Old Composer Reacts to Hikaru Utada Simple and Clean

[@BROKENMAN1981]

She sings it in English and Japanese. Both versions are phenomenal!

[@emmanuelperez5741]

I did not know that, damn that's boss

[@ALeafOnTheWind42]

@@emmanuelperez5741 She's native in both languages. Her parents are Japanese citizens, but she was born in New York and lived in the US until she was... 15, I think

[@FlapNasty3]

@@emmanuelperez5741if you’re curious, the other version is called Passion. Hope you enjoy it. 😊

[@zineverdejando1906]

@@FlapNasty3 actually the other version of this song is called "Hikari".

[@iro6549]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d52wlXemirx5fKssi=JBiIV8dgJ6OTYYxx

[@tasogarerubica]

Utada is an once in a lifetime kinda singer in my opinion. Their upbringing, education at an international school, their mother also being a singer, their commitment towards their craft, the stars and planet had to have aligned for some one like Utada Hikaru to bless us in our lifetime

[@JungleCatRico]

She is indeed great

[@justincider8892]

Why do you keep saying their? It's a single person you're talking about. Also, I don't get what you mean by once in a lifetime. There are a lot of amazing vocalists.

[@tasogarerubica]

@@justincider8892 It's due to Utada considering themselves as non-binary.

[@JungleCatRico]

@@tasogarerubica And most people find that stuff insane so they don't really acknowledge it.

[@L33PL4Y]

@@tasogarerubica It doesn't really matter what someone "considers themselves" to be. I can't "consider myself" to be non-racial...I'm a white guy. That's a fact and it's unchangeable. Utada is a woman whether she likes it or not. Pretending not to be what you are doesn't change what you are.

[@lakalister]

This song still gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. That cutscene in the first game with this in the background and Sora & Kariri.......was so significant to my younger years

[@Seraphima249]

That had me in tears when i was 13 years old and it makes me cry 20 years later still! :'(

[@siritalis4956]

Big same to all of that lol

[@GroovusGoonicus-nb5op]

Dude it was such a surprising mix of happy and sad at the end of a journey like that. Super impactful. The kh2 ending with the After The Battle version of Sanctuary still hits me harder tho

[@rooscanbulat6107]

as a kid I never thought the song fit the game lol. Love the game, love the song, just dont think the song matches the game XD.

[@siritalis4956]

@@rooscanbulat6107 Agreed. Hikari's lyrics probably fit a little bit better

[@felixtkatt]

I'm still here. I sincerely hope that 1) this doesn't get a copyright strike, and 2) you're able to review her song Sanctuary from KH2. Just as, if not more, phenomenal -- in both languages!

[@thend4427]

I love sanctuary

[@hanksilman4016]

Opening and Closing, closing is on another level but needs the context of the original.

[@NuniPikachu]

For sure! Sanctuary is beautiful

[@GroovusGoonicus-nb5op]

I still listen to After the Battle version after getting through hard work to relax myself

[@Jerry_TheFitnessMessiah]

Like 10 days ago I bought this song on the ITunes Store. Jam it daily now 😂🎉

[@AnaPradosA]

Careful with this song. it an almost guaranteed copyright strike. Most kingdom heart gamers who stream, mute it because of it.

[@jettbezos8074]

You mean any song out of japan

[@thend4427]

No copyright yet

[@Wolvenworks]

@@jettbezos8074last i checked, Koei Tecmo is more than happy for ppl to spread the love for Musou games.

[@elcapitangaming1725]

On goooooood!!! Kingdom hearts don’t play!

[@tessademsky1156]

I'm wondering if the copyright doesn't apply if the the song is the subject matter of analysis like it is here as opposed to being used to enrich an aspect of the production therefore adding value to the media without purchasing the license or rights to do so.

[@kioko696]

Hikki is super talented. She doesn't even consider herself just a singer anymore. She recently said in an interview that she spends a lot more time composing, writing and arranging than singing.

