After 10 years, she became one of the best-selling artists of the decade and one of the most popular and influential artists in Japan.
Koda officially debuted with the single TAKE BACK in December 2000.
In 2002, after the release of several singles, she released her first studio album affection, which charted at #12.
Some success came her way when she was asked to do the main songs for the video game, "Final Fantasy X-2", with real Emotion/1000の言葉 (1000 words), Koda also provided the voice for the character Lenne in the Japanese version of the game as well as the character, "Yuna's", opening sequence dance via motion capture. The single proved to be a success, debuting at #3 and becoming Koda's first release to enter the top ten. It sold 282,734 copies and became the #24th highest-selling single of 2003. A few weeks later, Koda released her second studio album, grow into one, which debuting at #9.
In 2004, Koda released three more singles before the release of her 3rd studio album, feel my mind which again showed Koda's determinated progress, charting at #7.
From here on, Koda's success increased and her popularity rose with the release of her 11th single, a cover of 1970's anime opening, キューティーハニー, debuted at #4. This single also marked the start of Koda's to be trademark, new style: "ero-kakoii" (or "ero-Kawaii") which roughly translates as: "sexy-cool" or "sexy-cute". Koda's fourth album secret was released in February 2005. The album debuted #3 with 505,600 copie sold, making it the #22 album of 2005.
With Koda's popularity reaching new heights, she held her first live show, "secret ~FIRST CLASS LIMITED LIVE~", (later becoming one of the top 10 selling DVDs in Japan) and released her sixteenth single, Butterfly. Debuting at #2, it became her highest charting single of her career to date and was very well received by the Japanese public. Following this success, she released her first best-of compilation, BEST ~first things~. This is the album which is said to have skyrocketed her career, reaching #1 on the weekly charts and selling 1,207,793 copies, making it the #6 album of the year and the highest selling female album of 2005.
In December 2005, Koda Kumi began her 12 Singles Project in which she released one single each week for twelve consecutive weeks. The first single, you, became Koda's first ever #1 single. Each of the remaining singles from the project charted in the top five of the weekly singles chart. The success of the project was celebrated with the release of Koda's second best-of compilation album BEST ~second session~ which sold over a million copies in just over a week. It became the #2 album of 2006 with 1,768,628 copies sold. During this time, Kumi also won the 47th Nihon Record Taishō (best award prize in Japan) with Butterfly.
Her 30th single, 恋のつぼみ, the first single to be released since the 12 singles project, was released in May 2006 and debuted at #2 with 140,000 copies sold. The track became one of the most downloaded single of the year, with more than 2 millions legal downloads in just a few weeks. After the release of several successful singles, including 4 hot wave (a maxi summer single) and 夢のうた, which had become her #1 and #2 best selling singles with more than 300,000 copies sold, Koda released her fifth studio album, Black Cherry which remained at the #1 position for four weeks, selling more than 1 million copies. By the end of 2006, both BEST ~first things~ & BEST ~second session~ had nearly sold two million copies. Koda Kumi became the highest selling female artist of the year.
In 2007, Koda Kumi released several singles including 愛のうた, which became one of the most sung songs in Karaoke and one of the biggest hits from Koda’s discography. On the December 21st 2007, Koda Kumi became the seventh Japanese female artist to hold a solo concert at Tokyo Dome. During the concert, she celebrated the 7th year anniversary since her debut in front of 35,000 fans. By the end of the year, Kumi became, for the 2nd time running, the highest selling female artist of the year.
In January 2008, during the promotion of her 6th album, Kingdom, Kumi appeared as a guest on TBS radio show, "All Night Nippon". During which Koda mentioned her manager had recently got married and that she had asked her manager, "whether or not they would have children". When her manager replied that they wouldn't for the time being, Koda responded with her opinion that they ought to have children as soon as possible, as, "when women are around 35 years old their amniotic fluids go bad."
The comment was deemed so offensive that many radio shows and newspapers received angry complaints from women around the country. Koda's official website was shut down, along with endorser websites featuring her. Despite the public backlash, the album reached #1 on the Oricon charts for two weeks, selling over 600,000 copies.
4 months later, Koda made a return to the market with Moon Crying. Through the song, Koda expressed her real feelings and her apologies. The song quickly became a success and Koda was able to make a return to performing her songs on TV and radio. Shortly after the release of her 40th single, Koda released the upbeat single TABOO (to become one of the most popular song with her overseas fan-base) as well as the winter ballad single stay with me (which reached 2,000,000 downloads in few weeks) before the release of her 7th album : TRICK, which topped the Oricon Charts at #1 for 2 consecutive weeks.
