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
Kremlin Dusk
Utada Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the words of Mr. Edgar Allan Poe
Now I'm sober and never more
Will the Raven come to bother me at home
Calling you, calling you home
You, calling you, calling you home
Couldn't help me anymore
This I saw coming, long before
So I kept on staring out the window
Calling you, calling you home
You, calling you, calling you home
I am a natural entertainer, aren't we all
Holding pieces of dying ember
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
Who can I call
Home, calling you, calling you
I run a secret propaganda
Aren't we all hiding pieces of broken anger
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
Can I call
Born in a war of opposite attraction
It isn't, or is it a natural conception
Torn by the arms in the opposite directions
It isn't, or is it a Modernist reaction
Born in a war of opposite attraction
It isn't, or is it a natural conception
Torn by the arms in the opposite directions
It isn't, or is it a Modernist reaction
Is it like this?
Is it always the same?
When a heartache begins, is it like this?
Do you like this?
Is it always the same
Will you come back again?
Do you like this?
Is it always the same?
Will you come back again?
Do you like this?
Oh, do you like this?
Is it like this?
Is it always the same?
If you change your phone number, will you tell me?
Is it like this?
Is it always the same?
When a heartache begins, is it like this?
If you like this
Will you remember my name?
Will you play it again, if you like this?
The song "Kremlin Dusk" by Utada is a contemplative ballad that juxtaposes themes of searching for love, entertaining others, and inner turmoil. The opening lines reference the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, suggesting a search for a lost love named Lenore. The singer reveals they were once lost in their own addiction, but are now sober and free from the torment of their past. However, they still feel the weight of loneliness and long for someone to call home.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals that they are a natural entertainer but are searching for their own support system. They admit to running a "secret propaganda," alluding to the inner conflicts and anger that they keep hidden from others. The repetition of the phrase "who can I call" emphasizes the singer's longing for a sense of belonging and safety.
The final section of the song introduces a new perspective, with the singer contemplating their own conception and the forces that have torn them in opposite directions. The repetition of the phrases "is it like this" and "will you come back again" suggests a cyclical pattern of heartache and self-doubt. The final lines leave the listener with a sense of uncertainty and longing.
Overall, "Kremlin Dusk" is a complex and nuanced exploration of themes such as addiction, loneliness, and the search for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
All along I was searching for my Lenore
I spent a long time trying to find someone who I have lost and miss dearly.
In the words of Mr. Edgar Allan Poe
Inspired by a famous writer who wrote about similar feelings of loss and mourning.
Now I'm sober and never more
I'm not under the influence of any substances and am able to think clearly.
Will the Raven come to bother me at home
I hope that I don't get visited by a symbol of grief and despair that reminds me of my loss.
Calling you, calling you home
I'm trying to reach out to you and bring you back to me, so I can feel whole again.
By the door you said you had to go
You left me by the entrance and told me that you had to depart.
Couldn't help me anymore
You couldn't offer any more assistance or guidance to help me through my struggles.
This I saw coming, long before
I knew that you would leave me and be unable to provide any more support for me a while ago.
So I kept on staring out the window
I remained in one spot gazing outside, hoping to see a glimpse of you returning to me.
I am a natural entertainer, aren't we all
I am a gifted performer by default, as we all have talents and abilities that come to us naturally.
Holding pieces of dying ember
I'm retaining remnants of fading passion and energy that still echo inside me.
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
I'm attempting to recall the names of people I can reach out to for help and support.
Who can I call
Who is available and able to listen to me and offer me strength?
Home, calling you, calling you
In this moment of desperate need and longing, I'm calling out to you and pleading for you to return to my life.
I run a secret propaganda
I'm spreading hidden messages to influence others without their knowledge or consent.
Aren't we all hiding pieces of broken anger
We all have reserves of rage and frustration that we keep concealed from others.
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
I'm attempting to recall the names of people I can reach out to for help and support.
Can I call
Are there any people I can trust and reach out to in my time of need?
Born in a war of opposite attraction
I came into being amidst a conflict of opposing forces and concepts.
It isn't, or is it a natural conception
I'm not certain whether this conception of mine came about naturally or was influenced by external factors.
Torn by the arms in the opposite directions
I'm being pulled in opposing directions by differing values or ideals.
It isn't, or is it a Modernist reaction
I'm unsure if my reactions and beliefs align with those of modernity or with a different movement or era.
Is it like this?
Is this the way things always are?
Is it always the same?
Is this feeling of heartache I'm experiencing a never-ending cycle?
When a heartache begins, is it like this?
Is this the usual way people feel when they start to experience heartbreak?
Do you like this?
Is this the kind of life you want to lead, dominated by heartache?
Will you come back again?
Will you return to me someday in the future, so we can be together again?
Oh, do you like this?
Are you content with how things are in your life right now?
If you change your phone number, will you tell me?
If you alter your contact details, will you inform me so I know how to reach you if needed?
Will you remember my name?
Will I remain present in your mind and memory, even if we are apart physically?
Will you play it again, if you like this?
