EMI Japan has just posted the full music video for Utada’s “Goodbye Happiness” on a new YouTube channel. Check it out here! Thoughts?
- A Message March 25, 2011
- A Message March 25, 2011
- Hi from Japan! December 7, 2010
- Live is just around the corner December 6, 2010
- Video viewing manual "Kuma's pot" November 17, 2010
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- InnerRise on Oricon Sales 12/13: “Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2″
- hiritofatsuge on Poll: What should be on a Utada cover album?
- InnerRise on Oricon Sales 12/13: “Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2″
- vieya on Oricon Sales 12/13: “Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2″
- hiritofatsuge on Oricon Sales 12/13: “Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2″
Oh. My. God. That was probably the most adorable thing I have ever seen! Hikki, kudos to you for making probably the single most original music video ever!
Puppets! Kumahead! Automatic chair!
i loved it. i never saw the puppets or the ‘automatic’ bit coming! that was awesome.
Haha. I must say that was a very fun video. Utada looked gorgeous, and it was nice seeing the puppets and the Automatic chair. All and all, it was a really great video, and I definitely enjoyed it. Makes me miss her more and more already.
I LOVE IT OMG.
I love Hikki and all, but is it too much to ask for an amazing PV? That sounds harsh but honestly I miss the days when we got the PVs directed towards Kiriya Kazuaki, as far as aesthetics go. Haven’t had much of a chance to actually analyze the video, when I do my opinion might change but for now I think it’s a bit of a letdown. I’d even take a studio recording setting, like FoL. Maybe the other music video will be better.
re:diegwa
It’s so weird you say that, since this video has so many references to the Kazuaki Kiriya produced videos you like (right down to the name card at the opening.)
SO. ADORABLE. I loved it!!! <3
You know……when it first started…..I thought.
“Ugh….is she just gonna sit there and sing to the camera for 5 minutes? Well this is going to suck. -_-”
But I laughed so much during this video, I really liked how it came out.
It was pretty much better than all of her music videos since maybe “Boku wa Kuma” (love the video despite not fully LOVING the song).
I loved the references, the puppets, and the ending with the doves made me LOL hard.
i thought the video was cute, but idk….in my mind, i had imagined the video being set in like the african safari or something with utada wearing haute-coutre.
still, i think the video concept is quite cute, and i think itll grow on me.
I’m going to say this and let everyone else think or say whatever they really feel, but I really thought this was an objectively excellent PV (even if I wasn’t an avid listener or fan of hers) although it didn’t have the special effects or aesthetics of the Kiriya collaborations, and here’s why: Firstly, this is a self-directed PV, and who would’ve thought she’d pull it off that well her first time doing it? Secondly, J-pop videos, similar to American style ones we see on MTV,BET,VH1 and elsewhere, simply are not as consistently groundbreaking or innovative as they were in during the 80s and 90s heyday, which makes sense given that artists (in any language or genre) don’t make as timeless tunes or lyrical content to match that kind of expression anymore. To sum this point up, I like how a Slant Magazine review for the Gorillaz “Plastic Beach” album put it, “Music nowadays is written and created by the talented and only perfromed and exploited by the beautiful!’
