I think it's extremely hard to create A BEST with one disc only. Also, do I have to include other circumstances such as her popularity, sales trend, etc.? Let's say her current popularity would be similar to the real A BEST era. Then I would have a wider spectrum when choosing songs. On the other hand, if using her current REAL popularity, I would choose more of her older songs then the current ones, because those were the ones that attract general listeners.
If using her current popularity, then I would choose:
1) A Song for xx
(can't deny that fact that this is the signature song for ayu's beginning career)
2) Depend on you
(I think that's the song that captured teenagers' hearts back then)
3) LOVE~Destiny~
(her very 1st no. 1 song)
4) Boys & Girls
(no need to say how popular this song is)
5) Trauma
(this song was freakin popular back then)
6) SEASONS
(I think this song was a stepping stone to let her climbing to the top)
7) M
(one of the ultimate)
8) evolution
(another ultimate)
9) Dearest
(her first nihon record taisho song)
10) independent
(the first A-side of her only yearly no.1 single in the history)
11) Voyage
(second nihon record taisho song)
12) RAINBOW
(a song created with fans)
13) No way to say
(her last nihon record taisho song)
14) Moments
(probly not as popular as INSPIRE in 2004, but somehow I think this represents her more than INSPIRE)
15) STEP you
(probly her most popular song in 2005)
16) BLUE BIRD
(her popular song in 2006)
17) Mirrorcle World
(10th anniversary song)
18) Days
(really popular that year)
19) Sunrise~LOVE is ALL~
(very strong digital downloads mean general listeners liked it pretty much)
20) Virgin Road
(ehh... her wedding? anywayz, it's the 50th single)
If she's still on the top, then I guess even four discs are not enough for A BEST... I would include these songs as well (yeah I'm greedy
):
1998: YOU, Trust
1999: WHATEVER (Version M), TO BE, monochrome, too late, End roll, appears, kanariya
(hey it's a no. 1 song, and it's fantastic )
2000: fly high, vogue, Far away, SURREAL, AUDIENCE
(I felt so sad that it wasn't included in A BEST)
2001: NEVER EVER, Endless sorrow, UNITE!
2002: I am..., Free & Easy, July 1st, HANABI
2003: ourselves, Greatful days, HANABI~episode II~, forgiveness, Memorial address
2004: INSPIRE, GAME, CAROLS, walking proud
2005: is this LOVE?, fairyland, alerna, HEAVEN
(I really wanna put this one in playlist above, but no space..), Bold & Delicious , Pride, Ladies Night
2006: Startin', Born To Be..., Beautiful Fighters, JEWEL, 1 LOVE
2007: glitter, fated, talkin' 2 myself, Together When...
2008: GREEN
2009: Rule, Sparkle, Curtain call, Sunset~LOVE is ALL~, You were..., BALLAD
2010: Microphone, Sexy little things, Don't look back, MOON, blossom, crossroad, Last angel, Love song
2011: progress, beloved
2012: how beautiful you are, Return Road
so... ~65 extra songs, and I forgot to include some like Heartplace, Real me, Daybreak, Because of you, etc. Gosh what a huge discography...