Hikaru Utada was born to Japanese parents who both had roots in the Japanese music industry; her father, Teruzane Utada, was a producer, while her mother, Junko Utada, was an enka singer (she performed under the stage name Keiko Fuji (藤圭子). Utada Hikaru has been recording since 1993. She made her first professional recording at the age of twelve, and recorded her first album, Precious, in 1996 under the pseudonym Cubic U. This album led to her career overseas. In an interview for MTV's, You Hear It First, Hikaru said: "Someone in Japan heard it, at a Japanese record company, and he said, 'Oh, can't you write in Japanese? You speak Japanese.' And I didn't want to say no, so I had to try it."
Hikaru moved to Tokyo in late 1997 and attended Seisen International School, and later the American School in Japan while continuing to record on a new contract with Toshiba-EMI. Unlike other pop stars at the time, she was more focused on becoming a singer and songwriter while other Japanese female singers were attempting to become idols. Leading up to the release of her Japanese debut album "First Love", Hikaru released two successful million-selling singles: "Automatic/ time will tell" and "Movin' on without you". "Automatic/Time Will Tell" sold over two million copies. Backed by her singles, First Love went on to sell over 7 million units in Japan alone (with an additional 3 million overseas, bringing it to a sum of at least 10 million units), becoming the highest-selling album in Japan's history.
After a two-year break, Hikaru released her follow up album "Distance", garnering first-week sales of 3 million units sold. Backed by her singles — "Addicted to You", "Wait & See ~リスク~", "For You / タイム・リミット" and "Can You Keep a Secret?" — Distance became the best-selling album of the year, with almost 5 million copies sold in Japan alone. Additionally, "Addicted to You" became Hikaru's best-selling single, selling one million in its first week. Hikaru went on to release a single which was dedicated to the female victim of a murder case in Ikeda, Osaka, titled "Final Distance".
Leading up to the third album, "Deep River", Hikaru released "traveling", "光", and "SAKURAドロップス"; all the songs reached the top of the charts. Deep River sold 2.35 million copies in its first week. Oricon reported that sales eventually surpassed 3.6 million, making Utada the only act in Japanese music history to have three consecutive albums surpass the three million mark. The album was cited by many fans and critics as Hikaru's most acclaimed work, as well as achieving the Triple Crown at the 17th Golden Disc Awards in Japan. Later, she attempted to break into the US market under her stage name Utada with her album Exodus.
A year after the release of Exodus, Hikaru moved back to Tokyo and started work on her next album. Leading up to the release of her fourth album, "Ultra Blue", Hikaru released a string of successful hit singles: "COLORS" (no. 1), "誰かの願いが叶うころ" (no. 1), "Be My Last", (no. 1), "Passion" (no. 4), and "Keep Tryin'" (no. 2). The digital single "This Is Love" was released to promote the album, netting around one million digital downloads. Ultra Blue sold 500,317 copies in the first week, lower than that of the previous album, although it still topped the Oricon Daily, Weekly, and Monthly charts. Ultra Blue gave the artist her fifth consecutive chart-topping Japanese album (excluding her English album) to sell in excess of 500,000 copies for first-week sales. On July 13, Toshiba EMI published a report stating that Ultra Blue had sold over one million copies worldwide and four million digital ringtones already making it one of EMI's 10th best-selling albums of the past year.
A tour of Japan, "Utada United 2006," commenced on June 30th, 2006 (Two weeks after Ultra Blue's release) and ended on September 12th, 2006, after Hikaru Utada's performances at Yoyogi. Ticket sales started on May 28th, 2006, with the majority of venues selling out in less than two hours.
Hikaru Utada released the single "Flavor of Life" on February 28th, 2007. Her next single, "Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry", was released in Japan on August 29th, 2007 - A track which also doubled as the theme song to the anime movie "Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone".
