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{{Infobox song
| name = Together When...
| cover = Coverkl6.jpg
| alt = An image of recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki laying on a white bedding sheet, with the song and artists name superimposed on her.
| type = single
| artist = [[Ayumi Hamasaki]]
| album = [[Guilty (Ayumi Hamasaki album)|Guilty]]
| released = {{start date|2007|12|5}}
| recorded = 2007
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 5:13
| label = {{hlist|[[Avex Trax]]|Rhythm Republic}}
| writer = Ayumi Hamasaki
| producer = [[Max Matsuura]]
| prev_title = [[Talkin' 2 Myself]]
| prev_year = 2007
| next_title = [[Mirrorcle World]]
| next_year = 2008
| misc = {{External music video|1={{YouTube|Dg_SRODPlfA|"Together When..."}}}}
}}
"'''Together When...'''" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist [[Ayumi Hamasaki]]. It was released by [[Avex Trax]] on December 5, 2007, and Rhythm Republic on April 9, 2008 as a double [[A-side]] with one of Hamasaki's tracks "Game" as the third and final single from her ninth studio album, ''[[Guilty (Ayumi Hamasaki album)|Guilty]]'' (2008). It was released as Hamasaki's first digital single in Japan, and was Avex Trax's first single to be distributed as a digital download only. The track was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator [[Max Matsuura]]. Musically, "Together When..." is a [[power ballad]]. The lyrical content is about the finishing and separation of a relationship between lovers.

Upon its release, "Together When..." received positive reviews from most [[Music journalism|music critics]]. Some of them selected the track as the best song from the album, while complimenting the composition and Hamasaki's vocals/songwriting. Although it did not enter in Japan's [[Oricon Singles Chart]], it did peak at number one on the [[List of number one Reco-kyō Chart singles 2006–09|Reco-kyō Singles Chart]]. It was certified in two categories by the [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] (RIAJ); as of June 2016, it has been downloaded over three million times, making this Hamasaki's highest selling single. An accompanying music video was directed by Takahide Ishii, which displays Hamasaki waiting at a taxi stand, and another scene with her as a [[marionette]]. To promote the single, it was included on some of Hamasaki's concert tours including her 2007 and 2010 New Years countdown shows.

==Background and release==
"Together When..." was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator [[Max Matsuura]]. The song's instrumentation consists of piano and guitar by musician CMJK, drums by Makoto Izumitani, bass by Chris Chaney, [[conducting]] by David Campbell, and string arrangements by the David Campbell Strings Ensemble. It was then composed together and arranged by Kunio Tago and CMJK.<ref name="albumnotes">{{cite AV media notes |title=Guilty|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2008|type=CD Album; Liner notes|publisher=[[Avex Trax]], Avex Entertainment Inc.|id=AVCD-23504|location=Japan}}</ref> "Together When..." was one of the only tracks on Hamasaki's ninth studio album, ''[[Guilty (Ayumi Hamasaki album)|Guilty]]'' (2008), that included instrumentation by Caucasian composers, instead of musicians in Japan.<ref name="albumnotes"/> Musically, "Together When..." is a [[power ballad]].<ref name="channelai">{{cite news|author=Channel Ai Staff|url=http://www.channel-ai.com/blog/2008/02/27/guilty/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Guilty (album review)|work=Channel Ai|date=February 27, 2008|access-date=June 27, 2016|archive-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329124011/http://www.channel-ai.com/blog/2008/02/27/guilty/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bradley Stern from MuuMuse compared the composition and musical elements to the material from Hamasaki's 2002 album ''[[I Am... (Ayumi Hamasaki album)|I Am...]]'', and her 2003 [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[Memorial Address]]''.<ref name="muumuse">{{cite news|author=Stern, Bradley|url=http://www.muumuse.com/2008/01/ayumi-hamasaki-guilty.html/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Guilty (album review)|work=MuuMuse|date=January 6, 2008|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref> According to a staff reviewer at Japanese music magazine ''CD Journal'', the song includes "quiet piano" riffs and "elegant string" arrangements.<ref name="cdjournal">{{cite news|author=CD Journal Staff|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/guilty/4107110299|title=Ayumi Hamasaki / Guilty (album review)|work=CD Journal|date=January 1, 2008|access-date=June 27, 2016|language=Japanese}}</ref> The lyrical content is about the finishing and separation of a relationship between lovers.<ref name="channelai"/>

