Thoughts of Sparkle FULL SONG

[ArchangelLegend]

I do not like how this song sounds. However, this is why I love Ayu's music. It's changes and sometimes unexpected. Being a fan of many techno/trance/electronic/dance songs, I wished this song had a more progressive feel. I am very interested on the remixes going to be made for this song. The best thing I can say for Sparkle is that it's danceable. Just give me time and I'll dance to this song in my room alone (very poorly) and maybe I love the song eventually. ^_^;

I'm kinda glad that they didn't make a PV for this song only because it seems to me, just by reading the lyrics, the PV might be cliche as any other sexy music video. Not that I don't want to see Ayu do sexy things (I really do want to see more sexy Ayu), but there's not much meaning behind the lyrics, so the PV probably won't have much meaning. Also, as much as I like eye candy, there has to be some kind of creativity behind it. And if there would be a dance in it, I'll maybe in support for a PV, but Ayu is not a great dancer.

If I were to compare this to Rule, I'll just say that Rule left more of an impression. I think it's more powerful and with better lyrics. Sparkle, in the other hand, is danceable but lack the creativity I hoped for (not that it is uncreative, I think there could be more done to this song because it can get monotomous after a while, I'd only listen to this over and over if it's in the middle of some megamix).

[njanjayrp]

Loving it~

Originally Posted by maikaru

I made a mistake.
I wrote stop instead of start in chorus 1.
I am sorry~

anyways.

Since I already said that I dont like Koda Kumi for that reason,,
Your argument is really not understandable.
Since even though Ayumi has sort of mature type of songs,
She always makes a meaning behind it, a great meaning.
You can have such powerful and mature songs like my name is WOMEN,
or 1 LOVE,
Or Ourselves too.

You can find it very selfish all you like..
If I feel very uncomfortable listening about a song like this, then I think I also have that right about it.
I feel like this song is too far away from what she normally writes about for me.
I am not asking you to be changing your thoughts on this matter.
I am just sharing my opinion about it.

You asked why she couldn't have a sexy song..

I feel, to me, because everyone has always praised her about her really deep, thoughtful, and touching lyrics,
Lyrics she made from her heart, to reach everyone, and connect everyone,
That her lyrics are the heart of her songs,
That these Sparkle lyrics are just a sexy song for the sake of a sexy song.
I can't find the meaning to connect to.
It's so shallow..
To me, it's just a song... nothing more.

If this kind of song was just an album song, I wouldnt have a problem with it.
I would say, yeah, it's a song.. I can skip it.
But this is a single.. it is supposed to be significance to her...

and I don't want another Koda Kumi.. as I said before.

I can't explain it well,
And I know for sure many people will try to criticize it..
"Why do you say this, selfish, etc. etc."
So I will just say that I dont like the emptyness of the song.
That's it.

thanks for the translation. I really think you've miss interpreted the song. Please stop mentioning Koda's name, as she isn't in any way related to this song and it really doesn't sound like one of her songs.
Until that Day.. even has the body selling line...
"I can't yet end up, I can't stop
I've always got it over in such a way, haven't I?
uh- lalala...
uh uh-

If I throw it out and turn my back
It's rude to the tears I shed at that time, isn't it?
uh- lalala...
uh uh-

You see? I don't care at all
Whenever and however I may sell this body by the piece
But I never give over my heart alone to anyone else"

and no one complained about it. But then again, if you don't like the song it's ok.

[xLuna&1LOVE]

Wow.. it surprised me..
Not the best song, but I like it.

[Not~Yet]

Well, for the first time I listened to it I was a bit on the verge of liking it or not, because 1) it reminded me too much of madonna and britney in the beginning 2) when I heard the "kawaii boys" part of the lyrics I was like no ****.... Ayu can't be starting to sell her music with such cliche stuff?

But then I read maikaru's translation and listened to the song for the second time and realized the lyrics aren't anything like "I want to have sex with that boy who's so cute" or anything but more of a "every girl out there get what you want and don't let fear come in your way!" type of a song and now I really like it xD even though I still pretty much HATE techno stuff but when it's Ayu she can make it listenable.

Now while waiting for the error in AHS to go away I actually think this song is pretty dark and at parts a little depressing o_o And I like it that way xD


oh and I do like Kuu's music though. But that's because she's pretty much always been like that, "ero" and stuff but it's a bit different when it comes to Ayu since to me she's the one with really touching and deep lyrics and her songs mean so much more than are just for fun (well something like HONEY maybe... xD).

[inspire_rmx]

Awesome awesome.. definitely 100% fresh and innovative. nothing close to what i expected from the CM preview. Ayu's coming back with a blast ^^ the single and new album is so gonna ROCKS.. haha.. i love namie's wild, but i love sparkle even more =P

[Aga-chan]

I somehow don't get the girl power-vibe at all. lol It seems more like directed to the teen generation, both boys and girls alike. *shrugs*

[erika_ayu]

this is really NEXT LEVEL!!
its dance music!!
i want the lyrics and translation!! pleaseee anyone~

[Kikaru]

Originally Posted by Aga-chan

I somehow don't get the girl power-vibe at all. lol It seems more like directed to the teen generation, both boys and girls alike. *shrugs*

I don't claim to know a lot about the Japanese culture, but from what I've read, it's still a fairly patriarchal culture, and I always get this impression that the "ideal" female tend to lean more toward the "cute, obedient", especially in romances and stuff, rather than the "sexy, take-charge" type. (note: this is a generalization, I'm fairly certain not all aspect of the culture is like that)

I guess in the western context it wouldn't seem to make that much "girl-power sense", and I think it can apply for both ways, but in cultural sense I feel like there's a much bigger impact in aiming at the female audience than the male audience.

