"First Love", "Distance", and the Origins of a Legend | POP 101: A Guide to Hikaru Utada (Part 1)

In Part 1 of our POP 101 series on Hikaru Utada (宇多田ヒカル), Chris and Chantel Nicole explore the early career of one of J-pop’s most influential artists - tracing their rise from Cubic U to the record-breaking success of "First Love" and the sonic expansion of "Distance".

We discuss how Utada’s unique background, artistry, and lyrical perspective reshaped the Japanese music landscape, set new industry standards, and laid the foundation for a career that would span decades.

From underground beginnings to instant icon status, this episode unpacks the origins of a legend.

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• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:56 - A Brief History of J-Pop
• 4:52 - The Beginnings, Cubic U and "Precious"
• 6:11 - "Close To You"
• 12:58 - "Automatic" / "Time Will Tell"
• 20:45 - "Movin' On Without You"
• 25:41 - "First Love" album and single
• 33:13 - "Addicted To You"
• 37:50 - "Wait and See -Risk-", "For You" / "Time Limit" and "Can You Keep A Secret?"
• 39:28 - POP QUIZ! Give us your answers in the comments for a shout-out!
• 46:07 - "Distance" album

References:

• “Close To You” (Cubic U) MV https://youtu.be/w3pOdc6i224?si=EwbsM7eDmV13-8Qe
• “Automatic” MV https://youtu.be/-9DxpPiE458?si=8aBT8yqGPUM_qVbw
• “Automatic” Live 1999 https://youtu.be/OTGTqh1w8kg?si=whRESvduf5HOMe9G
• “Movin’ On Without You” MV https://youtu.be/9qU-JVtvXKw?si=5rVv1tpS_7ZI36xt
• “First Love” MV https://youtu.be/o1sUaVJUeB0?si=TD3m8sustCmkkDA3
• “Addicted To You” MV https://youtu.be/h6EqqOiTiwk?si=2PvmPLJQTaalfuhX
• “Wait & See ～リスク～” MV https://youtu.be/zIEf-xJ8VE4?si=MiSTN2uT4VQt0fxs
• “For You” MV https://youtu.be/iJoNSuGpjNc?si=xRcKdcVGTK9AqbB9“タイム・リミット” MV https://youtu.be/evvXqGJk1T8?si=3e0pLl-yBJSqTdrh
• “Can You Keep A Secret?” MV https://youtu.be/SRQbQ_nd4fc?si=xU2xWILIUKS_m2Qw