"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" | |||
| Released | July 1, 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2015 | |||
| Genre | J-pop | |||
| Length | 4:37 | |||
| Label | Avex Trax | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Ayumi Hamasaki (lyrics) Tetsuya Yukumi (music) | |||
| Producer(s) | Max Matsuura | |||
| Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| 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 edit
"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 edit
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 edit
The song was released as an exclusively digital single on July 1, 2015, with "July 1st" serving as a digital B-side.[1]
Promotion edit
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 edit
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 edit
Digital download edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Step by Step" | 4:37 |
| 2. | "July 1st" | 4:22 |
| Total length: | 8:59 | |
Streaming edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Step by Step" | 4:37 |
Charts edit
| Charts (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Japan Hot 100[2] | 21 |
Personnel edit
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 edit
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Ayumi Hamasaki – Step by Step". discogs.com. Discogs. July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Ayumi Hamasaki Is Featured on NHK SONGS". ARAMA! Japan. July 8, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2020.