In 2010, Koda celebrated the 10th anniversary of career beginnings, making it know that she wished to make the year special for her fans, the first project of the year was the release of her 8th album, UNIVERSE, coupled with a best album containing the biggest hits from her 2006~2008 works. During the year, she released several singles, including Lollipop & 好きで、好きで、好きで。, the later became her biggest digital success since 2008. She later released her first cover album, ETERNITY ~Love & Songs~, and held her first Stadium Tour in Summer 2010. In December, 2010, Koda Kumi hold a special concert in Tokyo Dome, for the 2nd time, in order to close the first chapter of her career with her fans.
Koda released her ninth studio album named Dejavu in March 2011. Shortly after its release, the singer started her national tour. Although Koda decided to perform in hall in order to be closer to her fans, this live tour is so far her longest tour to date with 72 dates from April to October.
Koda's 50th single was released August 2011 titled 4 TIMES. It included 4 songs as well as 4 music videos (first time since Summer 2006). The main song of the single is Poppin' love cocktail feat.TEEDA, a summer song produced by the pop rock band BACK-ON. The same year, she released 2 more singles where Koda shows the sexiest image of herself. In November 2011, Koda performed in Singapore for Mnet Asian Music Awards. She was the only Japanese star to perform and won the "Hottest Asian Artist" award. Koda's tenth album album was announced on December for a release in the beginning of 2012. Entitled , JAPONESQUE, the album includes a music video for each song, 17 in total. In the same time, Koda surprised everyone by writing on her official site that she is engaged to Kenji03 from BACK-ON. She announced her wedding by the end of the year. Few days after, Koda also confessed that she was 8 weeks pregnant.
walk ～to the future～
倖田來未 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
キミの夢を
見つめてれば
たどり着く場所は
きっと
忘れられぬ
記憶になる
歌を唄えば
今日も 明日も
全てが 刻まれてゆく
歩き続ける
唄い続ける
辛い現実が
そこに待ってても
必ず行くよ
キミはきっと
キズつきながら
そして
悲しみながら
喜びながら
進むべき道は
ひとつだから
あきらめかけた事も...
先が見えず
立ち止まった
信じていれば
必ず叶うと
想う気持ちが
一番 大切だから
また歩きだす
また唄いだす
後悔したくは
ないはずさ キミは
決して近くは
ない場所でも
見つめているよ
そして
迷わず歩く
音を奏でて
キミは歩いてく
ひとつの道
歩き続ける
唄い続ける
辛い現実が
そこに待ってても
必ず行くよ
キミはきっと
キズつきながら
そして
悲しみながら
喜びながら
進むべき道は
ひとつだから
The lyrics of Koda Kumi's song "walk ～to the future～" speak of perseverance, hope, and the journey towards achieving dreams. The opening verse, "Even if we take the long way around, as long as we gaze at your dreams, the place we reach will surely become an unforgettable memory," conveys the idea that the path to success may be winding and challenging, but staying focused on our goals will make the journey meaningful and rewarding. Through singing and overflowing smiles, today and tomorrow are engraved with everything as we continue walking and singing.
The second paragraph talks about not giving up, even when things seem uncertain and we feel like we have reached a standstill. Believing that our wishes will come true is emphasized as the most important feeling to hold onto. The lyrics encourage starting to walk again and singing once more, highlighting the importance of resilience and faith in achieving our dreams. Despite the regrets we may have or the distance we feel from our goals, we are reminded that we are always watching, determined to move forward without hesitation, creating our own path with the music we play.
Continuing the theme of resilience and perseverance, the chorus reiterates the message that we will keep walking and singing, even in the face of difficult realities that may be waiting for us. The repetition of the idea that we will definitely go on, despite our scars and feelings of sadness, underscores the strength and determination needed to follow the one path we must take. The lyrics acknowledge the challenges and emotions that come with pursuing our dreams, emphasizing that the path forward is singular and must be followed with courage and determination.
In closing, the song emphasizes the beauty of continuing to walk and sing, regardless of the obstacles we may face. The imagery of facing hardships while still finding joy along the way is powerful, illustrating the complexities of the journey towards the future. Through the poignant lyrics, Koda Kumi conveys the message that no matter how tough the present may be, we must keep moving forward with resilience, belief in our dreams, and a willingness to embrace both the struggles and the happiness that come with following our chosen path.
