Rina Sawayama - First Love (Hikaru Utada Cover, Tokyo Garden Theatre)

Rina Sawayama’s cover of First Love by Hikaru Utada
Filmed & edited in Tokyo by Yaona Sui.
www.rina.online

[@inag3919]

Hikaru Utada was 15 years old when she composed First Love. And this year she turned 40. Rina's powerful First Love moves us.

[@RockDavid]

When we put 2 random facts together with no connecting statement ha ha

[@prismatism]

For the group of millennials who grew up with Jpop, First Love truly is the song of the generation ❤

[@wordwitchautumn5483]

Yes!

[@thalesshu6615]

Facts

[@Dtzeo503]

Yes!

[@yupmonk3yzrul3]

Utada doesn’t consider themself Jpop, that was back when ppl didn’t even use Jpop or Kpop as terms

[@prismatism]

@@yupmonk3yzrul3 as a millennial who was in their teens back then and grew up with Namie Amuro, MoMusu, Ayumi Hamasaki and yes, Utada Hikaru, I respectfully disagree

[@franceslieu]

Willing a Utada collab into existence. 🤞

[@MicheMunro]

It needs to happen - I saw Utada's only London performance (in 2010) and now Rina has been my new favourite artist since Alterlife!!! My two favourite stunning queens together would make me OVERJOYED!

[@lukasbocek4344]

@@MicheMunro i saw it too! The first of the two dates :) hikki is my everything

[@moodybassist]

If we wish hard enough it'll happen 😇😭💕

[@kupotenshi]

Dream come true!!

[@alunadelrey8399]

Let's hope and manifest this. I would love to see them both together 💜

[@slaymotomami]

it's amazing that how japanese audience acts all the time. they are giving the artist time and waiting for them to actually finish the piece and then they react.

[@MicheMunro]

It's so beautiful and respectful. I'd love to go to a concert in Japan!!

[@AshleeACAmusic]

I’ve always said I wanted to see lady gaga(one of my other faves) sing jazz in Japan. You can never hear the soft endings to songs because people cut them off lol -_-

[@slaymotomami]

@@AshleeACAmusic i literally would pay to see her singing my baby shoot me down in japan. people always cut her when she sings further from mic and i want to kll myself at that point😍

[@AshleeACAmusic]

@@slaymotomami I feel your pain! It gets on my nerves so much! Makes me want to commandeer the stage before the show and teach concert etiquette 😆

[@FauxieDaoJia]

@@AshleeACAmusic I wish Lady Gaga would sing (better yet, compose) some original jazz. Something like a western Shiina Ringo. Unfortunately, I don't think she's quite up for it.

[@shadyjoanneboots]

If she did a cover of Simple & Clean or Sanctuary, I think something would shift in the cosmos. My life would be complete

[@MrSuperjam789]

Already picturing Rina singing "Regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all" and me being a sobbing mess.😭

[@ajuwaaa]

most definitely, the universe would collapse, implode back to the beginning of all things

[@alexg7254]

光 or Passion, please.

[@Maser50007]

LET’S MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

[@Maser50007]

Or Traveling! 💗💗💗

[@joshuaharyono]

She needs to do a cover of “Automatic”. It’s perfect for her style!!

[@kouseiarima7982]

Never heard this song sung with such power. In fact, these are the strongest belts I've heard from Rina too.

[@onapersonalnote7045]

While sitting down, no less!

[@KJ-hf7bh]

座って足組んだ態勢でこのボーカルは凄い 宇多田ヒカルが居なかったら、この曲がなかったらアーティストになってなかったと思うというMCが更にこの時を特別な時間にしていた リナが同じ日本人であることを誇りに思う

[@MicheMunro]

This is completely surreal. Utada has been my favourite artist since Kingdom Hearts in 2000. I saw Utada perform this song in London in 2010 - and now 13 years later, Rina (my current-era fave) is singing it. RINA MY QUEEN! The sound you produced for this cover - shining, joyful, brilliant. ALL MY LOVE to Rina and to every pixel out there!!

[@thanib7796]

So jealous you got to see both!

