Michi (道, lit. "Road") is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Utada Hikaru. It was released on the main Japanese radio stations on September 13, 2016, and digitally on September 16, 2016.[2]
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.[3] 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.[4] 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".[5]
Track listing
All lyrics written by Utada Hikaru; all music composed by Utada Hikaru.
Release history
Region |
Date |
Format |
Japan |
September 13, 2016 (2016-09-13) |
Radio airplay |
September 16, 2016 (2016-09-16) |
PC download |
Charts
|
Certifications
Chart |
Amount |
RIAJ digital downloads[10] |
250,000 (Platinum) |
|
References
- ↑ https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Hikaru_Utada_Michi?id=Bdcqspu2lyqcsdofggwcrzogimm
- ↑ http://aramajapan.com/news/music/newrelease/listen-new-utada-hikaru-single-michi-premiered-on-radio/63975/
- ↑ "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. Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- ↑ "有料音楽配信認定". RIAJ. Retrieved March 24, 2017.