[News] Ayu paying tribute to Utada Hikaru

[chocopockymaster]

Can you imagine how much they would have to change the key of First Love to fit Ayu's voice????? oy. My ears hurt just imagining it.

[mizuki-7]

Yes I hope it's FINAL DISTANCE ! And the fact that First love is one of the most popular Japanese songs of all time I don't want people start to to spit on Ayu because her cover is really different etc... you know what I mean lol

[Kacku]

Originally Posted by chocopockymaster

omg lol. Universal proposed that Ayu do one song and she was like "nope, imma do this one instead"

that's our diva

(and yes, it says she's recorded it already. title is unknown.)

Ok, now I'm just dying to know which track she did; what song was so significant that she would just straight up announce she would cover that?! I'm hoping it really is FINAL DISTANCE, I think Ayu could do great things with that song.

[primavera♥]

She obviously chose The Workout. No need for speculation.

[roanmy]

I hope it's Wait&See ~リスク~!

[orangeakira]

I'm pretty sure this album is only going to include single songs. Most likely not B-sides, but possibly double A-sides. So there's 13 artists participating and most likely they're each going to cover one song. Utada has 22 physical singles, so the majority of her single songs are going to be covered.

Spoiler:

01. Automatic
02. time will tell
03. Movin' on Without you
04. First Love
05. Addicted to You
06. Wait & See ~Risk~
07. For You
08. Time Limit
09. Can You Keep a Secret?
10. Final Distance
11. traveling
12. hikari
13. Sakura Drops
14. Letters
15. Colors
16. Dareka no negai ga kanau koro
17. Be My Last
18. Passion
19. Keep Tryin'
20. Boku ha kuma
21. Flavor of Life
22. Beautiful World
23. Kiss & Cry
24. Heart Station
25. Stay Gold
26. Prisoner of Love
27. Sakura Nagashi

I really hope each artist performs one song, and we don't end up getting 5 different singers covering First Love and Automatic.

[hayasaki]

i hope for Sakura Drops. I can hear ayu's "iii" in the "koi wo shite... owari wo tsuke." LOL

[chocopockymaster]

Ayumi Hamasaki Will Contribute to Hikaru Utada Cover Album - The Pop Princesses’ Miraculous Collaboration

A cover album of Hikaru Utada’s (31; currently on hiatus) greatest hits is due to be released on December 9th, the same day as her debut. Titled “Hikaru Utada’s Songs”, it will feature 13 artists coming together in celebration of her 15th anniversary. Production is ramping up in advance of the CD’s release, and the latest news is that Ayumi Hamasaki (36), who faced off against Utada in the “Battle of the Pop Princesses”, will also be participating in the project.

According to Universal Music, who is producing the album, Hamasaki has already finished recording her track. The name of the song she covered has not been made public at this time, but is being referred to as “one of Utada’s well-known songs that was recut for a single.” Initially, Universal had planned for Hamasaki to cover another song, but she proposed that she record a different track.

Utada’s producer, Sachiko Kumagai, said the following: “They were two artists of the same generation that were involved in this ‘battle’ that shook up the musical world. We were a little worried that she wouldn’t be receptive to our proposal that she participate in recording a cover for the album, but we were thrilled that she immediately said yes.” Additionally, it seems that Hamasaki’s approach to her vocal techniques on this track is different from those she uses when singing her own songs.

Reports have stated in the past that when Utada and Hamasaki appear on music variety shows together, they can often be seen chatting backstage.

In March 2001, they both released albums on the same date, accounting for over 5 million units sold between the two of them. Utada’s “Distance” beat out Hamasaki’s “A BEST” in the immediate competition, but Hamasaki’s releases from that calendar year pulled in more revenue. It is now largely referred to as the “Battle of the Pop Princesses”, but given the upcoming release we may need to start calling it the “Collab of the Pop Princesses.”

Translation of the Sanspo article from earlier.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

For some reason I really hope it's NOT first love or final distance. Sakura drops would probably be amazing though!

[Refix]

Originally Posted by MissElin_

OMG LOVE PSYCHEDELICO WILL BE EFFIN' PERFECTION!

I'm secretly hoping for ayu to do Sakura drops.

+1 for sakura drops.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

you guys know it's gonna be easy breezy, right?

[Gustavopc]

Originally Posted by chocopockymaster

Can you imagine how much they would have to change the key of First Love to fit Ayu's voice????? oy. My ears hurt just imagining it.

ikr! That's the first thing I though LOL

I'm pretty sure that's FINAL DISTANCE now btw

[Surreal17]

thanks for the translation
Its nice to know that ayu accepted so easily

[End1ess_sorr0w]

it's got to be FINAL DISTANCE. it seriously has too much meaning for ayu not to do it!

so excited!!

[visionfactory]

Originally Posted by mizuki-7

I really can't imagine Ayumi sing an Utada song ... they are so different musically and vocally !! I am really curious to see what song she will cover

Yeah me too!! I wonder if Utada's song will sound like an ayu song

I hope somebody covers something from Exodus though I doubt so XD

[YUKARI]

Hmm what if she sings a b-side?

But I'd like to hear Sakura Drops, Flavor of Life or Final Distance.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

I doubt there will be any b sides on a tribute album. It'll probably be filled with her most popular singles.

[kinix]

Originally Posted by chocopockymaster

Ayumi Hamasaki Will Contribute to Hikaru Utada Cover Album - The Pop Princesses’ Miraculous Collaboration



Translation of the Sanspo article from earlier.

Thanks for the translation!
Seems like it's either First Love or Prisoner of Love? (not sure if First Love is considered a recut single)

[Maemi]

aaaaaaaaa I almost died

[douggn]

Originally Posted by End1ess_sorr0w

it's got to be FINAL DISTANCE. it seriously has too much meaning for ayu not to do it!

so excited!!

But can ayu sing it with such depth as Hikaru. Its a sad song, even more sad when you find out the story behind the song
_________________________________________

Though I'm more glad that Hikaru Utada isn't dead. Japan and there confusing ways