No Way to Say

"No Way to Say" is a song by Japanese singer and songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on November 6, 2003, by Avex Trax. The track was written by the singer herself, while the composition was done by the singer herself under the pseudonym Crea with the assistance of Bounceback. Production was handled by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. "No Way to Say" is musically a soft rock ballad with an emotional and melancholic tone. The song lyrically conveys a sense of longing and regret, emphasizing the difficulty of putting deep emotions into words.

"No Way to Say"
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki
from the album Memorial Address
Released	November 6, 2003
Recorded	2003
Genre	J-pop soft rock
Length	34:51
Label	Avex Trax
Songwriter(s)	Ayumi Hamasaki
Producer(s)	Max Matsuura Bounceback
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology
"Forgiveness" (2003) "No Way to Say" (2003) "Moments" (2004)
Official Music Video
"No Way To Say" on YouTube

Upon its release, "No Way to Say" received positive reviews from music critics, praising its production quality. Commercially, the single experienced success in Japan, debuting at number one on both the Oricon Singles Chart and Tokyo Broadcasting System's (TBS) Count Down TV singles chart. Despite being a pre-release single, it became a long-running hit with cumulative sales of 371,000 copies, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). It won the 45th Japan Record Awards' grand prix by the end of the year.

An accompanying music video was directed by Ukon Kamimura, with Hamasaki portraying a character grappling with insecurities, longing to communicate deep emotions but feeling held back by the limitations of language and personal fears. The video won the award for "Best Pop Video" at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards Japan. In order to promote the single, it appeared on several remix and greatest hits albums and live concert tours conducted by Hamasaki. It was also used as the opening theme of the TBS variety show Koisuru Hanikami.

Background and composition

"No Way to Say" is a melancholic pop ballad that features a blend of soft rock. The song includes piano, acoustic guitar, and orchestral strings, creating a melancholic yet elegant atmosphere. The song is written in the key of A-flat major with a common time tempo of 82 beats per minute. Lyrically, it explores themes of nostalgia, emotional vulnerability, and unspoken feelings. The song's narrator conveys a sense of longing and regret, emphasizing the difficulty of putting deep emotions into words; the song suggests that everyone carries feelings they cannot fully express.

Reception

This song won the grand prix at the 45th Japan Record Awards, making her the first artist in history to win the award three times in a row.^[1]

Music video and promotion

A music video for "No way to say" was directed by Ukon Kamimura. The video shows a winter scenery, with a Santa giving away handkerchiefs while people close up in the warmth of their house. He offers some to Hamasaki but she didn't take it; a boy takes it instead and runs after her to give them to her. The song's video won the award for "Best Pop Video" at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards Japan.^[2] The music video was included on several DVD compilations released by Hamasaki: the CD+DVD edition of her 2003 mini album Memorial Address,^[3] and the digital release of A Clips Complete (2014).^[4]

With this song, they made their fifth appearance at the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in the same year.

Track listing

1. "No Way to Say" – 4:46
2. "No Way to Say" (acoustic version)
3. "Seasons" (acoustic version)
4. "Dearest" (acoustic orchestra version)
5. "Voyage" (acoustic orchestra version)
6. "No Way to Say" (Vandalize/Realize mix)
7. "No Way to Say" (instrumental) – 4:46

Live performances

• October 3, 2003 – Music Station
• November 1, 2003 – Ayu Ready?
• November 6, 2003 – AX Music
• November 7, 2003 – Music Station
• November 15, 2003 – CDTV
• November 15, 2003 – PopJam
• November 19, 2003 – Sokuhou Uta no Daijiten
• November 28, 2003 – Best Hit Song Festival
• November 29, 2003 – Ayu Ready?
• December 1, 2003 – Hey! Hey! Hey!
• December 3, 2003 – FNS Music Festival
• December 17, 2003 – Best Artist
• December 20, 2003 – Ayu Ready?
• December 22, 2003 – Hey! Hey! Hey! Christmas Special – "No Way to Say: Acoustic Version"
• December 23, 2003 – Happy X-mas SHOW!
• December 26, 2003 – Music Station Super Live
• December 31, 2003 – Kouhaku Uta Gassen
• December 31, 2003 – Japan Record Awards (2 performances)
• December 31, 2003 – CDTV Special 2003-2004
• March 14, 2004 – Japan Gold Disc Awards
• December 23, 2007 – HAPPY X-mas SHOW!

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2003) Peak position Japan Singles (Oricon)[5] 1 Japan Count Down TV Chart (TBS)[6] 1 Monthly charts Chart (2003) Peak position Japan Singles (Oricon)[7] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2003) Position Japan Singles (Oricon)[8] 32 Japan Count Down TV Chart (TBS)[9] 16 Chart (2004) Position Japan Singles (Oricon)[10] 71

Sales and certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[11] Physical single	Platinum	425,000[12]
Japan (RIAJ)[13] Digital download	Gold	100,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone.