You were... / BALLAD information and covers [VII]

[truehappiness]

Sources include blogs/people here/2ch/official sites.

Be sure to check the first page often, since it is updated as new news comes out!

As usual, please try to post in the other thread until it reaches 500 posts.

Release date is December 29th, 2009.

You were... has a tie-up with music.jp and a Disney Tinkerbell movie (song will be used in CMs that will start airing in mid-December), and BALLAD has an NHK drama tie-up with Soukyuu no Subaru, adapted from a Japanese novel about the Qing Dynasty in China. [The drama will air in Japan on Saturday mornings starting January 2nd at 10:00am for 25 weeks.]

Tracklist information + first press goods

Spoiler:

You were... / BALLAD
2009.12.29 in stores

First press extras for TeamAyu members who buy from mu-mo: B3 poster, set of two postcards, fleece blanket (900mmx600mm) [with CD+DVD purchases only]
A photo of the design for the fleece:

(Link to similar product for to see actual size)

First press extras for mu-mo buyers: B3 poster, set of two postcards
First press extras for buyers at most shops like YesAsia, CDJapan, and HMV: B3 poster

【CD+DVD version 1】
￥1,890 (tax incl.)
AVCD-31799/B
Enclosed in first pressing only: changeable jacket card (A)

【CD】
01. You were... (Original mix)
※映画「ティンカー・ベルと月の石」イメージソング
※music.jp TV-CFソング
02. BALLAD (Original mix)
※日中共同制作 NHKドラマ「蒼穹の昴」主題歌
03. RED LINE ～for TA～ (Original mix)
04. You were... (Music Box mix -retake version-) (The vocals for this were rerecorded and are not the same as the original mix.)
05. You were...　(Original mix -Instrumental-)
06. BALLAD　(Original mix -Instrumental-)
07. RED LINE ～for TA～ (Original mix -Instrumental-)

【DVD】
01. You were... (video clip)
02. BALLAD (video clip)
03. You were... (making clip)


【CD+DVD version 2】
￥1,890 (tax incl.)
AVCD-31800/B
Enclosed in first pressing only: changeable jacket card (B)

【CD】
01. BALLAD (Original mix)
※日中共同制作 NHKドラマ「蒼穹の昴」主題歌
02. You were... (Original mix)
※映画「ティンカー・ベルと月の石」イメージソング
※music.jp TV-CFソング
03. RED LINE ～for TA～ (Original mix)
04. Sunset ～LOVE is ALL～ (Orchestra version)
05. BALLAD　(Original mix -Instrumental-)
06. You were...　(Original mix -Instrumental-)
07. RED LINE ～for TA～ (Original mix -Instrumental-)

【DVD】

01. BALLAD (video clip)
02. You were... (video clip)
03. BALLAD (making clip)


【CD version】
￥1,050 (tax incl.)
AVCD-31801
Enclosed in first pressing only: changeable jacket card (C)

【CD】
01. You were... (Original mix)
※映画「ティンカー・ベルと月の石」イメージソング
※music.jp TV-CFソング
02. BALLAD (Original mix)
※日中共同制作 NHKドラマ「蒼穹の昴」主題歌
03. RED LINE ～for TA～ (Original mix)
04. You were... (Music Box mix -retake version-) (The vocals for this were rerecorded and are not the same as the original mix.)
05. Sunset ～LOVE is ALL～ (Orchestra version)
06. You were...　(Original mix -Instrumental-)
07. BALLAD　(Original mix -Instrumental-)
08. RED LINE ～for TA～ (Original mix -Instrumental-)

Early rips

Spoiler:

You were... Chaku-Uta mic recording from tethevo! Please credit him if you plan to post this elsewhere...
You were... HQ Chaku-Uta rip, ripped by Luna62 from YouTube
BALLAD mic recording from tethevo/teth
PV rip from You were...
Full mp3 of BALLAD from k1sek1

Covers, performances, magazines, PVs

Spoiler:

Covers and other images:



CD only - CD+DVD A - CD+DVD B



Promo images?: (Possible alternate covers. Used as profile images for websites...)



Scheduled performances:
12/07 CDTV SPECIAL [taping]
12/11 MUSIC STATION
12/15 BEST ARTIST 2009
12/25 MUSIC STATION SUPER LIVE 2009
12/31 Kouhaku Uta Gassen
12/31[?] CDTV SPECIAL

Performances on YouTube:
??

