{{good article}} {{Infobox song | name = Kanariya | cover = Kanariya (Ayumi Hamasaki single - cover art).jpg | alt = An image of recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki in a blue sphere, wearing a fully dark blue outfit. | type = single | artist = Ayumi Hamasaki | album = Loveppears | released = {{start date|1999|12|08}} | recorded = 1999 | studio = | venue = | genre = Trip hop (original album version) House · Rave (Jonathan Peters remix) | length = 4:44 <small>(Radio edit)</small> <br>3:04 <small>(Album edit)</small> | label = {{hlist|Avex Trax|Avex USA|Avex Entertainment Inc.}} | writer = Ayumi Hamasaki | producer = Max Matsuura | prev_title = Appears | prev_year = 1999 | next_title = Fly High | next_year = 2000 | misc = {{External music video | header = Official Music Video | 1 = {{YouTube|fvLg7_BZfGw|"Kanariya"}} | type = single }} }} "'''Kanariya'''" (Japanese: "Canary") is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her second studio album, ''Loveppears'' (1999). It was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Hong Kong on December 8, 1999, and through Avex USA in North America in early 2000. The recording also served as Hamasaki's second limited-edition single, with limited physical units of 300,000 copies. The track was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Two versions of "Kanariya" were made available for consumption—a radio edit produced by American disc jockey Jonathan Peters, and the album version composed by Yasuhiko Hoshino. Lyrically, the song was written in third person perspective.
Upon its release, "Kanariya" received mixed reviews from music critics, with some of them praising the original and radio edit, but generally criticizing the remixes. Commercially, the single experienced success in Japan, peaking at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart and TBS' Count Down TV chart. It sold just below its 300,000 restricted copies, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 200,000 units. An accompanying music video for the recording was directed by Wataru Takeishi, with it portraying Hamasaki in a dark laboratory surrounded by keyboards and electronic devices. To promote the single, it appeared on several remix and greatest hits compilation albums released by Hamasaki.
==Background and release== "Kanariya" was written by Hamasaki herself, while production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. Two versions of "Kanariya" were made available for consumption—a radio edit produced by disc jockey Jonathan Peters, and the album version composed by Yasuhiko Hoshino.<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><ref name="single">{{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> Peters' remix of the track portrays a dance composition, a genre that heavily influenced Hamasaki's second studio album, ''Loveppears'' (1999). The song also includes musical elements of house and techno.<ref name="cdjournal"/><ref>{{cite news|author=AllMusic Staff|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/loveppears-mw0000372208|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Loveppears|work=AllMusic|date=April 10, 2001|access-date=July 14, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Time">{{cite magazine | last=Takeuchi Cullen| first=Lisa| url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/ayumi_hamasaki/cover3.html |title=Empress of Pop|magazine=Time| access-date=November 28, 2011 | page=3 | date=March 25, 2002 | url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020403135213/http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/ayumi_hamasaki/cover3.html | archive-date=April 3, 2002 }}</ref> "Kanariya"'s instrumentation consists of synthesizers and keyboards played by Peters; it was eventually mastered and co-produced by Japanese musician Naoto Suzuki.<ref name="single"/> The track's album version was included as a hidden track with another album entry, "Who...", and has been described by members of ''CD Journal'' as a pop recording with instrumentation of guitars and a drum kit.<ref name="cdjournal">{{cite news|author=CD Journal Staff|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/kanariya/3199110582|title=Ayumi Hamasaki / Kanariya (Limited) [Out of Print]|work=CD Journal|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> Lyrically, the recording 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|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=February 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209190143/http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu/en/special/aballads/index2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | title=Loveppears | journal=Beatfreak |date=November 1999 | volume=142|language=ja}}</ref>
