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/
Traveling
宇多田ヒカル Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
タクシーもすぐつかまる (飛び乗る)
目指すは君
「どちらまで行かれます?」
ちょっとそこまで
「不景気で困ります (閉めます)
ドアに注意」
風にまたぎ 月へ登り
僕の席は君の隣り
ふいに我に返り クラリ
春の夜の夢のごとし
Traveling 君を traveling 乗せて
アスファルトを照らすよ
Traveling どこへ traveling 行くの
遠くなら何処へでも
Traveling もっと traveling 揺らせ
壊したくなる衝動
Traveling もっと traveling 飛ばせ
急ぐことはないけど
聞かせたい歌がある
エンドレスリピート
気持ちに拍車かかる 狙い通り
波とはしゃぎ 雲を誘い
ついに僕は君に出会い
若さ故に すぐにチラリ
風の前の塵に同じ
Traveling 胸を traveling 寄せて
いつもより目立っちゃおう
Traveling ここは traveling いやよ
目的地はまだだよ
Traveling 窓を traveling 下げて
何も恐くないモード
Traveling ここで traveling いいよ
全ては気分次第
みんな躍り出す時間だ
待ちきれず今夜 隠れてた願いがうずきます
みんな盛り上がる時間だ
どうしてだろうか 少しだけ不安が残ります
Traveling 君を traveling 乗せて
アスファルトを照らすよ
Traveling どこに traveling いるの
これからがいいところ
Traveling もっと traveling 揺らせ
壊したくなる衝動
Traveling もっと traveling 飛ばせ
止まるのが怖いちょっと
Can you take me up? You look quite good
Can you keep it up? I would like to
Can you take me up? You look quite good
Can you keep it up?
Traveling, traveling
宇多田ヒカル's song "Traveling" is a beautiful and lyrical ode to the feeling of being free and adventurous in life. The song begins with the line "Working hard even on Friday afternoons", which highlights the desire to let go of the workweek and embark on a journey with a sense of freedom. The singer hops onto a taxi to meet someone special, with the destination being the person being sought. Even the act of getting in the taxi seems effortless, with the driver ready and waiting to cater to the wishes of the singer. The lyrics are evocative and show a sense of whimsy and romance.
As the journey continues, the lyrics describe how the singer traverses the wind and ascends to the moon. The singer's destination is next to the person they seek, and the memory of this experience is like a dream. The lyrics paint a beautiful picture of the two people being in close proximity and enjoying each other's company. The song starts off with the lyrics "Traveling, traveling", and this is repeated throughout the song as a way of emphasizing the idea of a journey and exploration.
In the second verse, the singer expresses the desire to share her music with the person she is traveling with. The song that she wants to share with the person is on "endless repeat", a clear indication that she wants to bond with the person and create an unforgettable moment. The lyrics express the pleasure of being young and free as the singer describes how she frolics in the waves and beckons the clouds.
The chorus of the song reinforces the idea of traveling, taking risks, and living life to the fullest. The lyrics mention that the singer is not afraid of the unknown and asks the driver to roll down the car window, indicating that she wants to experience every bit of life's pleasures. The chorus also highlights the fact that sometimes we do not have to hurry in life, but rather simply savor the moment.
Overall, "Traveling" is a beautiful song that captures the sense of adventure, romance, and freedom that is part of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
仕事にも精が出る 金曜の午後
On a Friday afternoon, I'm feeling sharp even at work
タクシーもすぐつかまる (飛び乗る)
I easily catch a taxi (and jump in)
目指すは君
I'm heading towards you
「どちらまで行かれます?」
Taxi driver asks 'Where can I take you?'
ちょっとそこまで
Just to the nearby place
「不景気で困ります (閉めます)
The driver says 'It's tough times. Please close the door'
ドアに注意」
Be careful with the door
風にまたぎ 月へ登り
Riding on the wind, climbing up to the moon
僕の席は君の隣り
My seat is next to you
ふいに我に返り クラリ
Suddenly coming back to reality, I'm clear
春の夜の夢のごとし
Like a dream on a spring night
Traveling 君を traveling 乗せて
Traveling, carrying you
アスファルトを照らすよ
Illuminating the asphalt
Traveling どこへ traveling 行くの
Traveling, where are we going?