Magazine promotion for this single:
12/12 bea's Up
12/23 ViVi
01/07 SCawaii

PVs:

directed by Masashi Muto [is this LOVE?, Ladies Night, Depend on you]

Lyrics and miscellaneous information

Spoiler:

-PV for You were... [or BALLAD?] was filmed on November 6th in Japan, and has Ayu's hair, face, body, and legs covered in jewels. Very sparkly according to her.
-Covers are slightly different from what has been done before, but they really fit the songs
-October 26th, October 30th, and November 4th are when she last mentioned going into the recording studio. Possibly for BALLAD and RED LINE? Or different songs?
-November 18th, the date was moved to December 29th, the covers were released and tie-ins were announced via news articles.
-Chaku-uta for You were... are to start distribution on November 25th according to a barks.jp article
-Chaku-uta for BALLAD are to start distribution on December 3rd [or the 2nd?]
-BALLAD sounds somewhat like GREEN according to those who have heard it [Level up! of GREEN]
-December 3rd, You were... PV was aired on SSTV, directed by Masashi Muto [is this LOVE?, Ladies Night, Depend on you]
-December 8th, preview of BALLAD PV was shown on Mezamashi TV.
★ 浜崎あゆみさんの新曲「バラッド」のプロモーションビデオが届いた。事故にあった恋人を思うドラマ仕立ての 切ないプロモだが、撮影現場では、男性キャストの演技に厳しく目を光らせる場面も。実は浜崎さん自ら演技や カット割まで監修していた。ラストシーンでは気持ちが入り本当に涙を流す場面も。浜崎さん渾身のプロモは、 演技にも注目してお楽しみくださ
From excite:
- The promotional film of Mr. Hamasaki progress's new song "Ballad" reached. The scene where eyes are made to shine severely to acting of man Cast also : in the movie set though it is painful [puromo] of the drama tailoring to think of the lover who exists in the accident. It actually supervised to a Mr./Ms. Hamasaki acting and own crack of cutting. Feelings enter in the last scene and the scene that really throws tears also. [Puromo] of the Mr./Ms. Hamasaki whole body pays attention to acting and is enjoyment [kudasa].
-BALLAD's PV apparently mixes animation with live action scenes and has Shu-ya in it.

「You were...」
Composer：Kazuhiro Hara
Arranger：HΛL

「BALLAD」
Composer：D･A･I
Arranger：Yuta Nakano

You were...
Surechigau koibito tachi ga kata o yoseai aruite ku
Tsumetasa ga mi ni shimiru no wa kimi ga inai kara
Kisetsu sae wasureru kurai hoka ni nani mo ira nai kurai
Sou muchuu de kagayaita no wa koi o shite ita kara

* Kimi ga saigo no hito da to omotta
Kimi to saigo no koi o shi takatta
Konna hiroi yozora no shita hitori
Ittai nani o omoe ba ii no

Ima dare no tonari de egao misete iru no ka da nante
Nee dore hodo no jikan ga tatta ra kurushimi wa owaru no kana

** Itsuka hanashite ta yume no tsuzuki mo
Itsumo itte ita ano kuchiguse mo
Subete wasure rare tara raku da ne
Dakedo hitotsu mo wasure taku nai

Seijaku ni tsutsumare ta shunkan ni osotte kuru
Yasashiku te atataka sugiru omoide ga

* (repeat)
** (repeat)

Dakedo hitotsu mo wasure taku nai
--------------------------------------------------
The lovers I pass are walking shoulder to shoulder
I feel it's biting cold, because you are not here
I was shining, because I was in love
I was so carried away that I even forgot the seasons and needed nothing else but you

* I thought you were my last person
I wanted my love for you to be my last one
What on earth should I think of
All alone under such a vast night sky ?

I'm thinking again by whose side you are smiling now
I wonder how much time will pass until my suffering ends

** The thread of the dream you were talking about sometime
That line you always said
It's easier for me to forget them all, isn't it?
But I don’t want to forget a single one

The moment I'm surrounded by silence
I'm hit by the memories, too tender and warm

* (repeat)
** (repeat)

But I don’t want to forget a single one
--From masa

Japanese from TA
すれ違う恋人達が　肩を寄せ合い歩いてく
冷たさが身に染みるのは　君が居ないから
季節さえ忘れる位　他に何もいらない位
そう夢中で輝いたのは　恋をしていたから
君が最後のひとだと思った
君と最後の恋をしたかった
こんな広い夜空の下ひとり
一体何を想えばいいの…。

Romaji by Deli
surechigau koibito tachi ga kata yoseai aruiteku
tsumetasa ga mi ni shimiru no wa kimi ga inai kara
kisetsu sae wasureru kurai hoka ni nani mo iranai kurai
sou muchuu de kagayaita no wa koi wo shiteita kara
kimi ga saigo no hito da to omotta
kimi to saigo no koi wo shitakatta
konna hiroi yozora no shita hitori
ittai nani wo omoebaii no...

