Utada is a third culture singer, composer, arranger, and record producer working in Japan and the United States. They have sold an estimated 52 million albums worldwide. Utada is fluent in both English and Japanese as they were raised in both New York and Tokyo. They’re most notable in the west for composing and singing the main themes for Kingdom Hearts 光 (Hikari) and Simple and Clean, as well as the theme songs for Kingdom Hearts II, Passion and Sanctuary.
Utada Hikaru was born on January 19, 1983 in New York City to Japanese parents who both had roots in the Japanese music industry; their father, Teruzane Utada, was a producer, while their mother, Junko Utada, was an enka singer (she performed under the stage name 藤圭子/Keiko Fuji). Utada has been recording since 1993, creating their first professional recording at the age of twelve. They released their first album comprised of all English songs, Precious, in 1996 under the pseudonym Cubic U. The album led to their career overseas. In an MTV interview (MTV's You Hear It First, October 2004), Utada 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."
While much of Utada's earlier work borrows from the stylings of 90s Western R&B, their music has shifted to incorporate more pop/experimental tones over time. This R&B sound was what brought them so much attention with their first release in Japan; Automatic/time will tell, stood out among the crowd, as there were no other artists with their distinct style.
Utada was once-married to famed director Kiriya Kazuaki, who directed the movie CASSHERN, where they sang the main theme song Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro.
After their first singles compilation album Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol.1 was released in March 31st, 2004, Utada moved back to New York to work on their second English album Exodus, which was released in the US on October 5th, 2004. Due to lack of promotion by their record label Island Def Jam and a lack of precedent for third culture artists at the time, however, the album was met with indifference in the US market. The second single from this album, "Devil Inside," managed to become a club smash in the US despite this and topped the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Airplay charts. Devil Inside also had a notable appearance in the 2000s LGBT serial drama Queer as Folk.
Utada moved back to Tokyo after a year of promotion for Exodus, and returned to the Japanese music scene. Despite flogging sales overseas, they released three albums over the span of 2 years: Ultra Blue and Heart Station, both certified of selling one million for shipments by the RIAJ, On October 20, 2008, their song "Eternally" from their 2001 album Distance was used as the theme for the drama Innocent Love. The song was later released as a digital single. By the end of the year, Utada was also voted the "#1 Favorite Artist of 2008" by Oricon's annual readers poll, making it their second consecutive year, and third time overall, to win the vote; their previous years being 2004 and 2007.
According to Utada's blog, on September 25th, 2007, Utada began speaking to Island Def Jam about their second English-language album. There was no set schedule, as Utada's tone suggested that they were in no rush. On October 23rd, 2007, Utada said that they had already made several demo tracks for not only the upcoming English album, but also their fifth Japanese album and was scheduled to record some of the songs on that afternoon.
On November 14th, 2007 it was announced that Utada would be featured on a download only version of Ne-Yo's song Do You. The song was released in Japan on November 21st.
Utada released their second English album, This Is The One, on March 24th, 2009 in the United States electronically. A physical copy was released later, on May 12th, 2009. The main single "Come Back To Me", which they dubbed them "breakout song" during an interview with KiwiBox, was released for airplay on February 9th, 2009. Despite their previous English album's lesser success, Utada was confident about this one. "I don't want to do experimental stuff. I just want to make a really good pop album," they told the interviewer. "This is the one, you know?"
Hikaru Utada hasn’t released anything under the “Utada” pseudonym since their last effort in 2009.