遠くなら何処へでも
Anywhere far away is fine
Traveling もっと traveling 揺らせ
Traveling, shake it more
壊したくなる衝動
An urge to break things
Traveling もっと traveling 飛ばせ
Traveling, fly even more
急ぐことはないけど
There's no need to hurry
聞かせたい歌がある
There's a song I want to play for you
エンドレスリピート
Endless repeat
気持ちに拍車かかる 狙い通り
My feelings are heightened just as I intended
波とはしゃぎ 雲を誘い
Playing with the waves, inviting the clouds
ついに僕は君に出会い
Finally, I meet you
若さ故に すぐにチラリ
Due to my youth, I quickly look away
風の前の塵に同じ
The same as dust in the wind
Traveling 胸を traveling 寄せて
Traveling, drawing closer to your heart
いつもより目立っちゃおう
Let's stand out more than usual
Traveling ここは traveling いやよ
Traveling, I don't like it here
目的地はまだだよ
We haven't reached our destination yet
Traveling 窓を traveling 下げて
Traveling, lowering the window
何も恐くないモード
A mode where I'm not afraid of anything
Traveling ここで traveling いいよ
Traveling, it's fine to stay here
全ては気分次第
It all depends on my mood
みんな躍り出す時間だ
It's time for everyone to start dancing
待ちきれず今夜 隠れてた願いがうずきます
Unable to wait, the hidden wish inside me starts to stir tonight
みんな盛り上がる時間だ
It's time for everyone to get excited
どうしてだろうか 少しだけ不安が残ります
I wonder why, but a little anxiety remains
Traveling 君を traveling 乗せて
Traveling, carrying you
アスファルトを照らすよ
Illuminating the asphalt
Traveling どこに traveling いるの
Traveling, where are you?
これからがいいところ
It's the good part that's coming up
Traveling もっと traveling 揺らせ
Traveling, shake it more
止まるのが怖いちょっと
A little scared of stopping
Can you take me up? You look quite good
Can you raise me up? You look really great
Can you keep it up? I would like to
Can you persist in it? I want to
Can you take me up? You look quite good
Can you raise me up? You look really great
Can you keep it up?
Can you persist in it?
Traveling, traveling
Traveling, traveling
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hikaru Utada
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-eq2dh7fm1m
1990/12/10
saddness Enigma
https://youtu.be/4F9DxYhqmKw
1992/10/25
Madonna Erotica
https://youtu.be/WyhdvRWEWRw
2001//08/24
Windows XP title
https://youtu.be/KU1vH4ZeSMM
2001/11/28
宇多田ヒカル traveling
@noranek9292
20年聴き続けてるのに全く色褪せないほどの新しさを感じる音であり、MVも大好き
夜のドライブにピッタリなんだよなあ
@speedy99321
御意!大学生の時に聞いてからずっと車の中でカセット、CD、MD、SDと変化しながら常に車の中で宇多田のベストが入って、特にTraavelingは夜の湾岸で最高。
@user-lg2wl1hb2n
20年前の曲なのに。古さ全然感じないのが凄い。
@user-zc6qk3ri5v
歌詞、よく読んだけど、たいしたものです。
@yuya4683
記憶消して、これを今の時代に新曲として出しても絶対売れるって思うから本当に凄い。まじ名曲です。
@user-dl5yu9lq3f
実際僕が前までその状態で、どこかでこの曲を聞いた時に「へー最近のJPOPってセンスいいなー」と思って見たら歌手が宇多田ヒカルで、しかもかなり前の曲だったのでかなり驚きました...
@user-ol9im3rz6g
huge fan but the other
@user-ol9im3rz6g
huge fan but the other
@user-zc6qk3ri5v
YES
@user-eq2dh7fm1m
1990/12/10
saddness Enigma
https://youtu.be/4F9DxYhqmKw
1992/10/25
Madonna Erotica
https://youtu.be/WyhdvRWEWRw
2001//08/24
Windows XP title
https://youtu.be/KU1vH4ZeSMM
2001/11/28
宇多田ヒカル traveling