*** Welcome to piglix ***

Keep Tryin' (Hikaru Utada song)

"Keep Tryin'"
A picture of Utada, having been multiplied and place behind one another.
Single by Utada Hikaru
from the album Ultra Blue
B-side "Wings"
Released February 22, 2006
Format
Recorded 2005
Genre Pop
Length 4:53
Label EMI Music Japan
Writer(s) Utada Hikaru
Producer(s)
Utada Hikaru singles chronology
"Passion"
(2005)
"Keep Tryin'"
(2011)
"This Is Love"
(2006)

"Keep Tryin'" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Utada Hikaru for her sixth studio and fourth Japanese album, Ultra Blue (2006). It premiered on February 22, 2006 as the fifth single from the album in Japan. It was written and composed by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, her father Teruzane Utada, and Miyake Akira. It included the B-side track "Wings", which also appeared on the parent album. Musically, "Keep Tryin'" is a pop song. Lyrically, it discusses themes of self-empowerment. Upon its release, the track garnered generally mixed reviews from music critics. Many critics complimented the song's catchy melody and believed the chorus memorable. However, some critics felt its overall production and composition was "light weighted" and one of her weaker singles.

The single achieved success 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 ex-husband Kazuaki Kiriya, and currently is his final collaboration with her; it features Utada in several different costumes, channelling several different roles in a cartoon-influenced city. The song had been promoted through several Japanese commercials and television shows.

"Keep Tryin'" was written and composed by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, her father Teruzane Utada, and Miyake Akira. It was recorded by Atsushi Matsui and Daniel Burns in Japan 2005, and programmed by Matt Rohde and Utada. Utada and Rohde played the keyboards, and David Carpenter played bass guitar through the song's composition. In an interview with Oricon Style on February 22, 2006, Utada explained that the inspiration of the song came from her 2003 single "Colors"; "There was a 'Do your best!' kind of message in "Colors", but it wasn’t as distinct as in "Keep Tryin"." She exemplified her routine of riding underground train's in Japan as inspiration, stating that "For me, I think that even when I get on a free way, and see the man at the toll booth. I always tell the man 'thank you' or 'keep up the good work'...". She describing the writing process the song as "refreshing". It premiered on February 22, 2006 as the fifth single from the album in Japan; it was also released around the world digitally on that same date. It included the B-side track "Wings", which also appeared on the parent album, plus an instrumental version of "Keep Tryin'".


...
Wikipedia

...