Line by Line Meaning
遠回りしてもいい キミの夢を 見つめてれば たどり着く場所は
Even if you take a detour, as long as you keep your eyes on your dream, the place you reach will surely become an unforgettable memory.
きっと 忘れられぬ 記憶になる
Certainly, it will become a memory that cannot be forgotten.
歌を唄えば こぼれる笑顔が 今日も 明日も 全てが 刻まれてゆく
When you sing, the overflowing smiles today and tomorrow will be engraved in everything.
歩き続ける 唄い続ける 辛い現実が そこに待ってても
Keep walking, keep singing, even if the harsh reality is waiting there.
必ず行くよ キミはきっと キズつきながら そして 悲しみながら 喜びながら
I will definitely go, you will surely go, even if you are hurt, and while feeling sadness and happiness.
進むべき道は ひとつだから
Because there is only one path to go forward.
あきらめかけた事も... 先が見えず 立ち止まった 信じていれば
Even if you feel like giving up... when you can't see ahead, when you stop believing,
必ず叶うと 想う気持ちが 一番 大切だから
Believing that it will definitely come true, the feeling of thinking is the most important.
また歩きだす また唄いだす 後悔したくは ないはずさ キミは
Start walking again, start singing again, you shouldn't want to regret it.
決して近くは ない場所でも 見つめているよ
Even in places that are never close, I'm watching you.
そして 迷わず歩く 音を奏でて キミは歩いてく ひとつの道
And without hesitation, walk, play the sound, you walk on one path.
歩き続ける 唄い続ける 辛い現実が そこに待ってても
Keep walking, keep singing, even if the harsh reality is waiting there.
必ず行くよ キミはきっと キズつきながら そして 悲しみながら 喜びながら
I will definitely go, you will surely go, even if you are hurt, and while feeling sadness and happiness.
進むべき道は ひとつだから
Because there is only one path to go forward.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: koudakumi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
てつやん
ライブ最後の曲ですね～!良い歌ですよね!
改めて
20周年誠におめでとうございます。
他にない素敵な歌唱力は永遠に不滅です!
さらに10年後のお祝いができる日を、今から楽しみにしています!
歩き続ける、歌い続ける。
辛い現実は毎日ですが、
昔のバラード曲は甘い若かれし頃の思い出が甦り、アップテンポは楽しく遊びまくった頃が甦って、心の支えになって世間の荒波の中、階段を一歩ずつ登ってます。
ファンとしてこれからもずっとずっと愛し続けます！
Congratulations on 20th.
This anniversary is in recognition of your hard work.
I will hope for your success!
ぴーや
何千回、何万回聴いてても、やっぱりこの曲に救けられる😭❣️
どんな時でも
この歌は
素晴らしい。
この歌をTVで歌わないのは
ファンの為に歌ってるからなのでしょうか？
walkをテレビで歌えば
くぅちゃんが
どんな素晴らしいアーティストなのか
1発でわかるというのに…❣️😭
walkゎ
私達、ファンを支えてくれる曲の一つです❣️
なぎち93
Walk聞くと泣ける、
くうちゃん20周年ほんとにおめでとう！
歌い続けてくれてありがと！
これからもずっとだいすき！
オオウラタカヒロ
ら
タカキトモミ
❤️❤️❤️💙💙💙🎉🎉😊😊✨✨✨✨
Christina Burnfield
Her most iconic ballad!! :D I always love hearing it at the end of every concert tour. The original version of song actually saved my life about 18 years ago too. <3
みぃちゃん
好きで、好きで、好きで。あなただけが、walk〜to the future〜この3つのMVの繋がり方がすごく大好きです❤ずっと待ってたこの曲たちが立て続けにあがってて嬉しい❤
ゆみにおん
「信じていれば必ず叶うと想う気持ちが一番大切だから」の歌詞に勇気付けられて 当時たくさんのことに悩んでいましたが、walkを聴くと 明日からまた頑張ろうと思えました✨
タカキトモミ
👫👫👫💏💏💏💕💕🎉💚💚💚💚
タカキトモミ
👫👫👫👫💏💏💏💏💛💛💛👫❤️❤️❤️
jam a.
liveといえばこの曲だよね。すでに前奏で泣きそうです。
Edwin Aliano
A more powerful rendition of her ballad ''walk'' and an awesome way to celebrate ten years in the music industry. Whenever I listen to this song I have tears all over my eyes. Not to mention how natural and genuine she looks in the MV. Forever a classic!