| "Surreal" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Surreal1.PNG) CD only artwork. | ||||
| Single by Ayumi Hamasaki | ||||
| from the album Duty | ||||
| Released | 27 September 2000 | |||
| Recorded | 2000 | |||
| Studio | Avex Studios (Tokyo, Japan) | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 4:44 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) | Ayumi Hamasaki | |||
| Producer(s) | Max Matsuura | |||
| Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology | ||||
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| Official Music Video | ||||
| "Surreal" on YouTube | ||||
"Surreal" (stylized in all caps) is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, taken from her third studio album Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki and produced by Max Matsuura. The song is a rock with elements of alternative rock. "Surreal" describes Hamasaki's madness and sense of confusion, while the themes of "Surreal" are based on Hamasaki's concept of loneliness, chaos, confusion, and the burden of her responsibilities, aimed mostly toward her public image as a recording artist. It was released as the fourth single from the album on 27 September 2000 by Avex Trax and Avex Taiwan.
Critical reception towards "Surreal" has been positive; the majority of critics commended the songwriting and musical delivery, and highlighted it as an album and career standout. In Japan, "Surreal" became her sixth number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, and also reached the top spot on the Japanese Count Down TV chart. "Surreal" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 500,000 units. Released as a DVD Single in December 2000, it reached number three on the Oricon DVD Chart.
The accompanying music video was directed by Wataru Takeishi, featuring Hamasaki walking along a beach front. With mysterious lighting hovering over several objects, she enters a jungle-like room to find a clone of herself; the clone wears the same outfit for the Duty and "Surreal" photo shoot. "Surreal" has been included on several concert tours and New Year Countdown shows held and hosted by Hamasaki, and has featured on majority of her greatest hits compilations.