The song was released by Avex Trax in Japan and Hong Kong on December 8, 1999, as a CD single, serving as Hamasaki's second limited-edition single with limited physical units of 300,000 copies.<ref name="single"/><ref name="hongkong">{{cite AV media notes |title=Kanariya|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1999|type=CD Single; Liner notes|work=Avex Trax|id=AVTCDS-225|location=Hong Kong}}</ref> The physical format of "Karariya" featured a total of thirteen tracks, of which eleven were remixes and an a cappella of the track, also incorporating a remix for Hamasaki's tracks "Two of Us" and "From Your Letter". While the former appeared on her debut studio album, ''A Song for ××'' (1999), the latter was included as a B-side track for her single "Depend on You".<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Song for ××|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1999|type=CD Album; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-11691|location=Japan}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Depend on You|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=1998|type=CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVDD-20278|location=Japan}}</ref> On June 12, 2000, "Kanariya" was distributed in North America through Avex USA as a 12" inch vinyl, including three remixes managed by Peters.<ref name="vinyl">{{cite AV media notes |title=Kanariya|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=12" inch Vinyl; Liner notes|work=Avex Trax|id=AVA-2|location=North America}}</ref> The single's artwork was photographed by Japanese photographer Toru Kumazawa, and featured Hamasaki sitting in a circular pod with rhinestones on her face. The physical version of "Kanariya" failed to include a booklet, which resulted in the cover sleeve being immolated as a picture disc, featuring an emphasised plastic sheet with information on the single.<ref name="single"/><ref name="hongkong"/>
==Reception== Upon its release, "Kanariya" received mixed reviews from music critics. A reviewer from Jame World was generally favourable to the album version of the song, acclaiming the R&B approach and Hamasaki's vocal abilities. When reviewing the CD single, the website stated, "For fans of remixes, it is a great release – however, if you want substantial music with variety and professionalism, you should look elsewhere."<ref>{{cite news|author=Meg|url=http://www.jame-world.com/us/articles-48926-ayumi-hamasaki-kanariya.html|title=Ayumi Hamasaki – Kanariya|work=Jame World|date=May 30, 2009|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> Similarly, a member of ''CD Journal'' was positive towards the original and radio edit of the single, but criticized the remixes and labelled the sound "tired".<ref name="cdjournal"/> Commercially, the single experienced success in Japan. It debuted at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling 248,070 units in its first week of availability. "Kanariya" lasted six weeks within the top 200, marking one of Hamasaki's lowest-spanning singles on that chart.<ref name="week">{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/music/45121/1/|title=Kanariya – Ayumi Hamasaki|work=Oricon Style|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924064626/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/music/45121/1/|archive-date=September 24, 2012 }}</ref> Likewise, it opened atop on the Count Down TV chart hosted by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), lasting four weeks within the top 100.<ref name="tbs">{{cite web|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown19991218-j.html|title=CDTV PowerWeb! Ranking Singles Chart|work=Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)|date=December 18, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616193413/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown19991218-j.html|archive-date=June 16, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song4386-j.html|title=CDTV PowerWeb! Ayumi Hamasaki – Kanariya|work=Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628013213/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/songdb/song4386-j.html|archive-date=June 28, 2006 }}</ref>
By the end of 1999, the recording sold over 289,200 units in Japan, but failed to be included on Oricon's Annual Chart for unknown reasons. The subsequent year, "Kanariya" was ranked at number 92 behind five other singles released by Hamasaki.<ref name="yearly">{{cite news|url=http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-2000.html|title=Oricon Yearly Chart – Singles, Albums, and DVD Releases of 20000|work=Music TV Program Japan|date=December 2000|access-date=July 16, 2016|language=ja}}</ref> It also peaked at number 84 on TBS' Annual Chart in 1999.<ref name="yearly2">{{cite web|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown1999total-j.html|title=CDTV PowerWeb! 1999 Annual Singles Chart|work=Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)|date=1999|access-date=July 16, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009100833/http://www.tbs.co.jp/cdtv/cddb/countdown1999total-j.html|archive-date=October 9, 2006 }}</ref> In February 2000, the track was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 200,000 units.<ref name="RIAJ"/> As of July 2016, "Kanariya" has been listed as the singer's 29th best-selling single based on Oricon Style's database.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/rank/single/p/3/|title=Ayumi Hamasaki Single's Ranking|work=Oricon Style|access-date=July 16, 2016|language=ja}}</ref>
