First love (romanji and english lyrics) Lyrics

Song Facts:

• Genre: J-Pop
• Lyricist: Utada Hikaru
• Composers: Utada Hikaru

Artist Info:

Utada Hikaru was one of the best idols in Japan for her expressive voice and the mix of pop with multi-musical elements. She has grown from teen idol status to become one of the most innovative and influential artists in Japan. Her music often describes the elements of pop, R&B, and electronica genres, and its lyrics dig deep into most themes related to love, loneliness, and various kinds of observations on self-reflection. Utada's unique international upbringing —several key formative years split between the US and Japan —truly informed her music and helped her create an unique edge in both markets. Characteristic of one who was evocative of deep, introspective lyrics and felt the power of emotional performance. She became one of the best-selling music artists in Japan.

Annotations and Meaning:

First Love, by Utada Hikaru, is a very emotional song that greatly unveils the sad nature of the emotional connections and how people do in this world, filling with people who come and go. The lyrics describe a personal reflection from one's past in regards to love remembered by sensory details such as the "tobacco flavor" of a last kiss described to be bitter and reminiscing. This is a great imagery, one can fully express what one would feel towards a relationship that has ended but is irrepressible. Repeating the line "you are always gonna be my love" underscores how such first love will never lose its significance, as any other afterwards will never manage to diminish the importance of that first real, meaningful deep emotional experience. The words "till I can sing that new song" are metaphorical for moving on but realizing how very difficult that very act will be. The theme of time, in both its stopping moments and its forwardly moving moments, plays centrally in illustrating how past loves continue to inform our present feelings and identity. The song, in a form of doublet with both Japanese and English, has to tell or refer to commonality beyond cultural boundaries. In other words, it is enjoyed by many, many people around the world. It speaks to the pain of looking back at old loves but also embracing the growth and sweetness that comes from moving on. Musically, "First Love" is a masterclass in restraint, with Utada's soaring vocals and piano accompaniment creating a sense of intimacy and vulnerability.