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Simple and Clean

Article Discussion
(Redirected from Simple and Clean -Ray Of Hope MIX-)
Kingdom Hearts
Simple and Clean
Theme Notes.png
0:32
Arranger Utada Hikaru
Composer Utada Hikaru
Vocalist Utada Hikaru

"Simple and Clean"[1] and its Japanese counterpart "Hikari" (光?, lit. "Light") are a pair of songs written and sung by Utada Hikaru. They are main themes of the Kingdom Hearts series.

A pair of remixes titled "Simple and Clean -PLANITb Remix-"[2] and "Hikari -PLANITb Remix-" debuted alongside the original song in Kingdom Hearts. A new pair of remixes by PUNPEE titled "Simple and Clean -Ray Of Hope MIX-" and "Hikari -Ray of Hope MIX-" were composed for Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-.

An instrumental arrangement of the piece titled "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-"[3] was introduced in Kingdom Hearts, arranged by Kaoru Wada and performed by the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. A shorter instrumental arrangement by Yoko Shimomura appears in Kingdom Hearts as well, titled "HIKARI -KINGDOM HEARTS Instrumental Version-". A new instrumental arrangement by Kaoru Wada appears in Kingdom Hearts III, titled "Hikari -KINGDOM Tres Orchestra Instrumental Version-".

In 2024, Utada Hikaru released a pair of new arrangements titled "Simple And Clean (Re-Recording)" and "Hikari (Re-Recording)". While these versions have not appeared in Kingdom Hearts games, they were used in a promotional trailer for Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece on Steam.

AppearancesEdit

 
The album cover of "Hikari".

Kingdom HeartsEdit

  • Main menu cinematic[4]
  • Opening cinematic[5]
  • Ending credits[6]
Cutscenes

Kingdom Hearts Chain of MemoriesEdit

Kingdom Hearts IIEdit

  • Ending cinematic[4]

Kingdom Hearts Birth by SleepEdit

  • Opening cinematic[5]
  • Ending credits[4]
  • Ending credits (Final Episode)[6]

Kingdom Hearts Re:codedEdit

  • Opening cinematic[5]
  • Ending credits[6]

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop DistanceEdit

  • Opening cinematic[4]

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIXEdit

  • Ending credits[4]

Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth By Sleep -A fragmentary passage-Edit

  • Opening cinematic[8]
  • Ending credits[6]

Kingdom Hearts IIIEdit

  • Ending cinematic[9]

Kingdom Hearts III Re MindEdit

  • Ending cinematic[9]

Kingdom Hearts Melody of MemoryEdit

  • Opening cinematic[6]

CompositionEdit

"Simple and Clean"Edit

"Hikari" first released on Utada's Deep River album, while "Simple and Clean" first released on the Colors single. The name Hikari (光) means "Light" in Japanese, a universal force in the Kingdom Hearts universe.

"Simple And Clean -PLANITb Remix-"Edit

"Simple And Clean -PLANITb Remix-" and "Hikari -PLANITb Remix-" are versions of "Simple and Clean" and "Hikari" remixed by Russell McNamara at PLANITb Studios London, England. The PLANITb Remix is faster, longer, and has more of a dance mix feel to it than Utada's original song. A shortened version of the remix is used in the Kingdom Hearts series.

"Simple And Clean -Ray Of Hope MIX-"Edit

"Simple And Clean -Ray Of Hope MIX-" and "Hikari -Ray Of Hope MIX-" are versions of "Simple and Clean" and "Hikari" remixed by PUNPEE. This version is shorter in length in comparison to the original and the PLANITb Remix. The arrangement has a similar dance mix feel to the PLANITb Remix, although a few clicks slower.

"Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-"Edit

"Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" is approximately three minutes and forty-two seconds long in Kingdom Hearts and the HD remake of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix. The piece has a time signature of 4/4. The opening theme has a tempo of 70 beats per minute, then slightly increases to 80 beats per minute, briefly speeds up with the low brass melody to a tempo of 154 beats per minute, temporarily slows down to 74 beats per minute, and concludes with a tempo around 72 beats per minute before the final rallentando and ritardando.

For instrumentation, "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestral Instrumental Version-" consists of a full orchestra. This would include: a complete strings section- violin, viola, cello, and stringed bass, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, snare drum, bass drum, orchestral bells, chimes, wind chimes, suspended cymbal, crash cymbal, timpani, piano, and harp.

"Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" has a very grand and adventurous feel to it; befitting for an opening or ending cutscene. Several different themes are introduced, which can be broken down into five sections: the opening theme/introduction, the second theme , the third theme, the fourth theme, and the finale. Each section represents either a verse or chorus from "Hikari." Throughout the piece are many instrument-specific and unique techniques, such as: trombone glissandos, the various strings extended techniques- vibrato, and the like.

The opening theme lasts for the first fifty seconds on the piece, and, as the opening statement of the composition, lays the foundation for the following themes. The opening theme's magical mood transitions to the second theme's faster, but equally as mystical tone. The third theme momentarily shifts dynamic and features the percussion and brass sections, before returning the melody back to the strings. Resuming control, the strings lead the ensemble into the fourth theme- a slightly livelier and more percussive variation of the first theme. The last theme is the finale, which changes tempo greatly towards the end through the use of rallentando and ritardando. These tempo reductions, along with the brass fanfares and percussive crashes help imply the ending of a grand adventure.

The Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Event performance of "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" is played on solo piano. It is nearly identical in structure to the original orchestral arrangement.

"HIKARI -KINGDOM HEARTS Instrumental Version-"Edit

"HIKARI -KINGDOM HEARTS Instrumental Version-" is approximately one minute and nine seconds long in both versions of Kingdom Hearts. The piece has a time signature of 4/4 and a tempo of 74 beats per minute.

This instrumental arrangement is slightly different compared to the orchestral version, instead preferring a smaller instrumentation of: a complete strings section, flute, choir-ahhs, piano, organ, and a synthesizer that is using a music box MIDI sound effect.

Playing only once, "Hikari -KINGDOM HEARTS Instrumental Version-" serves a distinct purpose: it represents the sacrifice Sora makes in order to save Kairi. As such, this version references parts of previous tracks in order to connect the music to this specific scene. The use of a music box sound effect is a homage to Kairi's theme, while the actual melody draws heavily from the chorus section of "Hikari." It can also be interpreted that this rendition is a "watered down" version of the full orchestral arrangement.

"Hikari -KINGDOM Tres Orchestra Instrumental Version-"Edit

 This section of the article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

"Simple and Clean (Re-Recording)"Edit

"Simple and Clean (Re-Recording)" and "Hikari (Re-Recording)" feature re-recorded vocals from Utada Hikaru and a different instrumentation. In this arrangement, the song is now in the key of F# minor, and the instrumentals are more lo-fi in nature. The final words of the chorus of "Hikari" briefly appear at the track's outro, even in the "Simple and Clean" version.

LyricsEdit

When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
You're giving me too many things
Lately you're all I need
You smiled at me and said,
Don't get me wrong I love you
But does that mean I have to meet your father?
When we are older you'll understand
What I meant when I said "No,
I don't think life is quite that simple"
When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
The daily things that keep us all busy
Are confusing me
That's when you came to me and said,
Wish I could prove I love you
But does that mean I have to walk on water?
When we are older you'll understand
It's enough when I say so
And maybe some things are that simple
When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before
When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before
Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before

Other appearancesEdit

Kingdom Hearts (2003 Pilot)Edit

In the Kingdom Hearts television pilot, "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" plays during the opening sequence narrated by Jiminy Cricket, and "Simple and Clean -PLANITb Remix-" plays when Sora and Riku race for the magic lamp in the Cave of Wonders.

Kingdom Hearts Magical AR StageEdit

Kingdom Hearts Magical AR Stage features "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" as one of five stages in the AR video experience. The scene shows Sora running in The Final World accompanied by memories of his friends and a promotional track list for the then-upcoming Kingdom hearts Melody of Memory.

Super Smash Bros. UltimateEdit

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-" plays in the background of the beginning and ending of Sora's reveal trailer, although it does not appear in the game itself.[10]

Kingdom Hearts WalkmanEdit

A coupon for a free installation of "Hikari" was bundled with the 20th Anniversary Walkman.

AlbumsEdit

Notes and referencesEdit

  1. ^ Also written as "Simple And Clean".
  2. ^ Also written as "Simple And Clean -PLANITb Remix-".
  3. ^ Also written as "Hikari -KINGDOM orchestra instrumental version-" and "Simple and Clean -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-".
  4. ^ a b c d e "Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version-"
  5. ^ a b c d "Simple and Clean -PLANITb Remix-" and "Hikari -PLANITb Remix-"
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Simple and Clean" and "Hikari"
  7. ^ "HIKARI -KINGDOM HEARTS Instrumental Version-"
  8. ^ "Simple And Clean -Ray Of Hope MIX-" and "Hikari -Ray Of Hope MIX-"
  9. ^ a b "HIKARI -KINGDOM Tres Orchestra Instrumental Version-"
  10. ^ Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – The Last Key

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