"Hopeful" is a song by Japanese recording artist
Ami Suzuki
is a Japanese recording artist, DJ, and actress from Zama, Kanagawa, Japan. Having been discovered at the talent TV show ''Asayan'', she was one of the most popular female teen idols in the late 1990s. However, in 2000, Suzuki faced legal probl ...
, taken from her fourth studio album (and first in
Avex
is a Japanese entertainment conglomerate led by founder Max Matsuura and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1988, the company manages J-pop talents like Ayumi Hamasaki and internet sensation PikoTaro. It has also shifted into other busi ...
) ''
Around the World''. The up-tempo,
dance-pop
Dance-pop is a popular music subgenre that originated in the late 1970s to early 1980s. It is generally uptempo music intended for nightclubs with the intention of being danceable but also suitable for contemporary hit radio. Developing from a ...
song was written by Ami Suzuki (lyrics) and Shunsuke Yazaki (music).
Background
The original version of the song, arranged by its composer Shunsuke Yazaki, was first introduced in commercial spots announcing Ami's comeback to music in the Avex Trax label. It was set to be digitally released on February 9, 2005 (Suzuki's birthday), through Japanese music download sites such as Mu-Mo and Mora. Later, the song was remixed by Japanese DJ and
trance
Trance is a state of semi-consciousness in which a person is not self-aware and is either altogether unresponsive to external stimuli (but nevertheless capable of pursuing and realizing an aim) or is selectively responsive in following the dir ...
producer Overhead Champion, and this one became the lead version, being used in the music video for "Hopeful". This version was included in Suzuki's Avex first single "
Delightful", and also in the ''
Around the World'' album. Thus, the original version of "Hopeful" was never released physically, though it was included in some promotional CD singles with the cover showing Ami holding the Avex logo in her hands
[Hopeful, Promotional CD single, cat. number ABS0-N0045.] prior to the release of "Delightful".
Initially, it was "Hopeful" the song chosen to give name to Suzuki's first studio album in Avex. However, due to unknown reasons, the album title ended up being ''Around the World'' instead of ''Hopeful''.
Music video
The music video was directed by
Wataru Takeishi
is a prolific Japanese music video director. Takeishi has created videos for Japanese superstars such as Ayumi Hamasaki and Every Little Thing.
Most Expensive Music Videos
Three videos that Takeishi directed appear on the list of most expensiv ...
.
[Around The World album booklet (CD+DVD version)] It shows Suzuki sleeping over some highly-technological machine, that keeps her floating in a room that is apparently closed from everyone. A girl makes an appearance then, she enters this room and insert a CD into the machine where Suzuki is floating and sleeping. When the CD starts to be read, the machine activates and Suzuki awakes slowly. Her sleep and consequent awakening in the video most likely refers to her absence and subsequent comeback in the major music industry. The music video has three different scenarios, each one in bright red, yellow and gray colors. The red one is where Ami is with her hair down and in a white dress, seen floating, first sleeping and then awake. In the yellow scenes Ami appears in a white suit and a futuristic hairstyle, being surrounded by some machines. The gray scenario shows Ami with a business suit slightly modified, doing a choreography with a dance crew.
First, a short version of the video was included in the DVD of the "
Eventful
Eventful is an online calendar and events discovery service owned by Audacy, Inc. The service allows users to search for and track upcoming entertainment events in their area (such as concerts, festivals, and film presentations) involving specific ...
" single. The full version was included in the DVD of the album ''Around the World''.
Track listing
References
{{Ami Suzuki
Ami Suzuki songs
2005 singles
2005 songs
Songs written by Ami Suzuki
ja:Hopeful