Rule #1 of AHS: AHS IS drama!

3rd Day
Position: #1
Sales: 6,287
Total Sales: 57,170

Wow that's fast today. :P

decent again :).

so sad that it has a big drop today ~~!

^it's comparable to crossroad (and the recent singles' sales trend), so it's not too bad.

there should have a big rise tomorrow.

It really depends on the artist's contract terms with the record label. Based on my understanding of American record deals, major labels typically set the artists' profits at 2-5% per specified CD quantity sold in advance of the CD's release. Smaller indie companies usually split the profits 50/50 with the artist. Since so many "middle men" at the label receive a greater financial share from music sales, that's why some singers try to compose, arrange, and produce their music themselves so they can receive a bigger piece of the pie. And too, if a CD sells less than predicted, or if the record company refuses to release the CD, the company might refuse to pay the artist until any debts from the "failed project" are cleared. MP3/digital download sales are an entirely different animal altogether.

Even though this chart is about bands, it will give you a better idea of where single/album profits really go:



As for concerts, Ayu has a huge staff that includes dancers, musicians, backstage crew, and more. Perhaps she does make a substantial profit from concert sales and merchandise, but I wonder how the profits are divided among the show staffers. Plus she's likely earning a significant profit nowadays by being a product spokesperson compared to single/album sales. I imagine she made much more money in the mid-2000s because of all the major product endorsements she did around that time including Panasonic and Kose, but she seems to be doing more concerts now than she did back then too.

Just with a performance in TV she could improve the sales! Avex could promote her a little bit more xD Is not only for the sales but cause I want a TV performance too xDDDDD

These days, what REALLY gets the artist money are things like endorsements, commercials, sponsorships, and most of all CONCERTS. Actually, concerts are the one thing an artist makes more money off than the record company. Which is probably why so many artists seem to tour endlessly. It's their main source of income, probably ^^

darn it!! big drop =x I don't think it will end the week above 70k..

It might end up lower than crossroad's first week.

yeah, maybe side to side with MOON

as long as she gets #1 its ok ~

her concert will surely help...just wait and see

6 of today's sales are from SURREAL_RAINBOW and mee hahahaha

I think they mean when someone needlessly repeats it over and over again? ...though, again, that feels a little normal?

I think it's fine to say, "These songs are no good" or "I don't like this or this one" or "This entire single didn't appeal to me at all". It's just when someone says, "Ayu is no good anymore" that it makes me read twice. Why come here or listen to her music if you think she's no good?

But of course, I can see their point since her style has changed quite a lot, and her new style might not appeal to everyone. They might also be waiting until that day when they feel like she's the type of artist that they can't get enough of again. Also, I think we (ayu fans) sometimes forget that each person who says, "This isn't good!" or "She's no good anymore!" isn't the same person. It's a different one, yet we treat them like they've been saying it over and over.

I'm sorry to rehash this since it's already seemed to have cleared over, but I think sometimes we need to remember that since we all love/hate Ayu so much, we get a little sensitive when someone says something opposite of what we think. We should really just chill and think, "Well, I never thought of her career/that single/this song like that..." I think one of AHS's best features is that we're all so different and can think so many things about her songs and products.

And I've gone on a huge tangent again. >.>;

I'm hoping the weekend will give a little boost. I know that people keep saying that the weekend boost doesn't exist anymore... but maybe L will revive it! For one weekend! XD

Thanks chibinina for the informative post. :yes

That is really interesting. At least Ayu doesn't have to split it for other band members equally~ haha.

L is looking really nice by now.

I thought Japanese artists are paid on a salary basis not royalties, like it doesn't really matter how many copies they sell, they get paid a certain amount.

^ Yes, the Japanese music industry I think works completely different than that of America.