Ayu FAQs
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Shouldn't it be "Grateful days"?
Grammatically-speaking, yes, it should. But Ayu chose to call the song "Greatful days" for reasons that no one other than Ayu and Max (her producer) know. Some people believe that it is meant to be a play on words (she's grateful for this great day! Get it?) while others think it's a simple spelling mistake that stuck. I'll admit that I'm more partial to the spelling mistake solution, but it's nice to think it was intentional. No one knows for sure.
What is "LOVEppears"? Is it like "LOVE appears"?
Exactly! Ayu just decided to be creative and combine the two. In Japanese phonetics, it makes a bit more sense and is pronounced the same (like "love appears"), just smashed together. I'm sorry I'm not eloquent enough to really explain it, but trust me that it's not a typo and is pronounceable.
Did Ayu have plastic surgery?
This seems to be a hot topic that just won't die away. No official word has been issued by Ayu or Avex either way, so there's no way to know for sure. Really, who cares? Surgery or no, she's still the Ayu we know and love. Besides, if she did have surgery, whoever did it did a great job; it looks like a pretty natural progression to me.
Having said that, of course, it's not much of a secret that Ayu's bite has changed dramatically since her debut, but who wouldn't want a nicer, healthier smile?
So which is it: "Ayumi Hamasaki" or "Hamasaki Ayumi"?!
Traditionally, it is proper in Japanese culture to introduce someone with his or her surname first (Hamasaki Ayumi). Use of one's given name is reserved for close friends and family, though a lot of pop artists disgard this tradition and credit themselves in the western style--some even appoint themselves nicknames. Ayu obviously has adopted a nickname, though she has been credited on her albums in both forms. As for the sporadic format I use, I'm just fickle.
Okay, I was looking through the Memorial address booklet and noticed the portrait of Ayu laying on a mirror with "0630" written in lipstick beside her. Is that significant?
More than likely yes, though there has been no official statement confirming the significance. Something of an urban legend has surfaced thanks to that image (which can be seen here); some people believe that is the date of her estranged father's death. The lyrics of the title track certainly sound like they could have been written for such an occasion.
Sayonara --- You have gone to the place where we can never meet again
I can't accept the coldness of the eternal parting
I wish I could have heard from you
That I had certainly been loved by you
Only once, even if it had been a lie
(translation from Divine Ayu)
Further speculations were fueled by her tearful performance of the song during her 2004-2005 Arena Tour, which was also the first tour that did not include a performance of "A Song for XX", a song she has said was written for her father and performed at every concert in hopes that he would one day see it. Although there is nothing official to prove or disprove this story, it is the most popular theory surrounding the image.
Does Ayu write her own music? How come I never see her name in the credits?
Ayu always writes her lyrics, but she doesn't always write the music. When she does compose, she uses the name CREA, thus why you don't see "music by Ayumi Hamasaki" written anywhere.
How can I contact Ayu?
The only way to write fan mail to Ayu is through her official fan club Team Ayu. The catch? You have to have a Japanese mailing address to join. Maybe someday Avex will figure out a way to connect international fans, but for now we can only hope she sees our praises on sites and message boards.
