Say the Word (Namie Amuro song)

Amuro left Komuro's production after the release of "think of me/no more tears" in January 2001. She was 23 years old at the time. "I was very anxious," she recalled. "At first, I wondered what I was going to do," she said, looking back on that epoch. At that time, the person in charge of the record company at the time told Amuro, "You should start producing yourself," and Amuro pondered, "I just thought about what I could do for my son at that time and wrote down my honest thoughts in words," she revealed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/201711230000775.html|title=安室奈美恵「Ｓａｙ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｄ」に母の思い|access-date=March 23, 2024|language=ja}}

During the promoting for the single it was highlighted that this was Amuro's first single to have self written lyrics, with the lyrics being dedicated to her son, Haruto. However, Malmberg and Johansson previously sold the track to Danish artist Jeanett Debb and it was included on her album Virtualize, which was released in January 2001.{{cite AV media notes|title=Virtualize|others=Jeanett Debb|year=2001|first=Jeanett|last=Debb|type=Liner notes|publisher=Epic Records|id=EPC 502023 2|location=Denmark}} Even though the lyrics are credited solely to Amuro, it shares English lines from Debb's version of the song. The version used in the commercial is different from the one found on the single, with it being closer to Jeanett's original version.{{Cite web |title=安室奈美恵「Say the word」KOSE 2001年 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOIZCy62t-I |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=youtube.com|language=ja}} This is one of two singles to feature lyrics which Amuro has written, with the other one being 2002's "I Will."{{cite AV media notes|title=I WILL|others=Namie Amuro|year=2002|first=Namie|last=Amuro|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-30347|location=Japan}}

"Say the Word" was originally scheduled for release in July 2001,{{Cite web |title=2001年 |url=https://www.namiestyle.jp/cm/2001.html |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=namiestyle.jp|language=ja}} but was delayed a month for release in August 2001.{{cite AV media notes|title=Say the word|others=Namie Amuro|year=2001|first=Namie|last=Amuro|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-30264|location=Japan}} Early promotion for the single touted it as her first as a singer-songwriter. A vinyl single issued through Rhythm Republic was released in September 2001.{{cite AV media notes|title=Say the word|others=Namie Amuro|year=2001|first=Namie|last=Amuro|type=Liner notes|publisher=Rhythm Republic|id=RR12-88311|location=Japan}} An exclusive remix of the title track, "Say the World (Clappy Mix)" was included on the a-side of the disc. 1,500 copies of it were released before it went out of print.

During year-end promotions where artists typically perform their most popular songs of the year in Japan, Amuro premiered a dance version of "Say the Word" on Best Artist 30.{{cite web | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/191925/tv/p/8/ | script-title=ja:安室奈美恵のTV出演情報 |publisher=Oricon | language=ja | access-date=July 14, 2024}} This version would later be released on the greatest hits album, Love Enhanced Single Collection (2002).{{cite AV media notes|title=LOVE ENHANCED ♥ single collection|others=Namie Amuro|year=2002|first=Namie|last=Amuro|type=Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan|id=AVCD-17102|location=Japan}} The original version of the song has remained exclusive to its single and has not yet been released on an album. She also sung the song at the 52nd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen as a part of the Red team (her seventh consecutive appearance at the prestigious event).{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/news2/entert2/2001kouhaku/history-52.html|script-title=ja:第52回紅白歌合戦|publisher=Nikkan Sports|access-date=March 23, 2024|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412055348/http://www.nikkansports.com/news2/entert2/2001kouhaku/history-52.html|archive-date=April 12, 2010}}

"Say the Word" was used as the commercial song for Kosé Cosmetics Luminous line of lipstick.{{cite web |url=http://namieamuro.jp/discography/single18.html |title=Say the word |publisher=Namie Amuro's website |language=Japanese |access-date=July 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109233251/http://namieamuro.jp/discography/single18.html |archive-date=November 9, 2015}} The version featured in the commercial is both musically and lyrically different from the version commercially released. The lyrics featured in the commercial are: "Say the Word and I will be there for you / Aruite yukesou / Say the Word and make my dreams come true".

The English portions of the lyrics featured in the commercial match those written in Jeanett Debb's version, but were changed in the released version of the song. In the commercial itself, Amuro advertises Kosé's new line of waterproof lipstick, Luminus. It features her underwater and breaking through to grab hold of the cosmetic. She puts it on underwater to demonstrate the lipsticks ability stay on even under the most damp situations.

The music video for "Say the Word," which was directed by Masashi Muto,{{cite AV media notes|title=Filmography 2001–2005|year=2005|publisher=Avex Trax|type=DVD liner notes|id=AVBD-91359}} was filmed on location in Ibaraki Prefecture and revolves around three scenes.{{cite news|title=『Say the word』プロモーションビデオ撮影 |url=http://www.avexnet.or.jp/amuro/report/pv19/index.htm |access-date=April 15, 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010810133016/http://www.avexnet.or.jp/amuro/report/pv19/index.htm |archive-date=August 10, 2001}} The video opens up with Amuro entering the Odakyu bus. The song begins when she sits down and puts on headphones. The main scene of the video is a performance scene with Amuro dancing with four female dancers and two male dancers. The final scene of the video involved Amuro driving in a gold cadillac on an open road. The end of video has Amuro getting off the bus. As it comes to a stop the doors open to reveal nothing but water. The video was included on the Filmography 2001-2005 DVD.

