Free & Easy (Ayumi Hamasaki song)

"Free & Easy" is a song written by Ayumi Hamasaki and Dai Nagao for Hamasaki's album Rainbow. The song, the first single from Rainbow and Hamasaki's 26th total, was released in Japan on April 24, 2002.

The single was released with a photobook, Hamasaki Republic; the book, the song's booklet, and the song's music video depict Hamasaki as a "21st century Joan of Arc".

Background and composition

	"Free & Easy" A 28-second sample of "Free & Easy", featuring Hamasaki's aggressive vocals.
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With Rainbow, Hamasaki took a creative turn, incorporating English verses to the songs, and producing most songs on her own, under the pen-name CREA. "Free & Easy" was written by Hamasaki and produced by CREA along with DAI. In the director notes for Rainbow, Hamasaki explained that the song was inspired by an actual magazine photo shoot with Free & Easy magazine. The lyrics speak of self-empowerment and freedom.^[1] Hamasaki explained:

"In 'Free & Easy', I wrote what I am feeling at the moment. In other words, I want to be a person who lives by taking responsibility for my own freedom, and I want to be a person for whom these words are perfectly applicable."^[1]

The song opens with an eastern flute, and Hamasaki sings the verses with a light and airy vocal. As the song progresses, she starts singing with an aggressive tone over a horn accompanied melody.^[2] You can also recognize a certain similarity between the title "No Amen" from "The Messenger- Story of Joan of Arc" soundtrack in the beginning.

Track listing

"Free & Easy" – 4:59
"Naturally" (Dolly remix)
"Still Alone" (Warp Brothers Extended Mix)
"Free & Easy" (Instrumental) – 4:59

Music video

The music video features Hamasaki who plays Joan Of Arc. First she is seen in prison and later a woman opens her prison door and takes her away. Then Hamasaki is seen tied up in a red room getting burned, though no fire is apparent. Later, at the end of the video, people holding her corpse are shown.

Charts

Oricon Sales Chart (Japan)

Release	Chart	Peak Position	First Week Sales	Sales Total	Chart Run
April 24, 2002	Oricon Daily Singles Chart	1
	Oricon Weekly Singles Chart	1	281,090	486,520	9
	Oricon Yearly Singles Chart	15

RIAJ certification: 2× Platinum (shipped)

References

1 2 "Ayumi Hamasaki's director's notes on Rainbow". Avex Marketing Inc. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
↑ Allmusic

External links

Free & Easy information at Avex Network.
information at Oricon.

Ayumi Hamasaki songs

Discography

A Song for ××	"Depend on You" "For My Dear..." "Poker Face" "Trust" "You"

Loveppears	"Appears" "Boys & Girls" "End Roll" "Fly High" "Kanariya" "Love (Destiny)" "Monochrome" "To Be" "Too Late" "Trauma" "Whatever" "Who..."

Duty	"Audience" "Far Away" "Seasons" "Surreal" "Vogue"

I Am...	"A Song Is Born" "Connected" "Daybreak" "Dearest" "Endless Sorrow" "Evolution" "M" "Never Ever" "Unite!"

Rainbow	"Free & Easy" "Hanabi" "Independent" "July 1st" "Voyage"

Memorial Address	"Forgiveness" "Greatful Days" "Hanabi (Episode II)" "No Way to Say" "Ourselves"

My Story	"Carols" "Inspire" "Moments"

(Miss)understood	"Bold & Delicious" "Fairyland" "Heaven" "Is This Love?" "Pride" "Step You"

Secret	"Blue Bird" "Born to Be..." "Startin'"

Guilty	"Glitter" "Fated" "Mirror" "Talkin' 2 Myself" "Together When..."

A Complete	"Mirrorcle World" "Who..." (15th anniversary edition)

Next Level	"Days" "Green" "Next Level" "Rule" "Sparkle"

Rock 'n' Roll Circus	"Ballad" "Sunrise (Love Is All)" "Sunset (Love Is All)" "You Were..."

Love Songs	"Blossom" "Crossroad" "Last Angel" "Moon" "Sweet Season" "Virgin Road"

Five	"Progress"

Party Queen	"How Beautiful You Are"

Love Again	"You & Me"

Colours	"Feel the Love" "Merry-Go-Round" "Terminal"

A One	"Last Minute" "Movin' On Without You" "Walk" "Zutto..."

Other songs	"Dream On" "Happening Here"

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