.452 million copies, making it the 143rd best-selling album of all time in the country.{{Cite web |url=http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-album.html |title=歴代アルバムランキング |access-date=February 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103001458/http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-album.html |archive-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=dead }} It is also the 94th best-selling album in Japan in the 1990s decade.

The song "Poker Face" was used as the opening theme of a Japanese TV show called Count Down TV. "You" was used as the commercial song for Chiba Vision Focus Dailies, as well as the ending theme for TV Tokyo's Asayan. "Trust" was used as the commercial song for Kao Corporation's "Sofina Au Bleu Jufilia." "For My Dear" was used as the commercial song for Morinaga & Co. "Meringue Chocolat." "Depend on You" was the ending theme for TBS' Count Down TV in December 1998, as well as the theme song for the Atlus PlayStation game Thousand Arms. The non-single tracks "A Song for ××" and "Hana" were used as radio singles to promote the album.

Hamasaki appeared at an event for her first album A Song for ×× in front of Shibuya 109 on December 26, 1998. On December 28, 1998, Hamasaki appeared as a guest personality on Nippon Broadcasting System's radio program All Night Nippon, competing against Tomomi Kahara, who was then produced by Tetsuya Komuro and had great success as his girlfriend.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLz5rfx5TTA |title=浜崎あゆみのオールナイトニッポン 1998年12月28日 |access-date=2024-10-15}} Since her debut as a singer, she has dared to present a contrasting character, singing songs about loneliness in a high-pitched voice and showing a foolish side to her personality, which became a hot topic among high school girls, but many of them said she looked very similar to Kahara. So, she turned this strategy around and, before the show aired, launched the catchphrase "Ayumi Hamasaki is not stupid," and aired promotional material on television. During the show, people who disliked Hamasaki called in to talk to her, but she made them sympathize with her and make them cry, and the response was so great that the message board on her official website was jammed the next day.

Several tracks from A Song for ×× were featured on remix albums during 1999 and 2000. The first was Ayu-mi-x on May 17, 1999.{{cite AV media notes|title=Ayu-mi-x|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|date=1999|type=Remix compilation|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11716}} The second was her February 2000 Eurobeat compilation Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix.{{cite AV media notes|title=Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|date=2000|type=Remix compilation|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11793}} Hamasaki then performed several tracks from A Song for ×× on concert tours, including Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 1 and Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 2.{{cite AV media notes|title=Concert Tour 2000 A Vol. 1|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|date=2000|type=Live DVD; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91021}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Concert Tour 2000 A Vol. 2|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|date=2000|type=Live DVD; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91020}} The music videos to "Poker Face," "You," "Trust," "For My Dear...," "Depend on You" and other album promotional footage were featured on her 2004 video box set Ayumi Hamasaki Complete Clip Box A.{{cite AV media notes|title=A Clips Complete Box A|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|date=2004|type=DVD Box Set; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91181~3}}

{{track listing

| collapsed =

| headline = CD

| all_lyrics = Ayumi Hamasaki

| extra_column = Arranger(s)

| title1 = Prologue

| note1 = Instrumental

| music1 = Yasuhiko Hoshino

| extra1 = Hoshino

| length1 = 1:25

| title2 = A Song for ××

| music2 = Hoshino

| extra2 = Hoshino

| length2 = 4:44

| title3 = Hana

| music3 = Hoshino

| extra3 = Hoshino

| length3 = 4:07

| title4 = Friend

| music4 = Hoshino

| extra4 = Akimitsu Honma

| length4 = 4:11

| title5 = Friend II

| music5 = Mitsuru Igarashi

| extra5 = Igarashi

| length5 = 3:59

| title6 = Poker Face

| music6 = Hoshino

| extra6 = Honma

| length6 = 4:41

| title7 = Wishing

| music7 = Hideaki Kuwabara

| extra7 = Honma

| length7 = 4:29

| title8 = You

| music8 = Hoshino

| extra8 = Honma

| length8 = 4:46

| title9 = As If...

| music9 = Kazuhito Kikuchi

| extra9 = Honma

| length9 = 5:36

| title10 = Powder Snow

| music10 = Kuwabara

| extra10 = Honma

| length10 = 5:27

| title11 = Trust

| music11 = Takashi Kimura

| extra11 = Honma, Kimura

| length11 = 4:48

| title12 = Depend on You

| music12 = Kikuchi

| extra12 = Honma, Takashi Morio

| length12 = 4:20

| title13 = Signal

| music13 = Kuwabara

| extra13 = Honma

| length13 = 4:25

| title14 = From Your Letter

| music14 = Akio Togashi

| extra14 = Togashi

| length14 = 4:38

| title15 = For My Dear...

| music15 = Hoshino

| extra15 = Hoshino

| length15 = 4:33

| title16 = Present

| music16 = Hoshino

| extra16 = Hoshino

| length16 = 4:31

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|artist=浜崎 あゆみ|title=A Song for ××|award=Million|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|certmonth=2|domestic=true|refname="RIAJ"|salesamount=1,451,910|salesref={{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=Japanese |publisher=Oricon |url-access=subscription | access-date=May 21, 2014}}|access-date=February 2, 2021}}

{{End}}

| CD

| AVTCD-95224

|-

| China

| {{start date|1999|}}

| CD

| AVTCD-95224CB

• SCD-822

|}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Ayumi Hamasaki}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Song for Xx, A}}

Category:Ayumi Hamasaki albums

Category:1999 debut albums

Category:Avex Group albums

Category:1990s Japanese-language albums