Utada Hikaru + Yamada Masashi = “One Night Magic”

By Shay • Jul 7th, 2006 • Category: Audio, Japan, Opinion, music     

One of the best female vocalists plus one of the best male rock vocalists equals a great song correct? Yes and well, no.

Contained on Utada Hikaru’s brand new album “ULTRA BLUE” is a pretty cool song titled “One Night Magic”. Suprisingly enough, the song features Yamada Masashi of The Back Horn. Yes, it is an odd pairing.

As you all probably know, I love The Back Horn and additionally, Masashi has to be one of the greatest rock vocalists around in my opinion. Upon knowing about this team-up I had nothing but high expectations for “One Night Magic”.

While it is indeed a very good song I feel that any diehard Back Horn/Yamada Masashi fan will be let down. His part in the song is minimal at best. He pretty much sings the chorus in a distant manner. To be honest, I was expecting what Masashi is known for: his passionate, loud, wailing vocals. I guess this is to be expected since IT IS an Utada Hikaru song. Real deal Back Horn vocals would surely cramp her album’s style.

Slight disappointment is all to be had. It is a nice song and I enjoy it for what it is. If we want to hear a song by this duo like I was expecting, I guess it’d have to be the other way around…The Back Horn featuring Utada Hikaru. Actually, that’s a great idea!

Have a listen yourself:

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(Speaking of The Back Horn…their new release “Taiyo no Naka no Seikatsu” is the current recommended album. Expect a review soon.)

Shay is eating Yen and Won for breakfast.
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12 Responses »

  1. Os on July 7th, 2006 at 9:38 am:

    Man, I couldn’t even tell that it was him in this song until you told me. But you’re right, if the roles were reversed, that’d be one hell of a song.

  2. Shay on July 7th, 2006 at 1:15 pm:

    Yeah it leads me to wonder why they picked Masashi of all people. I’m glad they did. I know it’s because of both artist’s connection to the movie “Casshern”. (Utada’s husband directed it, she did the theme, and The Back Horn’s “Requiem” was on the soundtrack.)

  3. Toad on July 9th, 2006 at 12:38 am:

    As much as I hate to admit it, I like that song =P

    It’s fun!

  4. Morrissey on July 10th, 2006 at 12:08 pm:

    If not Yamada - but WOULDN’T a better combo be: Ken Hirai and Utada Hikaru?!?!

  5. Shay on July 10th, 2006 at 1:54 pm:

    Wow Morrissey, you’re right…that would work. A powerful female voice + male falsetto, I’m down. ^_^

  6. Ari on February 7th, 2007 at 2:55 pm:

    I think to the song is awesome
    and yamada has an awesome voice and with
    utada’s voice it made the cooliest song ever
    ^^

  7. Ari on February 7th, 2007 at 2:56 pm:

    YAMADA AND UTADA!!!!
    ^^

  8. Id on March 3rd, 2007 at 6:48 pm:

    The reason for this pairing is because Utada is a fan of The Back Horn. She would go to some of TBH’s concerts. She also had the drummer from Mars Volta do some work on her album Exodus. Just thought you’d like an answer as to why.

  9. Eiko on May 3rd, 2007 at 3:51 pm:

    one night magic, in my opinion, is freakin AWESOME!

  10. Riri on July 2nd, 2007 at 7:25 am:

    Utada and Yamada rule!

    One Night Magic is a freakin awesome song!

    I have it on my Ipod!

  11. Morrissey on July 12th, 2007 at 10:11 am:

    again i stand by my statement.

    There needs to be a duet with Utada Hikaru and Ken Hirai

  12. minamito on March 16th, 2008 at 9:44 pm:

    i love hikaru utada
    i have hikaru utada
    at asia star
    Hikaru Utada

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