Official thread of your thoughts on (You were... / BALLAD / RED LINE) [Songs & PV] #1

[Bad Wolf]

I have to say that BALLAD is LEAGUES better than You were... and I'm really quite surprised and disappointed that BALLAD isn't being used as the A-side for this single. I know it's a "double" A-side but Ayu tends to neglect the second halves of said singles, I think? BALLAD should be getting the attention here, not You were... which is just a copy of stock winter ballads.

Anyway, my only gripe with it is that alan had a song called BALLAD this year XD

You were... really isn't all *that* bad, it's just that I've heard its style and theme so many times before I'm not really impressed, you know? And BALLAD feels like the softer, slower side to GREEN and I'm really pleased with that. They complement each other nicely.

ETA: Red Line is a cute song. I've got no beef with it. It doesn't stand out to me as anything OMG AMAZINGGGGGGG but it's sweet and I can see myself liking it as background music.

I really can't stand the You were... music box mix. Ayu's voice is WAY too loud and strong here, it drowns out the music box! They should have re-recorded her vocals for this or done something to make them quieter. What a waste :/ I mean, it's pretty and cute but I really wish she wasn't so freakin' LOUD.

[ll moments ll]

i always tend to like Ayu's winter singles...this is no different, haha. they're usually my favorite Ayu single of the year (following her spring/summer/winter singles).

You were... : i like it, but that's just that. i do enjoy the PV though. i was pleasantly surprised when i first saw it. (idk, maybe i just like how it looks GaGa-ish. i love me some GaGa!)

BALLAD : the absolute winner in this single. i honestly think this is one of her best winter songs along with "Together When..." and "JEWEL"! i love the PV as well, more than "You were..."

RED LINE ~for TA~ : it's quite rare that Ayu has legit b-sides, but when she releases one, it's always a memorable one. her vocals sound the best here. and it's not severely over-produced, which i like.

i also really enjoy Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ (Orchestra Version). *_* better than the original, imo! You were... (Music Box mix -retake version-) is also pretty.

overall, a great single. as a huge fan over the years, i know Ayu is over her peak. but i still really enjoy whatever she puts out.

[ayu_ready?]

I listened to RED LINE & I can't say it's a bad song, but it left like 0 impression on me no matter how many times I had re-played it, I couldn't remember it at all afterwards

[alternarist]

RED LINE to me is a kids song.. Not very appealing to me. But i am so attracted to the music box version of You were... OMG.

[Crystal_Ageha]

Originally Posted by ayu_ready?

I listened to RED LINE & I can't say it's a bad song, but it left like 0 impression on me no matter how many times I had re-played it, I couldn't remember it at all afterwards

Wow, that describes my feelings of BALLAD perfectly, lol. o_O I've played it soooo many times now - I even had it on repeat for almost a half an hour one day - trying my hardest to like it, or even remember it, but I just can't.

[ayumi.hamasaki]

I love every song on this single and the covers are just perfect

I can't wait to get my copies in about 1 week

[SpiceSquad!]

well... RED LINE.. hmmm.. not bad not perfect.. 7.5/10.. maybe RED LINE its a song that suits more for LIVE concert.. you never know..

[rusuke]

You were... - the style of music is similar to Ayu's ballads so it didn't impressed me
although the song is good. About the PV, she said she will be covered with JEWELS but it turned out to be
lights! And there is the weird dancers. Well, kinda different. It's 6/10.

Ballad - On the melody, I was expecting this to be different but it turned out to be a
resemblance of slow version of "HAPPY ENDING", "Moments", "Part of ME", other ballads...
D.A.I has quite disappointed me. Oh well. It's 6/10

Haven't heard the song RED LINE.

[Yumsushi]

Originally Posted by InoriNoUta

I have to say that BALLAD is LEAGUES better than You were... and I'm really quite surprised and disappointed that BALLAD isn't being used as the A-side for this single. I know it's a "double" A-side but Ayu tends to neglect the second halves of said singles, I think? BALLAD should be getting the attention here, not You were... which is just a copy of stock winter ballads.

My thoughts in a nutshell. But I really dislike Red Line. It reminds me of a creepy song I heard as a child called 'London's Burning.'
BTW wheres that Sakurai pic in your avatar from?

[keikeiaznqueen]

Originally Posted by InoriNoUta

I really can't stand the You were... music box mix. Ayu's voice is WAY too loud and strong here, it drowns out the music box! They should have re-recorded her vocals for this or done something to make them quieter. What a waste :/ I mean, it's pretty and cute but I really wish she wasn't so freakin' LOUD.