On February 20th, 2008, she released her 20th Japanese single, HEART STATION/Stay Gold which reached #1 on Japan’s weekly radio charts, which was followed shortly after by her 6th Japanese studio album, HEART STATION released on the 19th of March 2008. Hikaru intended to go for a "simpler" approach for the album; she stated, "From the beginning, I had always intended to make this album easier to listen to so anyone can enjoy it. I always aimed for a simple melody, simple lyrics and a simple message rather than over-complicating it all. But overall, I had a lot of fun making this album." Utada then returned to the US market, releasing This Is the One. She also went on tour with 'Utada: In the Flesh', playing in cities around the world, such as Los Angeles, New York, and London.
On August 9, 2010, Hikaru announced on her personal blog that beginning in 2011, she would go on an indefinite hiatus, citing fatigue since her debut 12 years previously. She also stated a need for rest, to study new things and learn more about the world, as well as see to some personal matters. It was unclear as for how long this break would last and if she would ever return to the music scene. Before the hiatus began, she said that she would go "full throttle" on her artistic activities, and soon after her site was updated, a new compilation album, "Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2", was announced, with a release date of November 24, 2010. This new album would include all her Japanese singles from "誰かの願いが叶うころ" to "Prisoner of Love" on disc one, as well as an extra EP, featuring five new tracks.
From November 24, 2010, first-week sales for Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 were 231,000 units according to Oricon album daily charting. On April 10, 2011, Utada won the award for "Best Conceptual Video" in the SpaceShowerTV Music Video Awards for the PV for "Goodbye Happiness", which also marked her directorial debut. An announcement was made that Utada would perform a two-night concert titled Wild Life at Yokohama Arena to promote the album, her first Japanese concert since 2006's Utada United.
On August 8, 2016, her sixth Japanese album's title was released: "Fantôme", French for "ghost". Following its release on September 28, Fantôme was commercially and critically successful. It debuted atop the Oricon Albums Chart and stayed there for four consecutive weeks, the most of any Utada studio album since First Love. It was awarded Album of the Year at the Japan Record Awards and received positive reviews from media outlets. Musically, Fantôme is a collection of tracks that emphasize acoustic and stripped-down instrumentation, alongside influences of pop, electronic, and R&B music. The lyrical content delves into themes of grief, sadness, love, and death, mostly influenced by the death of her mother, her second marriage, and the birth of her son in 2015.
Hikaru's seventh album, "初恋", was released on June 27, 2018. The release coincided with the commemoration of her 20th anniversary as an artist in Japan. A national tour was announced to support the album in November 2018, "Laughter in the Dark 2018", her first Japan concert tour in 12 years. It is currently available on iTunes for digital download and Netflix for streaming.
Hikaru released her eighth album, "BADモード" on January 19, 2022. It features production from musicians such as Skrillex and A. G. Cook.
Official sites:
www.emimusic.jp/hikki
http://www.u3music.com/
Play A Love Song
宇多田ヒカル Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
一人静かに内省す
深読みをしてしまう 君は不安と戦う
Hold me tight and don't let go, oh, oh
Why we fight I don't know
他の人がどうなのか 僕は知らないけど
長い冬が終わる瞬間
笑顔で迎えたいから
意地張っても寒いだけさ
悲しい話はもうたくさん
好きだって言わせてくれよ
Can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
友達の心配や
生い立ちのトラウマは
まだ続く僕たちの歴史の
ほんの注釈 ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Oh, hold me tight and don't let go, oh, oh, oh
Why we fight I don't know
僕の親が いつからああなのか知らないけど (大丈夫 大丈夫)
君と僕はこれからも成長するよ (大丈夫 大丈夫) ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
落ち着いてみようよ一旦
どうだってよくはないけど
考え過ぎているかも
悲しい話はもうたくさん
飯食って笑って寝よう
Can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a
側においでよ oh
どこにも行かないでよ
Hold me tight and don't let, don't let go
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
もう二度と離さないと言わん
ばかりに抱き締めたいよ
疑っていてもいいけど
悲しい話はもうたくさん
嘘だって吐きたくなるよ
Can we play a love song?