If you enjoy this song that I've sung for you, will you listen to it again in the future?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hikaru Utada
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tarzzy
Lyrics
All along I was searching for my Lenore
In the words of Mr. Edgar Allan Poe
Now I'm sober and never more
Will the Raven come to bother me at home
Calling you, calling you home
You, calling you, calling you home
By the door you said you had to go
Couldn't help me anymore
This I saw coming, long before
So I kept on staring out the window
Calling you, calling you home
You, calling you, calling you home
I am a natural entertainer, aren't we all
Holding pieces of dying ember
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
Who can I call
Home, calling you, calling you
I run a secret propaganda
Aren't we all hiding pieces of broken anger
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
Can I call
Born in a war of opposite attraction
It isn't, or is it a natural conception
Torn by the arms in the opposite directions
It isn't, or is it a Modernist reaction
Born in a war of opposite attraction
It isn't, or is it a natural conception
Torn by the arms in the opposite directions
It isn't, or is it a Modernist reaction
Is it like this?
Is it always the same?
When a heartache begins, is it like this?
Do you like this?
Is it always the same
Will you come back again?
Do you like this?
Is it always the same?
Will you come back again?
Do you like this?
Oh, do you like this?
Is it like this?
Is it always the same?
If you change your phone number, will you tell me?
Is it like this?
Is it always the same?
When a heartache begins, is it like this?
If you like this
Will you remember my name?
Will you play it again, if you like this?
@user-ul6gt3zm3r
All along I was searching for my Lenore
In the words of Mr. Edgar Allan Poe
Now I'm sober and "Nevermore"
Will the Raven come to bother me at homeCalling you, calling you home
You, calling you, calling you homeBy the door you said you had to go
Couldn't help me anymore
This I saw coming, long before
So I kept on staring out the windowCalling you, calling you home
You, calling you, calling you homeI am a natural entertainer, aren't we all
Holding pieces of dying ember
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
Who can I callHome, calling you, calling youI run a secret propagandaI run a secret propaganda
Aren't we all hiding pieces of broken anger
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
Can I call[Repeat: x2]
Born in a war of opposite attraction
It isn't, or is it a natural conception
Torn by the arms in the opposite directions
It isn't, or is it a Modernist reactionIs it like this
Is it always the same
When a heartache begins, is it like thisDo you like this
Is it always the same
Will you come back againDo you like this
Is it always the same
Will you come back again
Do you like thisDo you like this
Is it like this
Is it always the same
If you change your phone number, will you tell meIs it like this
Is it always the same
When a heartache begins, is it like this
I run a secret propaganda
Aren't we all hiding pieces of broken anger
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
Can I call[Repeat: x2]
Born in a war of opposite attraction
It isn't, or is it a natural conception
Torn by the arms in the opposite directions
It isn't, or is it a Modernist reactionIs it like this
Is it always the same
When a heartache begins, is it like thisDo you like this
Is it always the same
Will you come back againDo you like this
Is it always the same
Will you come back again
Do you like this
Is it like this
Is it always the same
If you change your phone number, will you tell meIs it like this
Is it always the same
When a heartache begins, is it like thisIf you like this
Read more: Hikaru Utada - Kremlin Dusk Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@user-mc8kj8qc6x
貴方のお父さんにに振られたよ！無かった事として…。ダメだね こんなコメントは。人に言ったら終わり。私が。何にも知らないん
だろうな…貴方のお母さんも！貴方のお父さん、魅力的だから
しかもお父さん会社の中で、諦めようとしてる私に、キスするのよ！朝イチから会社の中でディープキス❤
他の女子にもしてたよ！
モテまくり
気が狂いそうだったけど、家では結構優しいお父さん、ご主人様。真面目でエリートで、品が良くって真面目で
貴方のお父さんですよ！
ご主人様ですよ！
人様の不幸なんて願ってるつもり無い…よ
私が招いた事って気が付いてる。
貴方のお父さん、本当、罪作り。無かった事として 屈託のなあ笑顔で
家族の、地区の、会社の、愛される上司、
でもさ！
あんな、口うま過ぎる貴方のお父さん、
本当に好きだったのよ！
私は、
@katej2284
'Aren't we all holding pieces of dying ember?' is one of my fave ever lyrics in a song. So beautiful.
@MrMikkyn
Love this song. There's something so mysterious, dark and intense about this song! Almost industrial sounding, almost drum and bass, and elements of metal, touches of classical harpsichord sounds, and sprinkles of Björk. What a beautiful composition and lyrics.
@rontaviussnipes3021
Amount of passion in this song is scary. Goosebumps every time I hear it.
@OfficialMaryseM
rontavius snipes Yes
@Myrope
Same here
@LL-rj5ow
]l)
@kathrynradonich3982
私もです
@tranbui6310
What a song in 2004! I finally watched her live session, which has About Me and Hotel Lobby! OMG! How can Exodus get better over these years 🥲🥲🥲 Justice for THE EXODUS !!!
@bloodelfreku
Yo. Seriously though, her performing this live is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.
@sorakai28
i loathe you, i WISH i could experience that