* Did my best to make this sound fluid. It's mostly Ayumi's train of thought and some terms that don't really have an English equivalent. *

Track 00 - RAINBOW:
Though the lyrics haven't been included, it's still a beautiful song.

Track 01 - Everlasting Dream:
Amongst the instrumentals that we had, I thought "This is the most melodious." Right when I heard it, I wanted to add this (to the album). The lyrics came very naturally.

Track 02 - WE WISH:
「WE WISH」 is a powerful song. It isn't just because of the lyrics and melody, the vocals are also strong and wild sounding. I didn't want to deliver the words politely.

Track 03 - Real Me:
I'm not really the type to have a heavy chorus but for 「Real me」 it was characteristic for it to be dramatic. So since we spent more time than usual on this song, when we finished it felt really great.

Track 04 - Free & Easy:
"I want to become a person who can live with freedom as well as responsibility." "I want those words to be fitting to me." That's what ayu felt as she wrote 「Free & Easy」. But since the "things I wanted to write" were already pretty much done, afterwards, it was very difficult creating a melody that would match the lyrics.

Track 05 - Heartplace:
During recording, I normally go in a vocal booth and record a song in one go! But it was just during this song that as I sang it, I would leave, think about it, then sing a little more, leave, and listen to it a bit... The flow was different than usual. Because of this, I think it's an impressive song.

Track 06 - Over:
I wrote the lyrics while secluded in a hotel but the B melody's English lyrics didn't come so smoothly. This is where I had a lot of trouble. Later, since I'm not the type to have a sad melody at hand, it just came to me. I tried different ways of singing it. It settled calmly.

Track 07 - HANABI:
When I wrote the 3 songs for "H", I wanted a song that represented the "bittersweet end of summer" and that was 「HANABI」.

Track 08 - taskinillusion:
For the meaning of this album, I hadn't quite settled on anything yet. Midway, I wanted to show that there was no decisiveness. Then, a really good product was produced. "This is magic!" I thought, so I went with illusion (laugh).

Track 09 - everywhere nowhere:
This song was made for me behind my back by pop the keyboardist. When I first heard it, I said, "Let's put it on the album." The image is good, although surreal, and quite refreshing. That's what I thought. The lyrics didn't come until the end. They are in the past tense but I wanted it to come off as looking towards the future.

Track 10 - July 1st:
The lyrics are cheerful but there are places in the melody which are in minor key. But there are also parts which break through in「July 1st」. This was the first time I had lyrics like these so even I myself was surprised (laugh).

Track 11 - Dolls:
When I heard the song, the lyrics came like "a flower gradually blossoming, the flower would stretch out to it's fullest." It became "I will grow a beautiful flower" and it grew from there. I repeated "mashou" many times over but a beautiful song was created. The Japanese emphasized the subtle image.

Track 12 - neverending dream:
[site posted same comment for Dolls]

Track 13 - Voyage:
With my and D･A･I-kun's melody, my lyrics and vocals, I thought "There's no plus alpha" then Shima Ken-san arranged it. Ah, the places where I couldn't expand upon were then unfolded (by him).

Track 14 - Close to You:
This is my Christmas song. Rather, if I were to have something with a Christmas-y feel, it would be like this. I wondered if this type of song would be ok for Christmas. Rather than convey straight through the lyrics, I think that feeling it through the body is more important. I hope that doesn't change.

Track 15 - independent+:
What should I say? 「independent」 was mostly bass. I think when you hear "+" you will enjoy it (laugh). If I said it is the ending theme for 『ayu ready?』 will you know what I'm talking about? For "+", Hamo Hamo Boys & Girls, tasuku, my two managers, Bancho, everyone who is by my side, and my friends made up the chorus. Can you tell who is who?





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[Edited by AHS Staff]
Discussion/Thanks:
http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47426