==Music video and promotion== An accompanying music video for the single was directed by Wataru Takeishi, and uses a shorten version of Peters' remix.<ref name="video">{{cite news|author=Takeishi, Wataru (director)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGJosv_ZxdA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/hGJosv_ZxdA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Kanariya / Ayumi Hamasaki (short music video)|work=Ayumi Hamasaki; published through YouTube|date=July 19, 2010|access-date=July 23, 2016|language=ja}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The visual portrays Hamasaki in a dark laboratory, being surrounded by keyboards, electronic devices and a black bird. Throughout the music video, several people start to wear headphones and follow Hamasaki, with them eventually starting to listen to the song and observing TV monitors of the singer. Each person, including Hamasaki, wears black eye shadow on one eye, and a code on their hand. Over the clip, the singer is seen singing to the recording in the laboratory, with interspersed scenes portraying her wearing the outfit used for the single's artwork.<ref name="video"/> The music video was included on several DVD compilations released by Hamasaki, including''A Clips'' (2000),<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Clips|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=DVD Videos; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVVD-90069|location=Japan}}</ref> ''A Complete Box Set'' (2004),<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Complete Box Set|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2004|type=DVD Videos; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91181~3|location=Japan}}</ref> and the digital release of ''A Clips Complete'' (2014).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/a-clip-box-1998-2011-vol-1/655484415|title=A Clip Box 1998-2011, Vol. 1 – Album – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (New Zealand)|date=January 1, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2016}}</ref>
"Kanariya" has been heavily promoted through compilation albums released by Hamasaki, being additionally included on six of her remix albums, including ''Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix'' and ''Ayu-mi-x II Version Non-Stop Mega Mix'' (2001).<ref>The list below signifies the compilations that "Kanariya" has been featured in: *{{cite AV media notes |title=Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2000|type=Remix Album; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVTCD-95326|location=Japan}} *{{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}} *{{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}} *{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayu Trance|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2001|type=Remix Album; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-17028|location=Japan}} *{{cite AV media notes |title=Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix 2|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2001|type=Remix Album; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-17027|location=Japan}} *{{cite AV media notes |title=Ayu-mi-x 7 Version Acoustic Orchestral|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2011|type=Remix Album; Liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-38297|location=Japan}}</ref> The single has also been featured on ''A Complete: All Singles'' (2007), one of the singer's greatest hits album,<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=A Ballads|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> and was specially remixed by Hex Hector for addition on her extended play ''The Other Side One: Hex Hector'' (2001).<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=The Other Side Two: Hex Hector|others=Ayumi Hamasaki|first=Ayumi|last=Hamasaki|year=2001|type=Remix EP; Liner notes|publisher=Rhythm Republic|id=RRCD-85232|location=Japan}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} *'''CD single'''<ref name="single"/><ref name="hongkong"/> & '''Digital download'''<ref name="itunes">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Japan)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> # "Kanariya" (Jonathan Peters' Vocal Club Mix) – 9:58 # "Kanariya" (Struggle Mix) – 6:03 # "Kanariya" (Hal's Mix) – 4:22 # "Kanariya" (DJ-Turbo Club Mix) – 7:10 # "Kanariya" (Dub's Energy Remix) – 7:31 # "Two of Us" (Hal's Mix) – 5:17 # "Kanariya" (Spazm Mix) – 6:22 # "From Your Letter" (Pandart Sasanooha mix) – 5:41 # "Kanariya" (Big Room Mix) – 7:35 # "Kanariya" (Hiroshi's Nite Clubbing Mix) – 5:15 # "Kanariya" (Full Vocal Mix) – 6:45 # "Kanariya" (Original Mix) [Radio edit] – 3:03 # "Kanariya" (Vocal Track) – 3:03 {{col-2}}
*'''US 12" vinyl'''<ref name="vinyl"/> # "Kanariya" (Jonathan Peters' Vocal Club Mix) – 9:58 # "Kanariya" (Jonathan Peters' Millennium Dub) – 9:41 # "Kanariya" (Jonathan Peters' Sound Factory Dub) – 9:41 {{col-end}}
==Credit and personnel== Credits adapted from the liner notes of the single's physical release.<ref name="single"/>
;'''Recording''' *Recorded at Prime Sound Studio, Studio Sound Dali, Onkio Haus, Tokyo, Japan in 1999.