[@JenovaGirzz]

I remember the last time I got a Hikki

[@lucapeyrefitte6899]

I would go to a concert if she came back to the US, I really hope she does

[@Soccerjakob]

Such a great song. The sound is so synonymous with the games that just hearing a single line is enough to get lost in memory

[@drointhewind480]

I remember when Kingdom hearts came out, no right to be so good

[@jamst5913]

The reason I love this song personally is because of how strong and sweeping her voice is. The instruments and everything else take a very nice back layer. This is a song for a SINGER and she sounds amazing

[@sneezyfido]

This is my first time hearing it. It is exactly as you say. Wow.

[@KitsyX]

If I remember correctly, Utada Hikaru (I think in the Japanese tradition of having the family name first) released her first album around the age of 14 or 15 maybe, under the name Cubic U, in the US... She became really big in Japan, then probably gained a lot of her popularity in the West via this song, featured in Kingdom Hearts. She is Bilingual, mostly releasing in Japanese because of her popularity in Japan, but has some English language albums too... Her early stuff is maybe a bit more 90s pop/RnB, but some of her later stuff gets a little more weird and experimental, yet remaining generally quite pop... I'm not sure exactly how to describe it... But yeah, I think she has a lot of cool music.

[@timelink3315]

I remember hearing this song as a kid back when Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories was new and they played this song for the commercials. This song was like nothing I heard before, so beautiful. I would always try to catch the commercial so I could hear it again and later bought the game mostly because of the song.

[@bEnderOfWorlds]

I remember playing Kingdom Hearts long ago and listening to this song on repeat. I and my group of friends were listening to Ill Nino, Otep, Tool, Deftones, etc.. and I got so much shit for liking this song. Eventually we all grew apart but this Utada song has stuck with me and helped bring a different sound into my life. I am so psyched to see you listen to this one!

[@JohnnyD10055]

It's really fun to listen to the recorded version, then immediately listen to the Kingdom Hearts intro afterwards. So different, and both so great.

[@ColbyCadwell]

This song literally got me (back) into gaming. After putting away my kids toys (nes, snes, etc) and running the streets and young adult life i finally had some kids n settled down in the early 2000s. My kids were entering video game age (5-8) when i saw this disney commerical on tv n went out to buy a ps2 and KH1…. 20 years later, im still gaming in my 40s lol.

[@UtadaHikaruPH]

Utada Hikaru fan community here from the Philippines. Thank you so much for reacting to this song. Your reaction to PINK BLOOD was also amazing. We just wish you also listened to "Hikari", which is the Japanese version of the song and the intended version of the song. For context, Utada Hikaru had to use a different melody for the first part of the chorus (which is the same melody as her other song called Uso Mitai na I Love You and you might like that as well because it is pop rock) because she was having hard time laying down English lyrics to the original melody line. The Japanese version also has more variations of the chorus and so they have a different kind of feel to them. We think that you might find them interesting as well as much as they are to us. Anyway, we are already seeing people requesting for you to review her other song "Sanctuary" as well. Just so in case that you'd end up doing so (and we really hope that you do), please please please listen to its Japanese version as well, which is "Passion". The Japanese version even includes a verse that is not included in Sanctuary so it would have been such a missed opportunity.

[@smlemk42]

BTW, Hikki is singing the theme song for a Japanese historical movie call Kingdom about a Chinese general from the warring states (400 BCE) coming out this on 7/28/23. Sounded pretty good. again, her trademark complex mix was used for that theme song as well.

[@shiftsync9988]

I love your breakdown of songs. Everytime I discover something new in songs I've heard hunderds of times thanks to you. Many kudos!

[@azurepulse1870]

The Planet B Remix version of this song is a more upbeat version that was featured in TV commercials for the game and it's definitely an interesting and popular version of the song.

[@maarakmehdi5294]

My childhood, my Idol, my CRUSH ! I just love UTADA HIKARU

[@hikkipedia]

I love your Utada reviews! This is the same artist that did "Pink Blood" which you reacted to previously. Your deconstruction of the production is very insightful. I also love that you said the production is current, while this song is now 21 years old lol! Utada's songs tend to sound very classic and timeless no matter what year they came out.