[@jettiful]

1st time hearing and watching her sing in Japanese and its the immaculate jpop song for all intl fans

[@fakefur3380]

さいこう…またすぐもどってきてね！！！😭💞💞💞

[@hiyomeki768]

"Send My Love To John" "Chosen Family"の後にこの"First Love"だったので、なおさらぐっときました…この日この場所に居ることができたのは宝物です✨

[@sisymp0913]

I was beyond lucky to be one of the 8,000 audiences that evening. Love you Rina ❤

[@user-XiaoWang2424]

I grow up listening to this song🥺 and rina’s cover is so perfect!! Omg I love utada and rina both 😭😭❤

[@savionthompson57]

I thought I was the only one 😭😭😭

[@darukona7218]

i was 15 when i first heard this song, I am 31 today, ^^

[@fmt0htm]

Same here 😭

[@thalesshu6615]

Hikki's debut

[@ededgauw]

RINA KEEPS GIVING THE GAYS WHAT THEY WANT AND I CANNOT THANK HER ENOUGH!!! Growing up I listened to this song on repeat and now I will be listening to this cover on repeat too!!!!

[@zoegovopoulos9032]

Sheena ringo x hikaru utada gays

[@aosa5509]

待ってました！現場で本当に美しい歌声に感動して目がうるうるしました🥹

[@cocoVancouver92]

Thank you Rina for singing “First Love” beautifully!!!

[@cookie_fantastikroblox1157]

[@renegandezajr.569]

Just when I thought I couldn’t love Rina any further, she does this magical moment.

[@Rosa-mj5mt]

This song was and still is big all over asia!! A true classic

[@lancewilliamcatal6870]

Rina can freaking march into battle and single-handedly end a war.

[@FauxieDaoJia]

Hikki x Rina original song, please! She's right there in London.

[@amandaaugust4803]

This is the best cover of Utada Hikaru♥️Please do more Japanese songs in the future. 🎵 🙏

[@iTeacupPanda]

I heard the inspiration from Utada Hikaru in songs like " Cherry " and a lot of segments in " Hold The Girl " You can tell she has a lot of admiration and respect for other artists.

[@josephtafur]

As Rina fan this is true.

[@BritneyBeachSpears]

that's exactly what i thought!!!

[@Jaeden918]

yeah she sounds almost like Utada in Cherry

[@BritneyBeachSpears]

I don’t know if this makes sense but both Utada and Rina incorporated a lot of 90s R&B elements in their songs (Mariah, Aaliyah…) and the Rina EP in 2017 sounds exactly like Heart Station/Automatic

[@thegreateastofall]

She nailed it perfectly with emotions.

[@eatingbaconnie]

rina needs to be recognised more in terms of her vocals pls

[@user-jc2iw2ut1q]

東京ガーデンシアターで生で聴けて本当に幸せでした😭😭❤❤❤❤❤

[@noel0622]

This is surreal! MY favourite singing one of the most memorable songs from my childhood!

[@HighRTK]

らびゅ〜〜〜🎉めっちゃ泣いてしまった😭

[@iyomoo9436]

this performance feelas hella healing to teenage me. Who was bullied for loving Jpop

[@DanielQuasar]

To be in a place, to be an age, where I got to experience this song when it was new from an artist who would become one of the favorites I love most and now getting to experience it again with an artist I am growing in love now. Surreal. Thank you, Rina, for sharing this immaculate and wonderful cover with us. Truly a delight. 💙

[@OpticalSorcerer]

I want you to cover her Kingdom Hearts songs SO bad!! As well as an official collab.

[@zooys3699]

UPありがとうございます！会場で一緒に歌ったFirst Love 思い出しただけでも泣けてきます

[@MasterAkiDraw]

i loved that she showed so much range in this performance!! JUST AMAZING!!

[@mouse1574]

And here I thought no one could ever come close to Hikaru's voice vibrato but this girl just about does and then some

[@Joey-qt7mt]

Damn Rina sang the SHIZZ out of this mega iconic legendary song. Beyond stunning.

[@RaroHi]

I used to listen to this all the time when I was 15 after my first love left me... It's so special hearing one of my current favorites sing it...