Actually the vocals were re-recorded... that's why it's a new vocal mix.

Anyway, I love this single. I really like You were..., the lyrics are easy to relate to and I see the link between the PV and the lyrics. Same goes to BALLAD--it's more soothing and dramatic. (I listen to You were... more though, only because it's the more relateable ballad with the easier melody.)

I LOVE Red line. It's such a sweet song with such motivational lyrics. I really appreciate Ayu's thoughts to her fans--since she listened to their requests to make this song.

The music box and the orchestra version of Sunset are also very pretty. Kinda disposable though--wouldn't be disappointed even if they weren't there.

[PinkShinigami]

I like RED LINE so much! I think it's so beautiful ^^ The melody and her voice is just so amazing. I was pretty surprised, I thought it would just be something totally overhappy, but I don't think it's too much. Just great ^^

BALLAD is pretty cute too. I can't really decide whether I like it or love it, 'cause it's just.. so special! I can't say anything but that I like it very much. And the PV is SOOOOOO great

You were... doesn't say much for me though. Her voice sounds so much like in BALLAD, but the melody and instruments just isn't as good. I don't hate it at all, but I can never even remember the melody of it..
The lives of it is SO great (at least the first one), one of her best live songs today!
The PV kinda creeps me out.. I just don't like the whole concept of anything.. But I love the hand in the beginning XD

[jbrat2219]

After listening to this single in my car where the sound is amazing, I love BALLAD even more! It sounds way more beautiful and grand surround sound! And I heard DRUMS Did not hear those before at all lol.

[Lady_Eowyn]

I really like this single

i don't like the original mix of you were... but the video is seriously amazing, i love how artistic it is

Ballad is a beautiful song, the highlight of it it's the chinese violin to me. When i was on the Paris subway there was (i think it was in the Châtelet station) a chinese guy playing this instrument and i loved it!! it immediately reminded of BALLAD too bad i can't say the same thing about the video; i was seriously disappointed. Visually, it's quite... boring. and the background looked... here comes the cursed word... cheap

Red line sounds like rock for kids. It's ok.

And the music box version of you were is insanely beautiful, i loved the instrument and ayu's voice is amazing
can't wat to get my copy.

overall, a really strong single

[kendelle]

I just got my copy today xDD So I'm a little late to the party but...........did Ayu have a cold during the BALLAD filming? She had a face mask on....maybe she was just allergic to the grass though? Poor Ayu suffers in her PVs! Injured wrist in Rule, colds....blah!

This is a wonderful single. I really loved You were... when I saw the leaked PV but BALLAD is actually much better! They're both such wonderful A-sides <33

You were... 6.5/10 (A little forgettable but has a lovely PV. I love the scenery and Ayu's costume but don't get the bear at the beginning xDD I wanted to hug it though as it made me feel lonely!)
BALLAD 9/10 (A great song...reminds me both of Days and theme of a-nation '03. The PV story was really touching and I loved the direction and the acting. It's a bit similar to Distance Love but much better portrayed <33 I was actually touched by Shuya's acting for once xD)
RED LINE 7/10 (A little bland on first listening, but I like how it reminds me of GREEN xD The lyrics are super sweet. The chorus is really catchy though...it gives me the feeling of independent though, even though it doesn't really sound that similar.)

Remixes 7/10 (Sunset Orchestra ver should have been on that single and replaced with a RED LINE or BALLAD remix. The music box version has lots of potential...I'd love an instrumental only version o___o;;;;;;; )

[trinka]

Personally I prefer RED LINE in this single. I like ayu's more understated songs (life, in the corner, beautiful fighters ect.) its a nice break from the melodramatic pieces, like You Were...

[pommy48]

Originally Posted by kendelle

I just got my copy today xDD So I'm a little late to the party but...........did Ayu have a cold during the BALLAD filming? She had a face mask on....maybe she was just allergic to the grass though? Poor Ayu suffers in her PVs! Injured wrist in Rule, colds....blah!

Lol no, she wears that mask during concert rehearsals too~
It's just to avoid breathing in dust/other things

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by trinka

Personally I prefer RED LINE in this single. I like ayu's more understated songs (life, in the corner, beautiful fighters ect.) its a nice break from the melodramatic pieces, like You Were...

I agree. I get so sick of Ayu's melodramatic songs. Less is more sometimes. <3

[Aditmi Krisnasaki ~II~]

^ yeah. i agree *in some condition* XD LOL

[AyUmIXx]

RED LINE ~ for TA ~ is really a refreshment
never heard of Ayu singing that kind of cheerful song for quite a long time already~
i love this single a lot!