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"Connected" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist and lyricist Ayumi Hamasaki for her fourth studio album ''I Am...'', released on January 1, 2002. The song was written by Hamasaki herself while it was produced by Dutch disc jockey Ferry Corsten. The song was first conceived when Corsten had developed a track in Europe entitled "The Lost of Love". Despite him playing it at several events and shows throughout Europe, he did not release the track. After this, Hamasaki and Corsten had started to collaborate and the pair had changed and used the finishing result to create "Connected". Musically, "Connected" is a trance song that utilizes electro and dance music, which was a prominent musical genre during early 2000s. The song achieved favorable reception from most music critics, who had praised the musical collaboration and electronic influence within the album. However, some critics were divided by the lack of progression and Hamasaki's vocal abilities. Being released in Europe in April 2003 as her first European single, the song did not chart in any important record charts neither did it chart on Oricon. An accompanying music video was shot for the single by Kouji Morimoto and featured anime inspired themes and features people in a futuristic city. The song was performed live on her ''New Year's Eve Countdown Live 2001-2002'' and on her ''Premium Showcase: Feel the Love'' tour in Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo, the first in 13 years since she performed the song live. ==Background and composition== During the early 2000s era, Hamasaki had received massive attention and commercial commendation for her musical efforts. Her third studio album ''Duty'' sold nearly three million copies and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) and the third single"Seasons" became Hamasaki's third million selling single, having sold over 1.3 million units in Japan and was certified Million by RIAJ.〔(Seasons - Oricon )〕 The success continued on with the work off ''I Am...'', which was released on New Years Day, 2002 and received favorable reception from most Japanese critics. The album was also a commercial success, selling over 2.3 million units in Japan and was certified triple platinum by RIAJ. With countless singles being released throughout the album, the lead single "M" became her fourth million selling single and sold 1.32 million units in Japan. "Connected" was originally a trance composition made by Ferry Corsten, who went under the name "East West" which was called "The Love I Lost".〔(Ayu (Ayumi Hamasaki) - "Connected" at Discogs )〕〔(East West - The Love I Lost - Youtube )〕 Although Corsten had played the song live in several events and shows, he never officially released it as an single. When Corsten collaborated with Hamasaki he altered the riff for "The Love I Lost" and let her write lyrics for it. "Connected" was initially included on Hamasaki's album ''I Am...'', and later on ''The Very Best Of Ferry Corsten'', compilation released by the Avex label in Japan and other Asian countries.〔(Ferry Corsten - The Very Best Of Ferry Corsten (CD) at Discogs )〕 Written by Hamasaki herself, "Connected" became her first song from her discography to have been produced and composed by someone outside off her native Japan, and was her only song during the time to be produced by someone else apart from Max Matsuura.〔 Musically, "Connected" is a trance-inspired song that incorporates contemporary dance music and electro music.〔 During the song, Hamasaki's vocals hit considerably higher notes than other tracks on her ''I Am...'' album and were often noted as "strained".〔http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/28402/Ayumi-Hamasaki-I-am.../〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Connected (Ayumi Hamasaki song)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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