| Utada the Best | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Greatest hits album by | ||||
| Released | November 24, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2004–2009 | |||
| Genre |
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| Length | 68:39 | |||
| Label | Universal Music Japan | |||
| Compiler | Universal Music Japan | |||
| Hikaru Utada chronology | ||||
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Utada the Best is Japanese pop/R&B singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada's first English language compilation album, released on November 24, 2010, the same day as Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 . The album is a "best of" album featuring her more prominent and popular songs from her English career as Utada.
The album was announced via her Japanese Utada site (www.Utada.jp), [1] without much in way of promoting or officially announcing it. It has also been included in various other sources. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] The album is available for sale in Japan only. Utada the Best features both songs from her 2004 album Exodus , and her 2009 album This Is the One , as well as previously-released maxi-CD remixes by various artists. The album features both singles and non-singles from both albums.
The cover of Utada the Best is the same picture for that of her "Exodus '04" single cover.
Utada herself stated that the release of the compilation album is "entirely against [her] will". She also said "I understand that if it doesn't sell I'm the one who will take the hit, but to be honest, I don't want my fans putting down money for something that my heart isn't in." [8] She posted on her official Twitter account: "The release of "Utada the best" is entirely against my will. I wish that my fans won't have to buy it. There's no new material in it." [9] [ non-primary source needed ]
The album sold a total of 20,278 copies, peaking at No. 12 on Oricon charts. This is Utada's overall lowest selling album released in Japan, and is her only album (other than Precious) that did not reach No. 1 on any chart in Japan.[ citation needed ]
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Come Back to Me" (from This Is the One ) | Utada, M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen | 3:58 |
| 2. | "Easy Breezy" (from Exodus ) | Utada | 4:03 |
| 3. | "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence – FYI" (from This Is the One) | Utada, M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen, Ryuichi Sakamoto | 3:49 |
| 4. | "You Make Me Want to Be a Man" (from Exodus) | Utada | 4:37 |
| 5. | "This One (Crying Like a Child)" (from This Is the One) | Utada, M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen | 4:30 |
| 6. | "Exodus '04" (from Exodus) | Utada, Timbaland | 4:32 |
| 7. | "Apple and Cinnamon" (from This Is the One) | Utada, M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen | 4:39 |
| 8. | "Automatic Part II" (from This Is the One) | Utada, C. "Tricky" Stewart, S. Hall | 3:01 |
| 9. | "Devil Inside" (from Exodus) | Utada | 3:58 |
| 10. | "Kremlin Dusk" (from Exodus) | Utada | 5:14 |
| 11. | "Sanctuary (Opening)" (from This Is the One [Bonus Track]) | Utada | 4:25 |
| 12. | "Sanctuary (Ending)" (from This Is the One [Bonus Track]) | Utada | 5:58 |
| 13. | "Exodus '04 (JJ Flores Double J Radio Mix)" (from Exodus '04 [Single]) | Utada, JJ Flores | 3:44 |
| 14. | "Devil Inside (RJD2 Remix)" (from Devil Inside [Single]) | Utada, RJD2 | 4:07 |
| 15. | "Come Back to Me (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Radio Edit)" (from Come Back to Me [Single]) | Utada, M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen | 4:33 |
| 16. | "Dirty Desire (Mike Rizzo Radio Edit)" (from Dirty Desire [Single]) | Utada, Stewart | 3:34 |
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | November 24, 2010 [3] | CD, digital download |
| November 26, 2010 [10] | Rental CD |
Hikaru Utada, who is also known by the mononym Utada, is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter and producer. Born in the United States to Japanese parents, record producer Teruzane Utada and enka singer Keiko Fuji, Utada began to write music and lyrics at an early age and often traveled to Tokyo as a result of her father's job. Eventually, a recording contract with Toshiba-EMI was signed. Under the stage name Cubic U, she released an English-language debut album Precious in early 1998, but it was a commercial failure. In the following year, heavily influenced by R&B and dance-pop, a Japanese-language debut First Love was released and became an immediate success. Backed by the success of singles "Automatic", "Time Will Tell", and "Movin' On Without You", the album sold two million copies in its first week in Japan, topped the Oricon charts for six non-consecutive weeks and went on to sell six million more throughout the rest of 1999. First Love eventually became the country's best-selling album of all time.
First Love is the debut Japanese-language studio album by Japanese-American recording artist Hikaru Utada, released on 10 March 1999 by Toshiba-EMI.