長い冬が終わる瞬間
笑顔で迎えたいから
意地張っても寒いだけさ
悲しい話はもうたくさん
好きだって聞かせてくれよ
Can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
The lyrics of "Play A Love Song" by 宇多田ヒカル feat. Jevon express the emotions and desires of two individuals who have been hurt in the past and are struggling with their own insecurities. The singer reflects on their tendency to overanalyze situations and possibly misinterpret the intentions of their partner, who is also battling their own anxieties. Despite the confusion and disagreements between them, they long for a deeper connection and a love that can overcome their past wounds.
The chorus repeatedly asks the question, "Can we play a love song?" This phrase can be interpreted as a plea for a chance to experience a love that is genuine, pure, and free from the complications of the past. The repetition of this question throughout the song emphasizes the desire for a love that brings warmth and happiness, even in the midst of the cold and sad moments.
Line by Line Meaning
傷ついた時僕は
During times of hurt, I...
一人静かに内省す
introspect quietly by myself.
深読みをしてしまう 君は不安と戦う
You, on the other hand, fight with anxiety by overthinking things.
Hold me tight and don't let go, oh, oh
Hug me tightly and never let go.
Why we fight I don't know
I don't know why we argue.
他の人がどうなのか 僕は知らないけど
I don't know about other people, but...
僕の言葉の裏に他意などないよ ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
There are no ulterior motives behind my words.
長い冬が終わる瞬間
The moment when the long winter ends...
笑顔で迎えたいから
I want to greet it with a smile.
意地張っても寒いだけさ
Even if we stick to our stubbornness, it will still only be cold.
悲しい話はもうたくさん
I've had enough of sad stories.
好きだって言わせてくれよ
Let me say that I love you.
Can we play a love song?
Can we play a song about love?
友達の心配や
Worrying about our friends...
生い立ちのトラウマは
...and the trauma of our upbringing...
まだ続く僕たちの歴史の
...are still part of our ongoing history.
ほんの注釈 ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Just a footnote.
Oh, hold me tight and don't let go, oh, oh, oh
Oh, hold me tight and don't let go.
Why we fight I don't know
I don't know why we argue.
僕の親が いつからああなのか知らないけど (大丈夫 大丈夫)
I don't know when my parents became like that, but (It's okay, it's okay)
君と僕はこれからも成長するよ (大丈夫 大丈夫) ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
You and I will continue to grow from now on (It's okay, it's okay).
落ち着いてみようよ一旦
Let's calm down for a moment.
どうだってよくはないけど
It's not ideal, but...
考え過ぎているかも
Maybe we're thinking too much.
悲しい話はもうたくさん
I've had enough of sad stories.
飯食って笑って寝よう
Let's eat, laugh, and sleep.
Can we play a love song?
Can we play a song about love?
側においでよ oh
Come closer, oh.
どこにも行かないでよ
Don't go anywhere.
Hold me tight and don't let, don't let go
Hug me tightly and never let, never let go.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.
もう二度と離さないと言わん
I want to never let go again.
ばかりに抱き締めたいよ
I just want to hold you tight.
疑っていてもいいけど
It's okay to have doubts, but...
悲しい話はもうたくさん
I've had enough of sad stories.
嘘だって吐きたくなるよ
I want to spit out lies.
Can we play a love song?
Can we play a song about love?
長い冬が終わる瞬間
The moment when the long winter ends...
笑顔で迎えたいから
I want to greet it with a smile.
意地張っても寒いだけさ
Even if we stick to our stubbornness, it will still only be cold.
悲しい話はもうたくさん
I've had enough of sad stories.
好きだって聞かせてくれよ
Let me hear you say that you love me.
Can we play a love song?
