Step by Step (Ayumi Hamasaki song)

"Step by Step" (stylized as "Step by step") is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on July 1, 2015, as the digital lead single from her EP Sixxxxxx. The song was used as the theme song for the Yukie Nakama-starring NHK TV drama Bijo to Danshi.[1]

"Step by Step"
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki
from the EP Sixxxxxx
B-side"July 1st"
ReleasedJuly 1, 2015 (2015-07-01)
Recorded2015
GenreJ-pop
Length4:37
LabelAvex Trax
Songwriter(s)Ayumi Hamasaki (lyrics)
Tetsuya Yukumi (music)
Producer(s)Max Matsuura
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology
"Zutto.../Last Minute/Walk"
(2014)		 "Step by Step"
(2015)		 "We Are the Queens"
(2016)
Music video
"Step by Step" on YouTube

Although the song did not enter the Oricon Singles Chart, it did peak at number 21 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 Chart.[2]

Background

"Step by step" was first mentioned in April 2015. Eventually, it was announced that the song would be used as the theme song for the NHK drama Bijo to Danshi, starring Yukie Nakama. The song was then released as a digital single on July 1, 2015.[3]

Writing and production

The song's lyrics were written by Hamasaki herself, with music by Tetsuya Yukumi. Long-time collaborator Yuta Nakano served as the song's arranger.[4]

Release

The song was released as an exclusively digital single on July 1, 2015, with "July 1st" serving as a digital B-side.[1]

Promotion

On July 1, 2015 - the day of the single's release - a short version of the song's music video was uploaded to YouTube.[5] "Step by Step" was also performed during Hamasaki's Arena Tour 2015 and her appearance on the music program NHK Songs.[6]

Music video

A music video for the song was included on Sixxxxxx. It depicts Hamasaki alongside other women, who are trying to free themselves from their struggles.

Track listing

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Step by Step"4:37
2."July 1st"4:22
Total length:8:59

Streaming
No.TitleLength
1."Step by Step"4:37

Charts
Charts (2015) Peak
position
Billboard Japan Hot 100[2] 21

Personnel

Credits adapted from Discogs.[4]

  • Arrangement, Programming – Yuta Nakano
  • Guitar – Ryota Akizuki
  • Lyrics – Ayumi Hamasaki
  • Mixing – Naoki Yamada
  • Music – Tetsuya Yukumi
  • Producer – Max Matsuura
  • Violin – Yu Manabe, Yuko Kajitani

References
  1. "デジタルシングル「Step by step」本日(7/1）より配信スタート！". Ayumi Hamasaki's Official Website (in Japanese). Avex. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  2. "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  3. "本日7/1より、配信中のデジタルシングル「Step by step」のミュージックビデオとSPOT映像が公開！" [From July 1, the music video and promotional spot for the digital single "Step by Step" (currently available to download) is released!] (in Japanese). Avex Group. July 1, 2015. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  4. "Ayumi Hamasaki – Step by Step". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  5. "本日7/1より、配信中のデジタルシングル「Step by step」のミュージックビデオとSPOT映像が公開！". Ayumi Hamasaki's Official Website (in Japanese). Avex. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  6. "Ayumi Hamasaki Is Featured on NHK SONGS". ARAMA! Japan. July 8, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
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