Translation from Keiichi_JPU
The lovers passing by one another, walking while letting their shoulders draw closer.
The cold is piercing me, because you are not here.
If even the seasons are forgotten, then there is nothing left anywhere.
I was in trance and shining bright, because I loved you.
I thought you were the last person.
With you I was in love for the last time.
Under this vast night sky, alone..
It is fine if I think about anything.. right?

Translation from Deli
The lovers pass by each other and bump shoulders as they walk
The cold is so piercing because you're not here
If it gets to the point that the season can be forgotten, then that's the point where there's nothing left
That which shined so bright in my dreams was the act of loving you, so
I thought you were the last person
I wanted my last love to be with you
Alone under such a vast night sky
What in the world am I supposed to think...?

BALLAD
Japanese from TA
夢の途中で目覚めた　睫毛が濡れていた
覚えてた言葉は　『お願い行かないで』
決して変わらないのは　募ってゆくこの想い
いつも揺るがないのは　敬い慕う気持ち
今日の夕焼け空は　あなたのように優しくて
今度は夢じゃないと叫びました　『行かないで』

Romaji from Deli
yume no tochuu de mezameta matsuge ga nureteita
oboeteta kotoba wa "onegai ikanai de"
kesshite kawaranai no wa tsunotte yuku kono omoi
itsumo yuruganai no wa uyamai shitau kimochi
kyou no yuuyake sora wa anata no you ni yasashikute
konda wa yume ja nai to sakebimashita "ikanai de"

Translation from Deli
I woke up in the middle of a dream, and my eyelashes were wet
I remembered the words, "please don't go"
What I can't erase or change is this feeling getting worse
What I can never shake is the feeling of yearning for your adoration
Today's sunset sky is as gentle as you
That time, it wasn't a dream, that cry of "don't go."

Translation from Maikaru
I woke up in the middle of a dream, eyelashes wet.
The words I remember are "Please, dont go."
The thing that never changes is the strengthening/worsening of these thoughts.
The thing that never wavers is these feelings of undying respect (have no idea to translate 敬い慕う in english, so I chose that one.)
Today's sunset sky is gentle like you,
It's not a dream now, I cried out. "Don't go."

Translation from Keiichi JPU
I woke up in the middle of a dream, my eyelashes were wet.
The words I remember were "Please, don't go"
The things that never change, they invite these thoughts to me..
The thing that never trembles, is this feeling that yearns for respect.
Today's sunset sky, it is just as tender as you are.
This time the words that are shouted aren't a dream: "Don't go!"

(A chorus from each song was posted on the main website on November 9th after appearing on her blog.)

Links to previous threads:
New Single 16 December 2009 - You were... / BALLAD
You were... / BALLAD information thread [II]
You were... / BALLAD information thread [IV]
You were... / BALLAD information thread [V]
You were... / BALLAD information thread [VI]

[jbrat2219]

Whoo! New thread

[GRACE]

I hope someone records the chaku uta tonight x_x

[jbrat2219]

And I hope they're on AHS by the time I wake up xD;

[Raleigh]

Yay new thread

[aloopy]

so BALLAD sounds like Will/GREEN?
if it does then this single is going to be epic. I love You were... and Will & GREEN are among my favorites.. so yeah

I wasn't really happy with anything this year.. didn't like the NEXT LEVEL album (except for 3 songs), S/S single was really bad imo, and the AT09 was really underwhelming imo..
not to mention her image this year..

but it looks like 2010 will be a great year.. her 2010 calendar pictures and the You were../BALLAD single covers are amazing, and the song sounds good so far.. yeah..

[roanmy]

So... I don't really remember back, but is it common to have this many threads before the single is even out? =p

[emikoishida]

Does anyone have the full romaji for You were...? Pleas??

[aura~]

Originally Posted by emikoishida

Does anyone have the full romaji for You were...? Pleas??