Official sites:
www.utada.com
www.emimusic.jp/hikki
www.u3music.com
Exodus
Utada Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now home feels so foreign
They told me I was mistaken, infatuated
And I was afraid to trust my hunches
Now I am ready
Daddy don't be mad that I'm leaving
Please let me worry about me
This is my story
Through mountains high and valleys low
The ocean, through the desert, snow
We'll say goodbye to the friends we know
This is our Exodus '04
Through traffic jams in Tokyo
New music on the radio
We'll say goodbye to the world we know
This is our Exodus '04
Landscapes keep changing
History teaches something
I know I could be mistaken, but my heart has spoken
I cannot redirect my feelings
The waves have parted
Daddy don't be mad that I'm leaving
Please let me worry about me
Mama don't you worry about me
This is my story
Through mountains high and valleys low
The ocean, through the desert, snow
We'll say goodbye to the friends we know
This is our Exodus '04
Through traffic jams in Tokyo
New music on the radio
We'll say goodbye to the world we know
This is our Exodus '04
I'm listening to a music never ending
My baby don't you know I'll never let you down
You've opened me to so many different endings
But baby I know that you'll always be around
Through mountains high and valleys low
The ocean, through the desert, snow
We'll say goodbye to the friends we know
This is our Exodus '04
Through traffic jams in Tokyo
New music on the radio
We'll say goodbye to the world we know
This is our Exodus '04
The lyrics to Utada's song Exodus explore the themes of leaving behind what is familiar and embarking on a new journey, even if it means leaving loved ones behind. The first verse expresses the comfort and joy that their partner brings to their life, contrasting it with the feeling of unease and unfamiliarity they have with their current environment. They hesitate to follow their instincts because of past mistakes, but are finally ready to take the plunge.
The chorus speaks of a physical journey, possibly of leaving the country, and bidding farewell to friends and the world they know. The mention of traffic jams in Tokyo and new music on the radio suggests that they are moving to a new place where things will be different. The second verse alludes to a larger theme of change and the significance of history, but ultimately reaffirms that their heart has guided them to make this decision. The bridge highlights the enduring nature of their love and promises to stand by their partner no matter what.
Overall, Exodus '04 is an uplifting song that encourages listeners to be brave and pursue their dreams, even if it means leaving the familiar behind.
Line by Line Meaning
With you these streets are heaven
The presence of the person the singer is addressing makes the streets feel heavenly
Now home feels so foreign
The singer's home feels unfamiliar without the person they are leaving behind
They told me I was mistaken, infatuated
Others doubted the singer's feelings, believing them to be superficial
And I was afraid to trust my hunches
The singer was hesitant to rely on their instincts and emotions
Now I am ready
The singer has overcome their fear and is now prepared to take action
Daddy don't be mad that I'm leaving
The singer is addressing their father, asking him not to be upset about their departure
Please let me worry about me
The singer asks their father to give them the independence to make their own decisions
Mama don't you worry about me
The singer is addressing their mother, reassuring her that they will be fine
This is my story
The singer acknowledges that they are in control of their own life and decisions
Through mountains high and valleys low
The singer is describing the journey they will embark on, with its ups and downs
The ocean, through the desert, snow
The singer is emphasizing the vastness of the journey they will undertake
We'll say goodbye to the friends we know
The singer will have to say farewell to familiar faces before setting out on their journey
This is our Exodus '04
The singer is referencing the biblical term 'Exodus' which means a departure or journey undertaken by a large group of people. '04' refers to the year 2004