Exodus is the second English language album by Japanese singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada, released on September 8, 2004, by Island Records, under the moniker Utada. After being discovered in North America by Island CEO Lyon Cohen when she contributed to the Rush Hour 2 soundtrack, he was very interested in signing Utada to his record label and she eventually accepted the offer. She traveled to Los Angeles to sign the contract and began recording the studio album straight after her signing. However, during the time frame from 2002 and 2003, Utada was diagnosed with a benign ovarian tumour that needed surgery and treatment. She also married her then-husband Kazuaki Kiriya, which stopped recording temporarily.
A Best is the first greatest hits album by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on March 28, 2001, by Avex Trax and Avex Music Creative Inc.. Hamasaki had originally planned to release the greatest hits album after her 2002 studio album I Am..., but the idea was denied by Avex head staff. Instead, Avex released the album in 2001, which caused conflict between the label and Hamasaki. The compilation was released in two different formats including a physical and a digital release. Seven different artworks were released in several editions of the album. The album includes one new track, three re-recorded tracks, and the rest of previously released singles.
"Passion" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer Hikaru Utada, taken as the fourth single from their studio album Ultra Blue (2006). It premiered on December 14, 2005, in two physical formats and for digital consumption, distributed by EMI Japan and EastWorld. "Passion", alongside its English counterpart "Sanctuary", were used as the national and international theme songs to the Square Enix video game Kingdom Hearts II (2005); the tracks serve as the successors to "Hikari" and its English counterpart, "Simple and Clean", which are found on Kingdom Hearts.
"You Make Me Want to Be a Man" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Utada for her fifth studio album and second English album, Exodus (2004). It was written and produced by Utada, with co-production by her father Teruzane Utada. The track was inspired by her relationship with her husband at the time, Kazuaki Kiriya. Its themes include sexism and understanding each other from a different perspective. "You Make Me Want to Be a Man" premiered on January 1, 2005 as the fourth and final single from the album. Self-described as an electronic and dance-pop song, it contains numerous elements including J-pop and techno.
"Exodus '04" is the 3rd English single by Utada and written by themself and Timbaland. It was released on June 21, 2005. It hit #24 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Airplay chart. Similarly to that of "Devil Inside," no music video was produced.
"Hikari" is a song recorded by Japanese–American recording artist Hikaru Utada for her fourth studio and third Japanese language album, Deep River (2002). It premiered on March 20, 2002 as the third single from the album in Japan. It was written and composed by Utada, whilst production and arrangement was handled by Utada, her father Teruzane Utada, and long-time collaborator Miyake Akira. The single, and a remix by Russell McNamara, was used as the official Japanese theme song for the 2002 action role-playing video game Kingdom Hearts, and appeared on its original soundtrack respectively. Musically, "Hikari" is a pop folk song. Lyrically, it is about mysteries in life and human activities.
"Traveling" is a song recorded by Japanese–American recording artist Hikaru Utada. It was released as the second single from her fourth studio and third Japanese language album, Deep River (2002). The track was written and composed by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, her father Teruzane Utada, and long-time collaborator Akira Miyake. Musically, "Traveling" is a dance-pop song, influenced by house music. Lyrically, it discusses human activities and dreams.
"Wait & See (Risk)" is a song recorded by Japanese–American singer Hikaru Utada for their third studio and second Japanese language album, Distance (2000). It was released on April 19, 2000 as the second single from the album in Japan. It was written and composed by Utada, whilst production and arrangement was handled by Utada and American duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The single also included the two B-side tracks, "Hayatochiri" and "Fly Me to the Moon ", with the former song appearing on the parent album. Musically, "Wait & See (Risk)" is an R&B song, influenced by dance-pop and rock.
"Addicted to You" is a song by Japanese-American recording artist Hikaru Utada from her second studio album Distance (2001). It was released as the album's lead single on September 6, 1999 by EMI Music Japan. "Addicted to You" was written by Utada and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis; this is Utada's first collaboration with American producers and composers. The single artwork was shot by American photographer Richard Avedon and features two black-and-white figures of Utada. Musically, "Addicted to You" is an R&B song.
"Keep Tryin'" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Hikaru Utada for her sixth studio and fourth Japanese album, Ultra Blue (2006). It premiered on February 22, 2006 as the fifth single from the album in Japan. It was written and composed by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, her father Teruzane Utada, and Miyake Akira. It included the B-side track "Wings", which also appeared on the parent album. Musically, "Keep Tryin'" is a pop song with lyrics that contain self-empowerment themes. Upon its release, the track received generally mixed reviews from music critics.
