Whatever (Ayumi Hamasaki song)

"Whatever"
"Whatever"
	Original Mini CD version.
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki
from the album Loveppears
B-side	"Whatever" (J version)
Released	February 10, 1999
Recorded	1999; Avex Studios; (Tokyo, Japan);
Genre	Dance-pop
Length	5:36
Label	Avex Trax; Avex Taiwan; Rhythm Republic;
Songwriter(s)	Ayumi Hamasaki
Producer(s)	Max Matsuura
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology
Official Music Video
	"Whatever" on YouTube

"Whatever" (capitalized as "WHATEVER") is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her second studio album, Loveppears (1999). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. The track is Hamasaki's sixth single with Matsuura since her debut single in April 1998, "Poker Face". "Whatever" premiered on February 10, 1999 as the lead single from the album. It was re-released on February 28, 2001 as a CD single.

Musically, "Whatever" was described as a dance song, and is written in third person narrative. Upon its release, the track garnered mixed reviews from music critics. Critics praised Hamasaki's move from pop rock to dance music, but criticized her vocal delivery and song writing. It also achieved success in Japan, peaking at number five on the Japanese Oricon Singles Chart. The re-released single peaked at number 28 on the same chart. As of March 2016, "Whatever" has sold over 218,000 units in Japan alone and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

The accompanying music video for "Whatever" was shot in Tokyo; it features Hamasaki in a small white room with waterfalls, with inter cut scenes of an angel in the middle of a destroyed city. An alternative music video was shot for an alternative arrangement of the song; it features Hamasaki singing in front of a red backdrop. However, Avex scrapped it after they preferred the former version. For additional promotion, the song was featured on several concert tours and New Years live countdown shows by Hamasaki.