Keep Tryin' (Hikaru Utada song)
"Keep Tryin'" | ||||
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J-pop | ||||
Length | 4:53 | |||
Label | EMI Music Japan | |||
Songwriter(s) | Hikaru Utada | |||
Producer(s) |
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Hikaru Utada singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Keep Tryin'" on YouTube |
"Keep Tryin'" is a song recorded by
The single was successful 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). It was also the best selling digital single in Japan of 2006. An accompanying music video was shot by Utada's then husband Kazuaki Kiriya, and is his final collaboration with her; it features Utada in several different costumes, channeling several different roles in a cartoon-influenced city. The song had been promoted through several Japanese commercials and television shows.
Background and composition
"Keep Tryin'" was written and composed by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, her father
Musically, "Keep Tryin'" is a pop song.
Critical response
Upon its release, "Keep Tryin'" received mixed reviews from most music critics. A staff member from CD Journal was positive in his/her review. He/she was positive towards the song writing, describing it as "profound", and complimented the song's "alive" melody.[5] Daniel Robson from The Japan Times was generally positive in his review, calling it "wonderfully weird".[6] However, an emeritus member from Sputnikmusic, Elijah K., was critical towards the song. He compared the track to the album's remaining content, and felt that the production of the track wasn't "interesting". He also believed the song writing of the track "lacked a spark".[7] 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, "Keep Tryin'" was ranked at number 23 with 11 votes in total.[8][9]
Music video
The
Covers
In 2014, Kirinji recorded the song for Utada Hikaru no Uta, a tribute album celebrating 15 years since Utada's debut.[10]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Hikaru Utada
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Keep Tryin'" | 4:53 |
2. | "Wings" | 4:52 |
3. | "Keep Tryin' (Original Karaoke)" | 4:53 |
Total length: | 14:40 |
Chart rankings
Charts (2006) | Peak position |
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Oricon weekly singles[11] | 2 |
Oricon yearly singles[12] | 82 |
Certifications and sales
Chart | Amount |
---|---|
Oricon physical sales[13] | 125,000 |
RIAJ physical certification[14]
|
250,000 |
RIAJ ringtone downloads[15] | 750,000+ |
RIAJ full-length cellphone downloads[15] | 100,000+ |
RIAJ PC downloads[15] | 100,000+ |
References
- ^ a b Utada, Hikaru (2006). Keep Tryin' (CD Single; Liner notes). Japan: EMI Music Japan; Eastworld. TOCT-5005.
- ^ Oricon Style(in Japanese). Retrieved May 23, 2016.
- ^ CD Journal Staff (February 22, 2006). "Utada Hikaru – Keep Tryin' (single review)". CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved May 23, 2016.
- ^ Stern, Bradley (December 9, 2014). "Various Artists – Utada Hikaru no Uta (album review)". MuuMuse. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
- ^ CD Journal Staff (February 22, 2006). "Utada Hikaru – Keep Tryin' (single review)". CD Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
- ^ Robson, Daniel (June 23, 2006). "Utada Hikaru – Ultra Blue (album review)". The Japan Times. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
- ^ Elijah K. (February 10, 2010). "Utada Hikaru – Ultra Blue (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
- ^ Goo.Ne Staff (December 23, 2015). "Ranking songs by Hikaru Utada". Goo.ne.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ Arama Japan Staff (December 28, 2015). "Hikaru Utada's Best Songs as ranked by Goo Rankings". Goo.ne.jp; published through Arama Japan. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ "『宇多田ヒカルのうた』全貌明らかに。井上陽水、椎名林檎、浜崎あゆみ、吉井和哉ら参加アーティストコメント" [All details revealed for Utada Hikaru no Uta, comments from contributing artists such as Yosui Inoue, Ringo Sheena, Ayumi Hamasaki and Kazuya Yoshii.] (in Japanese). Barks. December 3, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- ^ "Keep Tryin' - 宇多田ヒカル/ オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
- ^ シングル 年間ランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. December 2006. Archived from the original on January 2, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
- ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」". Oricon. Retrieved 2010-09-18. (subscription only)
- RIAJ(in Japanese). 2006-03-10. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
- ^ RIAJ(in Japanese). 2006-09-20. Retrieved 2010-09-18.