[@siritalis4956]

I would love for you to do more Utada. They became so many people's favorite artist after we discovered Simple and Clean from Kingdom Hearts 20 years ago

[@44.caliberbrainsurgery63]

This song just immediately elicits an emotional response from me. It takes me back to the early 2000s when the commercials first started airing for Kingdom Hearts. Before I even played the game, I remember the cinematics paired with this song would make me pretty emotional. It's also when my love of JRPGs was born.

[@krasmazov009]

Me 13 years old crying at the end of the game with this song playing and my mom confused as shit on what's going on.

[@Noone-ue6xo]

even as someone who played most of kingdom hearts games, I can relate to your mom quite a lot 😂❤

[@laplumemobile]

Haven't even started watching yet and I'm tearing up. Just something about her voice

[@dstasiw8719]

I love this song. I liked it when I heard the remix version played in the intro of Kingdom Hearts and loved it when this version played during the credits. At the time it blew my mind how two fit so well and felt so different from each other.

[@bassix-vu5qd]

Everytime I listen to this and any other KH opening I get goosebumps

[@Ratchetfan321]

Personally would like seeing your reactions to the evolution of the song with its remixes that came later also sanctuary of course.

[@pitipuziko3555]

I am more a fan of Japanese version, also by her (titled 'Hikari', i.e. 'Light'). Do love lyrics. There is also a great live ochrestra version of Hikari + Dearly Beloved (it is nine y.o. YT video titled 【2014 巴哈姆特 LIVE！】VGO Live at Symphony Hall - Dearly Beloved & Hikari ). Great stuff! KH fans probably all know about it, but I am not a KH fan, so it is just a suggestion to everyone who is also not.

[@ningmengcha]

This will be a forever banger

[@Meerk0_0]

Love the video! The orchestral arrangement of this track is also amazing in my opinion.

[@volvulusx5043]

This song holds up so well after 20+ years. It's always going to be instantly nostalgic for me. I love how soulful and intricate the vocal layers and "embellishments" are all throughout. Also what would you call the sound that accompanies the start of every chorus, including the very beginning?

[@drointhewind480]

I love this channel lol the community is so wholesome. I would love if you can get some more of your buddies to review togethwr

[@dehmvm]

I love this song so much! And it's really nice to hear it in a new way thanks to you :)

[@Helloo32]

Oh my gosh Im so happy you are covering this song

[@luxiaxiii3517]

Pink blood makes me cry every dang time i hear it because her voice is so dang beautiful i just close my eyes and drift off

[@lwebber2034]

YES I've been waiting for you to review this one since I subscribed to the channel!! This song always gets me

[@NuniPikachu]

In general, every KH soundtrack gives you goosebumps!

[@Mtaalas]

She's rare in that she's as good singing in English as Japanese... and she's done a huge career and is one of the biggest j-pop stars in Japan.

[@DeconvertedMan]

So simple and clean.

[@JellyFishPuddin]

I used to watch your BTBAM videos years ago. Utada is one of my favorite artists, thank you for this i enjoyed your reaction

[@michellevandenbroek4167]

Cries in simple and clean this song marked a whole generation!

[@rocketguardian]

This song never fails at making me tear up.

[@cassiodvieira]

I remember being obsessed with this song a couple months back and I've never played a KH game.

[@classicsagat]

Anyone else tear up when they hear this? First time I heard the album version, I was balling my eyes out.

[@philipp523]

8:42 My favorite line 😄👍

[@JoshBou]

I love this song so much.

[@lloyd011721]

i love the planit b remix of this. also you should check out sanctuary if you havent

[@SuccubiPie]

I recommend the orchestral version too

[@FauxieDaoJia]

I think her secret weapon is how good an understanding she has of vocal production to get the very most out of her particular voice.

[@chaosultimamage]

At this point, Hikaru Utada was one of - if not THE highest grossing, biggest pop stars in Japan. Everything about this song was, and should've been, MASSIVE.

[@acousticchannel6050]

Hello I am Japanese!! I am so happy to hear the analysis of Utada from someone in a different country. Because I like her music so much!! I just want to share the background information of Utada. Her father is music producer and her mother was famous singer. She is also a composer and a lyricist sometimes an arranger, herself. How cool she is. And if its possible, I want to hear about analysis for theory things of her songs from you. Because I want to know more about her songs.