;'''Credits''' *Ayumi Hamasaki – vocals, songwriting, background vocals *Max Matsuura – production *Yasuhiko Hoshino – composing, programming *CPM-Marvin – arranging *Naoto Suzuki – sound producing *Wataru Takeishi – music video director *Jonathan Peters – co-producing, remixing *Dave Way – mixing
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !Chart (1999) !Peak<br>position |- !scope="row"|Japan (Oricon)<ref name="week"/> | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- !scope="row"|Japan (Count Down TV)<ref name="tbs"/> | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end chart=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !Chart (1999–2000) !Peak<br>position |- !scope="row"|Japan Count Down TV<ref name="yearly2"/> | style="text-align:center;"|89 |- !scope="row"|Japan (Oricon)<ref name="yearly"/> | style="text-align:center;"|92 |- |} {{col-end}}
==Certification and sales== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|award=Gold|artist= 浜崎 あゆみ|title=kanariya|refname="RIAJ"|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|certmonth=12|domestic=true|salesamount=289,200|salesref=<ref name="OriconSales">{{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 | work=Oricon |url-access=subscription | access-date=August 26, 2014}}</ref>}} {{End}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- !scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format !scope="col"|Label |- !scope="row"|Japan<ref name="single"/> |rowspan="2"|December 8, 1999 |rowspan="2"|CD single |rowspan="2"|{{hlist|Avex Trax|Avex Entertainment Inc.}} |- !scope="row"|Hong Kong<ref name="hongkong"/> |- !scope="row"|North America<ref name="vinyl"/> |June 12, 2000 |12" vinyl |Avex USA |- !scope="row"|Japan<ref name="itunes"/> |rowspan="10"|September 2008{{efn|group=upper-alpha|There is insufficient evidence to determine what date Hamasaki's digital releases appeared on online retails. The closest source for an iTunes Store availability is provided by Jame World, who confirmed Hamasaki's work was released in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jame-world.com/us/news-32267-avex-artists-available-at-us-itunes-store.html|title=Avex Artists Available at US iTunes Store|publisher=Jame World|date=September 5, 2008|access-date=April 1, 2016}}</ref>}} |rowspan="10"|Digital download |{{hlist|Avex Trax|Avex Entertainment Inc.}} |- !scope="row"|Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Australia)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> |rowspan="9"|Avex Entertainment Inc. |- !scope="row"|New Zealand<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (New Zealand)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (United Kingdom)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Ireland<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Ireland)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Germany<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/de/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Germany)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Spain<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/es/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Spain)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|France<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fr/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (France)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Italy<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/it/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Italy)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Taiwan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/tw/album/kanariya/76110864|title=Kanariya – Single – by Ayumi Hamasaki|work=iTunes Store (Taiwan)|date=December 8, 1999|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> |- |}
==Notes== {{notelist-ua|2}}
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== *[http://www.avex.jp/ayu/discography/detail.php?id=1003304 "Kanariya"] at Ayumi Hamasaki's official website. {{in lang|ja}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120924064626/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/246497/products/music/45121/1/ "Kanariya"] at Oricon Style. {{in lang|ja}}
{{Ayumi Hamasaki singles}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Ayumi Hamasaki songs Category:1999 singles Category:Oricon Weekly number-one singles Category:Songs written by Ayumi Hamasaki Category:1999 songs Category:Song recordings produced by Max Matsuura Category:Avex Trax singles