"Say the Word" debuted at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart, with 64,070 copies sold in its first week.{{cite web|author=Oricon Style Staff|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/010820.html|title=Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week August 20, 2001|work=Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities|date=August 20, 2001|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131916/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/010820.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019|url-status=dead}} It descended to number eight on the singles chart the following week, shifting 36,900 units.{{cite web|author=Oricon Style Staff|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/010827.html|title=Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week August 27, 2001|work=Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities|date=August 27, 2001|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131925/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/010827.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019|url-status=dead}} On its third week the single plummeted to number thirteen on the chart with 25,950 copies sold.{{cite web|author=Oricon Style Staff|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/010903.html|title=Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week September 3, 2001|work=Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities|date=September 3, 2001|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331132027/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/010903.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019|url-status=dead}} The single stayed in the top twenty one last week during its fourth charting week, ranking at number eighteen and selling 19,320 copies,{{cite web|author=Oricon Style Staff|url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/010910.html|title=Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week September 10, 2001|work=Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities|date=September 10, 2001|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131921/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/010910.html|archive-date=March 31, 2019|url-status=dead}} before dropping out of the top twenty entirely the following week. "Say the Word" ranked in the top 100 for a total of eleven weeks{{cite web|title=

Say the word 安室奈美恵|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/191925/products/449333/1/|work=Oricon|accessdate=March 9, 2024}} and was the 109th best-selling single in Japan of 2001. Debuting in the top three after an all-time low chart debut by its predecessor, "think of me/no more tears" (2001), "Say the Word" was Amuro's last single to sell over 100,000 copies until her 26th single, "All for You" (2004).

1. "Say the Word" (Namie Amuro, Ronald Malmberg, Thomas Johansson) – 3:58
2. "Let's Not Fight" (Rie Matsumoto, Ramona Lyons, Jay Lyons) – 4:14
3. "Say the Word (Breeze House Mix)" (Remixed by Keiichi Ueno, Hiroshi Futami, Yuji Kudo) – 5:46
4. "Say the Word (Instrumental)" (Ronald Malmberg, Thomas Johansson) – 6:41
5. "Let's Not Fight (Instrumental)" (Ramona Lyons, Jay Lyons) – 4:14

1. "Say the Word" (Namie Amuro, Ronald Malmberg, Thomas Johansson) – 3:58
2. "Let's Not Fight" (Rie Matsumoto, Ramona Lyons, Jay Lyons) – 4:14
3. "Say the Word (Breeze House Mix)" (Remixed by Keiichi Ueno, Hiroshi Futami, Yuji Kudo) – 5:46

1. "Say the Word (Breeze House Mix)" (Remixed by Keiichi Ueno, Hiroshi Futami, Yuji Kudo)
2. "Say the Word (Clappy Mix)" (Remixed by Keiichi Ueno)

1. "Say the Word (Original Mix)" (Namie Amuro, Ronald Malmberg, Thomas Johansson)
2. "Let's Not Fight" (Rie Matsumoto, Ramona Lyons, Jay Lyons)

• Namie Amuro – vocals, background vocals
• Hiroko Ishikawa – dancer
• IYO-P – dancer
• Shinnosuke Motoyama – dancer
• Yumeko – dancer

• Producers – Ronald Malmberg, Thomas Johansson
• Arrangement – Kazuhiro Hara, Keiichi Ueno, Cobra Endo
• Mixing – Eddie Delena
• Music Video Director – Masashi Muto

• August 6, 2001 – Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ
• August 7, 2001 – AX Music Factory
• August 10, 2001 – Music Station
• August 25, 2001 – Pop Jam Summer Special
• August 30, 2001 – Utaban
• December 6, 2001 – FNS Music Festival
• December 19, 2001 – Best Artist 30
• December 24, 2001 – Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ X'mas Special Live V
• December 28, 2001 – Music Station Special Super Love 2001
• December 31, 2001 – 52nd Kōhaku Uta Gassen
• January 1, 2002 – A happy music year
• May 25, 2002 – MTV Video Awards Japan 2002
• July 28, 2002 – Music Fest Peace of RyuKyu
• September 29, 2002 – Asia 2002 Music Festival
• December 21, 2002 – MTV cool X'mas
• January 1, 2003 – CDTV Special Live 2002–2003
• February 8, 2003 – Pop Jam Special

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan |artist=安室奈美恵 |title=Say the word |type=single |award=Gold |refname="RIAJ-oct2001"|relyear=2001 |certyear=2001|certmonth=8|salesamount=183,840|note=Physical|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=ja | work=Oricon |url-access=subscription | access-date=May 21, 2014}}|access-date=March 9, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan |artist=安室奈美恵|title=Say the word |type=ringtone|award=Gold |refname="RIAJ-june2015digi"|relyear=2001 |note=Digital|certyear=2015|certmonth=6|digital=true|access-date=March 9, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Namie Amuro}}

{{Namie Amuro singles}}

Category:2001 songs

Category:2001 singles

Category:Namie Amuro songs

Category:Avex Trax singles