I made one, but it might not be correct (something a put ? mark and the rest... I think it's well but maybe the separation between words is diferent...) to sing it's usefull though XDD

Romaji (by someone who's learning japanese- me xD)

surechigau koibito tachi ga kata yoseai aruiteku
tsumetasa ga mi ni shimiru no wa kimi ga inai kara

kisetsu sae wasureru kurai hoka ni nani mo iranai kurai
sou muchuu de kagayaita no wa koi wo shiteita kara

kimi ga saigo no hito da to omotta
kimi to saigo no koi wo shitakatta
konna hiroi yozora no shita hitori
ittai nani wo omoebaii no...

uma(?) dare no towari de egao
misete iru nokaratta nante

me dore hotto tokigata attara
kurushi miwa owaru no kara

itsuka kanashiteta yume no tsuzuki wo
itsumo ikiteita ano kuchiru ze mo
subete wasure rareta ranakuta he(?)
dakedo hitotsu mo wasureta kurai

sei jaku ni tsutsumareta shunkan ni osowottekuru
yasashikute atataka sugiru omoeteta

kimi ga saigo no hito da to omotta
kimi to saigo no koi wo shitakatta
konna hiroi yozora no shita hitori
ittai nani wo omoebaii no...

itsuka kanashiteta yume no tsuzuki wo
itsumo ikiteita ano kuchiru ze mo
subete wasure rareta ranakuta he(?)
dakedo hitotsu mo wasureta kurai

dakedo hitotsu mo wasureta kurai



__________



and OMG.. still no BALLAD??? You were... was faster... -______- and even though it was posible being a song for a chinese themed drama, I wished it wasn't so obvious... but for what someone said... mmm tofanation03... it's so beautiful and... calmly soft... I loved that song ^^ Hoper it will be as epic as You were!!

[Bigtop]

At least I took the call, and in a matter of moments - BAM! - another new thread...

truehappiness
Did you just really responded on my call immediately when the previous thread reached 500 replies? Now all we're waiting is for the BALLAD chaku-uta previews...

[truehappiness]

Not really? I looked at the postcount and made the new thread, haha.

tethevo/teth has downloaded the chaku-uta and says that the song isn't really like HEAVEN or GREEN, but sounds kind of like a mellow mix of part of Me / theme of a-nation '03. Quiet and melancholy.

[GRACE]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Not really? I looked at the postcount and made the new thread, haha.

tethevo/teth has downloaded the chaku-uta and says that the song isn't really like HEAVEN or GREEN, but sounds kind of like a mellow mix of part of Me / theme of a-nation '03.

hopefully this means we'll have a mic recording soon

[TITANIC]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Not really? I looked at the postcount and made the new thread, haha.

tethevo/teth has downloaded the chaku-uta and says that the song isn't really like HEAVEN or GREEN, but sounds kind of like a mellow mix of part of Me / theme of a-nation '03. Quiet and melancholy.

So, BALLAD will be leaked soon. another part of me would be nice

[aloopy]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

tethevo/teth has downloaded the chaku-uta and says that the song isn't really like HEAVEN or GREEN, but sounds kind of like a mellow mix of part of Me / theme of a-nation '03. Quiet and melancholy.

even better..

[love in music]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

tethevo/teth has downloaded the chaku-uta and says that the song isn't really like HEAVEN or GREEN, but sounds kind of like a mellow mix of part of Me / theme of a-nation '03. Quiet and melancholy.

this is exactly how i want it to sound. i can't wait to hear it. uh oh about the vibrato complaints.. i really hope her vibrato isn't so bad because that could put me off the song. hopefully it's a vibrato more like Voyage and less like Curtain call.

[pommy48]

I will just die if BALLAD sounds like toan03!

[freedreamer]

Ooo part of Me/theme of a-nation..coool! I was just thinking since You were... becomes the emotional song..BALLAD should be less rock..garhhh just preview already!!

[nanakopy87]

wow.thats great.i thought its available for download on 3rd Dec?no?

[truehappiness]

Probably just came out a day earlier or something. I saw some pages with a 12/02 date.

2ch keeps complaining about vibrato... ugh.

[Keiichi_JPU]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Probably just came out a day earlier or something. I saw some pages with a 12/02 date.

2ch keeps complaining about vibrato... ugh.

Keep in mind it can't get any worse than Curtain call imho
And that song wasn't too terrible

But I can just feel I'm gonna love this single a LOT more than most of the NEXT LEVEL album! You were... is epic, and BALLAD sounds like it's gonna be very nice as well! Can't wait to hear it!