[Utada Hikaru] ♥Passion♥ The 22nd Thread of Utada Hikaru

[norain]

Originally Posted by Yoo Bin

If she didn't add S&C on Exodus, what in the world makes people think she's gonna add it on this album?! People srsly need to give up on the idea of it being on this album or any other album. Besides, they both had album support. S&C was on Colors/KH1 sountracks while Sanctuary was on KH2. I srsly doubt she'll put those songs on her album. =/

That's because Simple and Clean is under EMI's label. While Sanctuary has not had a proper release at all because it is under Island Def Jam's label. The only song she could put on the album is Sanctuary. I'm sure she would, it hasn't had a proper release. Though, maybe it's bonus...who knows...

I say it needs a proper release. The after the battle version hasn't received a proper release either.

[CoriKaru]

"Utada come back to me!
Bring me your Japanese!
Some English with quality!
Your song is one in a million of other Generic R&B Ballad Songs!"

Sorry, that just came out of me without thought yesterday when I first heard this song. Made me laugh.

So let's see. A lot of what I think about this song has already been said and I don't want to bring down the spirit that much because I'm glad others actually are going bat crazy over this.

Here's my issue. I'm not disappointed because this is exactly what I expected. I wasn't looking forward to her english work in general, although my excitement started picking up a little bit recently and is still on a rise. As soon as I saw the title of this song, I had a nice guess of the kind of song it would be.

The song is ordinary. It's too mainstream. So mainstream it's kind of boring and I fear America won't even pay attention to it. Not because they can't relate and because it will go over their heads as Exodus may have done but because I'd like to give America a little more credit than it seems to be getting. I don't think Americans are going to simply eat up a song b/c it sounds American and not Asian. It also has to be good, capturing, alluring. It doesn't hurt to have one liners as well. That can be a very important thing for newcomers to have, something that sticks with audiences, something catchy, A HOOK (that's the word I was looking for). More so in faster dancier songs so it doesn't apply as much in this case but it couldn't of hurt being that this song has NONE.

Even though it's not EXODUS-esque, it doesn't have her Japanese flare either. Upon first listen, I disliked the song. I didn't hate it, I didn't turn away in disgust. I simply heard it. Was like yeah this turned out as expected and I'm not crazy about it. I definitely hope this isn't representative of the rest of her Album as a whole.

As with some of her other songs that have grown on me with repeated listens, I decided to rush and force the process this time around. So I brought up the song on YouTube and listened to it throughout the day and as expected it has grown on me. My opinions haven't changed but I like it a little bit more. I still believe it should have been so much more though.

As for the lyrics. They suck. The "One in a million" line makes me cringe. It's like every cliche song from the 90's. The repeated echoed lyrics in the verses make me tremble in fear. The chorus is terribly EMPTY. The beginning overly dramatic piano part needs to disappear. So out of place and is featured in every Horror Film ever made in Black & White. Ugh.

I do like Utada's voice in this song so my next observation isn't a negative, just an observation. Her voice in english sounds different in her music as it does in her regular speech (as can be expected and we're probably all aware of by now). Especialy during the chorus when she sings "ME!" during "come back to ME!". It doesn't carry out her normal "strength" I guess. It begins strong and normal and at the end turns into something else. It's still okay, but it's lesser than how she usually emphasizes her words if that makes any sense. And the sound "ME" exists in the Japanese language as "MI" so language has nothing to do with what I'm talking about in this instance.

Sorry, seems I did bog it down a bit. Well as for what I do like. I'm glad to say she did do a few special things in this song that reminds me how she plays with melodies in Japanese. During the verses at the end of her lines such as "don't want to be alone" and "Leave her alone", I like how she sings those parts and I like the bridge, especially how she sings "Baby take it easy on me". That's like the best sounding part to me in the song. Definitely need more of that. But the bridge kind of surprised me. It could have gone either way and it definitely went the RIGHT way. Made the song a little better.

And I like the ending "Na na na naaaa." People have been saying "La la la la laaa", but I've been thinking it was "Na." I could be wrong but that's what I hear. I'll listen again to make sure though.

So yeah. Also about the lyrics. As I stated, they suck. I hope Utada didn't write them. This is all.

[KarenPang]

Originally Posted by Yoo Bin

I would've never caught that. lol Thank you. I was listening to show girl when I was typing that post...or was it another song? o=

ok

Originally Posted by Kaiouforever

Ugh I caved and listened to the song. AND I LOVE IT.