[HanabiChick]

I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. This style doesn't really interest me, I think I'm too old for it, but there are some parts of the song that I like. I'd leave it in my playlist though, as it's something different from Ayu and makes a nice change.

[thesilentspeaker]

this song is <3 !!
It reminds me of Kylie Minogue's songs..
And~ her voice at the beginning sounded lyk Britney's !!
Anyways... I LOVE SPARKLE

[stepYOU1234]

Oh.My.God. I love it!!! It new, but still a bit Ayu. The good thing about this thread (just browsed through), no comparisons to other songs! I think the first chorus sounds a bit out of place because I have been listening to it out of context for so long. The second chorus seems to fit right in.
You know what it does remind me of a bit though, Gwen Stefani What Are You Waiting For? Only a little tiny bit. And the no no nos are a tiny bit like WHATEVER.
And obviously a bit like Koda Kumi, but I only ever really listened to Koda for this kind of style (I love Taboo and BUT) so Ayu doing it is wonderful!
Lyrics seem like usual Ayu girl power song...

[vampireknightzero]

Hmm, I've just heard the full song the 1st time..how to say..can't really describe it properly in words. Currently, I would say Rule sounds better to me.

[*Petit*]

Originally Posted by erika_ayu

this is really NEXT LEVEL!!
its dance music!!
i want the lyrics and translation!! pleaseee anyone~

OH

MY

GOD

I can't believe she's releasing this. It's...

I LOVE This song. SHe hasen't done anything like this or even close to this since RAINBOW (everywhere nowhere).

I don't know (or care about lol, the song is too good) the lyrics, but the song itself is edgy and sexy without being cute and "quirky" like most of ayu's former sexy songs. It's really the first time she arrived successfully in this genre.




(LOL I just wanted to add though, this would be the perfect sound for Maki Goto in avex. I also agree it blows the watr out of what I thought ould be the best pair of songs for a long time in 2009; WILD/Dr. )

[keikeiaznqueen]

I like SPARKLE.

I think the arrangement is really great and it's really catchy.

But I do agree with one point maikaru made about the song being 'empty'. I understand the interpretation of it being a girl-power song but I dunno, I just don't feel the meaning in it unlike the way I did for my name's WOMEN and Real Me...

This might be because I really don't like the first line about kawaii boys. v_____v

But even so, I DO really like the song anyway. I hope Ayu won't make NEXT LEVEL an album filled with songs with lyrics like this though!

[Aga-chan]

Originally Posted by Kikaru

I don't claim to know a lot about the Japanese culture, but from what I've read, it's still a fairly patriarchal culture, and I always get this impression that the "ideal" female tend to lean more toward the "cute, obedient", especially in romances and stuff, rather than the "sexy, take-charge" type. (note: this is a generalization, I'm fairly certain not all aspect of the culture is like that)

I guess in the western context it wouldn't seem to make that much "girl-power sense", and I think it can apply for both ways, but in cultural sense I feel like there's a much bigger impact in aiming at the female audience than the male audience.

It was not about the cultural context, but about the lyrics itself. But when I listened to the lyrics more closely, I came to see the girl power vibe. ^^;

I really don't know what to think about the lyrics. They don't seem to be about hitting on one another, but about being more confident to live, but on the other hand..... they do look shallow.

[x-megumi-x]

Sparkle is AMAZING. I absolutely love it and I can't stop listening to it <3
It so much better than Rule, even though I love Rule too...
Seriously, it needs a PV! I really hope there will be one in NEXT LEVEL!

[MissElin_]

I totally know that ppl will think that I over react and such and so on and so on. But maaan, this is sooo diffrent!

Just like keikeiaznqueen says, I can get the girl-power thing going on but this is just diffrent from like she said, mnW or other power/diva songs like MW. But those songs always keept a secret ingredient that Ayu always have had and thats her lyrics. They have always (and that for mnW and MW too) got this typical Ayu-deep in them. But this, its too simple, its like shes thinking, "man Im 30 now, time to go in Madonnas tracks and make this disco-music with brain-dead lyrics..." Well, now Im a stupid fan that goes overkill with my emotions I know. But I simply feel like this. Im not too pleased.

And if the new album is going this way, like the texts worries me about, then I will only look back at our old Ayu, realise that I have lost my favourite part of her (music, lyrics, and image) and try to like her new style.

Its hard to describe, but the green text on her official website makes me worry that we never again will get songs like, Memorial Address/untitled ~for her~/I am.../AsfXX/And then... and such songs ever again...

Speaking of Sparkle, its to much Madonna for me at the moment. It doesnt feel that new to me and well... the preview of the chours made me really excited but the full song got me quite dissapointed.

[LacusClyne]

i quite like this song, it's so un-ayu like.

and for those who miss the old ayu's songs, let's not forget that ayu is already 29 years old, and she had changed through the years, we can't really expect her to write the lyrics like her old era. in the new lyrics, it's more grown up.

she used to be unsure and unsecure, but now she knew what she wants. and that is the message i'm getting from ayu

[noidea]

It sounds like a remix! A damn good remix! I like it, Rule is better, but I like it, I just hope it stays a "special" song, like In the Corner for example, she never did another song in that style and that makes it unique. I love the chorus and the nonono, I don't know about the verse yet...

[Melrose]

^

Well actually SHE never did In The Corner as it wasn't composed etc by her team. ^^

That's why that song and Pride sound so different.