But back on topic, we should all remember that Hikki’s original PVs until her Deep River, Exodus, and Ultra Blue eras didn’t have all that sparkling pizazz and pyrotechnic get-ups, either! Although they were subjectively less ‘interesting’ or forgettable in their initial view or appearance, they always matched the mood and meaning of the songs Utada was singing with such sincerity and conviction. She’s not with Kiriya Kazuaki anymore and we can’t expect her to make even a working partnership work if they’re not happy in each otehr’s presence like that anymore (and from the sounds of some press, it sounds like he didn’t hit it off well with either of his in-laws either, especially regarding involvement in Utada’s career!) Are her 10+ music video homeruns between 2001-2006 the reason why we love her so much? No, not really. The music video will last but for a few minutes, but the message and sounds stay with us a lot longer, if not forever, in our daily lives and reflective thoughts, and that’s surely the reason she’s been able to appeal and be so successful beyond anyone’s expectations of her in this industry. At least she’s IN the PV (unlike the BW/K&C videos) and doesn’t seem emotionally stilted or at all forced (like HS), and seems like she’s having the time of her for a change despite it being such an ironically bittersweet and sad song. Would a melodramatic romantic storyline and some cool choreography been preferable for this? Perhaps so, but its Hikki’s humanity and personality in the PV that comes through and makes it all her own, and that’s what I appreciated most. The animal puppets were a nice throwback to Boku Wa Kuma and her WILD LIFE concert theme, as was the AUTOMATIC sofa chair, the Traveling stride impersonation, and maybe the earthiness of Hikari’s PV. I don’t expect her to make a Bjork, Missy Elliot, or Prince style music video with every outed single, and no on else should because no one has done it either. I like the PV a lot and I know it’ll grow on me in due time; and I’ll always prefer the musicianship and great song over those shallow PV showmanship (like it would be for say, a Koda Kumi or Ayu undertaking)! We’ll get another one before year’s end and concert footage to boot, so until we see those, she definitely get an ‘A’ for effort if not originality this time. We’ll see another Kiriya/Hikaru style work eventually, we just have to be patient and be least expecting of it!
I’m going to say this and let everyone else think or say whatever they really feel, but I really thought this was an objectively excellent PV (even if I wasn’t an avid listener or fan of hers) although it didn’t have the special effects or aesthetics of the Kiriya collaborations, and here’s why: Firstly, this is a self-directed PV, and who would’ve thought she’d pull it off that well her first time doing it? Secondly, J-pop videos, similar to American style ones we see on MTV,BET,VH1 and elsewhere, simply are not as consistently groundbreaking or innovative as they were in during the 80s and 90s heyday, which makes sense given that artists (in any language or genre) don’t make as timeless tunes or lyrical content to match that kind of expression anymore. To sum this point up, I like how a Slant Magazine review for the Gorillaz “Plastic Beach” album put it, “Music nowadays is written and created by the talented and only perfromed and exploited by the beautiful!’
But back on topic, we should all remember that Hikki’s original PVs until her Deep River, Exodus, and Ultra Blue eras didn’t have all that sparkling pizazz and pyrotechnic get-ups, either! Although they were subjectively less ‘interesting’ or forgettable in their initial view or appearance, they always matched the mood and meaning of the songs Utada was singing with such sincerity and conviction. She’s not with Kiriya Kazuaki anymore and we can’t expect her to make even a working partnership work if they’re not happy in each otehr’s presence like that anymore (and from the sounds of some press, it sounds like he didn’t hit it off well with either of his in-laws either, especially regarding involvement in Utada’s career!) Are her 10+ music video homeruns between 2001-2006 the reason why we love her so much? No, not really. The music video will last but for a few minutes, but the message and sounds stay with us a lot longer, if not forever, in our daily lives and reflective thoughts, and that’s surely the reason she’s been able to appeal and be so successful beyond anyone’s expectations of her in this industry. At least she’s IN the PV (unlike the BW/K&C videos) and doesn’t seem emotionally stilted or at all forced (like HS), and seems like she’s having the time of her for a change despite it being such an ironically bittersweet and sad song. Would a melodramatic romantic storyline and some cool choreography been preferable for this? Perhaps so, but its Hikki’s humanity and personality in the PV that comes through and makes it all her own, and that’s what I appreciated most. The animal puppets were a nice throwback to Boku Wa Kuma and her WILD LIFE concert theme, as was the AUTOMATIC sofa chair, the Traveling stride impersonation, and maybe the earthiness of Hikari’s PV. I don’t expect her to make a Bjork, Missy Elliot, or Prince style music video with every outed single, and no one else should because no one has done it either. I like the PV a lot and I know it’ll grow on me in due time; and I’ll always prefer the musicianship and great song over those shallow PV showmanship (like it would be for say, a Koda Kumi or Ayu undertaking)! We’ll get another one before year’s end and concert footage to boot, so until we see those, she definitely get an ‘A’ for effort if not originality this time. We’ll see another Kiriya/Hikaru style work eventually, we just have to be patient and be least expecting of it!