It's also very radio friendly. I wonder if it'll make the hot 100?

not sure . I just hope that this time round she will get more promo for her new album

she virtually got zlich when EXODUS was put out

[haikudasai]

Originally Posted by Akutenshi

Agreed. I seriously hate this "music elitist" attitude Americans who ONLY listen to J-Pop seem to have. It's like, to them, anything in English = horrible music taste. Get over yourselves, and give REAL reasons as to why you might not like the song.

Another thing, I really don't get why people think she has to be "OMG deep" 100% of the time. Uh, she's human like the rest of us, and I'm pretty sure all of us aren't deep all the time. So neither is she.

I agree with you regarding the elitist who write of American music in an instance.

That being said, to compare her English music with her Japanese music is bound to happen. The quality of the production for her Japanese music has something of individualism; it’s her nook that she's grown comfortable in.

It's possible that she's trying to find another for her English career and to not just put out English versions. I just feel that with her being musically inclined this song choice feels rather dry.

The song is forgettable.

It sounds like Paula DeAnda. If you don't know her she's a painfully generic pop singer for cholas and preteens.

[kang daesung]

^Who?

Anyway, I wish the people who are complaining how this song isn't like her Japanese stuff would just shut up. Nobody in their right mind would release ANY of her Japanese stuff (with English vocals of course) in the States right now. Can you imagine how badly "Flavor of Life" or "Stay Gold" would do here?

People need to get over it. The stuff that sells in Japan just doesn't sell in the States. This song is generic, but it's got a killer hook. It's got A+ production and excellent melodies that will hook people in instantly.

"Simple & Clean" or "Sanctuary" would flop so hard in the States outside of the manga-obsessed loser weeabo community, so I don't understand why people want her to debut with music like that. It just isn't going to happen and everyone needs to get over it

[Re:★]

Originally Posted by kang daesung

^Who?

Anyway, I wish the people who are complaining how this song isn't like her Japanese stuff would just shut up. Nobody in their right mind would release ANY of her Japanese stuff (with English vocals of course) in the States right now. Can you imagine how badly "Flavor of Life" or "Stay Gold" would do here?

People need to get over it. The stuff that sells in Japan just doesn't sell in the States. This song is generic, but it's got a killer hook. It's got A+ production and excellent melodies that will hook people in instantly.

"Simple & Clean" or "Sanctuary" would flop so hard in the States outside of the manga-obsessed loser weeabo community, so I don't understand why people want her to debut with music like that. It just isn't going to happen and everyone needs to get over it

ITA.

[dreamcrushed]

Anyway, I wish the people who are complaining how this song isn't like her Japanese stuff would just shut up. Nobody in their right mind would release ANY of her Japanese stuff (with English vocals of course) in the States right now. Can you imagine how badly "Flavor of Life" or "Stay Gold" would do here?

I wish they would shut up too, but for a different reason: she has clearly stated that Utada and Utada Hikaru are different artists. People who haven't caught on by now must be retarded. Even up 'til a couple of days ago, I read a post somewhere that wished it would be "more Hikki and less Utada". Well, if she wanted to do this, she would just release it all under Utada Hikaru. Obviously. Some people will never get it.

People need to get over it. The stuff that sells in Japan just doesn't sell in the States. This song is generic, but it's got a killer hook. It's got A+ production and excellent melodies that will hook people in instantly.

That didn't stop IDJ from OKing and releasing Exodus. I agree that the song is generic and has a killer hook (I've had it on repeat since it was made available), but it's only because StarGate got their untalented hands on it (most likely). This song would be way less generic if Utada had arranged it herself. It reeks of ***tastic StarGate production (tinny drums, stupid electric guitar, strings and synth you can barely hear). I can say as a fact that Utada is a better producer than they will ever be. StarGate has been the biggest contributor to this same sound you hear all over the radio. Most of the insanely popular songs people regard as "mainstream crap" for the past two years or so has been provided by them. I'm actually really angry she produced even one track with them because her work is so much better than anything they have done or ever will do. I hope they stayed far the **** away from the rest of the tracks (and yes, this includes Apples and Cinnamon, which I was actually partially excited about despite its having anything to do with StarGate -- now I just get really anxious if I even see the title). Have you read her MUSICA mag interview? She talks a lot about her thoughts on the direction the second album and her experience making Exodus. You all should read it if you want to understand what's gonna come next.

"Simple & Clean" or "Sanctuary" would flop so hard in the States outside of the manga-obsessed loser weeabo community, so I don't understand why people want her to debut with music like that. It just isn't going to happen and everyone needs to get over it

FINALLY, SOMEONE SAYS IT (and I think YooBin concurred). I registered a few days ago just to lurk (like I did before), but this post made me actually want to contribute here. Besides the fact that both would flop incredibly hard, both songs are clearly inferior to the recent work she's done.