It was released by [[Avex Trax]] on December 5, 2007 as the third and final single from ''Guilty''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Together When... ayumi hamasaki |url=http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/togetherwhen/index.html |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Avex Group]] |year=2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819222051/http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/togetherwhen/index.html |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> It was released as Hamasaki's first digital single in Japan, and was Avex Trax's first single to be distributed only on a digital download format.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/p-et-tp0-20071120-285402.html|title=Ayu's New Song Is a Digital-Limited Release|publisher=Nikkan Sports Newspaper|work=[[Nikkan Sports]]|access-date=December 1, 2008|date=November 20, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081210181829/http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/p-et-tp0-20071120-285402.html| archive-date= December 10, 2008 | url-status= live|language=ja}}</ref><ref name="itunes">{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=[[iTunes Store]] (Japan)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref> The digital single included the recording and its instrumental version.<ref name="itunes"/> Then on April 9, 2008, "Together When..." was re-released by Rhythm Republic as a double A-side single, issued on a [[Gramophone record|12" inch vinyl]], with one of Hamasaki's previous songs "Game" (which appeared on her sixth studio album ''[[My Story (Ayumi Hamasaki album)|My Story]]'' (2004)). The vinyl included two remixes of "Game" by Japanese DJ Yoji, whilst the second side featured two remixes of "Together When..." by Co-Fusion.<ref name="vinyl">{{cite AV media notes |title=Game / Together When...|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2008|type=12" inch vinyl; Liner notes|publisher=Rhythm Republic|id=RR12-88522|location=Japan}}</ref>

==Reception==
Upon its release, "Together When..." received positive reviews from most [[Music journalism|music critics]]. Bradley Stern, head writer from MuuMuse, awarded the song a maximum of ten points and labelled it one of the best tracks on ''Guilty''. He commented, "Finally, a ballad with feeling!... Call me sadistic, but the best moments in an Ayumi song are the parts where it sounds like she’s about to break ("Memorial Address"). This song is full of those moments."<ref name="muumuse"/> In a similar review, a staff member at Channel-Ai awarded it five stars out of five, and believed that the song is one "of her strongest ballads". The reviewer further explained, "The emotion within the ballad is so infectious that the audience cannot help but feel empathy towards Ayumi."<ref name="channelai"/> A staff member at CD Journal enjoyed the song, labeling it a "beautiful performance" by Hamasaki; the reviewer also complimented the instrumentation and production, and how it "melted together comfortably".<ref name="cdjournal"/>

"Together When..." was unable to chart on Japan's [[Oricon Singles Chart]] because of their restriction of digital sales and position.<ref>{{cite news |author=Mittal, Sushubh|url=https://techwhack.co/oricon-exits/|title=Oricon exits from Japanese PC music download market|work=Techwhack|date=November 1, 2006|access-date=June 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Oricon Style Staff|url=http://aramajapan.com/news/oricon-to-cease-counting-music-cards-as-part-of-sales-totals/16154/|title=Oricon to cease counting Music Download Card as part of Sales Totals|work=Arama Japan|date=2015|access-date=June 6, 2016}}</ref> Despite this, it did peak at number one on the [[List of number one Reco-kyō Chart singles 2006–09|Reco-kyō Singles Chart]].<ref name="recokyo"/> The single was later certified in two categories by the [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] (RIAJ); a triple platinum award certifying 750,000 ringtone downloads, and a platinum award certifying 250,000 cellphone downloads.<ref name="RIAJ-feb2011digi"/><ref name="RIAJ-dec2007digi"/> This made it Hamasaki's first and final million selling single since "[[Blue Bird (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Blue Bird]]" in 2006, and her third and final single to sell over one million digital shipments (behind "[[Carols (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Carols]]" and "[[Heaven (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Heaven]]").<ref>Below are the certification formats for Hamasaki's single "Blue Bird";
*{{cite web | script-title=ja:レコード協会調べ 8月度有料音楽配信認定 |trans-title=Record Association Investigation: August Digital Music Download Certifications | url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w060920_3.html | publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |language=Japanese | date=September 20, 2006 | access-date=January 23, 2014}}
*{{cite web | script-title=ja:ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2006年6月 |trans-title=Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (June 2006) | url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/200606.html | publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |language=Japanese | date=July 10, 2006 | access-date=March 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>Below are the certification formats for Hamasaki's singles "Carols" and "Heaven";
*{{cite web | script-title=ja:レコード協会調べ 8月度有料音楽配信認定 |trans-title=Record Association Investigation: August Digital Music Download Certifications | url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w060920_3.html | publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |language=Japanese | date=September 20, 2006 | access-date=January 23, 2014}}</ref> As of June 2016, it has been downloaded over 3.3 million times, making this Hamasaki's highest selling single.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite news|author=Eremenko, Alexey|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ayumi-hamasaki-mn0000758915/biography|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Biography|work=[[AllMusic]]|date=2016|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>{{efn|group=upper-alpha|The songs verification for 3.3 million downloads is referenced by [[AllMusic]], a highly reliable source through the Western world. Despite the song being her highest selling single overall, it is not recognised through [[Oricon]] database as her highest selling single in Japan alone.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ayumi Hamasaki CD Ranking Oricon Music Style |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/rank/single/|type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |publisher=Oricon |access-date=May 13, 2015}}</ref> Based on their ranking, Hamasaki's 1999 EP ''[[A (EP)|A]]'' is her highest selling single in the category (despite it being recognised as an EP), and "[[Seasons (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Seasons]]" is her highest selling single without any other additional recordings.<ref name="sales">{{cite web | title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 |trans-title=Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' | url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp |language=Japanese | work=[[Oricon]] |url-access=subscription | access-date=May 21, 2014}}</ref>}}

