Michi (Hikaru Utada song)
"Michi" (道, lit. "Road") is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada. It was released on the main Japanese radio stations on September 13, 2016, and digitally on September 16, 2016.[1]
"Michi" | ||||
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Single by Hikaru Utada | ||||
from the album Fantôme | ||||
Released | September 16, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2016 | |||
Genre | J-pop, Dance | |||
Length | 3:36 | |||
Label | Universal Music Japan | |||
Songwriter(s) | Hikaru Utada | |||
Producer(s) | Hikaru Utada | |||
Hikaru Utada singles chronology | ||||
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Background and composition
"Michi" is an up-tempo J-pop song with an arrangement made entirely out of electronic synthesizers and drums. Apart from a few anglicisms and three lines in its chorus, it is completely in Japanese. It features an optimistic melody, while its lyrics talk about the singer walking a "lonely road", even though she couldn't feel completely alone, as the memory of the person she lost is still with her and guiding her through dark times.[2] In an interview, she explained that it is a "danceable" song, meant to "reiterate that she is doing okay" after the loss of her mother Keiko Fuji to suicide in 2013.[3] Bradley Stern from pop music website MuuMuse found "Michi" surprising, compared to the more "muted tone" of the previously released singles from Fantôme; instead playing like "a continuation of 2010's "Goodbye Happiness", even down to similar-sounding melodies".[4]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Hikaru Utada; all music is composed by Hikaru Utada
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Michi (道)" | 3:35 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format |
---|---|---|
Japan | September 13, 2016 | Radio airplay |
September 16, 2016 | PC download |
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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References
- "First Listen: Utada Hikaru's New Single "Michi" Premieres on the Radio". September 13, 2016.
- "Michi – Road" (in Japanese). Animelyrics. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- "「私という存在は母から始まったんだから」宇多田ヒカル、待望のニューアルバム『Fantome』をリリース". Yahoo. September 2, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ""Lonely, But Not Alone": Walking the Road With Utada Hikaru". MuuMuse. September 13, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard Japan. October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
- "Japan Top Radio Songs Chart" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. October 10, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- "Japan Billboard Hot 100-year-end chart 2016". Billboard Japan. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
- "AKB48 and Justin Bieber Top Billboard Japan's Year-End Charts". Billboard. December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- "有料音楽配信認定". RIAJ. Retrieved March 24, 2017.