[@_marimopeace]

LOVE this omg I grew up with my mom playing Hikaru Utada in the car and then stumbled on "Ordinary Superstar" as I entered my 20s and haven't looked back 😍love this crossover moment of my two favorite queer asian icons!! maybe someday they'll even share a stage that'd be amazing ㅠㅠ

[@anoodadesuyo]

リナちゃんありがとう！とっても素敵なライブでした。

[@APimpNamedNastyNesto]

The soul in the runs in her cover are amazing 🤩

[@Joe-dp2rp]

りなありがとうすぎる🥺

[@moobie_]

her voice is so powerful omg

[@girlnalukuma8580]

リナ大好き♥️泣ける💧

[@natsu5189]

数々のアーティストがこの曲をカバーされる中で、Rina Sawayamaさんの力強くて切ない歌声が心にぶっ刺さりました。不覚にも涙がでてしまいました…. 最高です！！

[@thegreateastofall]

On repeat...this deserves more than 1 million views

[@villere8902]

i never knew how much i needed this cover until now. Rina's voice strikes the same nostalgic passion into the song and the switches at the end is too beautiful. thank you for this cover and manifesting that future collab 💖

[@wittybritany_]

Her voice is so deep and beautiful 😭

[@tomasgarcia7499]

Rina you sing so beautifully!!!

[@DontTouchMyCorn]

what an amazing cover, it made me remember how emotional the lyrics were, it made me cry. she really captured the emotions of the song, her voice is gorgeous.

[@anyameru]

力強いfirst love とても素敵です👏🏻👏🏻

[@irmanurazizah6410]

Okay, we need the official release of this version now

[@espressoespresso5424]

Rina, your performance in Tokyo was unforgettable. Thanks for practicing Japanese MC, and Hikaru Utada’s this cover. As a fan who discovered you during COVID, I have been dreaming to attend your concert. It was a very happy moment to see you performing live. I really hope your journey ahead will be filled with joy and happiness. Thank you

[@SpoilerForcePodcast]

absolutely in love with Rina's cover!!

[@coffeenomitai630]

諸事情でライブに行かれなくなってしまったのですが、ここに残して下さって感謝しかないです

[@ohkay4542]

Made me tear up. Beautiful! 💕 Grew up listening to Utada so hearing you sing her First Love is really touching.

[@kmrvmd]

It was a hard song to sing and she absolutely naillleeed it

[@giooadrians]

Saigo no kisu wa tabako no flavor ga shita Nigakute setsunai kaori Ashita no imagoro ni wa Anata wa doko ni irundarou Dare wo omotterundarou You are always gonna be my love Itsuka darekato mata koi ni ochitemo I'll remember to love you taught me how You are always gonna be the one Ima wa mada kanashii love song Atarashi uta utaeru made Tachidomaru jikan ga Ugoki dasouto shiteru Wasureta kunai kotobakari Ashita no imagoro niwa Watashi wa kitto naiteru Anatawo omotterundarou You will always be inside my heart Itsumo anata dake no basho ga aru kara I hope that I have a place in your heart too Now and forever you are still the one Ima wa mada kanashii love song Atarashii uta utaeru made You are always gonna be my love Itsuka darekato mata koi ni ochitemo I'll remember to love you taught me how You are always gonna be the one Mada kanashii love song Now and forever...

[@ryotajeffreynishiyama6500]

Listening to her version of this song now is really hitting me. This is going straight to my heart. It’s breaking and healing at a same time.

[@starrynitebaka]

Man this song is so killer to cover. This is lovely.

[@AshleeACAmusic]

I’ve loved Utada since KH 1&2 and became a fan of all her music, so she’s always been a favorite in my life since those games started coming out when I was 8. I died and came back to life when I saw fans uploading this cover. Rina is one of my most favorite artists today and I could hear Hikki’s influence in her music, perhaps one reason I was so drawn. Thanks for officially uploading this Rina! Would be mind blowing if you two collaborated one day!

