Tomodachi (song)

Tomodachi (ともだち, lit. "Friends") is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Utada Hikaru,featuring Nariaki Obukuro from her sixth Japanese studio album, Fantôme (2016). It was written by Utada herself, while its production was done by her, her father Utada Teruzane and her long-time collaborator Miyake Akira. "Tomodachi" is a R&B and bossa nova pop which features both singers singing passionately over a repeated acoustic guitar performed by Tanaka Yoshito. Lyrically, it talks about a gay person who accidentally fell in love with their friend. It was acclaimed by music critics who praised both singer's vocals.

"Tomodachi"
Song by Utada Hikaru featuring Nariaki Obukuro
from the album Fantôme
Recorded	2016
Studio	RAK Studios Bunkamura Studio Metropolis Studio Pierce Room Sterling Sound
Genre	R&B Bossa Nova Pop
Length	4:22
Label	Virgin Universal Japan
Songwriter(s)	Utada Hikaru
Producer(s)	Utada Hikaru Utada Teruzane Miyake Akira

Background

"Tomodachi" was written by Utada, while produced by her and features the vocals by Japanese singer and producer Nariaki Obukuro, who also runs an independent record label, Tokyo Recordings. It was recorded in three studios: RAK Studios (UK), Bunkamura Studio (Japan) and Metropolis Studio (UK). The audio mixing of "Tomodachi" was completed by Steve Fitzmaurice at Pierce Room and the track was eventually mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound[1].

Live performance

On September 22, 2016, Utada and Obukuro performed "Tomodachi" on the Japanese television program, Songs with Kris Roche playing the acoustic guitar.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[1]

Utada Hikaru – vocals, writing, production, programming, brass arrangement Nariaki Obukuro – vocals Tom Coyne – audio mastering Steve Fitzmaurice – recording, mixing, additional drum programming Matsui Atsushi – recording Komori Masahito – vocal recording Darren Heelis – additional engineering, additional drum programming Tanaka Yoshito – acoustic guitar

Francis Hylton – electric bass Will Fry – percussion Sid Gauld – brass leader, trumpet Andy Panayi – tenor saxophone Mark Nightingale – trombone Miyake Akira – production Utada Teruzane – production

References

1. Fantôme (Media notes). Utada Hikaru. Virgin and Universal Japan. 2016.CS1 maint: others (link)