It's hard to decide how to match words to music. It's not like it's twice the work. It's always difficult for me to explain to the composer what I'm looking for. I'm not a professional; I lack even basic knowledge about writing music.

The quote by Ayumi Hamasaki reflects the creative challenges she faces as a lyricist when working with a composer to produce music. She admits that matching words to music is not a straightforward process, and it often involves struggles in communication. By saying “it’s not like it’s twice the work,” she highlights that songwriting is not just the sum of lyrics plus melody—it requires a delicate balance where words and sound enhance each other naturally.

Hamasaki also acknowledges her own limitations, confessing that she is “not a professional” in music composition and that she lacks “basic knowledge” in writing music. This humility reveals her vulnerability as an artist, even though she is one of Japan’s most successful pop icons. It also shows the difficulty of articulating creative vision when one does not share the same technical background as collaborators.

The statement illustrates the complexity of collaboration in music production. While the composer provides the technical and structural framework, Hamasaki’s contribution comes from emotion, expression, and storytelling through words. The challenge lies in bridging these two worlds—technical composition and lyrical emotion—so that the final product resonates with listeners.

The origin of this quote lies in Hamasaki’s career as a J-Pop singer-songwriter in the late 1990s and 2000s, when she became known for writing nearly all of her own lyrics. Despite her lack of formal training in composition, her deeply personal writing style connected with fans, making her a pioneering figure in Japanese pop music. This quote captures her honest reflection on the creative struggles behind her success.