http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Who...Who... - Revision history2026-05-06T00:57:14ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.1http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Who...&diff=6551647&oldid=previmported>Chris the speller: /* Background and versions */replaced: Anniversary → anniversary, 15th anniversary → 15th-anniversary2024-01-24T01:42:26Z<p><span class="autocomment">Background and versions: </span>replaced: Anniversary → anniversary, 15th anniversary → 15th-anniversary</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox song<br />
| name = Who...<br />
| cover =<br />
| alt =<br />
| type = [[Promotional recording|Promotional single]]<br />
| artist = [[Ayumi Hamasaki]]<br />
| album = [[Loveppears]] and [[A Complete: All Singles]]<br />
| released = {{start date|2008|09|10}}<br />
| recorded = 1999<br />
| studio =<br />
| venue =<br />
| genre = [[J-Pop]]<br />
| length = 5:36<br />
| label = [[Avex Trax]]<br />
| writer = Hamasaki<br />
| producer = [[Max Matsuura]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
"'''Who...'''" is a Japanese-language song recorded by singer [[Ayumi Hamasaki]]. It served as a standard track to her second studio album ''[[Loveppears]]'' (1999), and was re-recorded and released as a promotional single by [[Avex Trax]] in Japan as part of the promotion towards her fifth greatest hits compilation album ''[[A Complete: All Singles]]'' on September 10, 2008. The track was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Musically, it is a [[J-Pop]] ballad that was written in third-person perspective, like the rest of the content from ''Loveppears''. The lyrics details the encapsulation of Hamasaki, and explaining her message of her own philosophy. During its promotional release in 2008, it reached number 49 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Adult Alternative Songs chart in Japan, and number 19 on the RIAJ Monthly Ringtones chart. It was certified Platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] (RIAJ) for digital sales of 250,000 units. To promote the single, it appeared on remix and greatest hits compilation albums conducted by Hamasaki.<br />
<br />
==Background and versions==<br />
"Who..." first appeared on Hamasaki's second studio album ''[[Loveppears]]'' (1999).<ref name="albumnotes">{{cite AV media notes |title=Loveppears|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1999|type=CD album; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11740|location=Japan}}</ref> It was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator [[Max Matsuura]]. The song's instrumentation included keyboards by the album's sound producer Naoto Suzuki, and acoustic guitars by Japanese musician Naoki Hayashibe. It was composed by Kazuhito Kikuchi, whilst programming was handled by Takahiro Iida and mixed by Dave Way.<ref name="albumnotes"/> On ''Loveppears'', "Who..." included a [[hidden track]] titled "[[Kanariya]]", which served as the second to last single from the album, and the overall duration of both tracks together lasted for 10 minutes.<ref name="albumnotes"/><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Kanariya|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1999|type=CD single; liner notes|work=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-30067|location=Japan}}</ref> Lyrically, the song was written in third person perspective, a trait that is shared with the rest of the album's tracks.<ref name="specialnotes">{{cite news|author=Hamasaki , Ayumi (interviewee)|url=http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu/en/special/aballads/index2.html|title=Special Website to A Ballads|work=Ayumi Hamasaki's official website|date=March 12, 2003|accessdate=July 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | title=Loveppears | journal=Beatfreak |date=November 1999 | volume=142|language=ja}}</ref> According to Hamasaki's management team, they stated that the lyrics are an "encapsulation of today's Ayumi Hamasaki, and it was produced to present her message and philosophy."<ref name="specialnotes"/> It was included again on her 2001 compilation album ''[[A Best]]'', which was the only non-single track on there, and later featured on its 15th-anniversary edition in March 2016.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Best|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2001|type=CD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11950|location=Japan}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Best: 15th Anniversary Edition|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2016|type=CD + DVD + Blu-Ray; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVZD-93409/B~C|location=Japan}}</ref><br />
<br />
On March 12, 2003, Hamasaki re-recorded the song for her 2003 [[concept album|concept]] [[compilation album|compilation]] album ''[[A Ballads]]''. In a special commentary for the album hosted by [[Avex Trax]], "Who..." was voted by her fans as the most requested song for the inclusion towards the album.<ref name="specialnotes"/> The re-composed and re-arranged version for ''A Ballads''' featured a more "drifter" and "harder punch" than the original, but Hamasaki "expressed a desire to make the song warmer than the original version." By her request, the album's arranger CMJK created a more "majestic" and "dramatic" version that appeared as the final cut.<ref name="specialnotes"/> Then on September 10, 2008, Hamasaki re-recorded the track and released it in part of her fifth [[greatest hits]] album ''[[A Complete: All Singles]]''. Like its inclusion on ''A Best'', it was the only non-album single on the album but was promoted in Japan in conjunction with the promotion of the greatest hits.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Complete: All Singles|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2007|type=3xCD compilation album; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-23676~8|location=Japan}}</ref> A [[Chinese language|Chinese]] version was recorded for the Hong Kong, Chinese, and Taiwanese editions of the compilation.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Complete: All Singles|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2008|type=3xCD compilation album; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVJCD10370/2|location=Taiwan}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Complete: All Singles|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2008|type=3xCD compilation album; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AAJCD20024/6D|location=Hong Kong}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Reception and promotion==<br />
Commercially, "Who..." was a success in Japan. The 2008 version from ''A Complete: All Singles'' debuted at number 49 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Adult Alternative Songs chart in Japan, and stayed there for a sole week.<ref name="BillboardAD 2008/09/15">{{cite web | title=Japan Billboard Hot 100 | url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=adult_airplay&year=2008&month=09&day=15 | work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=Japanese | date=March 10, 2008 | accessdate=August 17, 2014}}</ref> In a similar run, it debuted at number 19 on the RIAJ Monthly Ringtone charts in the same region, one of Hamasaki's fewer tracks to ever enter in that record chart; the song stayed there for a sole month.<ref name="RIAJw081020_1">{{cite web |title=レコード協会調べ 9月度有料音楽配信チャート（「着うた（R）」） |trans-title=Record Association report: September paid digital music chart (ringtones) |url=https://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w081020_1.html |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] |date=October 20, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821112807/https://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w081020_1.html |archivedate=August 21, 2014 |accessdate=August 20, 2014}}</ref> It was certified Platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] (RIAJ) for digital sales of 250,000 units.<ref name="RIAJ-dec2014digi"/> "Who..." has been heavily promoted on compilation albums conducted by Hamasaki. It has been included on five of Hamasaki's remix albums, including ''[[Ayu-mi-x II Version Acoustic Orchestra]]'' and ''[[Ayu-mi-x II Version Non-Stop Mega Mix]]'' (2000).<ref>The list below are the compilations that "Who..." has been featured in;<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayu-mi-x II Version US+EU|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Remix album; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11797|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayu-mi-x II Version JPN|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Remix album; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11798|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayu-mi-x II Version Acoustic Orchestral|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Remix album; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11799|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayu-mi-x II Version Non-Stop Mega Mix|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Remix album; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11800~1|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayu-mi-x 4 + Selection Acoustic Orchestra Version|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2002|type=Remix album; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-17098|location=Japan}}</ref> The song has been included on several concert tours by Hamasaki, including [[Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 1|part one]] and [[Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 2|part two]] of her 2000 concert tour,<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 1|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91022|location=Japan}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 2|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91021|location=Japan}}</ref> her 2002 Stadium tour, and her 2008–2009 Premium Countdown concert.<ref>The list below are the live DVDs that "Who..." has been featured in:<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 1|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91022|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Tour 2000 Vol. 2|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91021|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Countdown Live 2000-2001 A|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91060|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Dome Tour 2001 A|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2001|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91391|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Arena Tour 2002 A|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2003|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91118|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Stadium Tour 2002 A|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2003|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91119|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Arena Tour 2003-2004 A|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2004|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91219|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=Premium Countdown Live 2008-2009 A|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2009|type=Live DVD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91716~7|location=Japan}}<br />
*{{cite AV media notes |title=15th Anniversary Tour: A Best Live|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2013|type=Live CD; liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-38789|location=Japan}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Personnel==<br />
Credits adapted from the CD liner notes of ''Loveppears'':<ref name="albumnotes"/><br />
<br />
;'''Recording'''<br />
*Recorded at Prime Sound Studio, Studio Sound Dali, Onkio Haus, [[Tokyo, Japan]] in 1999.<br />
<br />
;'''Credits'''<br />
*[[Ayumi Hamasaki]] – vocals, songwriting, background vocals<br />
*[[Max Matsuura]] – production<br />
*Kazuhito Kikuchi – composing, arranging<br />
*Naoto Suzuki – sound producing, arranging, keyboards, synthesizers<br />
*Naoki Hayashibe – acoustic guitar<br />
*Shigeo Miyamoto – mastering<br />
*Takahiro Iida – programming<br />
*Dave Way – mixing<br />
<br />
==Charts==<br />
{{col-begin}}<br />
{{col-2}}<br />
<br />
===Weekly charts===<br />
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"<br />
!Chart (2008)<br />
!Peak<br>position<br />
|-<br />
!scope="row"|Japan Adult Alternative Songs Chart (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="BillboardAD 2008/09/15"/><br />
| style="text-align:center;"|49<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
{{col-2}}<br />
<br />
===Monthly chart===<br />
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"<br />
!Chart (2008)<br />
!Peak<br>position<br />
|-<br />
!scope="row"|Japan Monthly Ringtones ([[RIAJ]])<ref name="RIAJw081020_1"/><br />
| style="text-align:center;"|19<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
{{col-end}}<br />
<br />
==Certifications==<br />
{{Certification Table Top}}<br />
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|award=Platinum|refname="RIAJ-dec2014digi"|type=single|digital=true|relyear=2008|certyear=2014|certmonth=12|note=Digital single|access-date=September 19, 2021}}<br />
{{Certification Table Bottom | noshipments=true}}<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
* [[Ayumi Hamasaki discography]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist|2}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [http://www.avex.jp/ayu/discography/ Discography] at Ayumi Hamasaki's official website {{in lang|ja}}<br />
<br />
{{Ayumi Hamasaki singles}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Who...}}<br />
[[Category:Ayumi Hamasaki songs]]<br />
[[Category:1999 songs]]<br />
[[Category:2008 songs]]<br />
[[Category:2008 singles]]<br />
[[Category:Songs written by Ayumi Hamasaki]]<br />
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Max Matsuura]]<br />
[[Category:Avex Trax singles]]</div>imported>Chris the speller