==Music video==
The accompanying music video was directed by Takahide Ishii.<ref name="dvd"/> It opens with a couple arguing in a taxi, which later has them leaving the car and walk down the street. Behind them has Hamasaki sitting on a bench observing a puppet show, smiling in the distance. The taxi driver questions her smiling, and looks at the show. It then shows several camera angles with Hamasaki singing the song, and then has the second verse with Hamasaki and a male companion as the [[marionette]] dolls. As marionette dolls, they both walk past each other in a dark atmosphere, whilst the chorus has Hamasaki singing the song again at the bench. As the second chorus is about to begin, several children start to play with the dolls, to Hamasaki's delight. However, the children decide to purchase the male doll, and leaves the female doll (portrayed by Hamasaki) on the small puppet show's stage.<ref name="dvd">{{cite AV media notes |title=Guilty|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2008|type=CD and DVD Album; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Entertainment Inc.|id=AVCD-23503/B|location=Japan}}</ref>

As the town, where Hamasaki is sitting on the bench, starts to rain, the atmosphere where Hamasaki is the doll starts to rain as well. Just after Hamasaki finishes singing the second chorus, an instrumental break happens and has Hamasaki looking at the now abandoned puppet show. A truck then drives past, which vibrates the puppet show's stage, causing the doll to fall on the ground and its strings become tangled. This happens to Hamasaki as the doll; she faints in the dark atmosphere land, with strings attached to her. Hamasaki, sitting on the bench, starts to cry and sings the remaining of the song. It ends with the taxi driver, who finishes day dreaming about the marionettes dolls, opening the door for Hamasaki to enter.<ref name="dvd"/>

==Promotion and live performances==
To promote the single, Hamasaki performed the song on several concert tours and was used as commercials in Japan. It was used as the commercial track for Gemcerey jewellery, which Hamasaki appeared as the spokeswoman for the company. It was then used for Music.jp in Japan.<ref>{{cite news|author=Channel Ai Staff|url=http://www.channel-ai.com/blog/2007/12/13/together-when/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Together When...|work=Channel Ai|date=December 26, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016|archive-date=August 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828155235/http://www.channel-ai.com/blog/2007/12/13/together-when/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song was included on some of Hamasaki's concert tours, including her: 2007-2008 Anniversary Tour, the 2010-2011: Do It Again Tour, and the 2012-2013: Wake Me Up Tour.<ref>Below is the formatted list of the concert releases that included "Together When...";
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Countdown Live 2007-2008 Anniversary|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2008|type=Live DVD; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Entertainment Inc.|id=AVBD-91558|location=Japan}}
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Countdown Live 2010-2011 A: Do It Again|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2011|type=Live DVD; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Entertainment Inc.|id=AVBD-91871~2|location=Japan}}
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Countdown Live 2012-2013 A: Wake Up|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2013|type=Live DVD; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax, Avex Entertainment Inc.|id=AVBD-92034|location=Japan}}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{track listing
| headline = Digital download<ref name="itunes"/>
| extra_column = Arrangement
| total_length = 10:26
| title1 = Together When...
| length1 = 5:13
| lyrics1 = Ayumi Hamasaki
| music1 = Kunio Tago
| extra1 = CMJK
| title2 = Together When...
| note2 = Instrumental
| length2 = 5:13
| lyrics2 = Hamasaki
| music2 = Kunio Tago
| extra2 = CMJK
}}