*other’s presence
*the time of (her life)
Srry!
I’m surprised that no one noticed that she donned her hat from “Traveling” in the video.
Seriously! people need to get over it! Utada is in the NOW, isn’t it about time everyone else is too? Yeah, her videos were amazing and her music is amazing;however, ALL the fans that drift off into her past works really need to keep up…Hikki is moving on while still trying to keep it reminiscent. We should love what she is doing NOW. No offense, but I’m getting really tired of fans whining about the past and how amazing her past videos were and how they should be now…FYI they are still really good!
sorry for this rant haha but I had to state it somewhere.
Puppets!!
Once again, Hikki proves that we simply cannot predict what she’s going to come up with next. I really enjoyed it, and that’s coming from someone who hasn’t enjoyed any of her videos since the Ultra Blue era. The references to her previous works (the title card, Automatic Chair, Traveling march) were hilarious but also somewhat sentimental. The “U-Tube, webcam theme held it all together really nicely, and it was nice to see little odds and ends (the puppet, disco ball, blackboard) pop up here and there throughout the video. Most importantly, we got to see a lot of our favorite artist! She looked terrific, very beautiful as always. All in all I would say it was a great video, not in the same way that Final Distance and Keep Tryin’ were great videos, but still charming and fun.
It was really fun and I loved every bit of it, but… does anyone else feel a bit trolled? Haha
I feel like this video is really FOR US, more than any of the previous videos have been. Between her singing directly into the camera for most of it, to all of the little “inside jokes” that only her fans who watch all of her vids again and again would get, to the “I love you!” message at the end, I feel like Hikki really wanted this video to be a message from her to us, you know? Like, “I know I’m going away, but look how much fun we’ve had, and there will be many more good times to come.” Almost brings a tear to your eye XD
@Alex0821: I agreed with you. Hikki made this video for us, her fans…and only her fans who knows most of her PVs will understand this PV of hers…and she knows that. So let’s all just cheer up…..because there is one more PV coming our way.
^Alex0821: Alex has it right. The Whole song is “Goodbye Happiness”, and I think in a way she’s subliminally telling us that she’s going away. But this is her way of recognizing us, showing her appreciation, and putting it in a way we all can recognize and love (hopefully). I think this is why she wanted to direct it, because she did not want the video to be plastic and professional, because you barely see ANY of her personality, as seen in her previous MVs.
Like what alex said, Hikki is merely saying: “I know I’m going away, but look how much fun we’ve had..”
Personally, I’d like to know what kind of headphones she’s wearing at the beginning of the video. Kind of want them. LOL
By, the way..The disco ball is a reference to First Love…I think..
Honestly, it is not what I expected just like the other people here who were expecting like a Kiriya scene for the PV (But, yeah, there were! haha). But I strongly agree with Alex0821. I really like it! While I was watching it, I laughed, I said “aahhh.. so cute!”, I said “Oh my! she’s dancing!”, “hahaha! Automatic!” “Kuma-chang!” “Hala! Pigeons?”, and a lot more.
And yes. Another unexpected event coming from our Hikki. Very creative yet very humble. *sigh* ^_^
This PV was actually really good~ It felt personal and when she held up the “I Love You” sign *cries*
I laughed when those white doves/pigeons came out and one attacked her. HAHA! *sigh* I am going to miss her.
She is one crazy woman. 3>
YesAsia tweeted that will will get the BONUS DVD but only for the Japanese versions! YAAAAY~ I am so happy now!
Haha I just noticed something. At the end of the video where it shows the related videos, each one was represented in the goodbye happiness pv. Let me explain. Heart station is represented by the headphones. Traveling is represented by the hat. Automatic is represented by the chair. Boku wa Kuma is represented by the puppets. And lastly prisoner of love is represented by the keyboard on her bed or the fact that she is in a room. I am not sure about the last one though lol. But it is pretty kool how she wrapped all the easter eggs with the little utube end page thingy at the end.