Oh, and much love to the people who pointed out that many of the same people complaining about the song wouldn't utter a peep if it were in Japanese! So true.

[[kokoro♥]]

Originally Posted by kang daesung

^Who?

Anyway, I wish the people who are complaining how this song isn't like her Japanese stuff would just shut up. Nobody in their right mind would release ANY of her Japanese stuff (with English vocals of course) in the States right now. Can you imagine how badly "Flavor of Life" or "Stay Gold" would do here?

People need to get over it. The stuff that sells in Japan just doesn't sell in the States. This song is generic, but it's got a killer hook. It's got A+ production and excellent melodies that will hook people in instantly.

"Simple & Clean" or "Sanctuary" would flop so hard in the States outside of the manga-obsessed loser weeabo community, so I don't understand why people want her to debut with music like that. It just isn't going to happen and everyone needs to get over it

[Yum!Fruit_Salad!]

Just has CoriKaru has said, the first time I heard "Come Back to Me", I heard the song. There was no feeling or emotion. My only thought was how true the Mariah Carey comparsion was. I don't see a high position or chart play for this song but some modest success.
Regarding the lyrics, I think she is being more straight forward then anthing else. Even looking at them that way, the 'one in a million' line really pushes it.

[Polyrhythm]

I liked it. @_@ Its definitley not one of Utada's more creative works but its DIFFERENT from what she usually do....you cant expect her to do something like traveling for example in the U.S...its just absurd. Anyway....I wish...wish that she would release an English version of First Love lol....that song....instant classic no matter in what language.

[GRACE]

English album on CDJapan:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=UICL-1088

[Sundae]

I liked it when I first heard it but now I don't want to hear the song anymore. I'm tired of it. I usually like songs like this, but it doesn't have the charm to make me love it to death. Maybe because it's a song about cheating and I'm not a fan of that type of songs. Something in me just doesn't vibe with the song.

[KarenPang]

Originally Posted by GRACE

English album on CDJapan:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=UICL-1088

thanks GRACE

so is her upcoming Eng album considered her 2nd or 3rd ?

I think it's 2nd isn't it since Precious was released under her stagename Cubic U

[Beauty4123]

probbably 2nd, since yea, "precious" wasn't really "official", i guess and it was under a different stage name, so yup

[Sundae]

So the album drops on March 4. The song debuts on the radio Feb 10 and hopefully a music video before both dates. Is that enough time to promote the album in the US? If they promote well and the song does make a difference with listeners maybe.

[KarenPang]

Originally Posted by Beauty4123

probbably 2nd, since yea, "precious" wasn't really "official", i guess and it was under a different stage name, so yup

ok then since Precious was released under Cubic U & then EXODUS was under Utada

Originally Posted by Sundae

So the album drops on March 4. The song debuts on the radio Feb 10 and hopefully a music video before both dates. Is that enough time to promote the album in the US? If they promote well and the song does make a difference with listeners maybe.

I just hope it will get much better promo than EXODUS

[AyUta]

Originally Posted by Sundae

So the album drops on March 4. The song debuts on the radio Feb 10 and hopefully a music video before both dates. Is that enough time to promote the album in the US? If they promote well and the song does make a difference with listeners maybe.

If she does get decent promo, then this will get her somewhere. Especially if 94.9 airs this song.

[Yum!Fruit_Salad!]

Is 94.9 the only station to air the song? Or are other stations gonna play "Come Back To Me"?

[AyUta]

There are definitely going to be other stations that will air this song Although we don't know if 94.9 will be one of them. Hopefully though, that would give her a huge boost. I believe they will though, if stargate really did make the song.

[njanjayrp]

Originally Posted by kang daesung

^Who?

Anyway, I wish the people who are complaining how this song isn't like her Japanese stuff would just shut up. Nobody in their right mind would release ANY of her Japanese stuff (with English vocals of course) in the States right now. Can you imagine how badly "Flavor of Life" or "Stay Gold" would do here?

People need to get over it. The stuff that sells in Japan just doesn't sell in the States. This song is generic, but it's got a killer hook. It's got A+ production and excellent melodies that will hook people in instantly.

"Simple & Clean" or "Sanctuary" would flop so hard in the States outside of the manga-obsessed loser weeabo community, so I don't understand why people want her to debut with music like that. It just isn't going to happen and everyone needs to get over it

LOL are you for REAL? A+ production, with little knowledge you could produce this crap at home. And this song won't do any better than Sanctuary would as it doesn't stick out as it sounds generic and exactly like every other RnB ballad released in the states and there are way too many songs like these. Maybe those people actually care for her music more than for her potential success and fame..