Dragging this back into Namie territory...
Just watched this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1h0V90ilgM
And realized how fucking incredible the last 10 years of her career have been compared to any other part of it. It's hard to look at those clips and realize that Namie wasn't just peaking after Ayu, Koda, and so many others veritably fell off in popularity... but that Namie was actually peaking in every aspect of her career during the last ten years. These were her most invested PVs, outfits, routines, looks, albums, and singles -- it was like the first 15 years of her career were her building up to what happened over the last 10. And now I feel like I missed out on so much of this because I didn't give more of these singles a chance.
I stepped in and out at times. I was dancing to VIOLET SAUCE when PLAY hit #1. I was in love with Hide & Seek. And I remember when 60s 70s 80s became her first #1 single in years. And I loved WHAT A FEELING and the two bonus tracks that ended up on BEST FICTION. I also was around when PAST < FUTURE came out. And then again when Uncontrolled and then FEEL came out. I remember when ONLY YOU hit JPopAsia. I also remember being disappointed that she didn't put the Japanese edits of Yeah-Oh and Go Round on Uncontrolled. And I was there for FEEL and fell in love with Contrail. I remember LOVING the Big Boys Cry video and actually getting teary-eyed when I first heard the b-side Beautiful. And really, if I think about it, I actually really liked every single one of her singles since 60s 70s 80s. There isn't a single one of them that I can look back and say I had even a "meh" reaction to.
I just don't know why I wasn't tuning in more.
What I am absolutely never going to forget was when Christmas Wish was released. I remember literal spasms the first time that chorus kicked in and I was sitting there just telling myself, "OK. OK. What is this song?! HOW DID YOU DO THIS SONG?!" Have not forgotten it. Unique feeling I only remember having for the very first time I heard Ayumi Hamasaki, the song was "Moments", and I had no clue what I was listening to or watching, but that I was absolutely gobsmacked at how perfect everything came together.
I kinda wish I would have kept my eyes glued to these threads more! Been a part of the excitement and happiness when new PVs came along, stayed on top of the tours, and whatever.
Anyway, moment of reflection. It's just kind of awesome to think she didn't just come back from obscurity, she Came Back, and then she CAME BACK, and then she
CAME. BACK.