It helps to say it, especially if the poster specifically asked for it. Koumori, I hope you're not implying that you have evidence. That would ruin my day...

I suppose Japanese celebrities have pretty "quiet" lives... or at least try to.

I remember there was this one website where it compared some of Ayu's lyrics with other singers' that were very similar to it...

But I just can't remember that website at all X_X I knew someone posted it somewhere here...

But to be honest, I wouldn't trust an anti or gossip articles...They're gossip for a reason lol

I'm interested in finding it. Thank you, pommy48, for answering my question. (Also to Andrenekoi, emiko and SURREAL RAINBOW. I hope you guys didn't take offense to my last couple posts.) I would hate to find agreement in an anti-fan's argument but if he (or she) has clear evidence then I have no choice.

No worries.

Honestly, I'd be interested to see it too, cause, while I know Ayu has used themes from Japanese culture which, probably goes back to poetry....but like I said, I've never actually heard about anyone in Japan giving her crap for it lol

And if there is...it's probably quite negligible. But, we'll see I guess.

AH! I finally found the thread....after looking through 50+ pages :thud (But yay! :laugh)
http://ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94783

But I wouldn't say that she copied these lyrics because these are just themes used regularly in our lives~

Very interesting, and thank you again.
Perhaps a fluent Japanese speaker can help identify common phrases. From a non-Japanese speaker's point-of-view, most of them are coincidences but the comparison of Dearest caught my attention.

Dearest
本当に大切なもの以外
すべて捨ててしまえたらいいのにね

other artist's lyrics
本当に大切なもの以外
すべて捨ててしまえたらいいのに

I'm thinking it's just a common phrase.
EDIT: There is no date mentioned for this comparison but if it's from Emi Tawata's album Love&Peace (2008) it would imply Emi was influenced by Dearest.

Clearly, there are careful readers on this forum so it was unfair of me to say that. I apologize. Please accept!! I bear gifts in the form of iPhone ringtones that may be useless to you but I will take the risk.

^ Oh no I got a virus!!!!

:laugh Lol j/k :P It's just a regular thread!

who's this "other artist's lyric"??? o.O

That information is not given. The only detail available is, "love&peace". It could be Emi Tawata's 2008 album "love&peace" but I'm not sure. It wouldn't make sense if the site owner's intent was to show-case Ayumi's influences.

It's Ayumu Takahashi's book~
It was released February 2001

No offense at all :D I'm not that biased (anymore :innocent) Which is a good thing lol



Though I like to stick to reality, her peak was super early in comparison to other artists, oh well, all artists have their own way to peak.

I'd love to see her peak again in the next 5 to 10 years actually, just look at Kylie Minogue, she's 42 I think and her last 2 albums have been amazing and attracted new young audiences a lot!

ayu in her 40s :love I think she's gonna be a sexy woman then :P Can't wait actually lol

For copy things:

Everyone is influenced by previous artists they like. It's not only for Ayu. Look at the Renaissance. They clearly copy greek artist. But as they're different people from another time & another country, the things looks differents. So, you're always influenced by previous people. Not only one, but several. It's like that, with that bases, that you can create something new. Ayu created her own music her own style, it's why people say that her new songs always are similar to her old ones now. It's because there is her own essence in her song. Is it possible for another singer to be exactly the same that Ayu? Ayu is Ayu & nobody can be her! Each artist is unique!

For the : "oh she has the same dress that another western artist!!" OMG she copies her!" All people know that artists are the effigy of fashion. The most famous brands don't sell in one country but several & it's normal than their products are promoted by native people because they have influence!

About her reputation in Japan right now...
A member of a French forum dedicated to Ayu on which I post went to one of Ayu's concerts this year, and here's what she said of her stay in Japan:
I already understood that she was quite "has-been" today in Japan, but seriously, think it's weird that she's still singing??? XD It's quite harsh to say IMO

^ it reminds me of Britney Spears. all my friends know her earlier stuff like Baby one more time and Oops! I did it again, but they can't name her new songs.

I think it's all OK, it happens for every big artist after the peak.

why do recently if ayu singin live in some music show
the audience just standin n staring n quiet without waving their uchiwa or else like when the other artists on the stage..
Just quite n standin frozen..

It's true, culture is different. If you are 30 and unmarried, you may as well give up.

O.O eh! Seriously? Although she's in the top 10 each time there is a new single or album? It's hard to believe!