[@kamaboko8070]

You already reacted to Utada's other song titled “Pink Blood” about 2 year ago of this video.

[@zGamerGodz]

Man. this song is my childhood. what a way to start out one of the greatest games of the generation. But even with 20 years of nostalgia, i would say the 2017 ray of hope remix of the song that i believe was made for fragmentary passage(sometimes called Kingdom Hearts 2.8), a short prologue that basically served as a playable teaser trailer for Kingdom Hearts 3 is even better.

[@vampdeathbatcat]

I love this song! And Kingdom Hearts will always be one of my favorite video game franchises! ❤

[@Guamboyshuugaful]

this song played during the commercial for Kingdom Hearts and was what made me want to play it!

[@Mr.Genesis]

The first Squaresoft game i had ever beaten. Grew up with this song and this game.. Absolutely in love with it through 20+ years.

[@halo2meca]

Worth mentioning this was done in the very early 2000s and was intro credits as well as ending credits theme for the game.

[@Griffxgraff]

That smile when it starts says it all lmao hikki is life

[@brandoncarbaugh7994]

One of those singers whose voice just cuts straight to my heart. She's not doing anything earthshattering here, it's just good lyrics, heartwrending high notes, and excellent composition. The Michelin dish comparison is spot-on. I think this song is about 95% responsible for why so many people attached to the Kingdom Hearts series the way they did. Punching you in the face with this, in the first five minutes of a game, on *Playstation 2*, is just an insane creative swing for the fences.

[@Jakco808]

Yay! Hikaru Utada! Check out her other albums on your own time man, you won't be disappointed!

[@disenadorsenior1abg454]

Unique Japanese singer whit a MTV Unplugged on that times when MTV was a great channel.

[@SakuragiLastname9]

Absolute mf slapper. Classic song

[@sirstash]

I'm 8, I get a PS2 as gift from my step-father. He asks what game I want and I choose Kingdom Hearts. I'm 8 why am I crying at a video game.

[@TheGraySlayer]

Bro why does geebz react to every song I love lmao Hikaru Utada to Vildhjarta you have to have range to ride in this man's car 😅

[@Jonathan-Hamlett]

This was shocking for my ears. I don’t remember what I heard in KH but the PLANITb remix has been in my likes playlist for a long time. Amazing differences!

[@gwgw1252]

Please also listen to This One (Crying Like a Child). It is my favorite

[@pocketheart1450]

I have loved this song since I first heard it when the original KH game came out.

[@robertkb64]

Utada is her family name, Hikaru is her given name. Aside: the Japanese version of this song is a wordplay on her name. Hikaru is represented by 光 (kunyomi reading), and the name of the song is Hikari….. also represented by 光 (alternate reading). Note on different sounds being represented by the same character - the English analogy is to-MAY-to vs to-MAH-to. Because she uses an uncommon reading of her given name you’ll often see her name written as ヒカル (literally: hi-ka-ru) rather than merely the Chinese character (which has multiple potential readings).

[@chocolatte7736]

Her name is actually a verb. If you have the word "hikari" (light), you only need to make the "ri" at the end a "ru" to get "hikaru", which means 'to shine'. In my opinion, the title of the Japanese song is very appropriate, so I don't think the wordplay is intentional. In one of the verses, 君という光が私を見つける The light that is called "you" will find me [in the dark]. In the Japanese song, the lyrics describe how we feel found and complete simply when the person we love sits beside us. It's as if their presence is the sunshine after a stormy rain (in the darkness). I feel that the English song ended up being more ambiguous in meaning.

[@Gaxinha]

3:15 now I understand the "old composer" tag lmao

[@somesquirrel]

It's so funny to me. This is a main theme song in a videogame where the protagonist loses their female childhood friend and is trying to get her back. BUT, if you listen to the lyrics its a breakup song about an adult women trying to explain to her partner that they can't be together because he's not mature enough to be with her and understand the situation. It's actually not appropriate for Kingdom Hearts at all ;).

