Kiss & Cry (song)

"Kiss & Cry"
"Beautiful World" / "Kiss & Cry" cover
Single by Hikaru Utada
from the album Heart Station
Released	May 31, 2007 (2007-05-31) (see release history)
Format	CD Single digital download
Recorded	2007 Bunkamura Studios EMI Music Japan Studios (Shibuya, Tokyo)
Genre	R&B
Length	5:06
Label	EMI Music Japan
Writer(s)	Hikaru Utada
Producer(s)	Hikaru Utada Akira Miyake Teruzane Utada
Hikaru Utada singles chronology
"Flavor of Life" (2007) "Kiss & Cry" (2007) "Beautiful World" (2007)

"Kiss & Cry" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Hikaru Utada for her seventh studio and fifth Japanese album, Heart Station (2007). It was written, composed, and arranged by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, her father Teruzane Utada, and Akira Miyake. It included the A-side single "Beautiful World", which also appeared on the parent album. The single premiered on May 31, 2007 as the third single from the album in Japan. Both tracks were then released as a physical single on August 29 in Japan, and digitally worldwide. Musically, "Kiss & Cry" is an R&B song, influenced by pop and hip-hop music. Lyrically, it discusses both Utada's upbringing and social beliefs between both Western and oriental regions.

Upon its release, the track garnered generally favourable reviews from music critics. Many critics agreed that it was one of the better singles from the album, and complimented its R&B composition. Charting as an A-side single, it achieved success in Japan, peaking at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart. The single has been certified within four different categories by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). An accompanying music video was shot by Toshitaka Shinoda; it features animation in the style of Nissin's Freedom Project, including major characters such as the protagonist Takeru lip-synching to the song. The song had been promoted through several Japanese commercials and television shows.

Background and release

On April 23, 2007, American website Jame World confirmed the release of a new single, entitled "Kiss & Cry". The song's original working title was "Dancing Leah", which is a reference to Filipina American model Leah Dizon. It was written, composed, and arranged by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, her father Teruzane Utada, and Akira Miyake. For the song, Hikaru had played the keyboards and synthesizers, and provided backing vocals. It was programmed by Hikaru and Yuzuru Tomita, mixed by Goetz. B from 365 Aritsts Productions, and was recorded by Atsushi Matsui at Bunkamura Studios and EMI Music Japan Studios, Shibuya, Tokyo in 2007. The finished composition was then mastered by American music engineer Ted Jensen at Sterling Studios, New York City, New York. The single also included the A-side track "Beautiful World", which also appeared on Utada's seventh studio and fifth Japanese album, Heart Station (2007).

It premiered as a promotional single on April 20, 2007, and debuted on Japanese radio on May 21. It finally served as the third single from the album on May 31. Both single were then released as a physical single on August 29 in Japan, and digitally worldwide. The CD single contains both "Beautiful World" and "Kiss & Cry", plus their instrumental versions. It also contains a remixed version of Utada's 1999 cover version of the 1954 Kaye Ballard song, "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)"; its instrumental version was also included on the CD format. Utada's 1999 cover was originally included on her single "Wait & See (Risk)". The artwork to "Kiss & Cry" features Utada sitting on a ledge at the bottom of a concrete garage building, while motion-blurred school children walk past her. The CD features an extra lyric booklet, printed on plain white paper.

Composition

Musically, "Kiss & Cry" is an R&B song, influenced by pop and electronic music. Japanese music editor Random J noted that its composition was reminiscent to Utada's R&B music during early 2000s; "'Kiss and Cry' once again has Hikaru tapping into an R&B sound. With old skool hip-hop style drums, an abrasive horn sample and trippy synths..." Similarly, a reviewer from Selective Hearing said that the song "sound like throw backs to her R&B days." The reviewer analysed the song's music structure, and said that the "sample at the beginning sounds like it might be from a Godzilla movie." They later progressed by saying, "'Kiss & Cry' has a very strong percussion section led by the booming kick drum & high pitched cymbals. It’s also got some slick synth work (kind of sounds like a Palm Products GmbH)." John Alroy and David Bertrand Wilson, American music editors writing from their own website, compared the production and composition to the work of Utada's studio album Ultra Blue (2006); they labelled it "blissful formlessness". Amanda Walujono from Audrey Magazine felt that, while the song had a "danceable beat", "it’s not exactly club material." CD Journal staff members noted elements of hip hop music, and identified instrumentation of horns, keyboards and a drum machine.

In an interview with MSN Hotmail in 2008, Utada revealed that the song was composed before writing its lyrics. She said, " I wanted to write quite a lively song and after writing it, I still feel that this has the most energetic feeling to it and that it’s probably the most polished song too. It sounds a lot better listening to it on the album than as the single." Regarding the lyrical content, she described it as a tie between both her "Western and oriental beliefs". She further explains, "Like for example, with the Western culture, people believe that your destiny is what you make it and that you’re in control while in Asian culture, people tend to believe that it’s all been pre-determined and that we can’t do a thing about it." CD Journal staff members felt the lyrical delivery expressed both "joy" and "sorrow" topics. The title also references the ice skating area of the same name, where "Kiss" expresses "joy", and "cry" expresses "sorrow".

Critical response

"Kiss & Cry" received positive reviews from most music critics. A reviewer from Selective Hearing was positive in their review, labelling it a "very catchy track". They also selected it as one of the best track on the album. Japanese music editor Random J highlighted it as one of the best album tracks, and said that "the song is incredibly funky... I love how it bounces...". CD Journal reviewers noted the song's "surprising introduction", and described the song as an "impressive R&B tune with a heavy beat". Tomoyuki Mori from Amazon was positive in his review, complimenting Utada's songwriting and production. He also praised the "gorgeous atmospheric" composition, and labelled it "charming". Tetsuo Hiraga from Hot Express described the song as "fun", and highlighted its composition as a strong factor to its overall delivery.