"Kiss & Cry" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Hikaru Utada for their seventh studio and fifth Japanese album, Heart Station (2007). It was written, composed, and arranged by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, their father Teruzane Utada, and Akira Miyake. The single premiered on May 31, 2007 as the third single from the album in Japan. It was re-released as a double A-side single with "Beautiful World", which also appeared on the parent album on August 29 in Japan, and digitally worldwide. Musically, "Kiss & Cry" is an R&B song, influenced by pop and hip-hop music. Lyrically, it discusses both Utada's upbringing and social beliefs between both Western and oriental regions.
Heart Station is the eighth studio and fifth Japanese-language album by Japanese–American recording artist Hikaru Utada. It was released on March 19, 2008 by EMI Music in Japan, and globally on March 26, 2008. It is Utada's eighth consecutive studio album to be fully written and produced by her, with the help of her father Teruzane Utada and long-time collaborator Miyake Akira through the production. Recorded between 2006 and 2008, it was worked on whilst she was recording her ninth studio and second English-language studio album, This Is the One (2009). With the album artwork photographed by Japanese photographer Mitsuo, Heart Station was released in two formats: a physical CD, and as a digital download.
This Is the One is the third English studio album by Japanese American pop singer-songwriter Utada, released by Island Records in the United States digitally on March 24, 2009 and physically on May 12, 2009. The album was originally set to be released in Japan on March 4 but was pushed back to March 14. The album was only released in North America, Japan and some parts of Asia. In Japan, the album topped the Oricon's International Album chart and peaked at number three on the Weekly chart. In the United States, the album peaked at number 69 on the Billboard 200 chart. This Is the One was the supporting album of Utada's 2010 tour Utada: In the Flesh 2010. On December 21, 2009, the "Dirty Desire" remixes were released.
"Automatic" is a song recorded by Japanese–American singer Hikaru Utada, taken as the lead single from her debut album First Love (1999). It was released on December 9, 1998 through Toshiba-EMI in three physical formats: mini CD single, standard-size CD single and 12" vinyl. Additionally, the single included the A-side "Time Will Tell", which originally served as the B-side for these versions. The song was written and co-produced by Utada, while Akira Miyake and the singer's father Teruzane Utada served as producers. Despite working recording in English under the name Cubic U, "Automatic" is Utada's first Japanese recording, and was released after she enrolled into high school in Japan.
Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 is Japanese pop singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada's second compilation album, released on November 24, 2010 by EMI Music Japan, the same day as her Universal-released English language compilation album, Utada the Best. The album includes two discs, with the first being a 13-track greatest hits album spanning 2004–2009, while the second is an extended play featuring new material. Along with Utada the Best, this remained Utada's last album release for six years, until 2016's Fantôme, due to an announced hiatus. Several of the new songs achieved commercial success, with "Goodbye Happiness" reaching number one on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart, and "Can't Wait 'Til Christmas" reaching number one on the Recording Industry Association of Japan's digital track chart. Both songs have been certified by the association as gold records for full-length cellphone downloads.
"Time Will Tell" is a song recorded by Japanese–American singer Hikaru Utada, taken as the lead single from their debut album First Love (1999). It was released on December 9, 1998 through Toshiba-EMI in three physical formats: mini CD single, standard CD single and 12" vinyl. Additionally, the single was originally served as a B-side to "Automatic", but was changed into an A-side. The song was written and co-produced by Utada themself, while Akira Miyake and the singer's father Teruzane Utada served as producers. Despite working recording in English under the name Cubic U, "Time Will Tell" is Utada's first Japanese recording, and was released after they enrolled into high school in Japan.
Fantôme is the sixth Japanese studio album by Japanese–American recording artist Hikaru Utada. Although Utada announced an indefinite hiatus from the public eye in August 2010, she continued writing and composing material with her father, Utada Teruzane, and long-term collaborator, Miyake Akira. 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.
Hatsukoi is the seventh Japanese-language studio album by Japanese–American recording artist Hikaru Utada. It was released on June 27, 2018, as her first album under Sony Music Japan sublabel Epic Records Japan. 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. The five previously-released songs were confirmed in the album track list, for a total of twelve songs, including the title track "Hatsukoi" and the Kingdom Hearts III theme song "Chikai".
