duh... the lyrics (?)

The lyrics, IMO, were kinda the angsty/sad ballads she released up to that point.

vogue is my favourite single♪

I guess alot of tie-ins and promotion:yes

I only really like the piano part, its nothing special to me.
The lyrics are pretty, and she was huge then so it makes sense.

And lol, those who dismiss others who aren't praising the song....
Different opinions exist, guys.

I for one, think Far away has more powerful lyrics than this (not discrediting Seasons, though).

^I agree , Far away is lyrically the strongest song on Duty.
And like Emi said, Japan loves ballads

I think it's the lyrics.

I can understand it through and through since my Japanese lesson 3. That's when it grew on me 10x over.

I wanna listen to it now. I love SEASONS.

Technically, she was very popular but not that huge before SEASONS released. She only got no. 3 in vogue (lost to mai and Masaharu Fukuyama), and no. 2 in Far away (lost to momosu). I guess SEASONS was the best song in the trilogy (at least to me during that moment), and the momentum of the triology / a theme song during Getsuku (means Monday 9pm drama) / ballad / right timing / etc. totally boosted up the single. I was freakin happy when the first week sales was revealed on oricon web. A big boost from Far away (200K to over 500K :D).

OT, but I always think she began to climb to the peak from SEASONS, and she finally went to the peak during A BEST. Of course we may have different definitions on "huge" lol :P.

^ I always assumed this was her peak and she was stable throughout I am...'S singles.
My impression had been that she had climbed the "peak" during Boys & Girls and A, since they sold so well.
I know sales aren't everything, but Seasons was only around 200k away from A, and Duty surpassed LOVEppears...

Regardless, I'm sure you're right. Strong tie-ins plus hype must've really pushed it too.

The song is good itself: lyrics and melody and that sad nostalgic sounding, all made it a big hit song. Also it was the last song of the triology and I'm sure Japanese audience got interested in vogue, Far away and waited for the last one. And I think SEASONS was perfect for the last song of the triology. Plus it got lots of tie-ins. And she promoted it well on TV. That time also she started to work with Kose Visee and a remix of SEASONS was used in one of the CMs.

But I'm sure it's just because the song is very very good. I'm surprised they still play it on the radio :D

the song is short and catchy and easy to sing?

gosh!! i LOVE seasons, moments and voyage, they all sound beautiful!!

If only she was used to it? I guess I can say it like that...
The chorus is a make or break for me, but I like the orchestral version because it's more epic.

I have listened to the song a lot, though. It's my 21st most played song.
Seasons actually has less than that, it's at 41 and I like it more XD. I guess I love the angst in Moments more and I put up with the chorus....

lol I can't believe that you guys don't like SEASONS that much. -_-

Voyage is definitely one of her worst in my opinion. SEASONS is definitely the opposite, and for many it may be because of its nostalgic tone.

Hmmn, yeah you can say that because her popularity really started blossoming during Boys & Girls and A (it's a yearly no. 3 single for sure :D). Dunno why tho I always think her peak started right after SEASONS. Probly because when she had high sales in 1999, everybody else had high sales as well. There wasn't a really big distinction between her and other million selling artists in 1999. In early 2000, her popularity kinda sank a bit during vogue and Far away, and then a sudden boost in SEASONS.

OT: To be honest with you, I didn't even know the release of vogue until the release day, because they had been talking about Far away remix on ayu-mi-x II (it's pretty weird to release a remix of a new song because the single was released :P). Back in the old days, usually the mp3 site would post the radio version of the upcoming singles and the sites I went didn't have vogue radio version at all. (more OT... hikki's wait & see's radio version was on the mp3 sites two months before the actual release day). LOL now I still can't believe that I didn't know about the release of vogue... I only knew it released the day when I checked oricon daily, and I checked it because I wanna see how w&s did on the second week.. :P.

I'd say it's because of its lyrics! It's a very emotional ballad with sad lyrics which many people feel related to (me included). It's not my favorite song but it's definitely on my top 5

Because SEASONS is freaking amazing! that's why!

Asia loves ballads.

agree it was a nice ballad, but that's it

I think it got some official award for its lyrics as well by some association of writers or lyricists, the only one ayu's ever gotten for her lyrics. I'm pretty sure but can't seem to find any good source for it right now.

I really like SEASONS, always did.

I like SEASONS because it's a good basic material for a remix.

→ SEASONS (Jonathan Peters' Trance Radio)
→ SEASONS (John O'Callaghan remix)