Placement of "Don't look back" on Rock 'n' Roll Circus

[Not~Yet]

jon_the_d and waterballoon, I agree with both of you. Really interesting thoughts

[PoetGirl]

Interesting to read, but now when I heard the album only logical explanation for me
why its 'sandwiched' is cause Don't look back is different genre and it wouldnt flow well with others.

[AyumiBest]

Originally Posted by waterballoon

So, I feel that the A BEST 2 cover could symbolize a "gate", like if you just go past it, you can return to the times before this new Ayu era, before A BEST 2. It seems like the current Ayu really wants to go back to that time, yet the past-Ayu stands in front, almost like a gatekeeper to prevent that from happening. Remember she also says, "Don't look back" right at the very end...

If we also use the "gate" idea we can say we can go forward to the New Ayu era and once we do, we'll see a lot of sadness. Maybe thats why A BEST 2 -BLACK- was chosen instead of A BEST 2 -WHITE-

[freedreamer]

nice intepretation. You always make such good analysis waterballoon hahha. If I see this album as that, I think the entire theme of the album is as wholesome as her other albums. She did mention about doing something "old Ayu" would do as well in the past. but yet taking a different approach with "modern Ayu" (pardon my distinctions). I guess she has achieved that role in a way. She also said how the Circus represents her life. So now, I THINK IT ALL MAKES SENSE

brilliant!

[Bad Wolf]

*applauds* I wish I could give you cookie points for such an insightful, wonderful post, waterballoon! You did a very good job fleshing out your idea =D

And about why Don't look back is also sandwiched between 2 interludes.. I think the song was created with that mindset of, it shouldn't sound like anything like the other songs, because it's supposed to reflect her state of mind right now, or at least for this era, so that it stands out even more.

I agree with this soooo so much. To add to it, I assumed that Ayu added Dlb between two interludes sort of as a way to show the clarity of thought between daydreaming... The two interludes are short, vocalless songs (Jump! has words to it but it isn't actual singing...), one in which Ayu isn't even present (montage).

Montage means "a composite photograph made by combining several separate pictures." Montage is then a perfect description for Ayu's past, and for the descriptions you used for the songs pre-Dlb on the album. A collection of feelings, thoughts, dreams, ambitions... these are the things all thrown together to make Ayu either as a person or Ayu as the singer -- or maybe even both!

Don't look back comes on after montage -- after this combination of different images pieced together to form one whole -- and is basically saying exactly what the title says: Don't look back, don't try to return to what you were or how you used to be. You can only go forward -- hence, Jump!'s placement.

Jump is a very interesting word to use, because it's somewhat more cheerful/hopeful sounding than "Step." Jump shows enthusiasm or courage -- or maybe even something scary/frightening? Jumping is also associated with something bad (suicide) or scary (cliff diving, bungee jumping..), but thrilling at the same time.

So, Ayu is moving from the montage, determined not to look back, and is jumping (for better or worse) towards the new future

[rainydayumi]

i dont agree with this or most of the interpretations. people forget that microphone is still very much a happy song despite the rock sounds, i find it a very romantic song lyrically. you were... is a sad song but its put in the "happy" part of the album?

[AngelSenshi]

I've got to agree with that all; and I think it's all really cool and insightful. I always thought the placement of the song was significant, especially with it being right in the very middle of the entire album.

[waterballoon]

Originally Posted by InoriNoUta

I agree with this soooo so much. To add to it, I assumed that Ayu added Dlb between two interludes sort of as a way to show the clarity of thought between daydreaming... The two interludes are short, vocalless songs (Jump! has words to it but it isn't actual singing...), one in which Ayu isn't even present (montage).

Montage means "a composite photograph made by combining several separate pictures." Montage is then a perfect description for Ayu's past, and for the descriptions you used for the songs pre-Dlb on the album. A collection of feelings, thoughts, dreams, ambitions... these are the things all thrown together to make Ayu either as a person or Ayu as the singer -- or maybe even both!

Don't look back comes on after montage -- after this combination of different images pieced together to form one whole -- and is basically saying exactly what the title says: Don't look back, don't try to return to what you were or how you used to be. You can only go forward -- hence, Jump!'s placement.

Jump is a very interesting word to use, because it's somewhat more cheerful/hopeful sounding than "Step." Jump shows enthusiasm or courage -- or maybe even something scary/frightening? Jumping is also associated with something bad (suicide) or scary (cliff diving, bungee jumping..), but thrilling at the same time.

So, Ayu is moving from the montage, determined not to look back, and is jumping (for better or worse) towards the new future

Thank you! And the interpretations about the interludes were fantastic... I never really thought about the meaning of "montage"; this could also be why it's a classical track, as no other genre of music could capture her past in such a timeless and classic way, than classical music.

Also, Jump! being an electronic track, similar to NEXT LEVEL, only highlights more of how the past should be buried... something like she's literally gonna jump with Jump! like what you said, and she's also gonna "jump" forward in her style of songs, and Lady Dynamite & Sexy little things only emphasize that ever more so! *excited*