[@Mr.Genesis]

it's incredible how music is interpreted differently based on who listens to it.

[@jamst5913]

"Eye of newt" is mustard seed! So, yeah, they might actually have that a Michelin star restaurant lol

[@warehog3000]

This song and Smile bomb from Yu Yu Hakusho always make me feel nostalgic.

[@dominicgunderson]

The instrumental of this song is perfect

[@VietNguyen-zv3hy]

You reviewed one of her more current tracks before actually, Pink Blood. Love the series!

[@VietNguyen-zv3hy]

With that being said, you might as well review the kingdom hearts 2 and 3 theme songs that she did as well. She also arranged and produces her own songs too

[@scottwatrous]

lmao I haven't heard this in like 10 years but still basically remember it all. Never did play the game.

[@mephisto_333]

Great and cute song! ❤

[@Iriy0riiii]

Have you heard Sanctuary by this same singer? it's amazing

[@Lillian_Ashcroft]

please do her other songs, Sanctuary, Don't Think Twice and Face my Fears.

[@OnyxANZ]

and now I feel old... Kingdom Hearts was 20 years ago.... 20 god damn years ago...

[@NekomatchaJun]

Brings back memories of singing this with my friends in highschool. I'm sure we annoyed everyone around us lol.

[@Princejanek]

You should definitely listen to the version used in the game opening. There’s an opening sequence to watch along with it. So good. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp-umq1-armJlck And if you have time, watch the opening sequence to the sequel which might even be a better song. It’s one of my favourite records of all time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJimhJqEltCpotE

[@MaGrenade]

I can recommend to check out stuff from Made in Abyss (an anime). Hanezeve Caradhina for example.

[@noname-dk7ri]

Utada's voice is something

[@keithfilibeck2390]

one of the most emotional songs to one of the most important games ever made, Kingdom Hearts is light.

[@Banilla468]

Eye of Newt is actually a nickname for Mustard Seed, so they probably would have it at a 🛞 ⭐️ restaurant!

[@batterysurf]

i would like to suggest to you the 'Plague Tale' soundtrack

[@rpg_haven]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the greatest town theme ever, Tristram Village from the first Diablo game

[@frythechip7930]

ok, I gotta say it, this guy has to react to the TF2 soundtracks

[@GrSilCoin]

I was actually surprised that no one (at least I couldn't find any KZbinr) reacted theme from Lupin III. It's from long lasting anime (first series were released in 1971!) and this particular clip is from live performance in 2022. Closest music I can think of Tank! from Cowboy Bebop. I hope you like it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/garPaJmdq7tkpdE

[@noel_roldan]

React to the original too, is the japanese one called Hikari! It's kinda different

[@ghoulie11]

This song used to be impossible to find online.

[@pjohososanta]

Have you listened to Mechanicus OST? it has a pipe organ for a bass drop. If by any chance i got your attention - check noosphere or millenial rage tracks.

[@TheBoxNasty]

I really hope you do more from Kingdom Hearts. Just too much to choose from!

[@GeekyGami]

Ah yes, Simple and Clean Pretty much one of the only songs from Kingdom Hearts that get copyright claimed almost immediately :( You should totally watch the opening cinematic it plays on

[@crunkers_]

Kingdom Hearts is my favorite game of all time so I would love to see you listen to more.

[@TheNoobiePro]

would you break down Avatar's Love from Avatar the Last Airbender? its a beautiful piece

[@okutaviof]

I didn't know there was an English version of this song.

[@DaisyAzuras]

This is the English version. You should compare it to the Japanese version.

[@Bad_Penny01]

This is not the same version thats in Kiddom Hearts but its still good!

[@carloscooper3484]

I see you have been listening to the song beleza pula from masayoshi takanaka. Could you please do an reaction again and tell us your thoughts about that song 🙏🙏🙏 I subscribed to you, hoping you will react to that song again, that song is soo freakin good

[@Alphasnowbordergirl]

Not gonna lie, I prefer the faster version of the song used in the opening. It opened my eyes to a whole new world. Like the song for the end of the game, but the faster version is my preference.