Voyage (Ayumi Hamasaki song)
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Voyage
| cover = Voyagea.PNG
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Ayumi Hamasaki
| album = Rainbow
| released = September 26, 2002
| recorded = 2002
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = J-pop
| length = 5:08
| label = Avex Trax
| writer = Ayumi Hamasaki (lyrics)
CREA + DAI (music)
| producer = Max Matsuura
| prev_title = H
| prev_year = 2002
| next_title = &
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{External music video
| header = Official Music Video
| 1 = {{YouTube|jJE058limVk|"Voyage"}}
| type = single
}}
}}
"Voyage" is the 28th single released by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki, serving as the third and final single for her fifth studio album, Rainbow (2002). It was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Hong Kong on September 26, 2002. The track was written by the singer herself, while the composition was done by the singer herself under the pseudonym Crea with the assistance of Dai Nagao. Production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Musically, the song is a power ballad that lyrically describes the themes of fate, destiny, and finding one's true love.
Upon its release, "Voyage" received positive reviews from music critics, praising its production quality and describing it as "graceful." Commercially, the single experienced success in Japan, spending three consecutive weeks at number one on both the Oricon Singles Chart and Tokyo Broadcasting System's (TBS) Count Down TV singles chart. It went on to ship over 750,000 copies, and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). It became one of the most successful songs in Japan of 2002, and won the 44th Japan Record Awards' grand prix by the end of the year.
"Voyage" was used as the theme song of the Japanese film Tsuki ni Shizumu, which was created in lieu of a music video for the single. In order to promote the single, it appeared on several remix and greatest hits albums and live concert tours conducted by Hamasaki. It was also used as the opening theme of the dorama My Little Chef, which starred Hiroshi Abe and Aya Ueto.
Background and release
{{listen|filename=AyumiHamasakiVoyage.ogg|left|title="Voyage"|pos=left|description="Voyage" is a power ballad that speaks about fate, destiny, and finding one's soulmate.|format=Ogg}}
"Voyage" was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. The song was composed by Hamasaki using the pseudonym Crea with the assistance of Do As Infinity composer Dai Nagao under the alias D･A･I. It was arranged by Ken Shima. It was also mixed by Yasuo Matsumoto, and mastered by Shigeo Miyamoto.{{cite AV media notes |title=Rainbow|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2002|type=CD Album; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-17239|location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Voyage|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2002|type=CD Single; Liner notes|work=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-30405|location=Japan}} Musically, "Voyage" is a power ballad which features Hamasaki singing "positive" lyrics with a "strong" voice, accompanied by strings and piano.{{cite news|author=CD Journal Staff|url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/voyage/3202080835|title=Ayumi Hamasaki / Voyage [CCCD]|work=CD Journal|date=September 26, 2002|access-date=July 28, 2016|language=Japanese}} The person responsible for focusing the track precisely on the musical image that Hamasaki desired was the arranger, Ken Shima, who was responsible for giving the song an elaborate string line and a gospel-style chorus provided by African-American singers.{{cite news|author=Hamasaki , Ayumi (interviewee)|url=http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu/en/special/rainbow/index2.html|title=Special Website to Rainbow|work=Ayumi Hamasaki's official website|date=December 18, 2002|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706201444/http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu/en/special/rainbow/index2.html|url-status=dead}} About the song, Hamasaki said;
{{cquote|D･A･I and I had the melody, and I had the lyrics and vocals, but there was just something missing. That's when Ken Shima's arrangement came into the picture. When I heard the finished product, I realized the song had reached amazing heights that I could not have achieved.}}
"Voyage" served as the third and final single from the album Rainbow. It was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Hong Kong on September 26, 2002.{{cite AV media notes |title=Voyage|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2002|type=CD Single; Liner notes|work=Avex Trax|id=AVTCDS-386|location=Hong Kong}} Its CD edition featured a total of four tracks, two of which were remixes of the songs "Hanabi" and "Independent" and its instrumental. The cover art is photographed by Mitsuo Yamamoto and depicts Hamasaki wearing a coral kimono in the woods with a white horse in the back.