[@dlwlrmagic]

a queen cantando a música da queen

[@user-lo3hp7su6y]

最前列で聴けたこと人生の宝すぎる大好き❤️‍🔥😭

[@stroblaizer]

The vocals are JUST so CLEAN

[@esther2569]

😍😍😍😍😢😢 I looove Utada Hikaru!! I've liked her music since I was 12. Her music is truly something else. No need to like anything about Japan in particular to get to know her. Her music stands out on its own and should be listened to everywhere!! It's such a pity not a lot of people know her. I ❤ her. Thank you for this!!

[@Austin-kv9co]

I was around 12 when I first started playing Kingdom Hearts, it was the first time I ever heard music in a romantic and loving way. Utada Hikaru is amazing. Rina does this song so much Justice.

[@Rarerosea]

She's Rina not Utada. She's also good like Utadu Hikari. I love them both

[@Rogerschz]

You should do a Hikaru Utada cover EP full of your favorite songs from her ♥

[@dippdopp]

Regardless of if you're our Eurovision entry or not, you've gained a fan 👍 amazing talent!

[@BritneyBeachSpears]

Ok y’all we need Ms Sawayama to do a full cover album of automatic 😭 MS RINA SAWMYWIGFLY ✨✨

[@jesslovesbangs]

IM CRYING RINAAAAA THIS IS SO SOOOO GOOOOD

[@lafleur9277]

That was phenomenal. My childhood, basically

[@mayumignon]

OMG! This makes me so emotional considering how I grew up listening to this song like Rina did❤❤❤

[@_raulbarroso]

OMG UTADA HIKARU DESERVES MORE Thank you for this amazing cover, Rina

[@glockenpop]

Thank you for performing this, this means a lot to me and even more so with you covering it. ❤

[@shadyjoanneboots]

The fact that my favorite artist is covering one of my favorite songs from my childhood... Consider me gagged and gooped

[@fearcyz6183]

This is so beautiful, I didn't even noticed I was already crying. ✨

[@totah_]

تحفـة بصوتها رووعة 💛 She’s so unique

[@allennss]

THIS IS EVERYTHING 😭

[@SAKKUmaDEKU]

insane vocals! amazing!

[@hoonaynay]

tears. just tears. legendary song by a legendary artist

[@showmelovenotadream69]

うますぎる

[@maya6562]

それな

[@masquoi]

brilliant voice

[@aimee-hyj]

rina your vocals have improved so much!! this was beautiful

[@austinjames1670]

I had no idea you covered this song! What a truly moving song by an amazing artist given a new life by your beautiful artistry. Thank you!

[@thehorsemanxvi]

you were so real for this

[@bulmasman]

Perfect cover of an all time classic. Loved it

[@babydollface]

I love this song, and she *killed it* ! Love it!

[@lilinectar4045]

🤯リナちゃーん！！いいな、行きたかったな！ 😅過去に日本で寂しい思いをしたみたいだから心配だったけど、余計だったね。 🥰日本にも温かいファンたちがいてよかったね！

[@luv4eva1111]

rinaaa omg her voice is so pretty

[@aldenpoon7203]

That deep voice is totally killing it!!! 🥹❤️

[@razidotwaaav]

Rina please cover Simple & Clean! Hahaha! I really hope to hear it from you soon. You just sing so beautifully, it reminds me of when my late mother would sing me to sleep. Thank you for bringing back such dear memories. 😊

[@joc2550]

look how most of em is not holding their phones.. Aww they must be taking it in, her beautiful voice!

[@sorrythatyourehere]

thank you for this!! been replaying fan videos of this ever since you performed it

[@peacelife]

Wow!! The most beautiful female version cover of this song

[@jamilracmat8241]

One of the best cover. Wow.

[@yayaj4325]

ありがとう！you are the best!!!🫶 リナさん大好き❤

[@danieltodd6703]

I DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH I NEEDED TO HEAR THIS

[@reyeyoo]

love

[@alexromero531]

Thank you for this HD version

[@inamorata-nia]

Beautiful! ❤❤❤

[@FemaleHachi]

YES! I love this so much!

[@scareygnv]

Absolutely perfect!

[@amorphose8532]

Iconic