Accolades and recognitions

"Kiss & Cry" has achieved several accolades and recognitions from several different publications and organisations. Amanda Walujono from Audrey Magazine ranked the song at number four on her "Top 5 Hikaru Utada Songs", praising the composition and "danceable beat". In December 2015, in honor of Utada's comeback into the music business, Japanese website Goo.ne.jp hosted a poll for fans to rank their favourite songs by Utada out of 25 positions; the poll was held in only twenty-four hours, and thousands submitted their votes. As a result, "Kiss & Cry" received the lowest rank at number 24. In October 2007, Utada became the highest selling digital artist in Japan, based on the sales of "Kiss & Cry", and two other album singles "Flavor of Life" and "Beautiful World"; she sold over 10 million digital units according to Listen Japan.

Commercial performance

Charting together as an A-side single, "Beautiful World" and "Kiss & Cry" debuted at number three on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart on the chart week of September 10, 2007; it sold 93,518 units in its first week of sales. The following week, it rose to its peak position of number two; it sold 51,637 units in its second week of sales. It stayed in the top ten for two additional charting weeks, until it fell to number 12 on the chart week of June 1. It stayed in the top 40 chart for eight weeks, and charted at number 100 during the two week New Years entries; it sold 1,689 for its two week accumulation of sales. In total, the A-side singles stayed in the top 200 chart for 26 weeks, one of her longest charting singles according to Oricon. By the end of 2007, the single was ranked at number 20 on Oricon's Annual 2007 chart; it sold 230,287 units by the end of the year. This became Utada's second highest entry in that annual chart, behind "Flavor of Life" at number two, and both entries made her the highest selling female artist on the singles chart of 2007. As of April 2016, the A-side single has sold 245,050 units in Japan, and is her 18th best selling single according to Oricon Database.

The single was certified platinum in September 2007 by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for physical shipments of 250,000 units in Japan. Although it failed to chart on any digital charts in Japan, or on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 and competent charts, the song was certified gold by the RIAJ for digital sales of 100,000 units. "Kiss & Cry" charted at number 11 on the RIAJ Reco-kyō Singles Chart, during the chart week of October 20, 2007. It then received a double platinum certification in November 2007 by the RIAJ for ringtone downloads from Chaku-Uta stores, exceeding sales of 500,000 units. The song received a gold certification by the RIAJ for full ringtone purchases of 100,000 units, and tallied the overall sales of the single to 935,000 units in Japan.

Music video and promotion

An animated music video was produced for the song, directed by Toshitaka Shinoda. It was unveiled on August 2, when it was uploaded to Utada's EMI Music Japan website. The video featured animation in the style of Nissin's Freedom OVA and commercials, including major characters such as the protagonist Takeru lip-synching to the song. The music video received negative reviews from critics. A reviewer from Halcyin Realms was negative towards the production of the video, stating "The so called 'rough cut' was a grotesquely put together, random collection of footages lifted from the Freedom series, with lip movement from the characters eerily synced to Utada’s vocals... The production company who edited and put together this deplorable fiasco not only butchered months and months of our hard work, but set a very bad name for Utada’s branding as well." Similarly, Japanese music editor Random J also said, "...it's a shame Hikaru didn't do a proper music video for the song when she released it, instead of some anime bullshit and several close ups of a Nissin pot noodle."

For promotional activities, Utada performed the song live on Japanese music television series Music Station on August 31. The song was used as the theme song for the Nissin Noddle Cup product, which was released in Japan; the second chorus of the single's lyrics references the product ("Tonight I'll have Nissin Cup Noodle").

Track listings and formats

• Japanese CD single

1. "Beautiful World" – 5:18
2. "Kiss & Cry" – 5:08
3. "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" (2007 Mix) – 3:24
4. "Beautiful World" (Original Karaoke) – 5:18
5. "Kiss & Cry" (Original Karaoke) – 5:08
6. "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" (2007 Mix) (Original Karaoke) – 3:24

• Digital download

1. "Beautiful World" – 5:18
2. "Kiss & Cry" – 5:08
3. "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" (2007 Mix) – 3:24

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of the Heart Station album.

• Hikaru Utada – arrangement, keyboards, programming, production, songwriting, vocals
• Goetz B. for 365 Artists – mixing
• Atsushi Matsui – recording
• Akira Miyake – production
• Yuzuru Tomita – additional programming
• Ted Jensen – engineer
• Teruzane Utada – production

Charts and certifications

Charts

Chart (2007)	Peak position
Japan Daily Chart (Oricon)	1
Japan Weekly Chart (Oricon)	2
Japan Monthly Chart (Oricon)	3
Japan Yearly Chart (Oricon)	20
Japan Ringtone Charts (RIAJ)	11

Certifications

Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
Japan (RIAJ) Physical	Platinum	245,050
Japan (RIAJ) Cellphone	Gold	100,000
Japan (RIAJ) Ringtone	2× Platinum	500,000
Japan (RIAJ) Digital	Gold	100,000
Summaries
Japan (RIAJ)		945,050
*sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Japan	April 20, 2007	Ringtone download	Toshiba-EMI
	May 21, 2007	Airplay
	May 31, 2007	Cellphone download
	June 1, 2007	Digital download
	August 29, 2007	CD single
United States		Digital download	EMI Music Japan
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
United Kingdom
Germany
Ireland
France
Spain
Taiwan
South Korea	August 30, 2007	Digital download	Universal Music Korea
Taiwan	August 31, 2007	CD single	Gold Typhoon

See also

• Beautiful World" – Corresponding song to "Kiss & Cry".

External links

• "Beautiful World/Kiss & Cry" – Hikaru Utada's official website.