"Daybreak" | ||||
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Single by Ayumi Hamasaki | ||||
from the album I am... | ||||
Released | March 6, 2002 | |||
Format |
JPNCD Single United StatesDigital Single |
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Genre |
J-pop, pop rock (Album version) Trip hop, dark ambient (Hal"s Mix 2002) |
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Length | 58:02 | |||
Label | Avex Trax | |||
Writer(s) |
Ayumi Hamasaki (lyrics) CREA + DAI + junichi matsuda (music) |
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Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology | ||||
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"Daybreak" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist and lyricist Ayumi Hamasaki, released on March 6, 2002 as the eighth and final single on her fourth studio album I am.... Influenced by the recent events off the September 11 attacks in New York City and Washington D.C. in North America, Hamasaki sought a new inspiration for her then-forthcoming album; instead off writing songs about confusion, loneliness and love like her previous efforts, she was encouraged to engage in more peaceful and worldly themes. This resulted in several songs on I Am..., including "Daybreak".
Musically, there are two versions; the album version which is influenced by pop rock and Americanized alternative rock music, while the single version utilizes synthpop, trip hop and dark ambient music. The lyrical content talks about achievement and self-empowerment. Upon the release, "Daybreak" received mixed to favorable reviews from most music critics, who had praised Hamasaki's vocal abilities and likened the production, while critics were divided with the single version and lack of innovation. An accompanying music video was shot by Wataru Takeishi for the single version, which featured Hamasaki walking on deserted highway in early hours off the morning.
Commercially, "Daybreak" had fair charting response in her native Japan. The song debuted at number two on both Daily and Weekly Oricon chart, becoming her first single to miss the top spot since "Audience". Although certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), it remained her last single to not peak at number one for over a decade until it was surpassed by her 2013 recording "Feel the Love/Merry-Go-Round" at number five. That was also surpassed by the following single "Terminal".