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Hikari (Utada Hikaru)

Single Cover
Artist
Utada Hikaru
Single
Hikari (光; Light)
Released
2002.03.20
Catalog Number
TOCT-4361
Price
¥1,100
Tracklist
  1. Hikari (光; Light)
  2. Hikari -PLANITb Remix- (光)
  3. Hikari -Godson Mix- (光)
  4. Hikari -Original Karaoke- (光)

Digital Cover
Artist
Utada Hikaru
Digital Single
Hikari (Ray Of Hope MIX) (光)
Released
2017.01.11
Price
¥750
Tracklist
  1. Hikari (Ray Of Hope MIX) (光)
  2. Simple And Clean (Ray Of Hope MIX)
  3. Hikari (P's CLUB MIX)
  4. Simple And Clean (P's CLUB MIX)


Information

"Hikari" is Utada Hikaru's 10th single. "Hikari" was used as the theme song for the Japanese-language release of the game Kingdom Hearts. The English version of the song, "Simple And Clean", is well-known to English-speakers due to its use in the English-language releases of Kingdom Hearts. "Hikari" reached #1 on Oricon charts and charted for 13 weeks. It became the #10 best selling single of 2002 in Japan. This single, as well as "FINAL DISTANCE" and "SAKURA Drops / Letters", strangely did not chart in the world charts in either airplay nor sales. In total the single sold and excess of 598,000 units.

"Hikari (Ray Of Hope MIX)" was released as her twelfth Japanese digital single on January 11, 2017. It was used as the theme song for the PS4 game Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue. It debuted at #1 and #2 on the Itunes Japan and Itunes US albums chart, respectively.


Song Information

Lyrics
Utada Hikaru
Music
Utada Hikaru
Other Information
Arrangement: Utada Hikaru and Kawano Kei
Recording: Ugajin Masaaki at Bunkamura Studio, Tokyo
Keyboards and Programming: Kawano Kei
Synthesizer Programming: Tsunemi Kazuhide
Acoustic Guitar: Akiyama Hironori

Lyrics

"Hikari" contains English lyrics that are not listed the booklet. They are: "When you turn my way; take it all away", sung during the second verse.

Music Video

The music video for "Hikari" was directed by Kiriya Kazuaki. The PV is simply shot, only featuring Utada washing dishes in a single take. Originally, a larger production was planned, but due to scheduling conflicts, and simpler PV needed to be recorded.

Disambiguation

There are six versions of "Hikari" to be found in Utada's discography. Note that these do not include versions of "Simple And Clean". These different versions are:

Hikari
Found on the "Hikari" single as track #1, on DEEP RIVER as track #12, and on Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1 album as track #12.
Hikari (PLANITb Remix)
Found on the "Hikari" single as track #2. This is a fast paced dance style remix of "Hikari".
Hikari (Godson mix)
Found on the "Hikari" single as track #3. This remix is more laid back than the standard version.
Hikari (Original Karaoke)
Found on the "Hikari" single as track #4. This is the standard version of the song without Utada's singing.
Hikari (Ray Of Hope MIX)
Found on the "Hikari (Ray Of Hope MIX)" digital single as track #1. This remix was done by DJ PUNPEE.
Hikari (P's CLUB MIX)
Found on the "Hikari (Ray Of Hope MIX)" digital single as track #3. This is a remix version of the song done by DJ PUNPEE.
Hikari (Budokan Live)
Found on the Utada Hikaru in Budokan 2004 - Hikaru no 5 DVD concert as track #1. The arrangement is similar to the standard version of the song. The performance was also used as a music video on some TV stations.
Hikari (Utada United Live)
Found on UTADA UNITED 2006 as track #21. It is sung in the encore, and features extra adlibbing at of the song. The rest of the arrangement is similar to the standard version of the song, with a few added instruments.

Oricon Chart Positions

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Week Rank Sales
- x x x x x x 1 270,370
x x x x x x x 1 107,670
x x x x x x x 1 64,290
x x x x x x x 3 40,730
x x x x x x x 5 33,000
x x x x x x x 13 23,540
x x x x x x x 8 22,060
x x x x x x x 13 15,990
x x x x x x x 23 7,770
x x x x x x x 47 5,420
x x x x x x x 75 2,750
x x x x x x x 78 2,470
x x x x x x x 92 2,070

Total Reported Sales: 598,130

External Links