Can we play a song about love?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a song about love?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a song about love?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a song about love?
Can we play a, can we play a love song?
Can we play a, can we play a song about love?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hikaru Utada
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Chan
宇多田ヒカル
Play A Love Song
作詞：Utada Hikaru
作曲：Utada Hikaru
傷ついた時僕は
一人静かに内省す
深読みをしてしまう君は
不安と戦う
Hold me tight and don't let go
Why we fight I don't know
他の人がどうなのか
僕は知らないけど
僕の言葉の裏に他意などないよ
長い冬が終わる瞬間
笑顔で迎えたいから
意地張っても寒いだけさ
悲しい話はもうたくさん
好きだって言わせてくれよ
Can we play a love song？
友達の心配や
生い立ちのトラウマは
まだ続く僕たちの歴史の
ほんの注釈
Hold me tight and don't let go
Why we fight I don't know
僕の親がいつからああなのか
知らないけど
(大丈夫、大丈夫)
君と僕はこれからも成長するよ
(大丈夫、大丈夫)
落ち着いてみようよ一旦
どうだってよくはないけど
考え過ぎているかも
悲しい話はもうたくさん
飯食って笑って寝よう
Can we play a love song？
側においでよ
どこにも行かないでよ
Hold me tight and don't let go
もう二度と離さないと
言わんばかりに抱き締めたいよ
疑っていてもいいけど
悲しい話はもうたくさん
嘘だって吐きたくなるよ
Can we play a love song？
長い冬が終わる瞬間
笑顔で迎えたいから
意地張っても寒いだけさ
悲しい話はもうたくさん
好きだって聞かせてくれよ
Can we play a love song？
Eric Chan
宇多田ヒカル
Play A Love Song
作詞：Utada Hikaru
作曲：Utada Hikaru
傷ついた時僕は
一人静かに内省す
深読みをしてしまう君は
不安と戦う
Hold me tight and don't let go
Why we fight I don't know
他の人がどうなのか
僕は知らないけど
僕の言葉の裏に他意などないよ
長い冬が終わる瞬間
笑顔で迎えたいから
意地張っても寒いだけさ
悲しい話はもうたくさん
好きだって言わせてくれよ
Can we play a love song？
友達の心配や
生い立ちのトラウマは
まだ続く僕たちの歴史の
ほんの注釈
Hold me tight and don't let go
Why we fight I don't know
僕の親がいつからああなのか
知らないけど
(大丈夫、大丈夫)
君と僕はこれからも成長するよ
(大丈夫、大丈夫)
落ち着いてみようよ一旦
どうだってよくはないけど
考え過ぎているかも
悲しい話はもうたくさん
飯食って笑って寝よう
Can we play a love song？
側においでよ
どこにも行かないでよ
Hold me tight and don't let go
もう二度と離さないと
言わんばかりに抱き締めたいよ
疑っていてもいいけど
悲しい話はもうたくさん
嘘だって吐きたくなるよ
Can we play a love song？
長い冬が終わる瞬間
笑顔で迎えたいから
意地張っても寒いだけさ
悲しい話はもうたくさん
好きだって聞かせてくれよ
Can we play a love song？
Mijung Shin
@鄭立泰 @ghv
Mijung Shin
Hey! What Is That? Is That [Japanese? Oh That Was In Utada Hikaru
nekoneko
僕の親が～のところ、泣ける
鄭立泰
Eric Chan love you
A TEROK
この歌を聴きながらだと、「ネガティブな過去」がすべて「いい思い出」に変わる気がした
Maki Maki
@C AN どうしたどうした
C AN
そんなキレイゴトを歌ってるんではないと思うし、日本人の忘れっぽいところ、粘りのないところが現在の日本の苦境をつくりだしてるんじゃないか。
荒瀬愛斗
たしかに!
アナザースカイ
“どうだってよくはないけど考えすぎてるかも“ この歌詞大好き