Through traffic jams in Tokyo
The singer is describing their journey through a bustling city
New music on the radio
The singer is noting the changing soundtrack of their journey
I'm listening to a music never ending
The singer finds comfort in music, which is a constant in their ever-changing journey
My baby don't you know I'll never let you down
The singer is reassuring their loved one that they will not disappoint them
You've opened me to so many different endings
The singer's partner has exposed them to new experiences and possibilities
But baby I know that you'll always be around
The singer believes their partner will always be a part of their journey, no matter where it may take them
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hikaru Utada, Floyd Nathaniel Hills, Timothy Mosley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ぴぴ
With you these streets are heaven
Now home feel so foreign
They told me I was mistaken, infatuated
And I was afraid to trust my hunches
Now I am ready
Daddy don't be mad that I'm leaving
Please let me worry about me
Mama don't you worry about me
This is my story
Through mountains high and valleys low
The ocean, through the desert, snow
We'll say goodbye to the friends we know
This is our Exodus '04
Through traffic jams in Tokyo
New music on the radio
We'll say goodbye to the world we know
This is our Exodus '04
Landscapes keep changing
History teaches something
I know I could be mistaken, but my heart has spoken
I cannot redirect my feelings
The waves have parted
Daddy don't be mad that I'm leaving
Please let me worry about me
Mama don't you worry about me
This is…
miji yah
貴方がいれば、この道も天国で、
今はもうあの家が外国のように思える。
彼らは言うの、
私は間違えたって、気は確かかって。
私は自分の直感を信じることが怖いけど、でも今、私は準備が出来た。
ねぇ父さん、出ていくことを怒らないで
自分の心配だけをさせてほしいの
ねぇ母さん、心配しないで
これは私のストーリーだから
高い山々と深い谷を越えて
海が見えて砂漠を越えて雪が降り出した
そして友人たちにさよならを
これは私たちの2004年の出国
東京の渋滞を抜けて
ラジオから新しい音楽が聞こえる
そして今までの世界にさよならを
これは私達の2004年の出国
景色は変わり続けて
歴史は何かを教えてくれる
間違えたのかもしれないって分かってる
でも私の心がずっと叫び続けてきた
私はもうこの思いを変えられない
もう既に、海は割れた
ねぇ父さん、出ていくことを怒らないで
自分の心配だけさせてほしいの
ねぇ母さん、心配しないで
これは私のストーリーだから
高い山々と深い谷を越えて
海が見えて砂漠を越えて雪が降り出した
そして友人たちにさよならを
これは私たちの2004年の出国
東京の渋滞を抜けて
ラジオから新しい音楽が聞こえる
そして今までの世界にさよならを
これは私達の2004年の出国
私は今、永遠に終わらない唄を聴いている
ねぇ、愛しい人よ、
私が貴方を一生傷つけることはない、
なんて思わないでね
貴方は私に沢山の色んなエンディングを見せてくれたよね
でもね、愛しい人よ、
私は貴方がずっと私のそばにいるって分かってる
高い山々と深い谷を越えて
海が見えて砂漠を越えて雪が降り出した
そして友人たちにさよならを
これは私たちの2004年の出国
東京の渋滞を抜けて
ラジオから新しい音楽が聞こえる
そして今までの世界にさよならを
これは私達の2004年の出国
Yessa Ebrahim Chaudhry
Such a beautiful track. Love her music still . 2020.
TheDarkElmStreetLagoon
Thank Timbaland for the amazing beat! He produced this track!
ぴぴ
With you these streets are heaven
Now home feel so foreign
They told me I was mistaken, infatuated
And I was afraid to trust my hunches
Now I am ready
Daddy don't be mad that I'm leaving
Please let me worry about me
Mama don't you worry about me
This is my story
Through mountains high and valleys low
The ocean, through the desert, snow
We'll say goodbye to the friends we know
This is our Exodus '04
Through traffic jams in Tokyo
New music on the radio
We'll say goodbye to the world we know
This is our Exodus '04
Landscapes keep changing
History teaches something
I know I could be mistaken, but my heart has spoken
I cannot redirect my feelings
The waves have parted
Daddy don't be mad that I'm leaving
Please let me worry about me
Mama don't you worry about me
This is…
igarashi taiji
Annastasia here, This song saw me through a real tough time... letting go of the initial days life in Tokyo . Cuulture shock,. Tokyo was a concrete jungle. I often went karaoke alone and sang Utada Hikaru music mainly...and others of course 😃. Time will Tell, etc. I.stll listen to the Exodus CD from time to time. A wealth of wisdom! Love you Hikky keep the good stuff rolling. God bless
1weirdgirl
This is still one of my favorite songs. ❤️
Cybercity Oedo 808
Utada is the best!
中谷恵子
このアルバム好き
Takuto
Fusion of Japanese music and R&B
Swag Messiah
so many new songs this isn't my top search result for utada hikaru despite being her best along with kremlin dusk.
LiangHuBBB
my fav utada song <3