{{track listing
| headline = Game / Together When... [[Gramophone record|12" inch vinyl]]<ref name="vinyl"/>
| total_length =
| title1 = [[Game (Ayumi Hamasaki song)|Game]]
| note1 = (Yoji Vocal Mix)
| length1 = 9:07
| lyrics1 = Ayumi Hamasaki
| music1 = Yoji
| title2 = Game
| note2 = Yoji's 140Bpm Tech-dance Re-rub
| length2 = 5:56
| lyrics2 = Hamasaki
| music2 = Yoji
| title3 = Together When...
| note3 = Co-Fusion Remix
| length3 = 6:20
| lyrics3 = Ayumi Hamasaki
| music3 = Co-Fusion
| title4 = Together When...
| note4 = (CoFuDub)
| length4 =
| lyrics4 = Hamasaki
| music4 = Co-Fusion
}}

==Personnel==
Credits adapted from the CD liner notes of ''Guilty'';<ref name="albumnotes"/>

;'''Recording'''
*Recorded at Record Plant Recording Studio, [[Los Angeles, California]]; Conway Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California; Clinton Recording Studios, [[New York City, New York]].

;'''Credits'''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*[[Ayumi Hamasaki]] – vocals, songwriting, background vocals
*[[Max Matsuura]] – production
*CMJK – programming, acoustic guitar, piano, arranging
*Makoto Izumitani – drums
*Chris Chaney – bass guitar
{{col-2}}
*David Campbell – conducting, string arrangement
*The David Campbell Strings Ensemble – strings
*Kunio Tago – composing
*Co-Fusion – remixer (on vinyl format)
*Takahide Ishii – music video director
{{col-end}}

==Charts and certifications==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Monthly charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (2008)
!Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|Japan [[List of number one Reco-kyō Chart singles 2006–09|Reco-kyō Singles Chart]] ([[RIAJ]])<ref name="recokyo">{{cite web|url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w080120_1.html|title=レコード協会調べ 12月度有料音楽配信チャート（「着うた（R）」）＜略称：12月度レコ協チャート（「着うた（R）」）＞|date=January 20, 2008|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]]|access-date=April 25, 2008|language=Japanese}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|}
{{col-2}}

===Certification and sales===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|award=Platinum|number=3|refname="RIAJ-feb2011digi"|note=Ringtone|type=ringtone|certyear=2011|certmonth=2|access-date=September 15, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|award=Platinum|refname="RIAJ-dec2007digi"|note=Full-length ringtone|type=ringtone|certyear=2007|certmonth=12|access-date=September 15, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|nocert=true|salesamount=3,300,000|salesref=<ref name="allmusic"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | noshipments=true}}
{{col-end}}

==Release history==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format
!scope="col"|Label
|-
|Japan<ref name="itunes"/>
|rowspan="10"|December 5, 2007
|rowspan="10"|[[Music download|Digital download]]
|{{hlist|[[Avex Trax]]|Avex Entertainment Inc.}}
|-
|Australia<ref>{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Australia)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|rowspan="9"|Avex Entertainment Inc.
|-
|New Zealand<ref>{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (New Zealand)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|United Kingdom<ref>{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (United Kingdom)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Ireland<ref>{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Ireland)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Germany<ref>{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/de/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Germany)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Spain<ref>{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/es/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Spain)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|France<ref>{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/fr/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (France)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Italy<ref>{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/it/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (New Zealand)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Taiwan<ref>{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/tw/album/together-when-single/268934759|title=Together When... – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Taiwan)|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Japan<ref name="vinyl"/>
|April 9, 2008
|[[Gramophone record|12" inch vinyl]]
|Rhythm Republic
|-
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://avex.jp/ayu/discography/detail.php?id=1003433 "Game" / "Together When..."] at Ayumi Hamasaki's official website. {{in lang|ja}}

{{Ayumi Hamasaki singles}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Good article}}

[[Category:2000s ballads]]
[[Category:2007 songs]]
[[Category:Ayumi Hamasaki songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ayumi Hamasaki]]

Together When... - Revision history

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