Reception
A member of CD Journal was positive towards the original version of the single, but also complimented the remixes featured on its maxi release. The review said that the forest and white horse, as well as the vivid artwork, perfectly match the image of the song. The review also said that the "Independent" remix has a strong beat and is well-made. For their review of Rainbow the magazine called the song "Voyage" "high quality" and praised the arrangement.{{cite news|author=CD Journal Staff|url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/rainbow/3202110447|title=Ayumi Hamasaki / RAINBOW [CCCD]|work=CD Journal|date=December 18, 2002|access-date=July 28, 2016|language=Japanese}} The critical success of "Voyage" won the song several awards such as the grand prix at both the 44th Japan Record Awards and the 35th Japan Cable Awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.jacompa.or.jp/record/44.php|title=第44回日本レコード大賞|language=Japanese}}{{cite news|url=http://ranking.cansystem.info/grandprix/?md=h&ts=35|title=第35回 日本有線大賞|language=Japanese}} The former win made Hamasaki the first person in four years since Namie Amuro to win the Japan Record Awards' grand prix for two consecutive years.{{cite web | script-title=ja:安室以来…あゆ４人目レコ大連覇 | url=http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/kiji/2003/01/01/01.html | publisher=Sports Nippon |language=ja | date=January 1, 2003 | access-date=November 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207120325/http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/kiji/2003/01/01/01.html|archive-date=February 7, 2003}}
Commercially, "Voyage" was a success in Japan. The single debuted at number one on the weekly charts with 319,020 copies sold in its first week and remained at the top position for three consecutive weeks.{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/021007.html |title=2002.10.7付 シングルTOP20 |publisher=Oricon (via Geocities) |language=Japanese |date=October 7, 2002 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131828/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/021007.html |archive-date=March 31, 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/021014.html |title=2002.10.14付 シングルTOP20 |publisher=Oricon (via Geocities) |language=Japanese |date=October 14, 2002 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131842/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/021014.html |archive-date=March 31, 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/021021.html |title=2002.10.21付 シングルTOP20 |publisher=Oricon (via Geocities) |language=Japanese |date=October 21, 2002 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131947/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/021021.html |archive-date=March 31, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/488192/1/ |title=Voyage – Ayumi Hamasaki |publisher=Oricon |language=Japanese |access-date=March 31, 2024}} To date, "Voyage" is Hamasaki's only single which has remained in the top position of the Oricon Singles Chart for least three weeks other than "H" and "A"; however, "Voyage" is Hamasaki's only single to stay at number one for three consecutive weeks ("A" and "H" spent three non-consecutive weeks at number one). The single charted in the top ten for six weeks and spent a total 21 weeks on the chart. It also debuted at number one on Tokyo Broadcasting System's (TBS) Count Down TV chart during the chart week of October 5, 2002, her fourteenth single to do so.{{cite web |author=Tokyo Broadcasting System|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song7354-j.html|title=Count Down TV Chart – Ayumi Hamasaki – Voyage|work=Count Down TV|date=October 5, 2002|access-date=November 30, 2024|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620202336/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song7354-j.html|archive-date=June 20, 2006}}{{cite web |author=Tokyo Broadcasting System|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/artistdb/artist1222-j.html|title=Count Down TV Chart – Ayumi Hamasaki|work=Count Down TV|access-date=November 30, 2024|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619221219/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/artistdb/artist1079-j.html|archive-date=June 19, 2006}}
"Voyage" managed to sell a total of 628,730 copies by the end of 2002, becoming the ninth-best-selling single of the year in Japan according to Oricon.{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/2002.html |title=2002年 シングル年間TOP100 |publisher=Oricon (via Geocities) |language=Japanese |date=December 2002 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131814/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/2002.html |archive-date=March 31, 2019}} Likewise, it charted at number 7 on TBS' Annual Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown2002total-j.html|title=CDTV PowerWeb! 2002 Annual Singles Chart|work=Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)|date=2002|access-date=November 30, 2024|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121071927/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown2002total-j.html|archive-date=January 21, 2007 }} The single was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments over 750,000 copies in December 2003, becoming her final single to achieve this.{{cite web | script-title=ja:ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2003年12月 |trans-title=Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (December 2003) | url=https://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/200312.html | publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |language=ja | date=January 10, 2004 | access-date=February 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040121025259/https://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/200312.html|archive-date=January 21, 2004}} "Voyage was also certified gold for selling over 100,000 legal downloads in July 2014.{{cite web | script-title=ja:レコード協会調べ 7月度有料音楽配信認定 |trans-title=Record Association Investigation: July Digital Music Download Certifications | url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w140820.html | publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |language=ja | date=August 20, 2014 | access-date=August 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821205804/http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w140820.html|archive-date=August 21, 2014}} "Voyage" is Hamasaki's eleventh highest-selling song according to Oricon Style's database.{{cite news|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/rank/single/p/3/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Single's Ranking|work=Oricon Style|access-date=July 16, 2016|language=Japanese}}
Music video and promotion
A regular music video for "Voyage" does not exist; however, Tsuki ni Shizumu, a short film starring Hamasaki was created for which "Voyage" was used as the theme song.{{cite web|url=https://avex.jp/ayu/discography/detail.php?id=1003359|title=
月に沈む|website=Ayumi Hamasaki's website|date=November 13, 2002|access-date=November 30, 2024|language=Japanese}} The short film inspired by the song, directed by Isao Yukisada, was released on October 26, 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.kinenote.com/main/public/cinema/detail.aspx?cinema_id=34481|title=月に沈む|website=KINENOTE|date=October 26, 2002|access-date=July 16, 2016|language=Japanese}}
The video starts with a young woman named Minamo (played by Hamasaki) is at a mental institution and has recurring detailed visions of a traumatizing past life. Her visions include a lake with a large image of the moon shining down over it. She is crying tears of blood as she slowly sinks into the lake. She hears someone calling her name "Kagari" which was her name in her past life. At the mental hospital she eventually stumbles across a visitor which causes her to go wild and reach out to him as if she had already known him. The doctor believes that Minamo died a traumatizing death in her previous life and therefore she needs to become reunited with her soul mate in this life.
