Michi (Utada Hikaru song)

"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.[1]

"Michi"
Single by Utada Hikaru
from the album Fantôme
ReleasedSeptember 16, 2016 (2016-09-16)
Recorded2016
GenreJ-pop, Dance
Length3:36
LabelUniversal Music Japan
Songwriter(s)Utada Hikaru
Producer(s)Utada Hikaru
Utada Hikaru singles chronology
"Manatsu no Tōriame"
(2016)		 "Michi"
(2016)		 "Ōzora de Dakishimete"
(2017)

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 Utada Hikaru; all music is composed by Utada Hikaru.

Digital version
No.TitleLength
1."Michi (道)"3:35

Release history
Region Date Format
Japan September 13, 2016 (2016-09-13) Radio airplay
September 16, 2016 (2016-09-16) PC download

Charts

References
  1. http://aramajapan.com/news/music/newrelease/listen-new-utada-hikaru-single-michi-premiered-on-radio/63975/
  2. "Michi – Road" (in Japanese). Animelyrics. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  3. "「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.
  4. ""Lonely, But Not Alone": Walking the Road With Utada Hikaru". MuuMuse. September 13, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  5. "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard Japan. October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  6. "Japan Top Radio Songs Chart" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. October 10, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  7. "Japan Billboard Hot 100-year-end chart 2016". Billboard Japan. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  8. "AKB48 and Justin Bieber Top Billboard Japan's Year-End Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  9. "有料音楽配信認定". RIAJ. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
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