Japanese pop icon Hikaru Utada revisited her 1999 hit “First Love” in an emotional new performance on YouTube channel The First Take, 26 years after the song’s original release.
The stripped-down rendition featured Utada singing live in one take alongside pianist Kei Kawano, who arranged the original version of the ballad.
It marked the first time the two performed the song together since its debut.
“First Love” was the title track of Utada’s breakthrough Japanese-language album, which remains the best-selling album in Japan’s history with more than 8 million copies sold domestically.
The song has since become a cultural touchstone, featured in a 2022 Netflix drama of the same name and widely covered in karaoke bars across the country.
Utada’s return to The First Take comes on the heels of her recent performance of “Mine or Yours.”
Known for its simple, single-camera setup, The First Take puts a spotlight on raw vocal talent, and Utada’s quiet but powerful performance is a reminder of why “First Love” continues to resonate with fans decades later.
You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/iBUV7dxGhno