In her past life, there is a deranged madwoman who insists that Kagari (Minamo) must be sacrificed to the moon because a special full moon was approaching which only showed up once every hundred years. When the madwoman shows up with her goons to kill Kagari and sacrifice her to the moon, Kagari's soul mate Sonshin (played by Yūsuke Iseya) shows up to try and defend her. Kagari and Sonshin get away from the fiends and spend one final loving moment together. Soon after, the psychopathic woman and her group of minions track Kagari down and brutally kill Sonshin for trying to defend Kagari. Eventually the demented woman ends up getting Kagari and sacrificing her to the moon once and for all. This leads to a gorgeous scene in which Kagari sinks into the shining light of the moon on a lake. Back in the present time, Minamo finds the lake where she was traumatically sacrificed to the moon in her past life. She meets up with the visitor from the hospital who was also the man in her visions: Sonshin, or Shōgo (in present). They briefly speak and realize that they were in fact each others' soul mates and become reunited for good. The video ends with Minamo and Shōgo hugging.{{cite news|author=Yukisada, Isao (director)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJE058limVk|title=浜崎あゆみ / Voyage|work=Avex Trax; published through YouTube|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=October 5, 2024|language=Japanese}}
"Voyage" was additionally used as the opening theme of the TBS dorama My Little Chef, starring Hiroshi Abe and Aya Ueto,{{cite news|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/mlc/staff.html|title=マイリトルシェフ|work=TBS|access-date=November 30, 2024|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020806182628/http://www.tbs.co.jp/mlc/staff.html|archive-date=August 6, 2002}} as well as the ending theme for Hamasaki's late night talk show Ayuready? on Fuji TV. That same year, Hamasaki made her fourth appearance on Kouhaku Uta Gassen by singing "Voyage" at the 53rd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen as a member of the Red team.{{cite news|url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/history/history_53.html|title=
NHK紅白歌合戦ヒストリー - 中島みゆきが|work=NHK|date=2002|access-date=July 28, 2016|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229182440/https://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/history/history_53.html|archive-date=December 29, 2009}}{{cite web | script-title=ja:第53回ＮＨＫ紅白歌合戦曲順 | url=http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/kouhaku/2002/narabi.html | publisher=Sports Nippon |language=ja | date=2002 | access-date=November 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030220131820/http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/kouhaku/2002/narabi.html|archive-date=February 20, 2003}}
Track listing
- "Voyage" – 5:08
- "HANABI" (Electrical Bossa Mix) - 5:06
- "independent" (Sugiurumn Mix) - 5:46
- "Voyage" (Instrumental) – 5:08
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Chart (2002) !scope="col"|Peak |
| scope="row"|Japan Singles (Oricon)
| style="text-align:center;" | 1 |
|---|
| scope="row"|Japan Count Down TV Chart (TBS)
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (2002) !Peak |
| scope="row" | Japan Singles (Oricon){{cite web|title=オリコン(oricon)「2002年10月」の月間シングルCDランキング|url=https://cd100.net/oricon/20021001.html|accessdate=November 18, 2023}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1 |
|---|
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Chart (2002) !scope="col"|Peak |
| scope="row" | Japan Singles (Oricon)
| style="text-align:center;" | 9 |
|---|
| scope="row"|Japan Count Down TV Chart (TBS)
| style="text-align:center;" | 7 |
| scope="row"|Taiwan (Yearly Singles Top 100){{cite web|title=台灣年度百大歌曲|url=https://www.hitoradio.com/newweb/chart_2.php?ch_year=2002|publisher=HitFM|access-date=June 28, 2024}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 44 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications and sales
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2002|certyear=2003|certmonth=12|type=album|domestic=true|salesamount=679,463|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 | work=Oricon |url-access=subscription | access-date=August 26, 2014}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan |artist=Ayumi Hamasaki |title=Voyage |type=single |award=Gold |relyear=2002|certyear=2014|certmonth=7|digital=true|note=Digital single|access-date=October 5, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|artist=Ayumi Hamasaki|title=Voyage|award=Gold|streamsonly=true|certyear=2025|certmonth=2|access-date=March 28, 2025|refname=st}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streamsonly=true}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://avexnet.jp/item/hamas/disc/product/AVCD-30405.html Voyage] information at Avex Network.
- [http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/488192/1/ Voyage] information at Oricon.
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{{succession box|title=Japan Record Award Grand Prix|before="Dearest"
(Ayumi Hamasaki)|after="No Way to Say"
(Ayumi Hamasaki)|years=2002}}
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{{Ayumi Hamasaki singles}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Oricon Weekly number-one singles
Category:Songs written by Ayumi Hamasaki
Category:Songs written by Dai Nagao