"Dreamed a Dream" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released as a digital single only on July 31, 2020.
The song debuted at number 1 on the Oricon Daily Digital Singles Chart upon release, and peaked at number 22 on the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles Chart with sales of over 5,000 downloads.
A physical CD version of "Dreamed a Dream" was included in the limited edition of Hamasaki's latest concert DVD, Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2019–2020: Promised Land A, released on August 26, 2020. The song appears on the second bonus disc, alongside "Ohia no Ki".
Background
On July 24, 2020, it was announced that a new song called "Dreamed a Dream" would be released as a digital single on July 31, 2020.
A short a cappella of the song was also uploaded to Hamasaki's official YouTube channel, encouraging fans to participate in the "#ayumix2020" remix challenge. The audio was available until the day of the song's release.[1]
Writing and production
The song's lyrics were written by Hamasaki while composition was handled by Tetsuya Komuro, who had previously composed songs such as "A Song Is Born", "Love Song" and "You & Me".[2]
Artwork
The artwork for "Dreamed a Dream" was first unveiled on Hamasaki's official website on July 24, 2020. The photo was taken by Kazuyoshi Shimomura and features the singer in a black latex bodysuit, depicting her as "strong". It serves as a contrast to the artwork of her previous single "Ohia no Ki", which was described to have a "gentle atmosphere".[3]
Release
"Dreamed a Dream" was released as a digital single on July 31, 2020, the same month as her previous single "Ohia no Ki". This marks the first time Hamasaki releases two digital singles in the same month.[3]
A physical release of the song was included on the second bonus CD on TeamAyu/Mu-mo shop limited editions of Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2019–2020: Promised Land A, which was released on August 26, 2020. Unlike the digital version, the CD contains the song's instrumental. Hamasaki's previous single "Ohia no Ki" is also included on the disc.[4]
Promotion
The song was performed as a medley with "You & Me" at 2020 FNS Kayousai Natsu on August 26, 2020.[5]
Music video
On August 26, 2020, a "promotional clip", lasting three minutes and thirty-six seconds, was uploaded to Hamasaki's official YouTube channel. The video was directed by Masashi Muto and features a dance scene during heavy rain.[6]
Commercial performance
The song debuted at number one on the Oricon Daily Digital Single Chart with 2,942 copies sold.[7] With three days' worth of sales due to its being released in the middle of the charting week, it entered the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles Chart at number 22, having sold 5,121 downloads.[8]
"Dreamed a Dream" charted slightly higher on the Billboard Japan Top Download Songs chart, peaking at number 19. It rose three positions in its second week, peaking at number 16 on the chart.[9][10]
^浜崎あゆみ×小室哲哉！！ 7月31日（金）、2020年第2弾シングル「Dreamed a Dream」配信決定！ リリースに先駆け、本日よりアカペラ音源を無料公開＆自己流アレンジを募集！ [Ayumi Hamasaki & Tetsuya Komuro!! 7/31 (Fr), 2nd single of 2020 "Dreamed a Dream" available for streaming! Ahead of its release, from today the acapella track will be distributed for free, which you are encouraged to use to create your own mix!]. WWS channel (in Japanese). July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
^ ab浜崎あゆみ、小室哲哉氏と久々タッグの新曲「Dreamed a Dream」発表 [The announcement of the new song "Dreamed a Dream", the first collaboration in a long time between Ayumi Hamasaki and Tetsuya Komuro]. Modelpress (in Japanese). July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
^浜崎あゆみ、小室哲哉作曲「Dremaed [sic] a Dream」プロモーションクリップ公開 [Ayumi Hamasaki, Tetsuya Komuro's "Dremaed [sic] a Dream" promotional clip released]. BARKS Japan Music Network (in Japanese). August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
^デイリー デジタルシングル（単曲）ランキング (2020年07月31日付) [Daily Digital Single (single song) ranking (July 31, 2020)] (in Japanese). Oricon. August 1, 2020. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