Headphones for Heart Station, keyboard for Prisoner of Love, blackboard/lecturing and glasses for Keep Tryin’, disco ball for First Love, Kuma head for Boku wa Kuma, doves for Sakura Drops??? I think I saw doves in there, yellow sofa for Automatic, in her room for In My Room (lol), hat and flag for traveling, that black card for Kiriya, her jeans for Flavor of Life live, her shirt for Kiss & Cry live, I Love You card for Uso Mitai Na ~I Love You~ or she she just simply loves us
it funny but i don’t know why i got a bit teary eyed when watching this PV(especially when she wrote ‘love you’). I felt she was singing the song face to face just to and for me!! She is so simple, yet so creative!! i love hikki, and this is why. I also remember seeing a dove/bird in the First Love pv as well. And her being in a room can be a reference to her FL song ‘in my room’. lol
But anyways, the music video was so unique and it’s soo HER. When watch the video i was like ‘man time flies!’ (just like birds do)
~SO GOOD JOB HIKARU, YOU SHOULD BE SOO PROUD OF YOURSELF!!!~ HEHEHE
I really liked this video. it’s cute and I think a good way to thank fans with little references sprinkled out. Sure the video was somewhat low budget but the thing was also all shot in one take (presumably unless they did a really smooth cut) which is actually rpetty hard to do if you make music videos!
So how many references in the video are there to her other PVs and songs? I love that she had the white flag (a reference to the lyrics in COLORS) but which others did you see? I’d love a breakdown.
yes like i noticed guys some object on her room like chair on automatic kuma mascot and hat on her travelling togother with her dance the video symbolize her montage in her old PV from past up to present … at the end she wrote I LOVE YOU ! how sweet hikki is … i think she achieve all on her career SHE IS THE GREATEST WOMEN THAT I EVER SAW IN THIS WORLD IN MY WHOLE LIFE !!! HIKKI YOU’RE THE GIRL !!! I WAS VERY AMAZE IN HER PV “GOODBYE HAPPINESS” SIMPLE AND BEAUTIFUL !!!
She should have washed some dishes
LOL!!!!
@biotite “Sure the video was somewhat low budget but the thing was also all shot in one take…” I think this is to reference Hikari.
Doves… a lot of doves in her background in Utada United in multiple songs. And I was also surprised with that 1 dove that kind of attacked her. haha! of course that was not choreographed. so it turned out to be just a perfect event! and if u noticed, she was scared about it. she even looked at the camera after it happened. hahaha!
Mug… mug in Prisoner of Love. and yeah the piano on her bed.
and that scene with the big Kuma head, it definitely is a reference to her Recochoku CM.
And I also noticed that related videos thingy like mattmattishere said. makes sense especially the picture thumbnails that were chosen for them.traveling flag, heart station headphones, automatic chair, prisoner of love piano (or organ). and that makes me wonder what that 1-min Utada Hikaru vid is. anyone?
And yes.. I agree that this is for us – her fans. She is acknowledging us especially for those who make effort in youtube singing and doing parody of her songs. (Parody. and maybe just another reference??? hahahah! cool!) and it actually reminds me of Zuntatta and a little Miracle Hikaru.
ugh.. I cant believe that she’s leaving us like this.. T.T but I dont want it in any other way.
The doves flying out of the pizza box is in reference to her father mistaking the words “Pizza Hato”, which stood for “Pizza Hut,” for the Japanese word “Hato,” which means, “Pigeon.” So he thought it was “Pizza Pigeon.”
Thus a pizza box full of pigeons.
An inside joke between Utada and her father.
Did anyone else realize she’s singing 出会ったころの気持ちを今でも覚えてますか？（deatta koro no kimochi wo imademo oboetemasuka? = Even now, can you remember the feeling when we first met?) while sitting in the chair from her FIRST music video — the time we first “met” her?
HIKKI, THE BEST. UTADA THE GREAT ALWAYS AND FOREVER..
OMG, Love the vid. Please oh please let her have more interaction with the US! PLZ! (hopefully in LA ^_^)
For a couple of days now, Goodbye Happiness runs and runs in my head! hahahaha! and it always makes me smile. And the music video, I watched it several times already. The only way that I can listen to the song for now. hayyss.. It makes me smile+blush. ^_^