ayu's DUAL SIDE SINGLES "STRATEGY"

[se7entheaven]

Hey guys...I've been wondering...since the early 2005. STEP you/is this LOVE? was a DUAL SIDE single...then it went to fairyland c/w alterna. and then HEAVEN c/w Will. then the newest Bold & Delicious...what happen? seems that some kind of a "strategy" for me....exposing new songs and lot mere songs to make the single worth to buy than ONLY one title song. coz..yeah...i've been hoping a kind of 'H' n '&' for this summer. but yeah..............those singes this year still good.even the newest startin'/rainy day single (if confirmed) also WILL be DUAL SIDE AGAIN. just to talk about this.oh yeah...also.this year's RELEASE ARE ALL ON WEDNESDAY

[Yukitora]

Wednesday marks the start of the oricon week, so only naturally one would want to have as much time as possible for sales to occur before the weeklie sales ranking is given. Basically it gives the single the maximum amount of time to sell before the weeklies rank is given...

Also this double sided single "strategy" might just be because either Ayu likes that style, she produced so many single worthy songs this year or that fact that her single-song singles started to suffer after moments and carols.

[ohsixthirty]

seems like she goes thru patterns...it was the old 10 track remix single, and now its turned into the title 1 c/w title 2 format with a couple remixes. i'm sure its based on what they think will sell best or something.

[*Petit*]

I agree witk yukitora.

I think it's because her dual single from last year sold the most and because she apparantly has more single-worthy material. Don't get me wrong, as an album MY STORY was very good, but there are few hit single songs on it. What makes it good is the blend and flow of the songs.

[gakkun]

No actually singles are released on one day earlier than their release date (Tuesdays) that's how Oricon gets its first day ranking on a Wednesday.

About the dual A-side thingie I think it's because if you have two songs on a single then the chances are that people disliking both songs is smaller. What I mean is if they put say fairyland as single A-side then it definitely couldn't have sold that much seeing how many people dislike this song, but alot of them likes alterna. I guess it kinda avoids the 'super selling' single and weak single situation.

...

So B&D is out today in Japan (it's the same date in Japan as it is here; the twenty-nineth of November... they're only like an hour or two behind (in time) where I live)? Wow.

[Deep snow]

i like the 2-songs-in-a-single, but i never liked the titles: STEP you/is this LOVE?, fairyland c/w alterna, HEAVEN c/w Will, Bold&Delicious/Pride...

they are so un-ayu

i missed the old-style titles like A, H, &...

[ruixiong89]

For me? I miss the 3 track styled H and &. That was an EXCELLENT strategy on Ayu's part because it was truly some kind of a mini mini album! And I loved the songs on these 3 track styled singles! The first song being upbeat, the second song being a bit more moderate and the third song being a ballad! These singles would be the truly ideal singles!

I think the 10 track singles were very much a waste of resources, I would rather they reduce it to let's say around 7 to 8 tracks on a single. In that way, they could possibly put in their effort in other areas let's say, in producing new songs.

I do love how fairyland/alterna, HEAVEN (with Will as the B-side) and Bold & Delicious/Pride is structured. 2 title tracks (though in the case of HEAVEN it was just one), 2 remixes, 2 instrumentals. It's a great combination in my opinion. But with regards to the dual A-side singles thing, I think Avex just hopes she'll sell more? Yup, perhaps it's because Moments and Carols suffered in their sales as single A-side releases that they decided to embark on this 2 A-side strategy.

But I do think that certain songs could be promoted as single A-side singles, like alterna! (I still think it's her best song and best PV for this entire year)

Again, it could be because various songs complement each other or that Ayu wishes to communicate different emotions in this single. For example, fairyland and alterna. fairyland communicates a great summer that ends off with the message of "all good things and all gatherings do have an end to them" whereas alterna communicates the rockish, slightly darker side. Bold & Delicious and Pride as well. The fun upbeat song with the dramatic ballad song. It could be because Ayu wishes to bring across the "listening experience" as she does always with her album by bringing in interludes.

However, I do tend to believe that it's just for the sales. I seriously doubt Avex really cares about their listeners. Afterall, they are an enterprise and the core objective? To make money.

[extepan]

i think this is simply a commercial decision. they will release what they think will sell best, wouldnt they? if they are more confident in a double A side single, then go ahead and release it! but for me, i think a singlw with one lead track with a b side would appeal to me much more.

[ayu_fan929]

as mentioned, wednesday is the official release date for the singles, its standard in japan

as for the "double a-side" single strategy, single sales r down in japan. in order for more ppl to buy the single, artists now have to put more original songs on their single so it would b more appealing=more sales

[*Petit*]

Originally Posted by ruixiong89

However, I do tend to believe that it's just for the sales. I seriously doubt Avex really cares about their listeners. Afterall, they are an enterprise and the core objective? To make money.

To sell Avex has to care about what listeners want, because the consumers decide whether they like something and want to buy it. Of course they can be more or less affected of adds and CMs and such...

[hamasaki_edwin]

i like the 10-remixes format better than dual-side...

[starr5245]

I kind of miss the 3/4 tracks maxi singles, like "A" "H" "&", which are the best!!

[kournikova]

dont mind about that decision..... >.< but a real 7 track single is awesome

[Apprentice]

Maybe it's to introduce us to most of the songs on the new album, so more people would be inclined to buy the album; as a collective of all her 2005 singles?

[littlefairyfromnam]

^ I agree. It's what I do..