She had composed and recorded her first Japanese-language song by the age of 11 and her first album in English by 13. What stood out to the few who heard the album was what an accomplished composer Utada was. A Toshiba-EMI executive approached the singer to see if she could write her pop songs in Japanese. She could, of course, and her Japanese-language debut album, First Love, hit number one on the Japanese charts during its first week of release, breaking the record for first-week sales of a debut album, and has sold nine million copies since its release in 1999.
One Japanese-language platinum-selling album after another followed and the Japanese press took note of Utada's unique style, influenced by the alternative rock from America. Academics kept her away from doing many interviews, and her mystique grew as a result. In 2004 she announced she was moving to the Island-Universal Music Japan label and recording an English-language album. Her single "Exodus 04" became a heartbreaker for her solid fan base when her lyrics were taken as a goodbye to Japan.
The album Exodus was released in Japan on September 8, 2004, and Utada now held the record for largest-ever one-day shipment of an English-language album by doubling Mariah Carey's previous record of 500,000. The album mixed wistful pop and sparkling dance music and featured producer Timbaland and Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore. American J-pop fans were aware of her for years, but Utada got her first mainstream U.S. exposure when the "Devil Inside" single appeared in September 2004 with Rjd2, the Scumfrog, and Richard Vission handling the remixes. Exodus received its American release on Island in October of the same year.
Written by David Jeffries
Traveling
Utada Hikaru 宇多田光 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
The song "Traveling" by Utada Hikaru is a Japanese pop song released in 2001. The lyrics of the song depict the singer's excitement and exhilaration as they travel with their beloved one. The singer's aim is to spend quality time with their lover as they explore the world together. They are in a taxi, and the city's bustling weekend activity inspires them as the wind pushes past them. The singer admires their partner's light-heartedness and the joy that their relationship brings them as they ride alongside each other.
The song's verses are rhythmic, and the spoken part of the taxi driver adds to the story that the song tells. As the song progresses, the lyrics encourage spontaneity and the sense of being uncertain about the destination. The singer wants to move forward, to explore more, and for the journey to never stop. They express this sentiment when they sing "Traveling, traveling, I want to shake more, I feel a compulsion to break it." Overall, the song tells of newfound love and the thrill that accompanies traveling to various destinations with someone you love.
Line by Line Meaning
仕事にも精が出る 金曜の午後
On a Friday afternoon, I'm so invigorated that even work seems enjoyable.
タクシーもすぐつかまる (飛び乗る)
I can easily hail a taxi (even jump in one) without waiting too long.
目指すは君
My destination is you.
「どちらまで行かれます?」
The driver asks me, 'Where can I take you?'
ちょっとそこまで
Just a little ahead.
「不景気で困ります (閉めます)
The driver says, 'It's tough times with the recession (please close the door).'
ドアに注意」
Be careful of the door.
風にまたぎ 月へ登り
Crossing the wind, climbing up towards the moon.
僕の席は君の隣り
My seat is next to yours.
ふいに我に返り クラリ
Suddenly, I come back to myself, clear.
春の夜の夢のごとし
Like a spring night's dream.
Traveling 君を traveling 乗せて
Traveling, carrying you.
アスファルトを照らすよ
Shining on 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, even if it's far.
Traveling もっと traveling 揺らせ
Traveling, shake more.
壊したくなる衝動
A desire to break things.
Traveling もっと traveling 飛ばせ
Traveling, fly more.
急ぐことはないけど
There's no need to hurry, though.
聞かせたい歌がある
I have 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 stimulated, 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
Because of our youth, we're quick to look away.
風の前の塵に同じ
Just like dust in the wind.
Traveling 胸を traveling 寄せて
Traveling, bringing our hearts closer.
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
In a mode where we're not afraid of anything.
Traveling ここで traveling いいよ
Traveling, here is fine.
全ては気分次第
It all depends on our mood.
みんな躍り出す時間だ
It's time for everyone to dance and come alive.
待ちきれず今夜 隠れてた願いがうずきます
Unable to wait any longer, my hidden wish begins to stir tonight.
みんな盛り上がる時間だ
It's a time for everyone to celebrate and have fun.
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 bit of unease remains.
Can you take me up? You look quite good
Can you lift me up? You look pretty good.
Can you keep it up? I would like to
Can you keep going? I want to keep going as well.
Traveling, traveling
Traveling, traveling.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hikaru Utada
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shio Suzuki
@Ethan Wang
Thank you for uploading the marvellous video! I am delighted to
watch it. I do not remember how many times I repeated it.
So, this is about transcription of the beginning part of her talking. What do you think like this?;
◇ みんなーっ！⇒ Hey guys!
◇ 待たせてごめん！ ⇒ Sorry to
keep you waiting!
I have been also enjoying other videos of her you have uploaded
for us.
Thank you again.(^_^)
Takashi Nishimoto
4:54
ここの繋ぎはマジ鳥肌ものだけど
たった2音鳴っただけで次の曲がCOLORSだと分かって
すぐに歓声が上がるのもすごい。
a
それだけ印象深いイントロということですよねー 凄いです
Vast
Both arrangements are superb! I can only think of high points: Traveling sounds up to date, like it was produced recently, the reaction of the concert goers when she mentioned Makuhari Messe was priceless, the transition to Colors was so [I have no words for its beauty], and I didn't think it was possible, but Colors just became more emotional; I am overwhelmed, it's crazy!
When she greets everyone at the start, I think she said "登場" instead of ”大丈夫”. Not sure too, I'm still learning (:
Thank you very much for the video!
CLONDONH
@Ethan Wang Hey Ethan, No~~ no need to apologize at all~ LOL It's just something I noticed so just sharing some ideas. It's all good and thanks for responding :)
Ethan Wang
@CLONDONH yeah, I've corrected with CC before. Sorry about the wrong subtitles for you guys again:(
CLONDONH
that part was not too clear. I heard "今日は燃えちゃおう〜" (something that could be roughly translated as "let's go crazy"?) I'm not entirely sure though coz the music started as she spoke. Nonetheless, love this performance and the energy from the fans! Just love Hikki so much. Yea, and also thanks for the video @ Ethan Wang!
にぶるすにぶるす
これを生バンドでやるってすごい
歌い方は変わっても音程の安定感はマジで抜群
赤羽のぶ子
ヒッキ－やはり天才
Lexus LC500
I've been listening to her songs for two decades, and she's still singing and looking as beautiful as two decades ago. Amazing!
豊川菜々美
ろち