Oricon 2008 Album Ranking: “HEART STATION” #5
Oricon Japan has released their yearly CD rankings, and Utada’s “HEART STATION” comes in at #5 on the 2008 Oricon Album ranking chart with 997,536 units sold. “HEART STATION” is the best selling female original album of the year, while Japanese hip-pop group EXILE’s “EXILE LOVE” comes in at #1, followed by Namie Amuro’s “Best Fiction” “(#2), Kobukuro’s “5296″ (#3), and EXILE’s “EXILE Catchy Best.” Congratulations to Utada!
Utada 10th Anniversary: Utada x Aaliyah, May 2000, Parts 4-6
Here
are the last 3 parts of the interview between Utada and the late, great Aaliyah.
Utada x Aaliyah - Tres Bien Bohemian / May, 2000 / Part IV
Utada x Aaliyah - Tres Bien Bohemian / May, 2000 / Part V
Utada x Aaliyah - Tres Bien Bohemian / May, 2000 / Part VI
Oricon Sales: “HEART STATION” + “Distance”
HEART STATION 38th Week Sales Weekly Ranking: 200 | 932 units | Total Sales: 997,536 units
Distance 50th Week Sales Weekly Ranking: 264 | 697 units | Total Sales: 4,471,727 units
Utada 10th Anniversary: Utada x Aaliyah, May 2000, Parts 1-3
The celebration continues as we bring you parts 1 through 3 of this rare interview between Utada and the late, great Aaliyah. The final 3 parts will be posted in a subsequent entry.
Taking place in May of 2000 (approximately 15 months before Aaliyah’s untimely death), this interview was part of Utada’s “Tres Bien Bohemian” radio program. Aaliyah had a huge influence on Utada’s music, and is said to be the root of her love for R&B.
Utada x Aaliyah - Tres Bien Bohemian / May, 2000 / Part I
Utada x Aaliyah - Tres Bien Bohemian / May, 2000 / Part II
Utada x Aaliyah - Tres Bien Bohemian / May, 2000 / Part III
Utada 10th Anniversary: “Ten”/”Sen” Books Spring 2009
Utada’s Japanese website has been updated tonight at 12AM/midnight Japan time with a new profile picture, and news that 2 official books will be published in Spring of 2009, titled “Ten” (Point) and “Sen” (Line), to commemorate Utada’s 10 years in the music business. The titles of the books appear to reference the lyrics of “Deep River,” the title track off Utada’s 3rd Japanese language album.
“Ten” consists of an essay written by Utada, focusing on everything from her marriage and divorce, to the joys and pain of writing music. There is also a long interview conducted by Utada’s long time official writer, Ms. Matsuura, along with photos from her debut in 1999 to the present. ”Sen” is a collection of Utada’s official blog/messages and website updates plus photographs taken on location by the same man who photographed her “First Love” album. Each book is said to be approximately 400 pages.
In addition, a “UH 10th Anniversary” blog has been opened, featuring fan submissions from the call for “Your Favorite Utada Songs.” The blog is tagged by song, and as of this writing, “Hikari” and “Take 5″ are tied with the most entries, with 41 a piece.
Utada 10th Anniversary: InterFM Interview, Dec. 2005
As part of U.Blog’s celebration of Utada’s 10th Anniversary, here is her full radio interview from the December 16th, 2005 broadcast of InterFM, during her promotional tour for her single “Passion.” The majority of the interview is conducted in English, although Utada slips into Japanese at certain points. Enjoy! More audio bits to come–
Utada Interview - InterFM Radio / December 16th, 2005 / 30:07
Utada 10 Year Anniversary: 1998-2008
It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since Utada’s “Automatic/time will tell” single was released in Japan on December 9th, 1998. This seems like the perfect opportunity to reflect on Utada’s amazing musical career.
Feel free to leave a “Congrats!” or to comment on your favorite songs, albums, TV appearances, or anything else from the past 10 years of Utada’s career. Here’s to another 10 amazing years of music–
iTunes Japan 2008 Yearly Chart
iTunes Japan has released their yearly download chart, and Utada has a great showing this year (as with years past). Utada’s “HEART STATION” takes the #1 spot on the Top Album Downloads chart, while “Prisoner Of Love” comes in at #3 on the Top Songs Download ranking. Congrats to Utada!
iTunes Japan 2008 Top Albums:
1. HEART STATION
33. Utada Hikaru: Single Collection Vol. 1
100. ULTRA BLUE
iTunes Japan 2008 Top Songs:
3. Prisoner Of Love
20. HEART STATION
32. Stay Gold
48. Flavor Of Life
68. Eternally -Drama Mix-
Oricon Sales: “HEART STATION” + “Distance”
HEART STATION 37th Week Sales Weekly Ranking: 179 | 1,072 units | Total Sales: 996,604 units
Distance 49th Week Sales Weekly Ranking: 233 | 802 units | Total Sales: 4,471,030 units
Tower Records Japan Top Sellers 2008
Tower Records Japan has released their Top Sellers list for 2008, and Utada’s “HEART STATION” comes in at #2. The top spot goes to Namie Amuro’s “Best Fiction,” while Exile, GReeeeN, and Perfume round out the rest of the Top 5.